The visit that almost wasn’t

We were to be ready to leave at 7am so we were – but Andrew overslept so we didn't leave town until almost 8am. Arrived at the baby home and they were happy to see us there but told us Genya was in the hospital! Not to worry, has a problem with his eye but got taken there this morning (I believe). So at first we thought we drove all that way for nothing. But things turned out ok – after telling us many times "don't worry" and "we think it happened on the playground" and other reassuring statements we asked if we could visit him at the hospital – even if just for a few minutes. At first she didn't think so as they have their own routine over there – so I gave a box of crayons and one coloring book for her to give Genya and we started out of the building. Also I don't think we were to visit as the hospital was on quarantine for flu. But shortly after ran after us to tell us they were going to try and see if we could get in at the hospital. After many phone calls between Andrew, Alex, the Guardianship committee, the hospital doctor, and probably some others we were given permission to visit Genya for a short while.

We drove across Cheremkhovo, which is a bigger town than you would think, and found the hospital. Nothing to look at from the outside or really the inside either. We got into the reception area and they brought Nathan Genya to see us. He had a piece of gauze taped over his right eye and you could tell it was all swollen and hurting him. I believe they were telling us he has a scratched cornea. If he doesn't scratch it or aggravate it it should be healed in a day, otherwise it might take a few days. Everyone is thinking he'll be in the hospital until Monday sometime. Later, while we were playing, he told Andrew how the injury happened – he was hit by a bedpan by another kid! Yikes! Apparently he and this other boy get into things once in awhile and this was the result this time. He said he didn't sleep well because of it and was tired. So after we had read a book & played cars I held him on my lap for a bit and started rocking him. I then gave him to Brian and Genya snuggled right in on him and dozed off for awhile! It was precious and we have great pictures (which I'll post after the adoption happens!) So we just sat there with him for awhile – then he woke up and said he was ready to go again so we raced the car some more! I had only grabbed a few toys out of the bag as I didn't think we'd be there long but it was probably a 45-60 minute visit! Again, no shyness and nice playing. He was repeating words nicely and we were able to communicate fairly well. He also must have a bit of a cold so I had to keep wiping his nose and having him blow! We left him with another coloring book and the car we had played with. On the way out of the hospital I was concentrating so much on not falling through the broken wooden step that I slipped on the metal section of the step – I didn't go down or really hurt myself other than I wretched my neck a little…I'll live but it's giving me something to complain about right now!

So after the visit we said goodbye and he went off to eat and then nap. I hope they have him lay quietly and sleep as that should help his eye heal faster! Other than itching it didn't seem to be bothering him too bad, we just had to stop him from rubbing it a few times.

We then ate lunch at the same place we had the other day – but this time in the dining room rather than the bar. Same menu tho but much fancier surroundings. Three glasses on the table – one small one for vodka, a middle size for brandy/whiskey and a bit larger one for wine. But we had tea and tomato juice! Our meals were wonderful. Brian had a stuffed meatball with veggie side and a veggie salad to start – I had the veggie salad and this time ordered "meat" and I got meat! Two generous sized pork chops and a sweet bbq-like sauce with a side of French fries. I gave one chop to Brian immediately and was plenty full after the one. Our driver, Andrey, doesn't say much English but we know he understands some but when he saw his plate – as he had ordered the same thing I had – he said in English "Oh my god!" – it was so funny! We also learned this fun little thing at lunch – our driver and translator/companion are both Andrey – so Andrew(Andrey) said "come between us and say a wish" – apparently if there are two people with the same name it's a fun game to then use them to make a wish… not a "tradition" but just a game. We thought that was interesting!

Our drive home was uneventful until we got a flat tire! Took about 10-minutes to change it on the side of the road (I stayed in the car, Brian watched outside) and we were back on our way. Once in IRK we were trying to exchange some dollars for rubles – Brian was able to xchg $100 but we wanted to do a bit more for the weekend. So he and Andrew went to a second bank but heard there also "no rubles"! What do the Russian's do?? They told him to "try tomorrow" so we'll probably walk up that way as we want to check out the ice sculptures anyway. For those of you who've been to IRK we'll be heading by the Kanzandova St (sp?) apt to do all this tomorrow. Not the pink bank but the one across from it.

Kirstin, we did do some shopping at the market yesterday but I only bought bleeni to try first – I saw the dumplings but held off for now until I can figure out the stuffings – I don't want to get something I just can't eat! (like carp or something!) I did get some meatballs and chicken so will cook a few meals this weekend. Also, I gave Alex your items for Tanya, I don't think I mentioned that earlier.

This evening we were invited to an American Family's home for pizza dinner – the Jacksons are missionaries and have lived here since 2000. They have three children who are delightful! We enjoyed our evening with them and hope to spend time with them again during our trip. Thanks, Steve and Tami for a nice evening!

Justin, we can answer a few of your questions now from what we learned this evening – the family we visited have their own home and their own well… but they and only a few others in their village (of about 1000 people) have their own running water in their home. Otherwise they have to gather it in what we'd call milk pails and cart it to their house. We did see this in several of the villages we drive through. Tami said she read that 60-70% of households in Russia do NOT have running water! The children here go to school 6 days a week and most everyone works 6 days a week also. If they get off for a holiday, they make it up on a following Sunday… As for what they eat, I think in many ways it's similar to us – meat, potatoes, fish, salads – they use mayonnaise in most of their salads, if not mayo then oil. One traditional dish is peel'myenee (phonetically) which is like a stuffed dumpling. Otherwise meatballs are huge and Brian found pig tails in a market today! (I guess those are used for like a jelly type dish, not eaten as is). As we learn more we'll try and type. We do have your frog in pictures by the Subway Restaurant here in IRK and by another café (Giraffe) also. Someday we'll learn how to download those!

So far now we'll be heading to bed soon. We go to sleep knowing that the "other American family" had success in court today and their adoption was granted. We continue to pray for the same success next week Friday. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!!!

(The downside of being able to blog, then go online and then upload is I do get wordy! Oh well, it's my blog! )