April 07, 2005
We made it!
Our flight from Detroit was delayed two hours so we missed our connection in London. Not to fear, we took a little detour through Prague and made it to Ukraine at 8 pm (1 pm eastern US time)---just three hours later than planned.
We are exhausted!! Sally is barely coherent. I'm doing OK. Hah.
Quick update before we pass out: Natasha picked up the court decree yesterday, meaning we can take immediate custody of Tara, which means we will pick her up from the orphanage tomorrow!
We are in the same lovely apartment John and I spent 5 weeks in. We may find another one in a day or two.
We were just walking in the town square to find a money exchange booth that is open late, some water, and an Internet cafe when Sally was (allegedly) propositioned by some guy whom she says (allegedly) tapped her behind. I didn't see any of this. Maybe she is hallucinating because we are so dehydrated. (I made her RUN in the airport, we had 10 minutes to get to the gate in Prague).
Tomorrow, we get the new birth certificate for Tara and then we pick her up. I wonder if she realizes this is her last night in an orphanage.
Posted by Laura at April 7, 2005 03:36 PMPosted to
HI LAURA AND SALLY. I'M SO HAPPY YOU ARE IN KIEV. I KNEW YOUR WERE LATE , I WAS CALLIING NORTHWEST UNTIL l2;30 PM. ANXIOUS TO HEAR MORE ON FRIDAY ABOUT TARA. SAL AND LAURA WATCH THOSE GUYS WALKING AROUND, AFTER ALL TWO GOOD LOOKING GALS THEY DONT MISS. HOPE YOU TWO CAN CATCH UP ON YOUR LOST SLEEP.
lOVE MOM
PS. FRAN READ YOUR MESSAGE ALSO AND IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT TARA.SHE SENDS HER LOVE TO ALL OF YOU.
Laura:
So relieved you made it to Kiev safely. I was thinking of you yesterday quite a bit and smiling with the thought that you will have a daughter soon. Please post a photo, if you can tomorrow.
Cheers!
Greta
Sounds like Fear and Loathing in Kiev, just eat lots of grapefruit and drink some vodka to calm the hallucinations. Now on to the home front…
You forgot to leave me a “todo” list like you always do when you leave the house for more than 2 hours…
* Was I supposed to pick up Austin from school today?
* What do I do with all these empty beer cans strewn around the house?
* Who is supposed to make dinner tonight? Austin (if I can find him) or me?
Other then the above, everything is under control so don’t worry. I am really glad you can finally get Tara tomorrow – very big day after months of waiting.
However, I am not sure it would be a family friendly adventure taking her down in the catacombs with you and Sally to look at the dead monks 24 hours after escaping the orphanage – not exactly Disney World. Ok, gotta go figure some things out around here.
Love John
Posted by: Mr. Lessnau at April 7, 2005 06:48 PMTo brother-in-law John,
Here is a makeshift to-do list: 1)When you are dropping off Austin at school,keep moving! 2) Leave the hamsters' cages open so they can stretch their legs, and 3) Flush the downstairs toilet. A lot.
No need to thank me, I do what I can.
Posted by: karen wiz at April 7, 2005 07:12 PMHey Aunt Laura! Seems like everything is fine. I cannot wait til Tara finally comes home, I'm so anxious to meet her. This day is almost here. I think I'm going to sit down this weekend and paint that picture for Tara. I think my mom is gonna help me though cause of course, I didnt inherite all of my mothers art genes. Ha. Keep posting to keep us updated.
Posted by: Caroline at April 7, 2005 10:16 PMSally and Laura, Sorry about the long grueling trip - glad you're there. Yipee about Natasha's success with the court decree!
If you all get the time and opportunity, Sally, my Russian-American friend Aida said that a shop in Russia called Alexandra & Nicholas makes the best chocolate in the world. Long history about Russia's role in refining it from the raw bean, etc., in the 17-1800's. This was the story she read in the writing class today, before I told her about the adventure you're on in Kiev; how appropriate!
One time when she and her sister were young, and hiding under the bed during a harrowing bombing raid, Aida risked her life to run to the other room to get the two lbs. of this chocolate, which they proceeded to polish off while the bombs were falling, thinking they would at least die happy! When the bombing ended, she felt guilty for not leaving some for her doctor husband when he got home from the hospital!
Holding our collective breaths to hear about the reunion with Tara! xxoo
mom/auntie ellen
Posted by: Ellen at April 7, 2005 10:27 PMLaura & Sally,
I too, am happy to hear that you've reached Kiev. Today is Friday so I am hoping that Tara is already with you.
FYI, a grab on the behind is NOT a proposition!!Forget the fancy shoes and stylish boots and wear running shoes everywhere.
Take care.
Amy
So how many did you bowl over to make it through the airport? I can see the two of you holding each other up when you finally hit the square looking for things.
What a wonderful day Friday is. Tara will be with her Mom and second cousin finally. Horray.