Talk about "Babushkas"

This week has proved to be a whirlwind, just as I expected and wanted. Monday we got behind because of the "holiday", Tuesday we had a couple of things here to do in the village, and today was an early start driving to Kiev (yes, all 6 of us + facilitator in his Volkswagon Skoda). Seatbelts here are optional, like most every other rule so it did not matter that there were 5 people sitting in the back seat. We were able to run from one place to another with a total of about 5 stops, including the notary, passport office, medical exam, photo place, etc. The kids are so ready to be out of the orphanage and they thought that today they were being picked up for good. Tomorrow will be a day of waiting for us, but behind the scenes, several things will have to come together in order for us to get the passport and apply for the visa at the US Embassy on Friday afternoon. Friday morning, Sasha will pick us up with the 3 kids from the orphanage and we will go to Kiev until we come home. Friday afternoon, we will hopefully receive our passports and go to the US Embassy. If we do not get them on Friday, we can not leave until next week. I feel confident that we will have them come Friday afternoon. We will begin packing our apartment tomorrow and Sasha will find us another one in Kiev to stay from Friday until Sunday. The kids will come and stay with us in Kiev.

Can you believe it??? Only 4 days left!!!!

Of course, on our ride to and from Kiev, Sasha and I talked a lot. One question that I had for him was about the head scarves that the older women wear here in Billa Tserka. Sometimes, we see entire marchutka's (buses) full of older women wearing their scarves. They are the hardest working people that I have ever seen. Many are "sweeping" leaves with their brooms and dustpans, some are carrying heavy satchels or bags, many are stooped over and one can see that they have worked the same way their entire lives. They are known as "Babushkas", or grandmothers. I don't know if they all have grandchildren, so I think of them as the elderly women. Since I see nobody here with grey hair, except those with the scarves, I asked Sasha, "Is there a certain age when you have to start wearing the head scarf, or is it when your hair turns a certain color?" For example, should I wear one?? His answer was that it is an old-world style. At one time, all girls and women wore them, but now most do not except for the older women. This is especially true of the "willages", but not the cities (Sasha and others pronounce the "v" as a "w"). I am part of this "babushka" club since, I have a 2yr old granddaughter, as are some of my friends. Congratulations to my sister, Kelly, who will join this club in April when her oldest son and his wife are expecting their first baby!! Kelly, I'll bring you something to cover your head with!!!

We will have to go to the market in the morning to get the kids an outfit to wear in Kiev and on the airplane. Katie said that she can't wait to get the kids to the apartment to "scrub" them. I feel the same way. It just makes you feel better to get a hot shower/bath and put on clean pajamas before going to bed. The good night kiss and hug is just the icing on the cake. They have so many things to learn about, such as this. Many good things that you can't put a price tag on or measure in any way!!

Blessings,

Kim