Mail 12 - June 9th
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Mail 12 - June 9th |
June 9
This morning's email was so sloppy; I am embarrassed to have written it. Not only had I not slept for 3 days, I was at the 25 grivna and hour hotel vs. the 5 grivna an hour internet cafe. The cafe is hot and smelly and has slow dial up, but it's cheap and I usually get to finish what I need to say. I was in such a rush this am, my spelling is atrocious and the story is hard to read. The bottom line, however, is that we will be home at 11 pm on Wednesday. We are thrilled! We had wanted earlier, but due to some confusion, lots of errors, slow communications, lack of technology, attitude, willingness, money and time, we are coming home on the 16th. We purchased Nelly's ticket today and she just beamed! She is such a pretty girl, and so sweet. She loves the kids, and loves us. She is friendly and affectionate. She is very shy, so if you meet her and all you get is shrugs and glimpses, don't take it personally.
We learned a little more about her story; her life before Gorodnya internet and her family history. As to be expected it isn't pretty. It is very sad. Her mother died on New Years Eve in an alcohol related way (don’t know exactly what that means) and father's rights had been terminated even before she was born. She has two older brothers (that she doesn't know about) who are adults now. They know of her, but have never contacted her. She has been in care since she was 3, mom died when she was 6. That's when she went to Gorodnya. Prior to that she had been in a baby home. She remembers going to Gorodnya, and learning them that her mother had died. That seems to be one of her earlier memories.
Her mother was from Poland, father from Russia, she was born in a village outside Nikolaev. She was born at home and health records are scarce.
Nikolaev is not a nice place - a dirty, hot, dusty, industrial town. It is poor and not as developed as you would expect for it's size. The men are much more forward; leering, commenting, etc. than I have ever seen in EE. It was embarrassing to say the least, as I was travelling with a 26-year-old man who found it very uncomfortable to watch. Even the director of the region's registry was a pig. He touched and ogled, and held my hands and gave some huge speech that I didn't understand. I was terrified that he was going to pronounce us married at the end! He didn't, but he did then ask, in broken English ??You vote for Bush?" I said "no, and I won't this time either". He liked that, then began another long speech about how he liked Clinton and Reagan, hated Bush, Bush ruining America, Reagan uniting the world, Americans stupid to care about Clinton's and I quote here; "natural and necessary behaviors" with Monica.... on and on...my poor translator...having to do political discourse outside a smelly pit toilet in 90 degree heat. Oh, well, he gets paid nicely!
Tomorrow is the doctor's visit, Monday or Tuesday the Embassy, Wed we leave Ukriane for home. We are excited, and we love you all.
Liz and family