Out and About....

Now that we have shown you our apartment, we would like to share a few things from along the street we live on. The largest store in the area is Target. Jamie had read about this on other adoption blogs and wondered if it was like our Target. It is a large department store, but it is not exactly like our Target. It has a large grocery area and compartmentalized specialty stores within the building, such as clothing, electronics, cafe, etc.

Along the mile-long walk to Target there are multiple street vendors. Some are in permanent booths and others are set up on tables or crates along the sidewalk. They sell meats, vegetables, fruits, flowers, clothing, movies, grains, breads, fish, eggs, and many other items.

It does not take long in Ukraine to discover another social issue. There are stray dogs and cats everywhere where you go! The dogs are often in small packs and hang out at the marketplaces. Jamie has bought two bags of pet treats to try and feed the strays, but they were not hungry enough to eat the ones she found. Steve has been concerned she is going to cause a scene.

Across the street from our apartment is a beautiful park. On one side of the park is another long row of vendors. Within the park there is a playground, small amusement park, closed-for-the-season miniature golf course, and walking paths. It is beautiful here right now with all of the fall color.


Yesterday on the way to visit Nazar, the orphanage staff had moved the orphanage donkey up by the driveway. With some encouragement, Jamie was able to get Steve and Angelina to get beside him for a photo. They feed the donkey a scrap bucket of food scraps from meal preparation for the children. Angelina is our interpreter and paperwork translator. She is kind, enthusiastic, and funny. Finally, we are going to end with our first family photo

of all three of us together! We cannot wait to dress Nazar in boy clothing! In his groupa of seven children, five are boys, and most are dressed in girl clothing. We understand the functionality of the situation. This is obviously and understandably not a priority.