The Last Marshrutka Part II

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Blogspot had quite an error, apparently, as this blog entry completely disappeared.  Sorry about that.  Well, I cannot remember what I posted, so I'll just slog ahead.  A Marshrutka is a mini-bus.  I read up on them, and found out they started in Russia, kind of a cross between a bus transit and a cab.  These buses are private, and go on predetermined routes.  The fee is what gets interesting.  Going from the last metro stop, you hop on the 255, and the rate is 3.00 Grievna.  Coming back, it used to be 2.00, and now is 2.50 grievna, depending on who your bus driver is.  Some will insist on 3.00, others will take 2.50.  The 507 bus always takes just 2.50, but it has a longer, slower route.

I took Friday off from work after putting in long hours Monday through Thursday.  Zach needed the day as much as I did.  We spent a good long time hanging with Anya.  We walked in an area with large apartment buildings and found two different playgrounds, one with really nice equipment.  Anya seemed very content just swinging and enjoying the different setting.  She was my kid, in a group of kids she doesn't normally hang with.  I told all the kids she was my daughter.  Zach was a hit with these kids.  They all wanted to try out their English on us.  Lots of laughs all around.





 Anya at the first playground we found...the equipment was old and didn't look like kids played on it much.

This is the very good playground we found...lots of kids.  Some spoke fluent Ukrainian, and others spoke fluent Russian.  I kept telling a small girl (with her mom) that I didn't speak much Russian.  She looked at me funny several times.  I asked the Mom, Pa Ruske?  She shook her head no.  I said Pa Ukrainsku?  She nodded.  So I dusted off my few phrases and Ukrainian and let them rip.   The mom actually started laughing at me, but she was nice about it.

In these last two photos, I told Anya then Samuel, "For Mama".  These are for you, Nellie.


Please pray for us.  We are in for another adventure when the kids come home (apartment) with us, and while we continue to work through paperwork, and try to return home.  I've been having trouble getting more than 5-6 hours sleep.  In our apartment, the light shines in pretty strong by about 5:30 am, and I find myself waking up at 6:05 am, or at best 7:00 am.  I've got a question into the Doc about my allergy meds...could be the problem. 

Comments

  1. Nellie MooreMay 17, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    Thanks for all the great pictures (of Zach too). I miss you all so much. I enjoyed the smiling faces. You are doing such a good job over there Dave. I will continue to pray for you.

    Love, Nellie

    ReplyDelete

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