Wow...the pressure is on. Postings every day?!?! I will try.
Confusion is the best word that I can come up with to describe our visit to Kiev thus far. We are settling in…and getting a feel for the city…the culture…the people…but it has taken a few days…and a bit of frustration to reach this point. I suppose that I have become somewhat spoiled to the fact that most of Europe is “American friendly.” As a matter of fact…it has always been quite amazing to me that every place that I have visited seems to cater to English speaking tourists. This year I have spent quite a bit more time outside of the U.S. than I have at home. I have never found a language barrier…and have had no problems finding English speaking tours…or English printed tour guides. Here in Kiev…I have met my match. As a matter of fact…I’m not even certain at this point which language is the most prominent here…Ukrainian…or Russian. My studies led me to believe that it was Ukrainian…therefore the language guide that I purchased prior to leaving is Ukrainian. However…the few English speaking people that we have encountered have informed us that Russian is more widely spoken here than any other language. Since I cannot tell the difference…it tends toward the confusing. Pointing and nodding seems to be a universal language…so we’ll go with that for the time being. We have found that many restaurants do have English menus if you ask. So far…so good. We have yet to sample authentic Ukrainian cuisine…as we are not truly certain what that consists of. We found a fantastic Italian restaurant called Mille Miglia…and an even better sushi restaurant called Nobu. Both are within minutes of our apartment…and the servers spoke English. Maybe we’re just opting for the easy way out. It’s just the beginning…and we have a long way to go. I’m certain in time…we will experience it all.
Sightseeing is what we do most. I finally found a really good English guide book…with pictures. Pictures are a must…since all the signs on the sides of the cathedrals…monasteries…and government buildings are in Ukrainian. The first few days we would stand before the façade of an incredibly beautiful church…and have no clue what we were looking at. Today…we know. With a guide book in hand…we can actually venture out with direction…instead of aimlessly wandering from one place to another. I kind of like aimless…but this is a very large city…and direction is the only way to see it all.
When I was a child…the U.S.S.R. seemed a very scary place to me. It existed behind an “iron curtain”…and was our enemy in what was referred to as “the cold war.” You heard talk of “red phones”…the infamous "button"…and nuclear war. We as a country did not even participate in the 1980 olympics in Moscow. I knew as a child that I wanted to see the world. I also remember saying more than a few times…that I never wanted to visit Russia. Of course at the time…Russia meant the entire Soviet Union. I knew no better. I suppose I was afraid. Well…here I am…sort of…close enough. Where I sit typing this today…was a part of the Soviet Union. At that time…I considered it to be Russia. It is not. It is Ukraine. At the end of the cold war…Ukraine fought hard for it’s independence…with immense success. They wear it proudly…and they celebrate this weekend in it’s honor. I suppose that’s where the confusion comes in. Breaking free from Russia has been of immense importance to these people…yet the culture tends to lean more towards Russian. I’m certain that the history is just too vast for me to comprehend in such a short amount of time. Hopefully I will come to understand it better while I'm here. It will be very important for Dede to understand it…as she will have a native child soon…and it will be important to teach that child about his/her heritage.
Yesterday we stayed close to home. That was my fault. I needed a "time out." You see...we get stared at...a lot. With stares...come snickers. However...when you smile...they never smile back. I'm not exaggerating. They never smile. It's difficult to get used to. I'm not certain whether as a culture they are unhappy...distrusting...or just don't like us in general. Since a few days ago I had to chase a thief down the rode to retrieve my camera that he stole...I think it should be us who are distrusting. When I caught the guy...and took the camera away from him...his response was..."oh...excuse me." Really!?!?! That's all ya got? Well...needless to say...I had a few choice words for him. Since this is a G-rated movie...I will leave those words to your imagination. What I wish I had done...was kick him where it counts. I know I should feel better having not done so...but I don't. I still wish I had kicked him where it counts. It is kind of my fault however. I sat my camera down...turned my back...(all the while knowing that I should not be setting my camera down)...and it was gone in a second. If I had not turned back around when I did...it would be gone...and I would be a very sad nomad. Live...and learn. I normally keep the strap wrapped at least three times around my arm to avoid this very thing. What was I thinking? I will not make that mistake again.
Today is another day of sightseeing. I want to check in with the U.S. Embassy...and we will head towards the botanical gardens as well as a number of cathedrals. There are over 300 churches in Kiev alone...so I will post many pictures of golden domes this weekend. They are my favorite too...Byzantine...mosaics...fantastic!!!
Peace out...
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Rantings of a Tired Nomad....
Hello American friends. Okay…well…hmmmm. I woke up this morning very early (about 3am) a bit concerned that maybe I “freaked your freak” last night with the description of the child that Dede has chosen to visit on Monday. You see…they don’t paint a pretty picture about any of the children…so you must choose the lesser of all evils. I am certain if given her druthers…Dede’s answer would have been “none of the above”…but you have to have faith. It’s all basically a game…as sad as that sounds…but it is. You have to choose your strategy…and hope and pray that in the end…you have chosen wisely. I’m not certain who first said it…or at what point in history it was said…but someone definitely decided long ago that life…is a game. I know this…because I’ve read it in books…seen it in movies…heard it on numerous talk shows…and even pulled it out of a box to play with my friends as a young child. They were wrong.
We’ve been taught all our lives that if we behave a certain way…then others around us will behave in a certain way…and so on…and so forth. It’s called manipulation. Does it work? Oh heck yeah. It works all the time. Is it right?…is it fair?…I suppose it depends on who you ask. You see…in a game…someone always wins. But in a game…someone also has to lose. What bothers me most…is that in the game we are playing here…when the system wins…everyone loses. These children are not pawns on a chess board to be moved around at the will of government bureaucrats. They are children in need…of love…of hope…of homes.
Dede…Dana…and myself sat yesterday afternoon discussing this situation until a collective smoke swirled from our ears. We agreed…as I’m certain every single person reading these words right now agrees…that the adoption process is a flawed one. Not just here…everywhere. And yes…that includes the grand ole U.S. of A. If it was perfect there?…why would we be here? Millions of wonderful children need homes. Millions of wonderful homes need children. Doesn’t sound all that difficult to me. But it is. You see…much of it is based on pride. If these countries were getting it right…there wouldn’t be so many kids in orphanages. The number of kids in orphanages is a black eye on the government of the country itself. My experience is in Africa…where adoption outside of the country is not allowed. Well…unless your name is Madonna…or Angelina Jolie…and you have enough dough to grease the palms of the proper officials. It sounds like I think that is wrong…au contraire…grease away ladies. Those children will have better lives than every single person that they encountered in their young lives prior to being given the good homes that they have now. You see…if I had movie star funds…the kids at my orphanage (Heritage of Faith & Hope Children’s Home in Mlolongo, Kenya) would have the 1.5 million dollar facility that they so desire to build. (Thanks for letting me give a shout out to my kids). What I have a problem with…is that adoption is a “kids for sale” business. Why is it so hard? Why does it cost so much? Why don’t governments take better care of these unfortunate children? I don’t have the answers…I’m just not afraid to voice my opinion…and ask the hard questions.
I know that it’s not always as bad as I seem to be painting it…but more often than not…it’s a long tough road. I know that the safety and well being of the children is at stake in every instance…therefore caution is necessary in the placement. I know that the just rewards are enough to make most forget the turmoil of the process. I know that many believe that a family consists of a mother…a father…and a child. Some believe that a single parent home is not the right home for a child. As a matter of fact…our trip here was contingent upon a bill that the Ukrainian government is trying to pass ceasing all adoption to single parents. It did not pass…yet. It could be brought back up in September.
I have another hard question. Why should a child grow up in an environment that allows for no unconditional love…no real support forces? Why should children be subjected to malnourishment leading to slow development? Why is any child ever “aged out of the system?” Why…when there are incredibly wonderful people like my friend Dede who ache to have a child of their own. It makes no sense. And…it breaks my heart.
We all have our own definitions of what a family really is. Mine…a group of people who love and support each other unconditionally. It’s that simple. Dede has been my friend my entire adult life. She has been there for me through the highs and the lows…the thick and the thin. She has stood by my side when people with the same blood as mine running through their veins turned away. Dede…is family to me. The people in my life that know me best…and support me most…have not one allele in common with me. In the big picture…love…is all that really matters. When everyone gets that…well…can you imagine the world we would live in?
Okay…so that sound you hear is me climbing off of my soapbox. I had something to say…a forum to say it…and I did. Agree or not…thanks for listening. The sun sits high in the sky now…and I suppose I am up for the day. Waking up at 3am with these thoughts on your mind…a love of the written word…and a laptop…well…you see the result.
I will be back soon with a brighter topic. Since we don’t go to meet the child until Monday…I need some space filler. So…that means…you may have to endure a few days of Ukrainian travelogue blog. It is a very unique environment…and I will tell you all about it shortly.
I hope that I haven’t darkened your day with my drivel. However…I hope that I have opened your thoughts to dialogue on the unfortunate circumstances that so many people endure in order to become parents. Someone has the solution…somewhere. We just have to believe….
Peace…
P.S. Diane...I have pics...just uploaded them...but I have to shrink them to post them. That takes a little time. I will post them on Friday.
P.P.S. Your comments are heartwarming...and priceless...thank you all
We’ve been taught all our lives that if we behave a certain way…then others around us will behave in a certain way…and so on…and so forth. It’s called manipulation. Does it work? Oh heck yeah. It works all the time. Is it right?…is it fair?…I suppose it depends on who you ask. You see…in a game…someone always wins. But in a game…someone also has to lose. What bothers me most…is that in the game we are playing here…when the system wins…everyone loses. These children are not pawns on a chess board to be moved around at the will of government bureaucrats. They are children in need…of love…of hope…of homes.
Dede…Dana…and myself sat yesterday afternoon discussing this situation until a collective smoke swirled from our ears. We agreed…as I’m certain every single person reading these words right now agrees…that the adoption process is a flawed one. Not just here…everywhere. And yes…that includes the grand ole U.S. of A. If it was perfect there?…why would we be here? Millions of wonderful children need homes. Millions of wonderful homes need children. Doesn’t sound all that difficult to me. But it is. You see…much of it is based on pride. If these countries were getting it right…there wouldn’t be so many kids in orphanages. The number of kids in orphanages is a black eye on the government of the country itself. My experience is in Africa…where adoption outside of the country is not allowed. Well…unless your name is Madonna…or Angelina Jolie…and you have enough dough to grease the palms of the proper officials. It sounds like I think that is wrong…au contraire…grease away ladies. Those children will have better lives than every single person that they encountered in their young lives prior to being given the good homes that they have now. You see…if I had movie star funds…the kids at my orphanage (Heritage of Faith & Hope Children’s Home in Mlolongo, Kenya) would have the 1.5 million dollar facility that they so desire to build. (Thanks for letting me give a shout out to my kids). What I have a problem with…is that adoption is a “kids for sale” business. Why is it so hard? Why does it cost so much? Why don’t governments take better care of these unfortunate children? I don’t have the answers…I’m just not afraid to voice my opinion…and ask the hard questions.
I know that it’s not always as bad as I seem to be painting it…but more often than not…it’s a long tough road. I know that the safety and well being of the children is at stake in every instance…therefore caution is necessary in the placement. I know that the just rewards are enough to make most forget the turmoil of the process. I know that many believe that a family consists of a mother…a father…and a child. Some believe that a single parent home is not the right home for a child. As a matter of fact…our trip here was contingent upon a bill that the Ukrainian government is trying to pass ceasing all adoption to single parents. It did not pass…yet. It could be brought back up in September.
I have another hard question. Why should a child grow up in an environment that allows for no unconditional love…no real support forces? Why should children be subjected to malnourishment leading to slow development? Why is any child ever “aged out of the system?” Why…when there are incredibly wonderful people like my friend Dede who ache to have a child of their own. It makes no sense. And…it breaks my heart.
We all have our own definitions of what a family really is. Mine…a group of people who love and support each other unconditionally. It’s that simple. Dede has been my friend my entire adult life. She has been there for me through the highs and the lows…the thick and the thin. She has stood by my side when people with the same blood as mine running through their veins turned away. Dede…is family to me. The people in my life that know me best…and support me most…have not one allele in common with me. In the big picture…love…is all that really matters. When everyone gets that…well…can you imagine the world we would live in?
Okay…so that sound you hear is me climbing off of my soapbox. I had something to say…a forum to say it…and I did. Agree or not…thanks for listening. The sun sits high in the sky now…and I suppose I am up for the day. Waking up at 3am with these thoughts on your mind…a love of the written word…and a laptop…well…you see the result.
I will be back soon with a brighter topic. Since we don’t go to meet the child until Monday…I need some space filler. So…that means…you may have to endure a few days of Ukrainian travelogue blog. It is a very unique environment…and I will tell you all about it shortly.
I hope that I haven’t darkened your day with my drivel. However…I hope that I have opened your thoughts to dialogue on the unfortunate circumstances that so many people endure in order to become parents. Someone has the solution…somewhere. We just have to believe….
Peace…
P.S. Diane...I have pics...just uploaded them...but I have to shrink them to post them. That takes a little time. I will post them on Friday.
P.P.S. Your comments are heartwarming...and priceless...thank you all
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The First Meeting
Oleg...Dede's facilitator/attorney picked us up at around 9:40am to take us to the adoption office. He warned on the way that Dede might not have a meeting...that there were presently no children available but that they would advise her on writing a letter to send...and that she would have a meeting within a week or two. That however...was not the case. Julie...the interpreter...escorted us into the psychologist's office where Dede was given files and pictures on 5 children. First...she was told that domestic adoption was very active presently...and that there were no "healthy" children available for international adoption. To explain that a bit further...an "unhealthy" or "sick" child usually means that they are developmentally challenged. Consider the fact that these children have lived most or all of their very young lives in an orphanage...with little or no guidance...and noone to assist in their development...therefore...most of the young children are considered to have "health" issues. Dede's first choice is a young girl under the age of two. They showed her 3 boys ages 2.5, 2.5, 3...and a little girl aged 4. You are only allowed to meet one child...and...although none of these met her preferred criteria...she decided to meet one of the little boys for several reasons. For starters...it is important not to offend...or to seem ambivalent towards the children that are shown to you. She also felt that it is important to get a feel for the process.
The young boy that Dede has chosen to meet was born in January of 2005. He was literally found in the street when he was about 6 months old. I know...I just heard your collective sigh clear across the globe. We did too. He does not speak...and has just recently begun to walk. They say that he is also quite weak. It is not a perfect choice by any means...and for the child to be so underdeveloped at this age could be deeper rooted problems than just the fact that he has lived in an orphanage without much attention his entire life. Dede has been a pediatric nurse her entire adult life...so health issues are not a major roadblock. The child is relatively close to Kiev...about an hour's drive...and we will go to meet him on Monday. It is a major holiday this weekend...therefore the city shuts down tomorrow for a long festive weekend...or we would be going tomorrow. After meeting and spending time with the child...she will set up a second meeting...which could be anywhere from two weeks to another month. This could be a long trip.
There is a lady staying in the same apartment building...Dana Hale...from Virginia...who is here adopting two older children...13 & 16 year old sisters. She adopted a young boy from Russia 4 years ago. He is with her here...he is 5.5...and he is precious. She is very knowledgeable about the region...the process...and is a great person to have close by. She is leaving however on Friday.
We do not believe that there are no healthy children...Dede just believes that they are testing her will...and her desire. I know Dede. She definitely has the will...and the desire. They will not break her.
My battery is dying...and I must sign off. I believe that is all of the information that I have about the process today...but if I think of anything that I have missed...I will update you in the morning. Thanks for stopping by....
Peace...
Dede & the Nomad...
(sounds like a cheesy 70's TV show) hehehe
The young boy that Dede has chosen to meet was born in January of 2005. He was literally found in the street when he was about 6 months old. I know...I just heard your collective sigh clear across the globe. We did too. He does not speak...and has just recently begun to walk. They say that he is also quite weak. It is not a perfect choice by any means...and for the child to be so underdeveloped at this age could be deeper rooted problems than just the fact that he has lived in an orphanage without much attention his entire life. Dede has been a pediatric nurse her entire adult life...so health issues are not a major roadblock. The child is relatively close to Kiev...about an hour's drive...and we will go to meet him on Monday. It is a major holiday this weekend...therefore the city shuts down tomorrow for a long festive weekend...or we would be going tomorrow. After meeting and spending time with the child...she will set up a second meeting...which could be anywhere from two weeks to another month. This could be a long trip.
There is a lady staying in the same apartment building...Dana Hale...from Virginia...who is here adopting two older children...13 & 16 year old sisters. She adopted a young boy from Russia 4 years ago. He is with her here...he is 5.5...and he is precious. She is very knowledgeable about the region...the process...and is a great person to have close by. She is leaving however on Friday.
We do not believe that there are no healthy children...Dede just believes that they are testing her will...and her desire. I know Dede. She definitely has the will...and the desire. They will not break her.
My battery is dying...and I must sign off. I believe that is all of the information that I have about the process today...but if I think of anything that I have missed...I will update you in the morning. Thanks for stopping by....
Peace...
Dede & the Nomad...
(sounds like a cheesy 70's TV show) hehehe
We made it!!!
We have arrived. The trip over was nothing if not eventful. Delta could not keep up there end of the bargain and get us out of Atlanta on time (we sat on the tarmac for 1.5 hours)…and we missed our connector in Paris. We did get a flight within a few hours…but getting that done was a test of strength within itself. We opted for the earliest flight out on “Ukraine Airways”…something that raised both of our eyebrows…but we both slept the entire length of the flight…leaving all concerns behind. Our arrival in Kiev was a bit confusing…as we were not really sure of anything but the fact that someone would meet us…at some time…and take us…somewhere. After a few hours of people watching…a young man named Sergei arrived…and drove us about 40 minutes into the city center…and to our apartment. Dede was surprised to see a Shell station on the way in. I was not surprised to see three McDonald’s. We did pass the Hyatt-Regency (Diane)…which seemed to perk Dede up quite a bit.
We are in an older residential neighborhood. Well…of course…everything here is “older”…for the most part. There is a market on the corner…and several restaurants nearby…however…we cannot read word one on the menu…so dinner consisted of Power Bars that we hauled from home. Once we meet our translator…we will start a journal of food related words…so that we can learn how to navigate the menus better. I’m certain at the American based hotel chains…Hyatt…Radisson…they will have English on the menus as well. We will learn more in time. Then…there’s always that old stand-by…Mickey Ds.
The sun doesn’t drop around here until around 10pm…and greets us again by 4:30am…which Dede knows all too well this morning. There is no A/C…so we slept with windows wide open allowing for plenty of sunshine…very early. I am wide awake and writing this to you at 5:30am…and am heading out with my camera soon to capture the city at sunrise. Dede did not sleep very well…as her meeting is at 10am this morning…and the butterflies are settling in. Dima will pick us up around 9:30 this morning…and we are off to meeting number one where Dede will be given pictures of several children and will decide from these pictures which one/ones she would like to meet.
Great news. During my early morning outing…I found that the Radisson is just a few blocks away. They have free wi-fi throughout…so I will be able to post daily. I will post information on the meeting Wednesday afternoon. Stay tuned…
Dozustrchi…
The Nomad
…& Dede
We are in an older residential neighborhood. Well…of course…everything here is “older”…for the most part. There is a market on the corner…and several restaurants nearby…however…we cannot read word one on the menu…so dinner consisted of Power Bars that we hauled from home. Once we meet our translator…we will start a journal of food related words…so that we can learn how to navigate the menus better. I’m certain at the American based hotel chains…Hyatt…Radisson…they will have English on the menus as well. We will learn more in time. Then…there’s always that old stand-by…Mickey Ds.
The sun doesn’t drop around here until around 10pm…and greets us again by 4:30am…which Dede knows all too well this morning. There is no A/C…so we slept with windows wide open allowing for plenty of sunshine…very early. I am wide awake and writing this to you at 5:30am…and am heading out with my camera soon to capture the city at sunrise. Dede did not sleep very well…as her meeting is at 10am this morning…and the butterflies are settling in. Dima will pick us up around 9:30 this morning…and we are off to meeting number one where Dede will be given pictures of several children and will decide from these pictures which one/ones she would like to meet.
Great news. During my early morning outing…I found that the Radisson is just a few blocks away. They have free wi-fi throughout…so I will be able to post daily. I will post information on the meeting Wednesday afternoon. Stay tuned…
Dozustrchi…
The Nomad
…& Dede
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Welcome
Greetings...
For those of you who don't know me...let me introduce myself. My name is Kelly Wilson...I live in Golden, CO...I have been close friends with Dede for almost 25 years...and I am the blognomad.
On June 25th, 2007...a new adventure begins. This is not my journey...per se...it is Dede's journey. I am the sidekick...the wing(wo)man...the photojournalist. Although it is Dede's journey...I will share with her the adventure. And...I will share that adventure...with all of you.
The destination...Kiev, Ukraine. The reason...fulfilling Dede's dream of becoming a mother. It has been a long and arduous journey for her...but the time is near...and prayers are more than welcome.
Those of you who have followed my blog...know that I tend to be more narrative in the tone of my postings. And...during this adventure I will certainly try to toss a short story or two your way. However...what is most important here...is keeping all of you apprised of the process that Dede is undergoing. I am not certain yet how the internet set-up will be in Ukraine. Kiev has come a very long way since it's independence in 1991...and I feel certain that we will find everything that we need...and then some. Dede's already worried about which 5-star hotel we're going to steal away to when need be. I did it in Africa every few weeks. I feel her.
Once we leave Kiev however...and venture out into the smaller towns...it may be tougher to find an internet connection. I will let you know ahead of time where and when we are going...in case you don't hear from us for a few days. I was surprised however in Africa...that every small hovel I found myself in...there always seemed to be an internet cafe. No water oftentimes...but they definitely had cell phones...and internet. We will have a cell phone while in Ukraine...but will not know the number until we have arrived and purchased a sim card. We will pass that number along as soon as is possible.
This will be the first time Dede's feet land on foreign soil. I will be ready with Canon in hand the first time she encounters that feeling that many of us know...but that many of you may have yet to feel. My mission...as the blognomad...is hopefully to instill a sense of adventure...in everyone that reads my words. I know I've already sold quite a few of you...maybe during this pilgrimage...I can snag a few more.
Monday...I will meet Dede at the Atlanta airport. From there we will travel through Paris...and on to Kiev. We have less than an hour in Paris...so it could get tight. The kicker however is...that if Delta can't seem to make their way out of that very organized and consistent Hartsfield Airfield and into Paris on time...and we miss our flight....well...a few extra hours in Paris to drag Dede on the Metro and over to the Champs-Elycees...would not be a bad thing. It's a win-win situation. The meeting is not until Wednesday...so we are set for time either way. Once settled in...we will venture out to find a phone store...and an internet cafe...and give everyone an update.
I'm very excited about this adventure for so many reasons. I also might add...a wee bit nervous. And...I don't get nervous. But rest assured...to all of Dede's loved ones out there (and there are many...she's easy to love)...I will stand by her side every step of the way. I promise that she will be well taken care of. It's going to be exciting...yet intense...and oftentimes stressful for her...but...she will never be alone. I will support her every step of the way.
About my somewhat "Ludlumesque" title. It was just for fun at first...but I like it...it stays. You see...everything about Dede's journey for the last 2.5 years to get to this point...was contingent upon something else. To have reached this point...is the answer to many prayers...from many people. Dede is very thankful to each and every one of you for your constant support. However...I ask you for her...to continue it coming. She has reached a critical point...but this is just the beginning.
I opened up the comments to anyone. I don't know if that's new...or if I just didn't know any better last time. You will not have to join anything...or have a password...but you will be prompted to copy a letter code before posting...so that we don't get blog spammed. I encourage you to send Dede a few words from home every so often. I know from experience how important it is to get that support.
With all that being said.....
...follow along
...see you in Kiev (which henceforth will be referred to by it's given name...Kyiv)
Peace to you and yours...
The Nomad
For those of you who don't know me...let me introduce myself. My name is Kelly Wilson...I live in Golden, CO...I have been close friends with Dede for almost 25 years...and I am the blognomad.
On June 25th, 2007...a new adventure begins. This is not my journey...per se...it is Dede's journey. I am the sidekick...the wing(wo)man...the photojournalist. Although it is Dede's journey...I will share with her the adventure. And...I will share that adventure...with all of you.
The destination...Kiev, Ukraine. The reason...fulfilling Dede's dream of becoming a mother. It has been a long and arduous journey for her...but the time is near...and prayers are more than welcome.
Those of you who have followed my blog...know that I tend to be more narrative in the tone of my postings. And...during this adventure I will certainly try to toss a short story or two your way. However...what is most important here...is keeping all of you apprised of the process that Dede is undergoing. I am not certain yet how the internet set-up will be in Ukraine. Kiev has come a very long way since it's independence in 1991...and I feel certain that we will find everything that we need...and then some. Dede's already worried about which 5-star hotel we're going to steal away to when need be. I did it in Africa every few weeks. I feel her.
Once we leave Kiev however...and venture out into the smaller towns...it may be tougher to find an internet connection. I will let you know ahead of time where and when we are going...in case you don't hear from us for a few days. I was surprised however in Africa...that every small hovel I found myself in...there always seemed to be an internet cafe. No water oftentimes...but they definitely had cell phones...and internet. We will have a cell phone while in Ukraine...but will not know the number until we have arrived and purchased a sim card. We will pass that number along as soon as is possible.
This will be the first time Dede's feet land on foreign soil. I will be ready with Canon in hand the first time she encounters that feeling that many of us know...but that many of you may have yet to feel. My mission...as the blognomad...is hopefully to instill a sense of adventure...in everyone that reads my words. I know I've already sold quite a few of you...maybe during this pilgrimage...I can snag a few more.
Monday...I will meet Dede at the Atlanta airport. From there we will travel through Paris...and on to Kiev. We have less than an hour in Paris...so it could get tight. The kicker however is...that if Delta can't seem to make their way out of that very organized and consistent Hartsfield Airfield and into Paris on time...and we miss our flight....well...a few extra hours in Paris to drag Dede on the Metro and over to the Champs-Elycees...would not be a bad thing. It's a win-win situation. The meeting is not until Wednesday...so we are set for time either way. Once settled in...we will venture out to find a phone store...and an internet cafe...and give everyone an update.
I'm very excited about this adventure for so many reasons. I also might add...a wee bit nervous. And...I don't get nervous. But rest assured...to all of Dede's loved ones out there (and there are many...she's easy to love)...I will stand by her side every step of the way. I promise that she will be well taken care of. It's going to be exciting...yet intense...and oftentimes stressful for her...but...she will never be alone. I will support her every step of the way.
About my somewhat "Ludlumesque" title. It was just for fun at first...but I like it...it stays. You see...everything about Dede's journey for the last 2.5 years to get to this point...was contingent upon something else. To have reached this point...is the answer to many prayers...from many people. Dede is very thankful to each and every one of you for your constant support. However...I ask you for her...to continue it coming. She has reached a critical point...but this is just the beginning.
I opened up the comments to anyone. I don't know if that's new...or if I just didn't know any better last time. You will not have to join anything...or have a password...but you will be prompted to copy a letter code before posting...so that we don't get blog spammed. I encourage you to send Dede a few words from home every so often. I know from experience how important it is to get that support.
With all that being said.....
...follow along
...see you in Kiev (which henceforth will be referred to by it's given name...Kyiv)
Peace to you and yours...
The Nomad
Monday, June 11, 2007
BlogNav 101
How to get around my blog.
The postings will always be Last In-First Out (LIFO). I only post 2-3 blogs per page depending on their length. Their is an archive on the right side of the blog page where you will find every blog posted. Remember...the top blog will be the newest blog.
There is a list of weblinks on the right as well. I have a link to my two other sites (check em out)...as well as several Ukraine adoption sites. If anyone knows of a site I need to post...let me know...I will add it.
There will be a picture gallery at the bottom of the page. I have posted a few that I captured from the web...but will replace them with my own and more as they become available.
Below each posting is a "comments" link. You can read others comments...as well as post your own. Once you have written your comment...you will be asked to copy a word code (this is to keep out the blog spam). At the bottom you will be asked to say who you are. If you are not a member of google/blogger...you can click on "Other"...and it will ask you for your name. That's all you need. You do NOT have to put a weblink. However...you can if you have one and want to share it with others.
The postings will always be Last In-First Out (LIFO). I only post 2-3 blogs per page depending on their length. Their is an archive on the right side of the blog page where you will find every blog posted. Remember...the top blog will be the newest blog.
There is a list of weblinks on the right as well. I have a link to my two other sites (check em out)...as well as several Ukraine adoption sites. If anyone knows of a site I need to post...let me know...I will add it.
There will be a picture gallery at the bottom of the page. I have posted a few that I captured from the web...but will replace them with my own and more as they become available.
Below each posting is a "comments" link. You can read others comments...as well as post your own. Once you have written your comment...you will be asked to copy a word code (this is to keep out the blog spam). At the bottom you will be asked to say who you are. If you are not a member of google/blogger...you can click on "Other"...and it will ask you for your name. That's all you need. You do NOT have to put a weblink. However...you can if you have one and want to share it with others.
To the right of the "comments" link is a picture of an envelope. You can click here and email the post.
I hope this helps everyone navigate my blogpage. Any questions...let me know...
Peace...
The Nomad
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