First outing with Dasha

Today was the first day we were actually able to take Dasha out of the orphanage.  We needed to get some blood tests done, passport photos, and some clothes for her. 

We started the morning at about 8:30 when our translator and driver picked us up.  They had already stopped at the orphanage to pick up Dasha, as it was on the way.  We first went to a medical clinic to have some blood drawn.  We need to have a couple tests done before we can complete the adoption anyway, so why not get it out of the way.

First I'll attempt to describe the clinic office... It was a bit outdated by typical U.S. standards, but apparently it works.  We waited in the hallway for a couple minutes while they finished up with the previous patient.  Then we went directly into the exam room.  Dasha was too short to sit in the chair and get her arm on the pad, so she stood.  I had the displeasure of holding her hand down while they took the blood.  Lyuda held her hand in front of her face so she couldn't see what was going on, and I just cuddled her as best as I could.  She made some faint noises, and I could definately tell when she got stuck, but she was a trooper and didn't cry.  The nurse(?) finished and put a cotton ball on her arm.  Dasha must have had this done before, because she grabbed the cotton ball immediately to hold it on tight. 

We left there to go get something to eat.  Dasha hadn't eaten breakfast yet because they didn't want her to eat prior to the blood draw.  So she was hungry.  We had promised her something good after the earlier poke in the arm, so she picked out a piece of cake with jello and whipped cream on top.  She also got a salad and a chicken kabob.  She also picked out a mixed-fruit juice to drink.  She ate her chicken & didn't touch the onions that were skewered with the chicken, except to push them on the far side of her plate.  I asked her if she wanted them and she just gave me a YUCK look like I was crazy!  Once the chicken was gone, she started on the salad.  I think it was a cabbage salad.  She ate every drop of it.  Then it was time to dig into the cake.   Here she is with her coveted cake:  http://files.blog-city.com/files/N04/78305/p/f/85_cake.jpg

When we finished eating, we needed to go to the Notary office to get some documents.  The Notary here have more responsibility than they do in the U.S.  They actually prepare some documents here instead of authenticating who signed it.  Then we were off to go shopping.  That was an experience!

We pulled up to their version of a super-mall, I guess.  It was a HUGE outdoor flea-market type of environment.  Most of the boothes were under one of many big tent roof things.  There was barely enough room to walk down the aisles, as they were maybe 5 feet wide, and many people there.  Each booth was about a 10' square.  Each vendor had their specific items that they sold.  Some had shoes, some clothes, some house paint.  They sold just about everything imaginable in this place.  We were told that people come from all over Ukraine to go shopping here, as the prices cannot be beaten and the thing is just plain huge.

We found everything that we needed.  A few shirts, a pair of jeans & jean jacket, another pair of pants, shorts, a couple other tops, a nice little dress, shoes, socks, and underwear.   She is all woman when it comes to shopping.  She knew what she wanted and what she didn't want.  She wanted to carry the bags too.  She was happy to try on all her clothes to see that they fit.  For all this, we spent a grand total of about 700 UAH (grivna), or about $140 USD.  I didn't think it was bad for what we got, but I'm not a typical girl's clothes shopper either.  Oh, and by the way, I managed to sneak away for a minute and bought her a Barbie look-a-like.  As soon as I returned, my bag was immediately inspected by a nosey little girl though.  She couldn't wait to get back to the van to see it because we didn't give it to her while we were there.

We then managed to find the van and started our trek to take Dasha back to the orphanage.  She was not going to let us leave without giving her the doll though.  We asked if it was OK to let her have it in the orphanage, and it was ok, so I opened it up and she took it immediately.  We walked her back to her room which was very quiet.  It must have been nap time.  Dasha was very tired too, because she slept in the van for a bit on the way back.  She quietly gave us hugs and a "das vadanya" and went off with the care takers, probably to continue her nap.

We went back to the apartment and unwound a bit.  Then we were off to the grocery store.  We actually spent the most that we have ever spent at the store.  Probably because it wasn't a 3 mile hike to the store and we could carry more stuff back.  We spent about 120 UAH, or about $24 USD.  What a bargain shopping here is.  We had 2 very full bags for the trip home.

On another note, you have probably noticed that I switched the blog so the newest entry is at the top.  It was getting fairly long so I thought it may be easier to read this way.  Here on a pathetically slow and unreliable phone connection it is easier....  Also, we do read EVERY comment that has been posted.  It is nice to see who is reading this thing.  It really amazes me that we have over 11,000 hits so far.  Feel free to leave comments, use the little blog-board on the front page, or email us at pwgreen@centurytel.net . 

We are headed back to see Dasha tomorrow morning at around 10am.  No big plans for the next 4-5 days except to get to know our little girl a bit more!