Sunday, February 8, 2009

Krasnoyarsk At Last

We Finally arrived to Krasnoyarsk Saturday morning bright and early. Well maybe not so bright, but definitely early. We arrived in a bit of a snow storm, but our fearless CHI rep Oleg made it to pick us up at the airport at 7am and got us safely to our apartment. We were hoping to stay at Hotel Krasnoyarsk so that we could be with the two other single Mom families that we had met in Moscow, but it appears that our representatives here did not get our request and hotel is now booked. The apartment that Oleg has rented us is very nice however. After adjusting to life without any English speaking people around us, and finding our way to the supermarket and then down the street to Peppers and the shopping district, we are coping just fine. Peppers is a pizza and pasta type restaurant with TV's and free WiFi. Food is good and people watching fun there too.

Just got the Internet up and working this evening at the apartment, so am trying to catch up with every ones messages and updating the blog. Yesterday, as I said we arrived in Kras early in the morning after an overnight flight from Moscow. The flight is actually only 4 hours, but we also changed time zones another 4 hours. Flight left at 1020pm and arrived in Kras at 650am or there abouts. After getting settled into the apartment we rested for a few hours, then grocery shopped for lunch and breakfast. In the evening we were taken to Peppers for dinner, then back to apartment to watch American movies in Russian. Luckily Rambo was on and we both are familiar with how the movie goes so reading lips and just watching the picture went well even though we couldn't understand the Russian translator.

Today we rested some more. Mom didn't even get up until 10am. I guess she was tired! I was up a bit earlier and then on and off during the night. Trying to get used to a new time zone plays crazy tricks on the body. Just had to keep telling myself it was still early or middle of the night to get more rest. At about 8am I'd had enough and attempted to make breakfast of sausage and scrambled eggs. It took about 45 minutes to get the job done as the stove was not cooperating, but in the end we had breakfast that tasted pretty good. This afternoon our interpreter Sveta and a friend of hers took us to the big mall, I think she said they call it "The Planet". It is large and had a lot of shops and restaurants, along with a very large supermarket. We talked about how court would go on Tuesday and enjoyed walking around inside as it is cold and snowy here outside. After the mall, Svetlana dropped us back to the apartment where Oleg met us and helped us to conquer the Internet issue, and show us how to operate the oven and washing machine. Important issues! Once we were set, Oleg and Sveta left and Mom and I decided to walk the four or five blocks back to Peppers for dinner.

We are now back at the apartment after a brisk walk home from Peppers with full bellies. Tomorrow morning we get to go see the Little Princess. Yippeeeee!! Then practice court questions again and tackle a possible document issue. Yes, I said document issue.....hopefully it will be nothing, but may have to have family at home run to get a paper signed for me. Please everyone pray that the judge is satisfied with what I have already turned in and not ask for version number three of the same paper.

Paka (Good bye)from Krasnoyarsk for tonight. Stay tuned for more tomorrow...
Love, Shannon

7 comments:

Heather Brandt said...

We wished we could have stayed in an apartment when there so I think the apartment sounds nice. The Planyeta is the name of the mall and the big store you went to is where we bought a lot of supplies for our son. Praying court goes well! If you have any Kras. questions, let me know and I'll try to help.

Heather
www.russianblessings.wordpress.com

Amy said...

Good luck in court! Loving the updates!!

David & Jodi said...

Congratulations on making it back to Krasnoyarsk. We are another adoptive family following your story. I thought you might like to know that an American family living in Krasnoyarsk posted on frua.org today. They seem interested in meeting adoptive parents who are visiting. Not sure if you'll have time. Best of luck for court!

Roger and Joanne said...

Glad to hear travels so far have been safe and accommodating. Look forward to that after court post. Good luck on seeing the princess!

Anonymous said...

I am praying for you! Happy Birthday Eve! Jill

Carey and Norman said...

Glad you made it to Kras and are getting settled and acclimated to the new time. I am looking forward to hearing about your visit with your daughter tomorrow. We will pray for your court hearing and that the judge will find you favorable without requesting further documentation. Thinking of you!

Kim Abraham - Mom to the Fabulous Five! said...

Glad you made it safely to your region - snow storm and all. Don't you just love watching American movies with dubbed Russian voices? Enjoy your visit with your princess tomorrow!