Things we have learned

It’s been just over a week now and we are in wait mode to hear back from Alyona and/or Dima about our court date. We’ve made some good impressions (or at least we think we have) on our hosts, and we have learned a few other things along the way that none of the adoption websites will tell you. If you are frequent international travelers, this is probably old news. For those who are leaving the US for the first time, this may be of interest to you…

1) While you are here for your adoption, there will be A LOT of idle time (hurry up and wait). Work to prevent “cabin fever”. For those of us here trying to adopt, this is not truly a vacation, per se. Included in the adoption process is an opportunity to experience a new culture. There is plenty to do if you just look for it. If you can’t get out ensure you have a hobby (reading/sewing/crosswords/computer work, etc).

2) Pack for more than one season… Early December in Odessa brings temperatures a bit warmer than we are used to for a city near the latitude of Bismark, North Dakota or Duluth, Minnesota. Perhaps the Black Sea has a bit to do with that as well. We prepared for true winter, with temperatures in the 20’s and 30’s. In reality, they have been in the low to mid 50’s, and we actually are dressing a bit too warm right now. Follow the weather maps/forecasts and plan accordingly. Also, pack some sweats, shorts, sleep pants and extra t-shirts for your idle time when you don’t feel like leaving the apartment.

3) Accidents happen… I will not elaborate except to say that it involves a toenail. Bring a first aid kit, complete with antibiotic/antiseptic ointment, scissors, tweezers, fingernail and toenail clippers, gauze, first aid tape, and bandages. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just functional for small ‘boo-boos’ you should be able to take care of in your apartment. If not, there are drug stores/pharmacies near by to pick up such supplies.

4) Another emergency kit to have along is a sewing kit with the most common color thread (black, blue, brown and white and at least 2-3 needles for accidental rips or lost buttons.

5) Language does not always have to be a barrier. Let me first elaborate once again by saying that speaking louder to someone who does not understand does not work… The hearing impaired have mastered sign language and can communicate effectively. Likewise, hand gestures between cultures of different languages is also an effective means of communication.. This does not excuse one from making an effort to learn words and phrases of the local language. If an effort is made to speak the local language, in most cases, an effort will be made to reciprocate.

6) Make sure your digital camera has the memory card installed and the battery is charged… We have been penalized for this because the walk taken to the Opera House, Archeological Museum and Potemkin Stairs found us without a memory card and we were unable to take pictures…

We also are rewarded by taking another walk to the Opera House, Archeological Museum (no Wiki page) and Potemkin Stairs to see what we missed the first time and actually get pictures… Besides you may miss a once in a lifetime “Kodak moment”. And, oh, by the way, make sure you have spare memory cards along in case one either goes bad, or it gets filled up and you don’t have a computer to download to.

7) In an operation of this magnitude, there are bound to be a few casualties… Our previous foreign travels took us to Guam and through Canada to Alaska, so our experience with the voltage is a new concept. Check the voltage rating on your curling iron, hair dryer, electric razor, and power supplies for your laptop, cell phone, digital camera and/or camcorder… They should read 100-240 volts... Mari’s curling iron was only rated for 120 volts and the adapter we had did not step the voltage down. It melted…

8) Contrary to popular belief… Jeans (black or dark blue, not ripped) are acceptable wear for informal situations. Casual or dress shoes are also appropriate attire. Sneakers are generally reserved for youth and tourists. Bring dress slacks for meetings requiring a bit of formality and the ever important suit/tie (men) and dresses (ladies) for a night at the opera and your adoption court appearance.

9) “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Much can be said for manners, however, there are situations when people will jump the que (line) to try and get to the front… I have noticed that some people will actually point to the teller and ask if you are in line (in their language), others will try to push their way to the front. Stand your ground… For the most part, however, it is an orderly society. We have found that even just a little courtesy sometimes goes a long way… (“Spacibo” = “Thank you”)

10) You will do a LOT of walking… Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, and try to avoid sneakers. If sneakers cannot be avoided, darker colors or older looking shoes should be worn. We have seen men wearing dress shoes with athletic warm-ups… Doesn’t exactly match, but that is what they do here.

11) Our washing machine is possessed… First of all, it is a front loader that may be just big enough for a pair of jeans or two and maybe a towel. The spin cycle causes this tiny machine to dance across the floor as far as the power cord and the hoses will allow and the machine shakes so violently that whatever is laying on top of it winds up on the floor, not to mention the mini-earthquake that occurs in the apartment. Unfortunate side effect is that we are washing clothes every couple of days.

12) Clothes dryers do not appear to exist here… Clothes drying racks do…

13) If you get a hotel with cable and/or satellite TV… You are stuck with about 5 English speaking channels… all of them news… Bring some DVDs along if you are also bringing a laptop…

14) If you have room in your suitcase, pack some instant foods, such as breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, hot chocolate packets, tuna packets, crackers, and dried meals in a pouch (rice, noodles etc). Plastic eating utensils would have come in handy for us had we brought them along. We ate tuna and crackers in our hotel room in Kiev since we didn’t venture out much at night; it will also tide you over until you can get to the market. Also, if you are taking the bus or the train to wherever, you may want a few things to eat along the way.

15) Keep a close eye on the exchange rate. It can fluctuate daily. We normally do about $200.00 USD per transaction. Depending on your spending habits, this could last you a week.

16) When you make that trip to the market: First, any produce needs to be bagged, weighed and tagged in the produce section. If this is not done, you will be sent back to square one in the produce section. Second, when you check out, you will be charged (0.25 UAH - about 2 cents) for the bags they provide. They are heavy duty plastic and hold quite a bit, but sometimes, there is a principle involved… If you feel so inclined, the “Earth Friendly” bags found at WalMart, Target, Lowe’s or any similar store can come in pretty handy.

The list, of course is not all inclusive and these are not hard and fast rules to live by in Ukraine. One can ask 20 different people and get 20 different answers on what to bring along or what to do while you are here. Common sense and good judgment will tell you what to bring, and your sense of adventure will take you into the city.