We have started to count down the days. Next Monday the 23rd is the day that Elona will leave the orphanage for good and come to live with us. We will have a small celebration, just the three of us, on what will be both a wonderful and strange night.
We got a small break yesterday, but not from the weather, which Galya has told us has been unusually rainy this year (no kidding). Kostya and Galya picked us up in the morning, it had rained all night, but the sun was out and the temperature was in the low 40’s. We headed out of the city past one drab soviet type apartment building after another. These were all built after WWII, at the end of the war there were only 8 buildings left standing in Sevastopol.
We are heading towards Yalta. Once we are out of the city we drive through rolling hills covered with vineyards. There are low mountains in the distance, one is snow capped. Through a pass, and there is the Black Sea along a rocky coastline. Along the hilly highway we saw probably a hundred cyclists in racing attire. This is a big summer vacation area, for mostly Russian tourist. Spread out along the coast there are resorts and spas, some existing, and some being constructed, and many large homes that are rented out during the busy season.
Our sunny day is quickly becoming grey and cloudy and by the time we pull into our first destination it is raining. The palace was built in the early 1800’s by one of the princes. It was used as the set for several movies including ‘The Three Musketeers’ – don’t know which one. As we get out of the car it is really starting to rain and we have no umbrella (stupid us). At least we are wearing rain coats with hoods, but poor Galya is not….so she puts the nylon shopping bag we carry with us on her head. What a trooper. Kostya chose t
o wait in the car. Of course the whole point of the palace is to enjoy the grounds and architecture. So we walk in the rain through beautiful gardens and around the building, before hurrying back to the car, all of us soaked.
We decide to head back towards Sevastopol rather than go on to Yalta. On the way we stop at a small church perched up on a cliff overlooking the sea. It has stopped raining briefly so we can get out.
Back in Sevastopol we all have lunch in a place that we have walked by almost every day called “The Three Fishes”. They had an English menu. We had a nice time and the food was really good. Salads are very big here, but they are not leafy green salads like at home, they are mostly mayonnaise salads, like eggs salad with a bunch of other things added. Roger had a piece of chicken with a piece of fried ham wrapped around it, with French fries and I had a breaded chicken breast with melted cheese over it, with rice. Pretty safe huh! We will go back again and I will try something more adventuresome. We finished with lunch just in time to grab the bus and head to the orphanage. Despite the rain and our trip being cut short, it was really nice to get of the city and see what the country was like.
Last night we celebrated St. Patrick’s with our Irish-American friend Kevin at the ‘Black Kat Bar’. His friend Kostya also joined us. We toasted Ireland, the Navy and a dozen other things. It was a nice time. There we had chicken wings and French fries……just like home.
We got a small break yesterday, but not from the weather, which Galya has told us has been unusually rainy this year (no kidding). Kostya and Galya picked us up in the morning, it had rained all night, but the sun was out and the temperature was in the low 40’s. We headed out of the city past one drab soviet type apartment building after another. These were all built after WWII, at the end of the war there were only 8 buildings left standing in Sevastopol.
We are heading towards Yalta. Once we are out of the city we drive through rolling hills covered with vineyards. There are low mountains in the distance, one is snow capped. Through a pass, and there is the Black Sea along a rocky coastline. Along the hilly highway we saw probably a hundred cyclists in racing attire. This is a big summer vacation area, for mostly Russian tourist. Spread out along the coast there are resorts and spas, some existing, and some being constructed, and many large homes that are rented out during the busy season.
Our sunny day is quickly becoming grey and cloudy and by the time we pull into our first destination it is raining. The palace was built in the early 1800’s by one of the princes. It was used as the set for several movies including ‘The Three Musketeers’ – don’t know which one. As we get out of the car it is really starting to rain and we have no umbrella (stupid us). At least we are wearing rain coats with hoods, but poor Galya is not….so she puts the nylon shopping bag we carry with us on her head. What a trooper. Kostya chose t
o wait in the car. Of course the whole point of the palace is to enjoy the grounds and architecture. So we walk in the rain through beautiful gardens and around the building, before hurrying back to the car, all of us soaked.We decide to head back towards Sevastopol rather than go on to Yalta. On the way we stop at a small church perched up on a cliff overlooking the sea. It has stopped raining briefly so we can get out.
Back in Sevastopol we all have lunch in a place that we have walked by almost every day called “The Three Fishes”. They had an English menu. We had a nice time and the food was really good. Salads are very big here, but they are not leafy green salads like at home, they are mostly mayonnaise salads, like eggs salad with a bunch of other things added. Roger had a piece of chicken with a piece of fried ham wrapped around it, with French fries and I had a breaded chicken breast with melted cheese over it, with rice. Pretty safe huh! We will go back again and I will try something more adventuresome. We finished with lunch just in time to grab the bus and head to the orphanage. Despite the rain and our trip being cut short, it was really nice to get of the city and see what the country was like.
Last night we celebrated St. Patrick’s with our Irish-American friend Kevin at the ‘Black Kat Bar’. His friend Kostya also joined us. We toasted Ireland, the Navy and a dozen other things. It was a nice time. There we had chicken wings and French fries……just like home.
Too bad you did not make it to Yalta. I've heard it's the Ukrainian Riviera. You know...now that I recall, the wines from the whole Crimean region are said to be pretty good.
ReplyDeleteNot much to report from Madeira. I hear 7th grade's Midnight Madness Overnight is this Friday. Tell Ben to stay clear of the manicure station unless he wants to sport a shade called Pomegranate Passion on his nails before the night is out. I've heard lots of boys partake voluntarily!
Wanted to comment just to let you know that I'm still keeping up with your blog entries, and enjoying them. I am completely humbled by your whole experience...the commitment you've made and the process you've endured. I can only imagine the evening of the 23rd when it arrives...and will be thinking of you then!
Irene Devine
I too have been enjoying your blog ... what an amazing adventure you guys are having.
ReplyDeleteLoved the magical picture of the church that you saw yesterday.
We have had a few warm days here and the daffodils are starting to bloom, so it should be looking lovely when you get home.
xx Jane xx