New Destination

We are now in destination #2 located in Priazovye - a geographical region around the Azov Sea. We have been taken care of like VIPs and it is very comforting to feel so secure, looked after, and protected here. A wonderfully nice team of people help us! We rode a first class train sleeper for 12 hours overnight. Very clean, very comfortable and Eric & Cindy again saved our marriage! They and Joe told us software to download so we could watch DVDs on the crunchy-munch old computer we brought along, and that worked! Now, they shared advice of covering the train heater with the blanket to keep it from being so hot  in the compartment. With Mr_S's ability to sweat lifting a fork, it was much appreciated advice from his point of view! From Miss_A's perspective, it wasn't a problem because she is from Texas and hot is good for her. She never seems to "dew!" Anyway, one of us slept like a snoring baby on the train and the other player solitaire for about 5 hours to try to make herself tired enough to sleep and got in about 3 hours after running the phone battery down to nothing. As soon as the train arrived in our new destination, we were kindly met, driven a couple of hours to our new location, and the business meetings began. Non-stop we met and waited and met and waited and met and then waited some more, and finally had the opportunity to have a wonderful Ukrainian meal around 5:30 tonight. We hadn't seriously eaten since lunch the day before (except for some bread and a banana and a bag of french fries on the train, some water, and a cup of coffee). Miss_A also wore her PJs on the train (a black jersey knit travel dress, so it can fake as a real outfit if needed - it is a real outfit for people who can wear it with style, mind you) thinking it would have helped her sleep easier to be so comfy. Well, that baggy short dress with leggings and tall boots (no heels though!) was - low and behold - the outfit we met everyone in today! Hint to future families - whatever you wear, it may be seen by the most important people on the trip so don't chintz just because it is an overnight train ride. And, carry a toothbrush with you, too. (And, yes, I have put the water here in my mouth and also drank some, thinking I was using the tap at home; I am not sick yet). Girls Scouts paid off - always be prepared and just in case, like Mom always said: If you wear your PJs in public that is the day you'll get pulled over and have to be seen on the nightly news in them. She was almost right! We talked with Little Chix today! We hung out in the parrot room for hours at the children's home and Miss_A flirted with the caged birds there. We saw an excited Ana catch our eye! Didn't see Nikita, but will check tomorrow. Will know more tomorrow about the kids and daily plans. For now, we are full of yummy borsch, dumplings and neopolitan dessert all Ukrainian style and very, very delicious. We are ready for bed. A lot was accomplished today, emotional and otherwise. The people in Ukraine have been very kind and good to us today.