We hurried back to the apartment, packed up, and headed to Schors with Nastya. We hired a driver who had a Mercedes van for this trip. Luxury! We checked back into the hotel, stay tuned for new nickname, and went to get something to eat. Nastya thought it wasn’t too far to walk to the orphanage so off we went. I may buy a scooter before this trip is over. Besides there’s something funny about a fat guy on a scooter and it’s my job to entertain the locals.
Nastya continued on walking to court and we branched off on a path through a field to get to the orphanage. I called Julianna to let her know we were almost there and she said “I know, I watch you. I come.“ Picture the movie scene where people are running towards each other through a field of wildflowers and you’ll kind of get the feel of reuniting with Julianna (minus the wildflowers). She hugged Jillian first, then Diane and saved the best for last. I know Jillian was nervous about this moment but it went pretty much the way I thought it would. Later on she said it was love at first sight.
We hung out in the large social room and Jillian showed her the Ipod we prepared for her. The small one we had given her on the last trip quit working so she was very happy to get a replacement. We also had some clothes for Julianna so the two girls headed upstairs to try them on. Jillian felt a little self conscious up there because she felt the other girls were staring at her so I comforted her by explaining they probably hadn’t seen an American prima donna before.
All kidding aside this should be a required trip for every American teenager. At one point in my career at Boeing I was dangerously close to layoff so I took a job in the wire shop building cables. This lasted for two years before I was recalled to my old job. I haven’t complained about my job since that experience. This is the same kind of thing. Jillian is very good at caring for other people and appreciating what she has but this takes it to a whole new level.
We rounded out the visit working on friendship bracelets. Nadia and Marina joined us and we had a great time. We said our goodbyes and started walking back to the hotel, hoping we would get there before we were due for court on Tuesday. The girls continued walking to visit the foster home and I visited the grocery store for beer and some lesser essentials. After all the walking it was a medical necessity to replenish my fluids.
Tomorrow we have court, where the judge and other representatives will decide our fate. We’re a little nervous but it should be okay.
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