Day 10, 11 & 12 - First sight of tears
Day 10 (Monday, February 12th)
Following our visit with Polly and lunch with Olesya on Monday, we ventured off to the open market again. Laura was on a mission to find a warm cap while Brett was out “just to look”. While Laura was tied up at one booth looking at hats two women approached Brett and whisked him away. A few moments later he returned laughing saying he believed he was being solicited by these women. Once Brett and I were re-joined the two women followed us for awhile trying to make conversation. At one point, the older of the two women then whisked Laura away inside some small café. Although we were amused at the humor of what was occurring we were nervous as well. Brett has ALL our money on his body at all times and with the language barrier it was difficult to understand what the intentions of these two women really were. We were in the middle of a crowded public place so pick pocketing was our biggest worry. With great effort, we were finally able to step away with nothing lost and a few amusing moments with locals gained.
Day 11 (Tuesday, February 13th)
For the first time in 11 days Polly broke down and cried with us today. Because we’re not speaking much Russian and she not speaking any English we were feeling a bit helpless alone in a room with no idea as to what had upset her. One of her caretakers entered the room at one point, spoke to her in Russian and stopped her crying. That didn’t make us feel any better because we still felt in the dark. It was finally concluded that she likely got upset when she discovered accidentally that her group of peers had left the neighboring room. There is a closed door between rooms. Therefore, Polly can hear what is going on with her peers at all times even though she can not see them. Within a few moments of the caretaker speaking with her she was back to being happy and playful.
The day was very cold so our new coats were truly put to the test today. We were told the temperature had reached -16 C / -2 F. Surprisingly, it was more tolerable than we could have otherwise imagined. The air is very dry here in Kostanai, much like what Laura remembers of Colorado. Because the air has been dry the cold does not feel as cold as we would otherwise expect at these crazy temperatures. You also don’t see snowmen or snowballs being thrown. The snow falls through your fingers like sand.
After lunch we visited a local museum. The museum included artifacts of Kazakh as well as Russian history and culture. It was quite fascinating!
As a side note, we’ve got to talk about dogs…they’re everywhere…and they’re wild. Passing a group of dogs on the street here is like passing a park with feeding pigeons. There isn’t a second thought. At first sight it is very sad. Strange thing though is few look sad. They all look remarkably healthy and casually share the sidewalks with people. You see dogs walking alone and in packs but we haven’t seen a dog fight yet. We don’t dare approach them as we know they do not belong to anyone but they seem friendly. It’s so strange. You just wouldn’t see this in the US.
Following our visit with Polly and lunch with Olesya on Monday, we ventured off to the open market again. Laura was on a mission to find a warm cap while Brett was out “just to look”. While Laura was tied up at one booth looking at hats two women approached Brett and whisked him away. A few moments later he returned laughing saying he believed he was being solicited by these women. Once Brett and I were re-joined the two women followed us for awhile trying to make conversation. At one point, the older of the two women then whisked Laura away inside some small café. Although we were amused at the humor of what was occurring we were nervous as well. Brett has ALL our money on his body at all times and with the language barrier it was difficult to understand what the intentions of these two women really were. We were in the middle of a crowded public place so pick pocketing was our biggest worry. With great effort, we were finally able to step away with nothing lost and a few amusing moments with locals gained.
Day 11 (Tuesday, February 13th)
For the first time in 11 days Polly broke down and cried with us today. Because we’re not speaking much Russian and she not speaking any English we were feeling a bit helpless alone in a room with no idea as to what had upset her. One of her caretakers entered the room at one point, spoke to her in Russian and stopped her crying. That didn’t make us feel any better because we still felt in the dark. It was finally concluded that she likely got upset when she discovered accidentally that her group of peers had left the neighboring room. There is a closed door between rooms. Therefore, Polly can hear what is going on with her peers at all times even though she can not see them. Within a few moments of the caretaker speaking with her she was back to being happy and playful.
The day was very cold so our new coats were truly put to the test today. We were told the temperature had reached -16 C / -2 F. Surprisingly, it was more tolerable than we could have otherwise imagined. The air is very dry here in Kostanai, much like what Laura remembers of Colorado. Because the air has been dry the cold does not feel as cold as we would otherwise expect at these crazy temperatures. You also don’t see snowmen or snowballs being thrown. The snow falls through your fingers like sand.
After lunch we visited a local museum. The museum included artifacts of Kazakh as well as Russian history and culture. It was quite fascinating!
As a side note, we’ve got to talk about dogs…they’re everywhere…and they’re wild. Passing a group of dogs on the street here is like passing a park with feeding pigeons. There isn’t a second thought. At first sight it is very sad. Strange thing though is few look sad. They all look remarkably healthy and casually share the sidewalks with people. You see dogs walking alone and in packs but we haven’t seen a dog fight yet. We don’t dare approach them as we know they do not belong to anyone but they seem friendly. It’s so strange. You just wouldn’t see this in the US.
Day 12 (Wednesday, February 14th)
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Half way around the world and Laura still got flowers for Valentines Day…Polly sure is getting a very special dad J
Polly, on the other hand, was not feeling the love today. All started out well. Today was pool day for her group. The baby home has an indoor swimming pool and once a week the children get into ankle deep water and play. We were invited to observe and Polly seemed thrilled to have us there. Once we returned to our visiting room, however, she was less pleased. We experienced another crying spell today. This time her peers were in the next room so we know an empty room next door could not be the reason. When Laura approached to offer comfort Polly hustled away. This was a first as she has offered only open arms to Laura thus far.
Although being rejected by Polly today was upsetting, it was to be expected at some point. It would be unrealistic for any adopting parent to think a child could instantly welcome them as their new parents and easily walk away from their caregivers and peers forever. We are here disrupting the only environment of security and love these children have likely ever known. There are resources out there to prepare adopting parents for this adjustment time. Being somewhat prepared was the only reason we were able to handle these tears and not take them too personally.
On a lighter note, we celebrated Valentines Day in the hotel restaurant with our American friends from Tennessee. There was a show with dancers, a flautist, a female singer and a Russian female MC who was equally entertaining.
Tomorrow we observe Polly with the baby home speak therapist. We hope she will be as happy to see us as we will be to see her.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Half way around the world and Laura still got flowers for Valentines Day…Polly sure is getting a very special dad J
Polly, on the other hand, was not feeling the love today. All started out well. Today was pool day for her group. The baby home has an indoor swimming pool and once a week the children get into ankle deep water and play. We were invited to observe and Polly seemed thrilled to have us there. Once we returned to our visiting room, however, she was less pleased. We experienced another crying spell today. This time her peers were in the next room so we know an empty room next door could not be the reason. When Laura approached to offer comfort Polly hustled away. This was a first as she has offered only open arms to Laura thus far.
Although being rejected by Polly today was upsetting, it was to be expected at some point. It would be unrealistic for any adopting parent to think a child could instantly welcome them as their new parents and easily walk away from their caregivers and peers forever. We are here disrupting the only environment of security and love these children have likely ever known. There are resources out there to prepare adopting parents for this adjustment time. Being somewhat prepared was the only reason we were able to handle these tears and not take them too personally.
On a lighter note, we celebrated Valentines Day in the hotel restaurant with our American friends from Tennessee. There was a show with dancers, a flautist, a female singer and a Russian female MC who was equally entertaining.
Tomorrow we observe Polly with the baby home speak therapist. We hope she will be as happy to see us as we will be to see her.
posted by watrous2kaz @ 12:23 PM
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