Ulitsca

3/28 Today when we arrived to speak with the secretary of the orphanage it was sunny! She immediately said we should take Nina ulitsca which we learned last night was one of our options (outside). She ushered us to the stairwell were there was a buggy. (There are nice buggies with "shocks" which Amy commented the buggies have but the cars don't as the streets are quite neglected). Nina was carried down to us in a bib type snow suit, coat and tie-on hat. She smiled when she saw us (she has a characteristic beautiful smile which will blend well at her new home). We took her outside to stroll around the baby house. The sunshine was wonderful. We gave her some bubbles which she thoroughly enjoyed; showing them off to another person pushing a buggy.

Her "grouper" came out also, and we all strolled around the baby house. This particular complex, like others, consists of several tall apartment buildings around a "courtyard" which you enter by driving through/under (rather than around) one side of the apartments. The exterior of the buildings as well as the stair wells are neglected as well. The inside of our particular apartment is quite European in its utilization of space and sits in stark contrast to the cold, muddy, neglected exterior. There are formidable locks which we understand are to protect ones' belongings. It was explained to us that in the present situation there is not a banking crisis, but there is a government moratorium on withdrawals so people keep there valuables in their possession. In our courtyard sits the walled baby house. It has a cement wall with a gate that protects the cement drive, the building and a play area. As Amy mentioned, the baby house is immaculate inside (cleanliness and bugs may be one our first challenges, see below) and not neglected appearing as the rest of the outer complex.

Nina's friend Vitali enjoyed pushing her stroller and blowing bubbles. She did not like the ladybug that the caretaker showed her at all. She in fact was terrified. She dropped her bubbles and was bothered by the dirt on the lid. Oh, the joy she will have in the country with two dogs and a bird.

We were told it was time to go inside. As we all shuttled in, Nina wanted out of the buggy to negotiate the stairs. When we reached their outer room, all the kids began taking off their coats, hats, suits, shoes and putting them in their locker. I use "their" because they know where to put the stuff they have on; however, none of them have anything that is truly theirs. The clothes are labeled with the seal of the orphanage. The shoes/clothes are community property but to the process is very orderly. Nina was concerned about getting her bubble bottle back, but with only a little prompting, she put her clothes into the locker. With Amy pointing to the door, she closed it. It was time for lunch, and while we were discovering that it was time for us to go, several other kids quickly went in to potty (the next orderly step in the procedure before lunch) and came back to us wanting to give Amy a kiss on the lips (after she kissed Nina good-bye) and not wanting us to leave. Definitely more heart-breaking than leaving your fussing child at the church nursery or school room.

We went for a walk as the sun was still out. We remain amazed at the general neglect of the streets and buildings, yet the signs of coming spring with bulbs peaking through the mud testify that the people are resilient. Apparently, things that the government was responsible for are not as well cared for now and privatization hasn't overtaken streets and existing buildings. We bought a "yablaca" (apple) an orange and a carrot at the local street market. We then returned to our apartment.

more to come