The people that got us through

Yeah, I know. We have been her for 4 days. But today drove home what communism did to Russia. Despite the bustling town Khabarovsk has become, much of it is still stuck in the 1950's.

Today was our last round of medical exams. The hospital is just around the corner from the Hotel so we walked. Upon entering we went into a little registration area. Lena took care of all the formalities and then came the waiting. We waited in the little area for our names to be called. Then we were all ushered into the exam room. The doctor was fantastic, quick and thorough.

The funny part was when she did the "follow this thing with your eyes" test on D. You are lying on a table and she moves it back and forth and then down to your nose. You are supposed to cross your eyes as it comes to your nose. Well, D's eyes don't work together so only one eye crosses. She thought that was a little strange. She had to do a more thourough inspection of his eyes. She informed him that one was weak. We kind knew that.

The thing that throws me back to the 1950's is the environment itself. There are no carts full of plastic things, no carpet, no instruments in the rooms. Alcohol is in glass bottles. Just all very different than back at home. I am not saying they don't know how to practice medicine. Far from it. Many Russian docs are very well trained. I have had previous experience with them to know. All in all it was a very harmless procedure. Those who will go after us have nothing to worry about.

So onto other news. We woke up to a light dusting of snow this morning. It is about 8 C today (roughly 34 - 36 degrees). The snow melted by lunch and the sun in now shining. We met with Irina this morning and she said they will come at 3:15 tomorrow to take us to the orphanage. (I don't know what time exactly that will be back home. Figure for the west coast subtract 6 hours and add a day.) We will go earlier on Thursday and meet with the doctor and social worker. We are starting to get very anxious. So you probably won't get to read a Pickle report until Wednesday (your time.)

Galina is coming in about 20 minutes. We aren't sure what she is going to take us to do yet. She can tend to have her own agenda. Actually she is here now!! Gotta run!!