Day 4

I realized that I forgot to say when we would be meeting Caleb!  I'm sorry.  So... tonight (in just a bit actually) we will be taking the overnight train to his region and we should be meeting him tomorrow.  They were out of second class tickets, so we, and the other Arizona couple, are each riding in a first class compartment.  

Today we chilled out at our apartment, because actually going anywhere would involve too much walking and it is very cold.  There was one statue/monument that I wanted to see here, but it would take a half mile walk, a 10 minute bus ride, and then a 3/4 mile walk.  Then we'd have to reverse it.  Have I mentioned that it is very cold?

modeling my gear

Our driver picked us up around 4:00 and we went to the offices to pick up our referral forms.  (We needed those before we could go to the orphanage.)  They weren't quite ready for us so we went to a nearby pizza place to wait.

At first I only saw salami on the menu, but then I saw pepperoni listed as well.  So I ordered tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni on me pizza.  Like it?  ;)

The other Arizona family came in and joined us so we got to meet them!  We've each been speaking on behalf of each other as we've been making travel arrangements and hoped it was okay.  Cheap is good with both of us.  ;)

Then our paperwork was in.

waiting in the hall to go in and sign for our papers

We went back to the offices and waited for our turn to go in.  And we were reunited with our dossier! Didn't realize I'd be seeing that old friend again.  Except now it additionally has papers translating it throughout.

So back to our apartment to pack for the night train.  With a stop at a little pastry place that our driver recommended.  We ended up walking maybe half a block to get there and I actually wish I had a complete face mask to wear instead of just my hat.  When we left our apartment it was -9 degrees F and I don't know what it was since it was after dark by then.

So tomorrow after we get off the night train, we should be going to his orphange!  Sounds like it's quite the ordeal with orphanage staff, a doctor, our social worker, etc.  And we plan to travel with the other family so it will probably be one after the other.  Love you all!