Natasha called late Monday night and advised that the SDA had completed the paperwork and that she was taking it straight to the Regional Inspectors office to have it signed first thing Tuesday morning.  She had spoken to the Director, and she would receive us at 3pm!  Yeah!!!  So Tuesday morning, we got all cleaned up and ready…and waited… and waited… and waited. 

At 1.30, we still had not heard from Natasha- so we called….What’s up?
 
The Regional Inspector (read Deputy Mayor) is not in the office today- so they took it to the Mayor of Kiev… who is also not in the office today.  Unless the paper is signed before 3pm, you cannot go to the orphanage.

Does anyone know when he will be back?

No.

Having learned the Ukrainian way- Paul and Pam decided to waste no more time and struck out across the city.  We wandered down the main street of Kiev, where to Jake’s delight, we found a TGI Fridays.  Tired and frustrated, we gave in to temptation of something familiar.  Ehhh- did I say familiar- the menu was exactly the same… only the prices?!?!  Never in our lives have we dropped $110 at a Fridays ordering 3 drinks, 2 main courses and an appetizer! OUCH!  I must admit it was good… but not that good!

We wandered back home, and on our way up the hill, Pam’s cell phone rang (about 5.30pm).  It was Natasha.  They had located the deputy mayor and gotten his signature.  However, it was too late to go to the orphanage.  The Director had instructed Natasha to call Wednesday at 10am to schedule the appointment.  Here we go again… Uno anyone?

Jake lost it when his DS finally lost its charge… and his charger doesn’t work here.  I guess we’ll try to find an electronics or gaming store tomorrow…