It Didn't Work Out

For the day of Friday, March 27th, we loaded up with apprehensive minds into our translator's van. Our specified translator for this trip was different than our facilitator. Her driver, George, spoke a smidgen of English and was very polite. Alla was our translator, and she proved to be an invaluable aid. They picked us up from our apartment, along with all twelve pieces of luggage, at 2:00 in the morning. Let's just say that the van we were in was fine for about a third of what we crammed into it. The seating arrangements consisted of Ethan, the driver George, and Alla sitting in the front seat, Sheila and Herbert placed in the captain's chairs surrounded by luggage, and finally, Drew, Gabrielle, and Connor in the very back. A seven-hour drive in these conditions cannot be very good for the joints. We arrived at our destination groggy and eager to leave the cramped vehicle. In the city who's name leaves the writer's mind at the moment the family embarked for the orphanage in which a prospective child awaited them. We entered the building, were shown around, eagerly went to the bathroom (we did not receive many breaks on our voyage), and then sat in the psychology room. We met with the person in charge of the orphanage, which consisted of extremely short conversation, and then the child along with the orphanage's doctor and psychologist entered the room. The girl, Anastasia, was a ball of energy, never scared of us and never shy. Alla was busy translating the words of the girl, doctor, and more as we listened and watched eagerly. We gave Anastasia a banana and a doll that we bought her, and her face immediately lit up. She was witty for a four-year-old, but as things progressed, the family viewed her as not the right choice. It was never the little girl's fault. A spot of misinformation caused the decisions to turn downhill. In the end, it did not work out with Anastasia, so we left and drove all the way back to Kiev that afternoon. Our future consists of another referral, we hope. Until then we take our time doing things in Kiev.