TIPS FOR TRAVELING FAMILIES

1.       We packed one carry on each and it has worked out great. You have a lot of moving around to do so it has been nice just having 1 bag each to lug up the 4 flights of stairs and stuff in the train, cars and taxi’s. We packed clothes for the boys and are buying their shoes here. We also bought a backpack here for Sergei so he can have a carry-on. I am leaving all the clothes I can of mine behind for the orphanage, which will also give me some room for my souvenirs.  We packed travel size everything just to get us here and then bought full size shampoo, hairspray, etc. from the market. I also left my hairdryer and curling iron home, bought both here with European plugs for $27. Bring a converter if you pack your stuff from home and check the volt requirements…we blew a fuse in France!

Other families have brought more and had no problems as well. We just liked have no bags to check the ease of it. If you are thinking about just bringing one bag, just know you can.

*ANYTHING YOU NEED, YOU CAN GET HERE! Clothes, contact solution, tampons, shampoo, Tide..

2.       Bring a reusable grocery bag. Bethany suggested this and she was right…we live out of it! We bring ours to the school every day stuffed with cookies and activities for the kids, love it!

3.       Woolite Wrinkle releaser spray. There is an iron in the Mariupol apartment but it is just handy for that first week you are living out of a suitcase.

4.       We did not bring gifts for the staff from home. We just took that budgeted amount and are purchasing the items here. It has been fun for Sergei to tell us what HE wants to give and then it give Kevin and I a good excuse to get out and about and practice our Russian!

5.       Cards. I bought a few packages and am letting Sergei write a letter or note to anyone he wants to say goodbye to. I am also using these as my thank you cards for the staff and our facilitators.

6.       Clothes: It is HOT right now. You can pretty much wear anything here (most of the women decide to wear almost nothing at all) so whatever you bring it will be fine. Make it comfortable and easy to wash. Summer dresses and skirts are in style here and are cool in this heat. I bought two long ones (I have to be able to play soccer in mine) and am wearing them constantly with t-shirts. Men: Shorts and t-shirts are fine. Kevin found a pair of Khaki shorts but we have seen denim as well (could not talk Kevin into them). Just remember if you go denim, to roll the short at the knee. If you HAVE denim shorts this may be your last opportunity to wear them without being laughed at!

7.       Bring a week worth of little activities to do with your kids from home. After that you will have time to get settled and can go out and pick up little games and knick-knacks for the rest of your trip.

8.       Go out with the idea that everyone speaks English. It is really true so if you must comment on the mini-skirt aka: “That is not a skirt…where is her mother?! Holy shizzz… SHE IS THE MOTHER!” should be whispered under your breath, just like in the US.

9.       Sleep! If you are tired…SLEEP! This adoption process is very emotionally draining, sleep helps a lot. We both take a nap everyday (30 mins to 3 hours). It is okay…don’t feel guilt, just do it.

10.   Kevin and I eat breakfast and lunch here in the apartment and try to go out for dinners.  Dinners run us between $5 to $15 for both of us. It is fun to try something new and it is just fun to get out together. We walk every night up to the park in our neighborhood and get an ice cream and sit on the benches to people watch and talk. I have ordered some weird stuff here and there on accident but we always have fun.

11.   Kevin has been my personal guide! He knows all of his numbers in Russian and knows how to pronounce all the Russian letters…this has help us a ton. He can read a little bit and has NEVER mis-ordered like me. If you don’t have time to learn before you go…you will be fine, it is just fun.

12.   Don’t drink the milk.

13.   Find your church and go. It calms the storm.

Have fun, enjoy your time with your spouse, relax, pray, cry and laugh…it is the adventure of a lifetime!