>From baikaltour@gin.global-one.ru Tue Sep 30 07:47:02 1997 Subject: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Hello on a Tuesday evening, everyone! Today we returned to Benjamin's orphanage for an encore of the 4-year-old music class. This time we were prepared with a video camera and treats for the kids. It was once again a very special performance. It's all we could do to keep from renting a bus and taking all of the kids with us. They sang several traditional Russian songs -- together with adorable hand-motions -- and mugged for us the whole time. Afterward, we actually wrote a letter of recommendation for the teacher of the class, who is looking to get certified for her job. That was very interesting! We wrote a page-long note praising her and the children, and Valentina translated it for us. The performance was precious, but ultimately bittersweet. Having reached the age of four, it is likely that many of those kids will live their entire lives in orphanages. We visited Benjamin's bedroom and playroom one last time as well. We visited for a while and played with the toddlers. Once again we were moved by the degree to which the caregivers are attached to Ben. As we were leaving, one of the women ran out to catch us, spoke to Benjamin in Russian, gave him a hug, wished us good luck and happiness, and then hurriedly turned away to hide her tears. She was not the first to react that way. During our visit, the chief psychologist of the orphanage told us that after children find families, after a while they no longer seem to belong when they visit the orphanage. She commented then that Benjamin already seems like a stranger. She said that she noticed a different look in his eyes. One thing that we could clearly see was a look of sadness and loneliness in the eyes of the other children. They are given wonderful care there, and the orphanage is clean and well-run, but there is no substitute for a home and regular individualized care. We're glad to say that we see no such look in Sasha's eyes. Because the children don't wear diapers, you can imagine how important it is to have them potty-trained rapidly! One of the amusing moments of the visit was our observance of a potty-training session for two of the one-year olds. Perhaps we can learn something for Ginny's sake! Speaking of using the potty, we must interject another curious aspect of Russian culture at this point. We were more than a little dismayed upon our arrival to discover that public lavatories here DO NOT PROVIDE TOILET PAPER! Evidently you have to bring your own, or ... ugh! The alternative gives us great pause. It seems like we could make a fortune just opening up a toilet paper stand in every airport! Seeing all of the kids today made us all the more homesick for Zack, Milly and Ginny. We are pleased, however, to know what good hands they are in. We awoke today to find frost/snow on the uncovered patches of ground. Then this afternoon there was a furious flurry for about 15 minutes. No accumulation, but suddenly every thought we had about Siberia before travelling here came on in full force. Bill A., thanks for the advice, but I'm not sure we're going to make it out before the snow comes! Granted, no matter how much snow there is, our flight to Moscow (Oct. 8) will still leave. Heck, what's a little snow to a Siberian? But it won't do much for our peace of mind. Picture a lifetime southerner riding in the snow with a cocky northern driver (like yours truly!). It might actually be safe, but you'll never be convinced of it! ;-) Actually, of more immediate concern is the fact that the temperature has dropped enough to make it unpleasant to take walks any more. One more obstacle to overcome in trying to avoid cabin fever! That's it for today. We hope this message finds you all well and happy. We are both here, because of Benjamin, and also because of how many wonderful friends and relatives we have waiting at home. Love, Kevin & Julie