On Monday we started playing with Ruslan and Valik. But after a few minutes, Ruslan heard music downstairs and pulled me down with him. There was yet another Christmas pageant. This time, it was for the middle schoolers. But they also were wearing costumes (including pig, Batman, and chicken) just like the kids. Ruslan can not resist watching a performance, so we watched that one while he sat on my lap.
After that, we went back upstairs. We played more Hide and Seek and had Ruslan put together a 24 piece puzzle of a cat and mouse. He is slowly getting better on puzzles, but is just starting to figure them out.''Nancy, Colin, and Claire played with Valik most of the time, while I played with Ruslan (though we both played with each of them of course).
Ruslan was very affectionate today and wanted to hide with me while we played Hide and Seek.
On Tuesday, we returned with Ben to help out. Ruslan was first again as Valik was having a nap. He arrived after about 1/2 hour looking very dazed. We thought at first it was because he had just woke up. However, I think he was a little bit sick. He was very cranky and unenergetic the whole day. His eyes were a bit glassy too, but he had no fever, fortunately.
We were playing with the boys, when Ruslan suddenly said something and dashed off. He was supposed to be in a Christmas pageant. He returned a few minutes later in pink tights and pig costume. We took Valik downstairs to watch the Christmas Eve pageant.
This one was very long (almost 2 hours). it started off interesting as they were showing traditional Ukrainian dinner celebration and recognition of the icons.
After that though, it was a procession of every kid there (about 60) reciting one at a time. This was too long for me, and the kids were getting squirmy as they wanted the candy that was coming at the end. They straightened up though when the regional director arrived.
Valik had a tough time though. His group wasn't in the pageant, he was bored, and not feeling well. he kept trying to sneak out, but the hall monitor (a little girl about 9) kept barring the door, at least when he got past me. We consoled him as well as possible.
After the show we headed out. We decided to go out for dinner and went to Cem's Ctek Xayc (Sam's Steak House). Sergey dropped us off at about 5:30. There were only 4 other people there (in a restaurant that seats about 150). Billboard picture below.
I got a rib-eye, Claire got her beloved chicken caesar salad, and Nancy and Colin got a burger and fries. The food was good. Not amazing, but quite good. And the whole thing came to about $55 so we can't complain.
On the way out, I spoke to the coat check guy who spoke English well. I noted that we were very early for dinner and it was Christmas Eve, so I assumed that's why it was so empty. He said, no they get a good lunch crowd, but at night only get a few people after 9pm mostly. Business seemed pretty bad to me. The place is very big.
He had stayed in Kentucky for about 8 months. He also lived in Adelaide, Australia for about a year. Turns out he is a veterinarian and likes working with horses. We asked if he was going back to US anytime. He looked wistful and said he would like to, but cannot get licensed in the US unless he goes to vet school all over again. He said US only accepts college credits from UK and Australia. Seems dumb to me. I felt bad and apologized on behalf of US for the bureaucracy.
We went to a very nice toy store next to the restaurant. I found a few very nice books for the kids and most important of all - a deck of cards! They are hard to find in Ukraine.
After that, we bundled up for a 1 1/2 mile walk home. As we were driving back to Lugansk, the temperature was -7 F, but warmed up to about 5 F in the city. But it cooled off while we were at the restaurant to about -2 F (with a windchill of about -8 F).
We ducked in to a store about every 1/4 mile and were able to make it home, but it was getting painful. The odd thing was that Nancy was fine. Usually she gets in serious pain before I even get chilled. So we were glad that worked out.
Another Mystery Science Theater 3000 ("Werewolf") ended the day.
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