Monday

Today was quite eventful.  We learned very early in the adoption process the essence of "hurry up and wait".  This trip was not different.  We wait and wonder, then we run as fast as we can!  Then the cycle begins again.  This morning we walked to the mall to pick up a few items at the grocery store, ate our lunch, and tried to sit for a few minutes before we went out again.  Delyana, one of our translators, drove us to pick up Victoria's passport first, then we drove to a private medical clinic to get a doctor's note for Victoria's visa application. 

The clinic visit was really interesting.  We arrived in the entry where our translator gave information about Victoria.  Then we climbed two flights of stairs. Our translator asked in the small hallway who was last in line (for the pediatrician).  She then told John to stay there and make sure he called us when it was our turn next.  Then she took Victoria and me down a flight of stairs to the ear, nose and throat specialist.  There seemed to be no nurses or medical aids to direct people or do triage at all.  I learned by observation that people just open the door to the doctor's office (several offices on one floor) to see if a patient is inside.  If there is a patient there, they close the door and stand in the small hallway outside the door to the office they want to visit until it's their turn - talk about privacy!  The doctor's office is one small room.  The doctors have all of the equipment that they need for their specified job, a few chairs, and a desk with a computer.  We were told that this was a nicer clinic because it is private and not government owned.  After visiting the ear, nose and throat specialist for about five minutes, we hurried back upstairs to the ophthalmologist.  We waited a little bit to see her, checked that appointment off our list and then waited for the pediatrician.  The pediatrician was very kind.  His job was a little more involved because he had an extensive form to fill out for Victoria's visa application.  As soon as we were done with the appointments, we went back down two flights of stairs, paid for the appointment and headed to our next stop - to get the translated copy of Victoria's birth certificate. 

From there, we headed to the US Embassy which we were told was away from the downtown area (unlike most of the other embassies) for safety reasons.  There is about the same amount of security at the US Embassy as their is in an international airport with flights headed for the USA - a lot.  We had all of our belongings scanned, our cell phones and any electronics were held for us until we were ready to leave, anything liquid had to be tested by using a little bit of each liquid (we didn't have any, but our translator did), and we walked through scanners as well.  When we applied for the visa, we were given forms to fill out and then we were interviewed.   They were very kind and asked us if we had any suggestions about how to make the adoption process easier.  We were also informed when we were there that Victoria's visa is approved!  One of the translators will pick it up tomorrow and bring it over to us in the afternoon.  As soon as we have the visa, we can leave the country with our little girl.  Our flight actually takes off on Wednesday morning at 7:00 AM (yep, early morning for us!) which means that it will actually be around 11:00 PM on Tuesday night.  The US Embassy was our last appointment of the afternoon, so we were dropped off at our apartment and we walked to our favorite Italian restaurant for pizza and pasta and Sprite.  We returned home and watched a Franklin movie.   (We found 4 different Franklin movies in Bulgarian at the grocery store and Victoria really enjoys them!)  Now it's bedtime for Victoria, and it's still a struggle...

Oh, I should also make a note about the roadways in Bulgaria.  John says that he would compare driving here to driving downtown in a big city "on steroids".  This afternoon we parked in several different places: a dead end - the very end of it, in an alley-like road by a dumpster with the car half on and half off of the curb, in what looked to be a pedestrian area, and, believe it or not, in a regular parking space!  The roads are sometimes so packed with parked cars that only one car can drive through at a time.  Many of the roads are very old cobbled roads and most of the sidewalks are cobbled as well, often with missing bricks.  As we might tend to criticize this country and others for not being as "successful" in our point of view, it's easy to see that they are still people, created in the image of God, who think, work, and have emotions.  Their definitions of success and their life view is certainly different from ours, but they also have the same needs of a Savior.  It's amazing to see how lost so many people are in this country, and the sad thing is, I'm ashamed to say, that one of the things that is destroying them is our American pop culture.  The egocentric mentality, the music and the dress pervade most of the Bulgarian culture.  We find that we, as Americans (though I am so thankful to be one), are no better than they are.

As far as Victoria is concerned, she continues to do well.  She is learning to enjoy riding on John's shoulders (like Jocylin and Cherith love to do!) without feeling like a "rag doll" (as John says).  Maybe that helps her to exercise her back muscles a little bit more.  We've also noticed that it's important to her to always have her shoes on.  She cries when we take them off for rest time and bed.  It could be that she dislikes rest time and bed (which is definitely not out of the question!  :), but it also could be that she knows she is better able to walk with them on.  I'm sure we'll find out in time.  We also are finding out that Victoria likes to be very silly and laugh!  Right now she and John are making very loud seal noises, with the motions and everything.  She fits in to our family VERY well - of course, I mean just John and the girls!  :)   It is and will continue to be a lot of work helping Victoria to adjust to a family, but we're trusting God for the grace and strength.  She really is a sweetheart, and seems to want to please us.  She even told our translator, Rosi, on the cell phone tonight that she didn't need her, much to Rosi's amusement!  As I have rambled on way too long, let me show you a few pictures of Sofia, Bulgaria....

The very old elevator in our apartment building - it works!

Inside the elevator - we're on the sixth floor

The outside of our apartment building

Our door has four bolts and a very large key :)  We have to turn it four times to completely lock or unlock the door!

Living and dining space - very modern and comfortable for guests

Small, but functional kitchen area

Bathroom - what more can you say...

One of two bedrooms

Victoria's bed situated beside ours

The mall that we walk to

On our walk to the mall - I think these are downtown buildings

Typical side street - not really a busy one

Same street as above, different view

Our favorite restaurant here, in Sofia

with a brick oven to bake the pizzas

and a nice dining area

Although it's still pretty cold in Sofia, it's exciting to see some spring flowers peaking through the ground - something I haven't seen in MN for a while!