Between Camps 3 and 4

I wish I would have wrote earlier because I really have a hard time remembering much of anything. So you will get a very brief synopsis of the 4 days between camps.

I went with Olya on a little adventure to get some errands done. She needed to exchange some money Global Action had give Hope Center to buy tickets for the train to Belarus (4 of the Ukrainian Staff are doing a mission trip to Belarus after our camps are completed). But no bank would take her old money, so I gave her money that they would exchange, and I'll take the old American money home to use in the banks that don't care how bad the bill is. On this little adventure I bought a new swimsuit and I got to see the train station and Kerch jail for the first time. In the evening I helped Olya translate some stories to put them into the Hope Center News letter (or at least I think it was this day.)

The next day after trying out my new swimsuit on the beach in the morning. I went with Babs to the market as her translator to buy her one too. Apparently when I asked the lady how much, she said 210 rpH I'm not very good with big numbers so I said it a couple of times to clarify if it was correct. Apparently she thought I was bartering, as I must not have been saying 210 at all but something less. I really have no clue, but we ended up buying the suit for 100 rpH. Apparently stupid American trying desperately to use the local language is appreciated (I think the fact that I bought my suit from the same woman the previous day for 125 rpH might have helped). In the evening I help Olya Translate some reports that needed to be sent in.

After that I again went to the sea in the morning to work on my tan. This is like the first time I have done this in ten years so 2 days in a row is weird. But being at the beach without 100+ kids to entertain is nice. In the afternoon EVERYONE seemed to leave. I worked on some computer stuff and then Tanya and Andrey invited me with their family to go for a "walk" down town. They wouldn't let me pay for anything even though I offered may times. It was their gift to me I was in tears. The evening was so relaxing, I loved it so very much. So besides just walking around here are some pictures to show you what we did.

I have seen this church (With green roof) many times before but never realized it is a church. It isn't your typical Orthodox church.

Alosha really wanted to play air hockey. But before I knew what was happening Tanya and I were playing. She beat me twice :o( Then Aundrey and Alosha played. After a while Alosha wanted to play again, so this time I got to play against him. I finally won, but not by much.

Then Alosha asked to go on a ride (that went in circles), and before I knew what was happening Aundrey was buying 3 tickets. I said "NO!!" I get sick in circles, then found out that instead they bought tickets for the Farris wheel. I figured I could wait for the family and hold Illusha, but apparently that was not an option. And Aundrey stayed behind. This Farris wheel has buckets to can turn with a wheel in the middle to look at different things. Alosha was showing us his muscles by doing it without help.

The ride gave us some beautiful view of down town and the Boardwalk.

After this we had ice cream as I watch these kids attempt to walk on water and Alosha played in this gym thing.

Later Alosha and Andrey tried some target practice. They didn't ask me, apparently it isn't a very girly thing to do, but if I'm going to try hunting someday I think I need to start practicing sooner than later.

After this we walked to Lenin Square. I'm sorry it was getting dark and I didn't take any many pictures. But we did see three people that Hope Center's Humanitarian Aid gave them each motorized wheel chairs. When they got them they were so excited because it meant that they could actually leave their homes to go to town and hang out with friends, some that wasn't possible before. It was fun seeing them do just that... and later we saw them on their way home.

After this Alosha wanted to go see the animals. I wasn't really sure what was going on, but then I have money in my hand and Alosha and I are on our way in to a mini (by min

i I mean 1 room) museum/zoo. Alosha and I had lots of fun taking many pictures. Alosha was really good at posing for picture inn front of glass cages.

And he even enjoyed taunting the Alligator or Crocodile (I have know idea which it is.)

But when it came to sticking his head in the Sharks mouth he wasn't so sure so I had to help him out, and show him how it is done.

So by this time, He has warmed up to taking pictures in front of very slow moving creatures. Even if he wasn't so sure about me picking it up and moving it so we could get a good shot with me.

But then we tried really crazy stuff and Alosha refused to take his picture with some animals. The first was this bird. I'm like don't get too close just stand by it and I'll take the picture. But he would have nothing to do with it. So I was going to show him how. Ever time I got within a foot the bird was like doing to attack me. So Alosha was the wise one. I was so scared.

So I though I would have a better picture with a monkey in the cage. I asked Alosha to stand by the cage. His eyes got huge and he said, "No, Naomi." Apparently the sign says something like this monkey will reach out of his cage and grab you. So I stayed a safe distance and asked Alosha to take a picture. He was so scare for my life it was kind of funny and a little sweet, but he finally took the picture.

And the whole time there is a random monkey running around and yelling at people...very funny.

After this we went to the top of the Metradat. To look out over Kerch at night. I was amazed to find out as late as 1995 Kerch has so little electricity that only one street had lights. And all people were given electricity for about 2 hours a day. I can't imagine this only 15 year ago.

Lastly we got to stop by Tanya and Aundrey's flat. It is very big compared to the other flats that I have seen, but it is the first home that I have been in where I have felt comfortable enough to ask if I could take pictures.

This is the double door to keep them safe. What I don't understand is they are also padded. I'm assuming for issulation, but I kind of made me feel like I was in a Psyciatric ward.

And if you turn around you would see the frig and storage area, becasue there is no other place big enought to hold them.

This is the Masterbedroom/LivingRoom/Nursey all in one.

This is Alosha's room which leads to the Patio area (a 2.4 foot by 6 foot walk way to dry clothes in and allow plants to get sun)

And this is the kitchen, and bathroom (which used to be two rooms, a bath and a toilet. I'm not sure how people get in and out of this room let alone add a wall in here to make it two.) But the tile work is absolutely beautiful!