Shopping for Souvenirs!!

I know that it has been quite a while since I last posted. It has been an emotional last few weeks trying to decide what was happening in our lives. We are excited to come home and see our family that is for sure - hope you are just as excited for us to come home. Since we are down to the last couple of weeks - I wanted to go out and finish some shopping we had started. The souveniors for boys are somewhat limited - for girls that is a whole new story and now Dad thinks we are going to have to buy a new suitcase to get every thing home. I tell him to have faith we can do it - will just give away a few of the clothes I am tired of or that have turned a different color and we shall be fine.

Natasha and I decided to go out without the man! Haven't done that the whole time we have been here. It was sprinkling when we left and by the time we got home we were cold. A little while later we looked outside and it was snowing - did stick for the night but was gone by early morning. We also did a little sightseeing as Natasha wanted to show me her favorite spot in Kiev.



While walking on the normal Kiev street and through the malls I always wonder how people afford what's for sale. The fur shop had a coat (I only looked throught the window) for 35000+ grievna which translates into $4000+ which is not probably a bad price but when the average salary is less than $1000/month then you wonder how. a basic skirt can easily be over $100. There has to be some people making almost nothing! So Natahsa toook me down the above street which she states "these shops are so pricey that they don't even put the prices on". In other words prices don't matter just bring it on. Now then my question is what do these people do to make that kind of money - not Drs. who only make $500/month and take donations or tips to supplement their incomes. Afraid my up bringing comes to mind and I have finally realized there is more to life than having more than 3 pairs of shoes and ten dresses in the closet. Just how much can one wear in a week?



As we were walking around town also met two delightful men that I wanted to show you. The first was for a cup of tea, only fruit of course and the second I had a quiet conversation while resting on the bench. Lots of excitement on our trip.









So as of now we will be home on 3 March, in Pocatello at 9:57. Will see you soon. Luv M&D, J&J