So this morning we got up at 3:30 am Lithuania time. We got the rest of the suitcase packed and got ready to head to the airport. Peggy’s mom was able to check in quickly because her service provider was all ready open. Our ticket counter didn’t open for another 15 minutes. Once we got our bags checked we went through security with no problems. We went over to where mom should have been because our terminal was on the other side of the airport. We wanted to say our goodbyes for now. When we got to her gate she wasn’t there. So we thought maybe she went over by ours. So we walk to the other side of the airport (which was about 14 gates), but she wasn’t there either. So I was done walking; Peggy walked back again to check on her (we knew she went through Security). About 15 minutes later Peggy comes back with coffee and found mom. She was so happy that Peggy came back to her. I played on the Free Internet while there and then we boarded the plane and flew to Amsterdam, Netherlands.
When we arrive in Amsterdam we are lost. This place is pretty big and the language they speak sounds like Klingon. A lot of “Ack, Ack, hairball” is what it sounded like to me. We passed a smoking lounge, but I didn’t know how we were on time. So we go through Passport control and head to the KLM Ticket counter to get our boarding passes (we didn’t do online check in, we had no way to print them off). We then have to walk what felt like 3 miles to get to our gate. Once there they are starting to pre-board. In Amsterdam Airport the Security check points are at the gate. So the pre-screen and you then sit in a glassed in area that you cannot go anywhere. SO, no smoking for me and no food for either of us. Here we sit in this hamster area, waiting to board the plane. About 40 minutes go by and we finally board the plane; 8 hour plane flight to Detroit, MI, USA! As soon as we board the plane and walk back to our seats; I see two youngsters that we have to sit on front of. Ughhh! My seat got kicked so much and I think at one point one of the kids actually puked. When we started to de-board in Detroit, everybody around the family said how good of a job the kids did during the trip. Ummmm, yes they could have been worse, but when I am trying to sleep and my seat is getting kicked, I wouldn’t say they were “That Good.”
We touch down at Detroit at 1:10pm ET. It is nice to be back to America. Home of the “Fat Lazy Americans.” J We have to go through customs. It was pretty simple for us. Except Peggy did bring some food back, so we had to go through the “Agriculture check”. We grabbed our bags and they never said a thing to us. We were sitting in the terminal in Detroit and I called my sister to see how mom faired getting home and she told me mom's flight out of Vilnius got cancelled so she was on a flight about 3 1/2 hours later.
We got on the plane in Detroit after some issues with our boarding passes and then we are sitting on the plane and are delayed because a pilot was flying as a passenger to get to Nashville to pilot from there and then the airline changed their mind and he had to deplane. We sat there for about 30 minutes while they got approval to let him off and they had to find his luggage. But we knew this was the last leg of our trip so we would be home in a matter of hours.
We arrived in home around 4:45PM Central time and waited for out bags at the carousel and guess what... they aren't there. We had to claim them in Detroit to go through customs but when we checked them back in they were not checked in for our final destination. So once again we have no luggage, but at least this time we have clean clothes to wear and can sleep in our own bed! Hopefully they will be delivered to the house tomorrow.
One of our friends picked us up from the airport (thanks Marjorie) and was kind enough to drive by Burger King on the way home so we could have some good ol' American fast food since we have not eaten for hours. Once we ate I called to check in with my sister and she told me mom got to Newark but missed her connecting flight because she only had about an hour to go through customs. She should be home around 10:30 Eastern tonight.
We are home safe and sound and the only thing missing is my Bela (my 3 year old neice can't say Akvila and when we were at her house for Christmas she told me she wanted us to bring her Bela home).
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Day 20 - Our last day in Vilnius (this trip anyway)
We got up this morning and didn't really have any food to make breakfast so I had a Lithuanian snack of rye bread with sour cream. We got some of our stuff packed and then headed to a shopping mall for a last look around. We went to the Panorama Mall near City Centre.
View from the street in front of the mall
Panorama Mall
City Center
View of the City Centre Skyline
"Culture"
Drive by tourism photos while in the Taksi back to the apartment. Once we got back I did some more packing, didn't buy much at the Panorama mall because most stores were expensive (reminded us of Green Hills Mall). We did go into the Rimi Hypermarket (another store like Super Wal-mart) and bought a few things. Then mom & I got a fruit smoothie before leaving.
Now we are just hanging out at the apartment dreading the early alarm clock so that we can be ready to head to the airport at 4:30 AM local time. We are hoping for a smooth trip home since the weather in the states is much nicer then when we left. Wayne looked this morning and it is 70°F at home tomorrow. Guess we can put away the heavy winter gear we have been wearing for weeks!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Day 19 - Last day with Akvila
Last night we went to bed early. We had a feeling that we would not be able to fall asleep, because of what was going to happen today. We tossed and turned for about an hour and eventually we drifted off to dream land. This morning we got up and Peggy made some pancakes and got ready to leave.
We met Edita outside at about 9:35am and we went to the Law Office. She brought us copies of a Calendar we had made for Akvila. The different choice were in Black and White, but we had some good quality pictures, so it looked pretty good. Edita then asked us how we wanted to tell Akvila that we would not be back after today and would not be back until March. We thought we would wait until it was almost time to go. Edita thought this was a good idea as well. We also burned some pictures and videos to a CD so Akvila could watch if she felt lonely or missed us. We also dropped off some extra luggage that we didn't want to bring back to America. Stuff like Akvila's clothes and some dried goods that Peggy will need on her return trip.
We get to the orphanage and meet with the Social worker. There is some small talk and we give her the CD so she or the psychologist could show Akvila. We then went upstairs to the group. When Akvila came out she saw Edita and asked "am I leaving now?" We kind of looked at each other and Edita said "no you are not." Akvila was body language was like, "ok." So we headed downstairs to the playroom. We decided that maybe we should go ahead and tell Akvila what is going to happen.
Last night Peggy wrote up a note on what she was going to tell Akvila. We asked Edita if she would allow Peggy to read a few lines and then translate to Akvila. So Peggy sits down on the couch and makes Akvila sit in her lap. Peggy starts to speak and Edita translates. At one point when Peggy is talking through the tears, Akvila asks "what did she say?" She wants to know what mama is saying before Edita even has the chance to translate. Peggy gets finished talking, gives Akvila a hug and a kiss and then asks if she has any questions? The translation is asked to Akvila and she said "ne." So Edita leaves the room and we play like nothing just happened. We called Edita back in the room about 15 minutes before it was time to go. We wanted to make sure Akvila had no questions and understood that mama would be back for her in less than 40 days. Nothing, she basically told us that she didn't want us to leave, but she knows she will see mama soon. So we hugged on our little girl and Peggy took her upstairs to the group.
It's funny, we are more heartbroken than Akvila. I am sure it will take her a few days to realize that we are not coming back in the next couple of days. She appears to be one strong little girl.
So we leave the orphanage for the last time this trip. We are heading back to the Law Centre to speak with Elona concerning Peggy's next trip back to Lithuania. Elona gives us a temporary schedule on what will happen. Peggy also asks "is Akvila going to be our daughter?" We were not exactly sure if the judge was granting us as her parents. Elona re-assured us Akvila is our daughter. The Law in LT just states that there is a 40 day waiting period, and the judge can waive if he/she wants. We say our goodbyes (we will not see them again this trip) and leave in a Taksi back to our apartment.
We lounge around a bit, talking about everything that has happened and start planning for Peggy's trip back. It appears that either her sister or Mother will be coming back with her. So I am glad she will not be alone. During this time Peggy's mom is making lunch. We are having meatballs (ground pork and beef) and potato pancakes. We have a good solid lunch and then Peggy and her mother leave for a bit more siteseeing.
When they return, we once again just hang out and chat before we have a light dinner. Leftovers! Peggy has the Meat Dumplings (which after reading the package, the first ingredient is 'mechanically separated chicken and pork'); I had some of the meatballs and potato pancakes and so did mom. We have very few leftovers left, so tomorrow we are talking about going back to the mall and maybe having some lunch there.
Here is the last video I took of Akvila today. Peggy is kind of going "la-la-la-laaa" and Akvila does the same.
We met Edita outside at about 9:35am and we went to the Law Office. She brought us copies of a Calendar we had made for Akvila. The different choice were in Black and White, but we had some good quality pictures, so it looked pretty good. Edita then asked us how we wanted to tell Akvila that we would not be back after today and would not be back until March. We thought we would wait until it was almost time to go. Edita thought this was a good idea as well. We also burned some pictures and videos to a CD so Akvila could watch if she felt lonely or missed us. We also dropped off some extra luggage that we didn't want to bring back to America. Stuff like Akvila's clothes and some dried goods that Peggy will need on her return trip.
We get to the orphanage and meet with the Social worker. There is some small talk and we give her the CD so she or the psychologist could show Akvila. We then went upstairs to the group. When Akvila came out she saw Edita and asked "am I leaving now?" We kind of looked at each other and Edita said "no you are not." Akvila was body language was like, "ok." So we headed downstairs to the playroom. We decided that maybe we should go ahead and tell Akvila what is going to happen.
Last night Peggy wrote up a note on what she was going to tell Akvila. We asked Edita if she would allow Peggy to read a few lines and then translate to Akvila. So Peggy sits down on the couch and makes Akvila sit in her lap. Peggy starts to speak and Edita translates. At one point when Peggy is talking through the tears, Akvila asks "what did she say?" She wants to know what mama is saying before Edita even has the chance to translate. Peggy gets finished talking, gives Akvila a hug and a kiss and then asks if she has any questions? The translation is asked to Akvila and she said "ne." So Edita leaves the room and we play like nothing just happened. We called Edita back in the room about 15 minutes before it was time to go. We wanted to make sure Akvila had no questions and understood that mama would be back for her in less than 40 days. Nothing, she basically told us that she didn't want us to leave, but she knows she will see mama soon. So we hugged on our little girl and Peggy took her upstairs to the group.
It's funny, we are more heartbroken than Akvila. I am sure it will take her a few days to realize that we are not coming back in the next couple of days. She appears to be one strong little girl.
So we leave the orphanage for the last time this trip. We are heading back to the Law Centre to speak with Elona concerning Peggy's next trip back to Lithuania. Elona gives us a temporary schedule on what will happen. Peggy also asks "is Akvila going to be our daughter?" We were not exactly sure if the judge was granting us as her parents. Elona re-assured us Akvila is our daughter. The Law in LT just states that there is a 40 day waiting period, and the judge can waive if he/she wants. We say our goodbyes (we will not see them again this trip) and leave in a Taksi back to our apartment.
We lounge around a bit, talking about everything that has happened and start planning for Peggy's trip back. It appears that either her sister or Mother will be coming back with her. So I am glad she will not be alone. During this time Peggy's mom is making lunch. We are having meatballs (ground pork and beef) and potato pancakes. We have a good solid lunch and then Peggy and her mother leave for a bit more siteseeing.
The Gate of Dawn
View from inside the Gate of Dawn. Shows progress from Old Town to the New City Center
Our Lady of Ostra Brama (polish) or Aušros Vartai is the Lithuanian name.
The path up to the portrait of the The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Mercy
The confessional
The church altar
nearby The Church of the Holy Spirit (Russian Orthodox)
The bell tower of the Othrodox church with the moon to its right.
It was still sunny and bright and the moon was visible around 4:30 PM.
When they return, we once again just hang out and chat before we have a light dinner. Leftovers! Peggy has the Meat Dumplings (which after reading the package, the first ingredient is 'mechanically separated chicken and pork'); I had some of the meatballs and potato pancakes and so did mom. We have very few leftovers left, so tomorrow we are talking about going back to the mall and maybe having some lunch there.
Here is the last video I took of Akvila today. Peggy is kind of going "la-la-la-laaa" and Akvila does the same.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Day 18 - Dinner and packing
I made a Lithuanian meal tonight for dinner. Meat Dumplings with Sour cream and onion sauce. I had a similar meal last week at Čili Kaimas and loved it so I thought I would give it a try. I boiled the dumplings until they were done and then put them in the skillet to brown them a little. I sauteed onions in butter and added sour cream and some salt and pepper and then sauteed mushrooms separately because mom doesn't like them. The meal came out really well and it was delicious. Wayne was happy because it had meat in it :-)
Afterward I started to pack a suitcase with all of Akvila's clothes and toys because we are leaving it here at the Law Centre so I don't have to bring it home and back again. I also put in some of my clothes so that I will have less to pack on my return trip. And if my luggage gets delayed again I will actually have clean clothes to wear.
We have some non-perishable food left over too so I put everything I could fit into a small bag that mom brought. I gave her the extra rolling bag we had packed so that she does not have to carry everything, she can roll it along behind her. Mom is NOT known for packing light so it will help her a lot.
In some ways I am very ready to come home but it also sucks because I have to leave my daughter here!
We have a very busy day planned tomorrow so our post might be later than usual. First we go to see Akvila, then to the law center and then to the U.S. Embassy.
Afterward I started to pack a suitcase with all of Akvila's clothes and toys because we are leaving it here at the Law Centre so I don't have to bring it home and back again. I also put in some of my clothes so that I will have less to pack on my return trip. And if my luggage gets delayed again I will actually have clean clothes to wear.
We have some non-perishable food left over too so I put everything I could fit into a small bag that mom brought. I gave her the extra rolling bag we had packed so that she does not have to carry everything, she can roll it along behind her. Mom is NOT known for packing light so it will help her a lot.
In some ways I am very ready to come home but it also sucks because I have to leave my daughter here!
We have a very busy day planned tomorrow so our post might be later than usual. First we go to see Akvila, then to the law center and then to the U.S. Embassy.
Day 18 - Valentine's Day
We got up and had breakfast this morning and then headed for the orphanage to see Akvila. It is very, very cold today, currently 7°F with a wind chill of -8°F. When we went out this morning the wind chill was -20°F. BRRRRRR! Mom went with us since today would be her last chance to see Akvila before we leave.
Akvila was dressed all in pink with a little red heart sticker on her cheek. So cute!
We had a good time playing hide and seek and she wanted us to swing her by her hands a feet and throw her in the balls or onto the sofa. She likes to argue with tėtė. He will tell her "Aš tave myliu" which is I love you and she says "ne" (no). He says "taip" (yes) and then they go back and forth "taip, ne, taip, ne, taip, ne" It's funny that we know how to argue with our daughter in lithuanian. Močiutė (granny) bought her some little teddy bears with hearts on them for Valentine's Day.
We got to chat with my dad last night and my sister Ginny, her twins Mandy and Cathy and son Michael. It was so good to check in with family. Plus we know that when I come back and Wayne is at home we will be able to chat and he can see me and Akvila.
We are both sad anticipating our visit tomorrow because we have to tell Akvila we are leaving for about a month and then mama will be coming back to get her. We are leaving her a calendar to mark off the days and a CD with all the videos of us playing so that she can watch them when she is missing us. We will have a translator with us tomorrow so it will be our last visit with her so that we can reassure her that we love her very much and are counting the days until we can bring her home.
Wayne and I went to lunch today at "Double Coffee" and I got a long awaited latte. It was a Vanilinė Mokka Latte (Vanilla mocha) yum! I had Crepe su varške (Crepes with curd and cherry sauce) and Wayne had Bulviniai Kunigaikščio (Duke potato pancakes with pork medallions wrapped in bacon) and Natūralios obuolių sult. (Freshly pureed apple juice) then he had Lietuviškas obuolių pyrag (Lithuanian apple pie with berries) and Juoda kava (black coffee). It was very good! I am already wanting another latte.
I am making dinner tonight, meat dumplings with sour cream mushroom sauce and maybe some potato pancakes.
We had a good time playing hide and seek and she wanted us to swing her by her hands a feet and throw her in the balls or onto the sofa. She likes to argue with tėtė. He will tell her "Aš tave myliu" which is I love you and she says "ne" (no). He says "taip" (yes) and then they go back and forth "taip, ne, taip, ne, taip, ne" It's funny that we know how to argue with our daughter in lithuanian. Močiutė (granny) bought her some little teddy bears with hearts on them for Valentine's Day.
We got to chat with my dad last night and my sister Ginny, her twins Mandy and Cathy and son Michael. It was so good to check in with family. Plus we know that when I come back and Wayne is at home we will be able to chat and he can see me and Akvila.
We are both sad anticipating our visit tomorrow because we have to tell Akvila we are leaving for about a month and then mama will be coming back to get her. We are leaving her a calendar to mark off the days and a CD with all the videos of us playing so that she can watch them when she is missing us. We will have a translator with us tomorrow so it will be our last visit with her so that we can reassure her that we love her very much and are counting the days until we can bring her home.
Wayne and I went to lunch today at "Double Coffee" and I got a long awaited latte. It was a Vanilinė Mokka Latte (Vanilla mocha) yum! I had Crepe su varške (Crepes with curd and cherry sauce) and Wayne had Bulviniai Kunigaikščio (Duke potato pancakes with pork medallions wrapped in bacon) and Natūralios obuolių sult. (Freshly pureed apple juice) then he had Lietuviškas obuolių pyrag (Lithuanian apple pie with berries) and Juoda kava (black coffee). It was very good! I am already wanting another latte.
I am making dinner tonight, meat dumplings with sour cream mushroom sauce and maybe some potato pancakes.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Day 17 - Morning Visit
This morning I took the laptop with us to the orphanage. We started playing around with the video camera. Akvila was not so sure about it, but after a while she got "VERY" used to it. It was funny watching her bark orders at us.
Here is some videos from today.
Here is some videos from today.
Day 16 - Morning Visit and Evening
Well, since last night we had a guest (mom's former exchange student) I did not get a chance to work on the blog. Nothing to special abot the morning, normal routine. While at the orphanage we snapped a couple of pictures and so did Akvila. Here are some pictures from yesterday morning.
Yesterday Mom and exchange student Michael went out and did some walking and visited the National Lithuanian Museum. They came back to the apartment at about 3pm and we just hung out until 8pm. We joked with him about "David Hasselhoff" and about "Different 'Alternative Lifestyle' Bars". He told us a story about how he went into one of these very early in the evening and didn't realize where he was and left in a hurry. So we talked and then he left to go back to his hotel.
After he left, I started talking to Peggy's sister and getting a "Video Chat" setup. We tested it out and chatted on here for almost an hour. On Sunday evening we will be doing this again with Peggy's dad.
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