Thursday, Part 2

On our way home from the metro station we stopped at the little 24-hour convenience store and grabbed two big jugs of water, some milk and some orange juice. I knew I wanted to carry those items the shortest distance possible. After depositing those items in the apt we headed out with our rolling 'shopping bag' for full-fledged shopping at the Mega Market. I was just hoping the place was still open because it was 8:30 when we finally got to the right corner. What a relief to see the sign saying it didn't close until 11 pm.

We did better this time since we knew our way around a little better. We spent the longest time on the chocolate aisle. Teresa was wanting to buy some for herself and I wanted a box to take to the orphanage when we do pick up Steven. I don't know whether it will work but I thought he might enjoy being able to share it with his friends. (Do they understand the concept of sharing?)I have little gifts for the ladies who work with him--just very small gift bags with a couple mini bottles of hand sanitizer, a small pkg of tissues, a couple cute pencil sharpeners and two chocolate candy bars. They are Roshen brand and Teresa says it is really yummy chocolate. I can't remember if I mentioned that I brought books filled with lovely photographs of Idaho scenery for the director, inspector, facilitators, etc. I am pretty nervous about this 'gift' thing, too--wondering if the recipients will like them.

OK, back to the Mega Market. This time we bought pre-weighed produce though I did see where the ladies with the scale are. I guess if you buy loose produce you have to take it to them for weighing and labeling prior to check-out. That part of the shopping adventure filled my bag clear to the top plus another sack which Teresa very cleverly deposited in a locker (my bag wouldn't fit) before our trip up the stairs to the health and beauty area. I also discovered a display of kitchen gadgets and now am the proud owner of a can opener I know how to operate. Our final stop was in the children's section. I decided to just buy pullups AND underwear since I really don't know which one I'll need. I'd seen underwear there before so just figured I'd walk right over and easily select several pair. Harder than I thought, first off because I didn't understand the sizing system--centimeters are beyond my realm. So finally I called Nastya (poor lady) and she so sweetly gave her assistance. We decided we needed the smallest ones. So Teresa and I looked through pile after pile and rack after rack of boxers but the best we could do was "medium" so that's what I got. Then on to Pull-ups. Yes, they do have Pull-ups--for a price--but here again size was a mystery because the weight is given in kilograms (some also list pounds but I can only guess at his weight as compared to Caleb. I actually buy Caleb the 2T-3T size of pull-ups because he has such a tiny bumbum!)

I am so spoiled at home having shopping carts that I can take right out to my waiting van. Here the shopping carts stay in the store (though I did consider trying to rent one!) and you ARE the van. So I had the crammed-full rolling 'shopping bag' and another weighty sack. Teresa had 3 sacks including a awkward-sized one with a big box of chocolates in it. She finally just cinched up the hood on her San Francisco jacket and used the jacket as a sack. She never complained at all. This is a distance of at LEAST 6 city blocks so we were both quite happy to get home, up the stairs and into our apartment. Home sweet home.