The Stoesz Story: Saturday March 22, 2003

Clarke:

We had a very smooth and pleasant flight to Warsaw and Kiev. We have met Valery (our facilitator) at the Borispol Airport, (March 22, 2003) and we are intrigued by his uniqueness. He drives an old 1974 Volga, which is barely roadworthy. He hangs onto the car as it represents his old life under Soviet Role, when he was far better off financially. The weather is very humid and cold. The skies are gray and fitting to the subdued gloomy of feeling broadcast by these people of unknown identity and future.

Our conversation is all business. We follow directions like scolded children hoping to stay in good graces with our parents. We enter our smoke filled “Tourist” Hotel, which could have been quite glorious about three decades earlier. We are stared at like fish out of water. We are fed enough information from Valery to keep us at bay, but not enough to be comfortable with each situation. After entering the adequate room, Valery threw a wrinkled plastic bag on the bed and commanded for his gifts and money. His requested gifts were powered soymilk and flower gladiola bulbs along with the fee for his service. Without a contract, I clarify the amount and proceed to count out the crisp new US $100.00 bills. We are told to wait in the room. He is gone down the dark hall, leaving us our first opportunity to express ourselves to each other.

“Wow, what a trip. Just like a movie” Valery soon returns, stays in the hall, and give a brief introduction to Georgiy, before letting his black coat fade into the shadows of the hallway.

Georgiy (George) is full of life. He can hardly slow down talking to get his next experience in. He is full of experiences he wishes to share. He receives his gifts with great gratitude. He is always smiling and searching for the right English word to finish his thoughts. We have a wonderful dinner together and feast for a total of 35 hryvnia (about $7.00 US dollars)

We have made arrangements to meet the Weston’s tomorrow. They are our friends from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. They are on the tail end of their adoption trip. They have adopted a brother and sister. Looking forward to tomorrow, we settle in for a good night’s rest, despite the 24-hour construction right outside our window.