Pigeons, Puppies, and Paperwork

Who in the world would every think that pigeons, puppies, and paperwork go together.  But you know what, that was our day today!

We had a late start to our day today, with a pick up time of 4pm.  As we waited outside for our ride, LA was eating a snack of some trail mix that we brought along with us.  When she was done, she dumped out the few remaining crumbs and low and behold, pigeons dove down from all directions.  One rather plump one enjoyed most of the rations.  The reason I share this little story is that this episode provided insight into what a great Mama LA is going to be.  We are in a new place, with new things to see and experience and LA was nurturing and giving to the pigeons.  Talking to them and the more she spoke to them the more came along.  Pretty soon we had 5 or 6 at our feet just enjoying their American cuisine.

Shortly after our little rendezvous with Bert and Ernie's friends (can you tell I grew up watching Sesame Street?), we headed off to pick up our paperwork that allows us to continue onto the next step with the local region.  While we were waiting outside the office for our turn, LA was greeted my another friend...a momma dog that you could obviously tell just had puppies recently.  We were greeted by her yesterday morning at the same office and she probably remembered LA! 

As we have been driven around town and as we have explored a little, we have noticed lots of dogs just roaming the streets trying to survive.  We have only seen 2 domesticated and leashed ones, but the rest are just roaming free.  They look a lot like wolves and have huge paws and are rather friendly to the people in the area.  This one particular momma dog seems to be living the high life.  The office that we have visited the last 2 days sits atop a peak, situated high above the city; next to a beautiful cathedral that is currently under renovation.  She has found refuge for herself and her puppies in the construction debris and rubble.  She keeps going to the ledge to check on her pups.  I can only make an educated guess, but I would say she is living large...a penthouse suite in debris, in a very populated and foot traffic area with lots of restaurants and consequential garbage to live on.  A view of the city and the river that runs through it.  Daisy would be out of her element, but she seemed pretty happy.

Now onto the paperwork part of the title that wraps this story up.  We received the necessary authorizations this afternoon to continue the process at the local level.  When we arrived at the scheduled pick up time, we waited in the common grounds outside for our turn.  We were amoung other families that were in our same shoes.  Some of them even spoke English and it was nice to here a familiar tune!  The coordinator for one of them even had a UNC Tarheels hat on, obviously a token of appreciation from another family he has helped in the past.  And I would guess one from NC.

So when it was our turn, we were summoned into a little room and asked to be seated.  We signed our names in a register of some sort and not 2 minutes from entering the office, we had our paperwork to continue!

While our driver attended to some other business in the area, we got walk up and down a street vendor area of guys selling souvenirs.  Kind of reminded me of the State Fairgrounds Fleamarket on weekends.  We purchased a few small trinkets to remember our time here and waited for our driver to return.  We waited on the cobble street and just people watched for a few minutes.  People watching in a new place is such a treat.

The next chapter of our journey starts tomorrow morning.  Bright and early we will head south to the region where Nastya's orphanage is located.  A trip through the countryside en route to the next steps to bringing our daughter home.

There you have it.  Pigeons. Puppies. And Paperwork.  Not often things you see together.  But I must say, they were pleasant treats to see today.  Moments that allowed me to stop and smell the roses and try and corral the emotions that this adventure brings.

Until next time...the proud husband of the pigeon and puppy whisperer.