The zoo yesterday was fun. Katya loved the animals, especially the bears. She was walking until we got to the bigger animals and then she wanted me to carry her. I think she felt safer being carried. We saw a baby bear at the zoo, wolves, foxes, deer, reindeer, birds, etc. The zoo is more like the Popcorn Park Zoo. they take in injured animals and release them back to the wild once they are better. The zoo is about 1/2 hour outside Khabarovsk. We got to see the country. It is real poor out there. In some areas there is only 1 community well. We went to a beach along the Amur river near the zoo. It was real trashed, garbage all over the place, a burned out car, etc. We saw a cow roaming free on the beach too.

Joe

OK, so yesterday we went to the zoo. More like a wild animal shelter. There were foxes, bears (Marsha and cub Prussia), wolves, hedgehogs (which Katya liked best), a squirrel, a polar bear, wolves (very pretty), and deers, and some real reindeer. They remind me of a cross between deers and a moose (think big). When we got near the bears Katya went to Joe and wanted up. In the afternoon w went to get Katya's passport pictures done then we went to Lenin stadium to walk Katya walked most of the way. I would say we walked about a quarter of a mile. It wasn't that hot. We ate in a restaurant last night. Katya likes fish, some beef and loves french fries (what kid doesn't). She hasn't raged as much. She has tantrums but they don't last long and aren't as violent. She might finally see us as her caretakers. Yesterday on the way to the zoo she wanted to cuddle in my lap - it was great! She goes to Joe when she wants something (bread, more juice) but comes to me to cuddle. She didn't sleep well last night. She cried "Dye" (give me) a couple of times in her sleep. But when I checked on her see she was clearly asleep.

One of the things here is the humidity. It's always humid - so you are always stinky and sweaty. The second is the lack of hot water. They turn the hot water off during certain parts of the day. Also when someone else is taking a shower - you have no water. And three is having to rely on someone else to get you anywhere. That at times makes me crazy. I can't just get into a car and go to the Wawa or to Walmart. I have to make an appointment with someonw to pick me up and they will take me somewhere. Plus being kind of stuck in a hotel room is really no fun. Thee is nowhere to get away from each other. Joe and I play rummy after we put Katya to bed. And talk we both are ready to go home. To our house, our bed, our cats, our music and our computers. One more week and we fly back to Moscow. One more step closer to home. My contacts are bothering me today. I might have to wear my glasses which will slide down my face in this heat. I am beginning to enjoy yogurt, toast with butter and a slice of mild swiss. I know it doesn't sound good but it is. Today we are going back to one of the parks to walk and let Katya play. She woke up very cranky and her mood has not improved.

Rain