In The Press

Bubbles is starting to get some attention!

I posted more about this article that comes out in next week's Ukrainian "Personal Business" magazine here:

http://lvivlaundry.blogspot.com/

Lviv

The dust is finally starting to settle as we complete our third full day in Lviv, Ukraine. We left Millbrae May 26, and it's been a bit of a whirlwind, living out of suitcases, staying in various hotels, different beds, towels, and such, since then. Yesterday Anne asked us, "are we going to an airport again tomorrow?"(Lviv airport - used to be the train station).

Our Internet access has been far more limited than we anticipated, so it's been a bit of a challenge trying to stay connected to people and the outside world.

Ella, Anne, and Mary have been great troopers. (girls in "strollers" in CDG airport). Mary slept away through Paris as Benj carried her around in the backpack. I'll post more about our five days in Paris later, but for now, an update on where we are and what we're doing.

I would describe Lviv as a run-down version of Prague.

Often when people think of Ukraine they think of old Soviet architecture and style. While that is here too, there is also a more European/ Western feel.

(the Grand Hotel, on of the nicer, though not the nicest, hotels in Lviv).

The magazine "Lviv Today" calls Lviv "the heart of Europe, the soul of Ukraine" - which I think is a fair (maybe a little ambitious:)) description.

One concern I had coming here was what we would eat and where we would shop. Fear no more - Metro is here. It's like Costco, but better - truly. There were over 30 different kinds of olive oil to choose from - from every country, region, in various sizes, and such - just as many kinds of vinegar and cooking oil - plus everything else you could dream of for filling/ starting a kitchen.

We went to a few baby stores to get things like a bed rail, high-chair, toys, and baby food for the girls - and the baby stores were more complete than Toys 'R' Us - and more pricey too:)

Church was great.

Admittedly I didn't understand a thing, but it was really humbling to worship with people and know we have the same beliefs and understanding of the purpose of life, and our relationship with Deity - even though there is a language barrier. There were 24 local members (including children), plus the 6 of us, a pair of sister missionaries, elder missionaries, and a senior couple - for a grand total of 36! Allyson played the keyboard for primary, Anne (not yet three:)) gave the opening prayer, a local lady conducted the music, and Benj did the lesson, game, activity, sharing time. Mary and I were there for moral support.

Bubbles - the reason we're here - is great. Construction is underway, (benj, Anne, and Egor inside) machinery is in rout, and Egor and Sergey are really on top of things. Our first store is in a great location - a main street, in a densely populated residential area.

(me, Anne, and Mary outside the buildings - they just completed windows and re-stuccoing).

It's a big deal - I don't think I realized how big until we got here, saw the store, and realize more how difficult it is to get preliminary and final permissions from SO many government departments and agencies ... to say nothing of international tax laws and organizing the business structure. Benj is incredible. It's a big job, but he's up for the task. And has truly wonderful, honest help.

I'll post more about our housing and such soon. In a week or so I think we'll almost feel at home!