The Long Awaited Court Date - Mar 5

We got up early the next day because Olga said that our driver Constantine would help us to access the Internet at the post office next to the hotel. The have three or four computers in the lobby behind a glass partition. Constantine had already filled out some paperwork before we arrived. We were able to get up to the blog sign-on screen, but could get no further; possibly a security setting issue. Did get off an e-mail or two.

Gayle paid the clerk the few rubles needed and we left to get in the waiting car. When Contantine heard that we were not successful he pulled out his laptop and used his cell phone to make an Internet connection right there in the back seat of his car. But, we still only got so far. So no blog updates from Bryansk.

The court house was just a short distance. When we arrived the guard directed us straight into a small court room. Across the room was a long bench. Behind it were three high-back chairs. On the wall was the Russian flag and crest. This is where the judge would sit. To the left was a similar bench, but with a mismatched collection of plain chairs. The benches were a laminate. Those chairs and benches were on raised platforms.

We sat in the first row of pew-type bench seats. On the right was a table and chairs, and behind that a jail cell bolted to the wall. The walls were laminate wood panel half way up.
There was a speaker's podium in front of us, but we did not use it.

Some of the participants were already there and Olga immediately started to conference with them; others arrived later.

The judge dressed in a black robe, a clerk, a prosecutor dressed in a blue wool uniform suit, two social workers, a Department of Education representative and the Director from Karachev.

Olga briefed us ahead of time on some of the questions and answers. What actually took place was a bit stressful and mostly a blur. First the judge spoke, then Olga. Then I was asked a series of questions, by the judge and prosecutor; then it was Gayle's turn in the hot seat. Olga said to look at the judge when we spoke; she translated what everyone said.

Next the DOE rep and social workers made statements. Some were questioned by the judge and prosecutor. We were asked to make a summary statement about our desire to adopt.

The prosecutor read a summary statement, then the judge left for maybe five minutes. Came back and read her decree granting us permanent rights as parents. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We are especially grateful to the Karachev orphanage director who was very supportive of us. She said something to the effect that she had seen many prospective fathers visit children in her orphanage, but not one that made such a connection with the child.

After us, Keir and Nathan were next. Constantine took us back to the hotel to wait, while we checked out of our room. We they return we all four new parents went to La Veranda for lunch and a champagne toast, then on to the train station.