QUICK TIPS FROM ADOPTION SOURCE FAMILIES FROM KRASNOYARSK 1. Were there any stores (grocery/pharmacy, etc) nearby? There is a supermarket within walking distance of most accommodations. Most had decent baby food selections. There were also Huggies and formula but not very much selection. Prices were low. 2. Did you find any good restaurants? Any bad ones? Most families eat with the host family. 3. Is there anything you wished that you had packed or that you wouldn’t bring again? Prescription for antibiotics. 4. Any suggestions or comments on the hotels/host families? (Should you bring anything?) better towels, toilet paper, etc.? I brought toilet paper and if there was room some extra towels. 5. Were there any Internet cafes nearby? There are two or three Internet cafes in town. 6. Was there anything you did or saw in the region that you would recommend or discourage? There is a beautiful drive to see the dam on the Yennesey, very fun in winter. Great views form the Chapel of Saint Paraskeva Pyatnitsa. You can get cheap souvenirs in Krasnoyarsk at the military surplus store. There is nothing to see in Achinsk (where the orphanage is). 7. Any other general tips that you would like to share? Orphanage comments: Pretty clean and well run. The director cares about the kids and really wants to get to know you. There are no toilet seats on the toilets in the orphanage. There is a very strict schedule that they keep. The doctors and nurses were very accommodating. There is a cat that stays at the orphanage, so cat allergy people beware. 8. Any comments about the orphanage or tips about speaking with the Minister of Education or Judge during court that could help future families? At the MOE, we were interviewed by 2 gov’t reps and they asked what we did, our intentions, and wanted to see both husband and wife answering the questions. The judge was strict and stern, showed no emotion. She went through our homestudy and asked us questions about all of it. Know your homestudy!