QUICK TIPS FROM ADOPTION SOURCE FAMILIES FROM IVANOVO 1. Were there any stores (grocery/pharmacy, etc) nearby? There is a market within walking distance. 2. Did you find any good restaurants? Any bad ones? We always ate with the host family, she cooked all our meals. 3. Is there anything you wished that you had packed or that you wouldn’t bring again? Maybe some more clothes for the kids. 4. Any suggestions or comments on the hotels/host families? (Should you bring anything?) better towels, toilet paper, etc.? The host family was wonderful; Lydia is a neurologist and works at the orphanage too so she knows the kids. She was amazing. We were nervous to stay with a host family at first, but after going there the first time, we wouldn’t have had it any other way. 5. Were there any Internet cafes nearby? Lydia has internet access and a hotel in the area has it as well. 6. Was there anything you did or saw in the region that you would recommend or discourage? We didn’t have much time to sightsee, but it is a big city so I am sure there are many things to see and do. 7. Any other general tips that you would like to share? Vitamins are a good gift for the host family and coordinators, they are hard to get and very expensive in Russia. 8. Any comments about the orphanage or tips about speaking with the Minister of Education or Judge during court that could help future families? The coordinators did a great job preparing us for court. The judge definitely asked my husband more questions than me. He was asked questions about how he would provide for the family, what experience he had raising children, and why we didn’t adopt in the US. We only got to see a few rooms in the orphanage and the little playground outside- they do have a lot of toys for the children there.