September 10, 2004

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Kazakhstan Trip Journal
Updates from home...

Greetings from Almaty, Kazakhstan! We made it! The flight was great and smooth. We actually arrived a little early. Emil and Gulnara were waiting for us with a wonderful and warm welcome. The car was just outside of the airport so all of our bags were carted out pretty easily. About bags, for those of you who heard me brag about getting everything in 4 bags and two carryons – under weight….well…lets just say, I don’t know how I was weighing the duffel bags, but they were far over the limit. Plus one for Lufthansa for letting us check the extra weight on board at no charge, part of which was considered humanitarian aid.

After arriving we were transported in Emil’s Subaru to our apartment. We traveled many main roads, lined with large trees and a few buildings with bright lights. Then all of a sudden it was very dark and kind of residential in an apartment community kind of way. You will never guess which apartment we were given…of course! Five flights of stairs up w/ the leopard print bedspread ! It’s more than adequate to meet our needs and we found many unexpected amenities including two room air conditioners, iron and board, dish washer and hot/cold water with wonderful pressure!!

Now for the big news - YES, we traveled to Ecik today! The road to Ecik was lined with vendors selling watermelons, oil, fresh bread, you name it. It was like a highway-flea market all in one. For those that would ask, no prada or coach knockoffs on the side of the road. The view was magnificent with animals grazing in the fields, roads, intersections, you name it. The mountains were in the distance and were very green, fresh looking and humbling. At one point we saw a donkey pulling a small cart with two farmers and had to stop for crossing cattle and sheep. This is when I knew I would just love this place. It’s a wonderful cross between Ireland and Upstate NY.

After about an hours ride on a double wide road (4 lanes) with only one line in the middle to distinguish between one direction and the other, we were passed from behind on the right, left and also by oncoming traffic one passing on our left and one on our right. Emil is amazing and handled all of this with a few honks on the horn and his trusty radar detector.

Have we held you in suspense long enough???? YES we saw the children today. First McCale was brought into us, with some food to feed him. They started Jeff and I off with him, Jeff holding him and his hands, me slipping a bowl under his chin and feeding him a mixture of milk, beef and potatoes with a regular sized spoon. They told us, shovel it in, FAST, and fast we shoveled. Poor little guy was chugging his food off the fork faster than I can say -fork chugger!! He was dressed in yellow upon arrival and left in a medley of yellow and beef. His hair is light – although it was tucked under a hat. His eyes are very blue, especially around the edges and he has the sweetest smile. He is a snuggler for sure. He was just loving up to Jeff, laughing and cooing from the start. Not one little look of worry or concern, perhaps its because we started the meeting with food, maybe its that I let him chew on my finger w/ his toothless gummy grin or perhaps he was just ready and waiting for us.

Next came Karleigh, she was dressed in light blue and I really think that’s her color. She was so cute, happy and content. Not a whimper from her either. Her eyes are a deep hazel brown and her hair is coming in on top. She has two teeth on the bottom and one on the top. Finger chomping for her was a different experience – but she was happy with the teething ring after I pried my pointer out. We fed her and she ate just a little more than McCale, which is about 2 CUPS of the mush we described above. We then gave them the apple juice we were told to bring – and used the bottles that we had in the diaper bag. We ended up cutting holes in the nipple to make sure they could get a strong and steady flow. When it comes to food, these kids mean business.

We were told we could take them outside as long as we had their hats pulled down over their ears. It was beautiful outside the babyhouse, with roses in bloom and the mountains in the distance. I don’t think the day could have been more perfect. Jeff and I switched kids back and forth and they took to us both well. There are some photos of us with them below. We feel so lucky to have these children, to be here and to have such great friends and family at home waiting for us. This is really like a dream come true.

On the way back from Ecik, Gulnoza stopped and picked up geroshkis for us, a cross between a pierogi and a knish. DE-LISH-US! We ate them in Emils car, carfully….then they stopped and picked up a watermelon…drove off the road into a field and Emil cut it up for us with his leatherman. What a wonderful, delicious and spontaneous act from two very kind and generous friends. Already I can tell its going to be hard to thank them for everything. They are so good at their jobs – and so professional. This makes us all the more comfortable.

More to come soon and more lively posts coming soon!! Love, Colene