Greetings from Kostanai! Todays escapades took us first to the Baby Home where Julia pulled herself up holding onto Carrie's fingers. She was facinated by the birds in the trees outside her window and we're beginning to notice when she's energetic and when she's getting sleepy. We don't know when the babies wake up but they all go down for naps after breakfast around 11:00 AM and then again after lunch around 3:00 PM. There are eight other babies in Julia's group and they are all so well cared for and attended too.
This afternoon, Bruce and I joined Jennifer, Chris and their 6 year old son Ryan and all walked to the indoor waterpark where for the equivalent of four dollars, we swam for almost two hours. There were three distinct pools; a lap pool, a children's pool and one enormous pool replete with water slides, tube tunnels, a whirlpool, a wave pool and a "lazy river" with a current. Despite the embarassment of not understanding a single procedure or instruction, we could laugh at ourselves and have a great time anyway! By the way, everyone, everywhere naked looks about the same! After swimming and playing nearly to exhaustion, we showered, dressed and walked a little farther to the Mango Cafe which was mentioned in our Central Asia tour book (thanks Nancy and Mike!) as having great American pizza. Well, group concensus is that it was "good" American pizza (not to worry, Star!). In addition, we had marvelous salads, acceptable french fries, dreadful fried mushrooms and they forgot our perrogies! At every meal, our waiters forget something which we attribute to our miscommunication, not their insufficiency! Bruce made a trip to the "Gros" (supermarket) where he bought some baked chicken for dinner, canned vegatables, a new kind of unusual candy and some other assundries and the whole day cost us about 30 dollars! Next weeks excursion will be to the bowling alley!
Tomorrow we'll have been here in Kostanai for one full week. A new American family is to arrive at the hotel and we hope to welcome them with a group meal if they're not too exhausted for company. On Sunday before visiting with Julia, we will meet with Olyssa, Dr. Irina and the pediatrician to go over Julia's medical records. Though still surreal, we are easing into a routine and a rhythm. Peace
4 comments:
Love the father/daughter photo. Julie is looking more relaxed and comfortable with dad. It's obvious.
I can't beleive that it will only be a week - it feels like you have been gone forever!!! I do however love getting to work each day and being able to open up the blog and hear all about your wonderfully, amazing adventure. Julia appears to be very taken with her pop and she is so, so, so pretty. I am not sure if you are getting me emails so let me know if and what you guys may need.
XOXO,
Reesa
We've added your photos to our screen saver so that we can see you -oftener- you photogenic models of familial joy and wonder. Your adventure amazes. We have Zagatz here-the name almost sounds German doesn't it? I wonder what the Kazakhstan equivalent is. Fodor's goes to Kazakhstan.....You are in our hearts and minds. The home team - T&D
Wow whatta cutie and Julia looks sweet too. Sounds like such a wonderful adventure- exotic candies and numbered beers. New people and your daughter she shines. Life is full of such blessings!
L
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