Did I say that the tile mosaics on the sides of random buildings are absolutely amazing? The first photo is just one example of a mosaic that I discovered while taking a short cut through an inner-city neighborhood while heading "home" from the Gros. Later that same day, I was again strolling somewhere for something and I happened upon the "Repetition Day" celebration in the center of town. From what I observed, hundreds of highschool students were engaged in mini marathons of varying distances. The major roads in Kostanai were cordoned off and the races all ended at the promanade or walking mall across from "Central Park." Hence, picture number two with the marching band at the finish line where shortly thereafter, awards were presented to students and their respective schools.
And the third picture, lest we forget, is the reason that I'm still here!
This weekend I have begun preparations for leaving Kazakhstan as I am scheduled to take Julia from the Delfin Baby Home on Friday, less than one week from today. We fly together to Almaty where we will stay at the International Hyatt Hotel until our final departure on Friday, May 18th. Bruce and I decided that it is best for Julia and I to leave Kostanai two days early (for the weekend) in order for us to adjust to one another and our surroundings before our scheduled meetings with the American Embassy on Monday and Tuesday.
Interestingly, our Almaty visit coinsides with the 63rd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)! This means that the highest decision making body in all of Central Asia will be meeting for the first time and that more than 400 Central Asian delegates AND President Nursaltan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan will be competing with me for a table and a cab! But seriously, this is momentous and I am excited to be in Almaty at that time. Let me know if this event makes headlines or attracts media attention in the US. I am sure that Almaty will be hopping!
Sunday, May 6th, is Karen Swope's 48th birthday (Happy Birthday Karen!) and Wendesday, May 9th is "Victory Day" or "Defender of the Motherland Day," the 62nd Anniversary (1945) of the victory in "the Great Patriotic War" or Victory for Europe ("VE") Day. I shall gather with the allied forces in "Victory Park" and place flowers at the base of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier's Memorial. Then everyone drinks beer and eats kabobs. Or so I'm told. Much more to come in the days ahead... Love from us, for now, from Kostanai~ Carrie and Julia
3 comments:
Dear Ones, Your blog has become so very textured and colored. The sun has finally arrived. The greys have gone. Wonderful smiles for Drulia and for Carrie. Learning that you both are feeling well and that you will be leaving before long is the best news. We're sure you are more than ready to finally have Julia in her "new" home. And your newly updated home. Such joyous transitions. We sent a message on the 57th day and don't know if you had the chance to see it. But we wanted to send our love along - more joy in the pleasure of your experiences. These are yet the best photos....All our love -two from the Home Team-T&D
Carrie;
Dale and I are now sailing on the Liberty of the Seas maiden voyage and the first thing (well may be NOT the first thing) we did was go to the Cyber Cafe and log on to se YOU and JULIA...wow...we are so PSYCHED to see you in a week or so...go figure...after all these weeks we can't beleive we'll see you so soon. We are having a blast and are jsut sailing out to the Atlantic and Dale hooked us up...all FREE!
We LOVE you and MISS you more than words can say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We hadn't commented before but we have read each and every blog with much anticipation and excitement. We are so very excited about your adventure and your pending return. We cannot wait to see you and most importantly your daughter. Our girls are looking forward to helping you and visiting with you every available opportunity. Our block has been transformed and your house looks lovely and waiting patiently for you to bring this new life into it. We truly miss you and wish you safe travels on your return trek. Our neighborhood will be alive with new life in the coming month. Twin girls will be born in June at 174 Thomas, a new baby will arrive in October at 189 Thomas and of course Julia will be here mid May. We cannot wait for the new babies. Love and blessings from all of us. The Spaces
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