Jason and I finally arrived in Ust-Kamenogorsk after 2 days of airplanes. It was really long but so exciting.
We arrive in Almaty at midnight local time. Neither of us got much sleep. Bulgan and Jardin (?) picked us up and were very nice. Bulgan was teasing us and we felt at ease. At our apartment, we met with our lawyer. We slept for 5 hours in a nice apartment and they picked us up again to take us back to the airport for Ust. We did get charged about $80 over-weight fee on the plane ride from Almaty to Ust. Not too bad. Lufthansa didn't charge us anything.
We arrived in Ust and met Lena, our translator, Simone, our driver, and Albina our adoption coordinator. They asked us what had taken us so long to get to Kazakhstan. I guess they expected us since January???
Albina spoke to us (through Lena) and told us a little about what to expect. We found out that we won't be able to visit the baby house until Monday when the orphanage director and a woman from the department of education can meet with us. We will probably sleep alot until then. We are pretty tired.
Next we went to the grocery store. Daniels was a pretty decent grocery store. We found many normal items and lots that we recognized. Jason bought Pringles! It was very interesting. Lena helped us pick out some different Kazakh foods to try. We spent 7300 tenge on our groceries - about $50. We would have easily spent $100 at TJ's for similar items. Well.... next we went out to our car. Simone (seamon) had parked in a funny spot - in the street - and when we came back to the car a policeman stopped us. It was very interesting. I guess you get to argue with policeman here. After about 20 minutes, several cell phone calls, "discussion" between policeman and Simone, Simone and Lena, Lena and policeman, Policeman and Simone, and a lesson in Kazakh vehicle codes, the policeman let us go. Simone didn't even get a hole punched into his driver's license. I guess after three holes - you have to take all of the driver's exams again. It was pretty funny.
We are now back at the apartment watching some National Geographic and resting. We will sight-see tomorrow and wait to go see our son!
Love you guys! No pics till later. Sorry :P
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8 comments:
I have heard about others being pulled over by police and having similiar "discussions". It is so very different!
Love you. Send us pictures of Maks soon.
Love,
Jonny
Candy is Dandy
You are Dandy Too
But Candy isn't as Dandy
As You!!!
Love,
Nate
Glad to hear that you made it OK. It sounds like its a good thing that you'll have some time to sleep!
I'm so happy for you!! It sounds so exciting. Enjoy your adventure and keep us posted (details, details and pics!) :) Good luck!
Dotty Zalomski
YEAH! We've been thinking about you! So Monday is the big day! We can't wait to see pictures of good ol' Maks! Mateo will be so excited to his old friend with a mama and papa! Please tell Simone and Lena we said hello! We worked with them on our second trip. Let them know Mateo & Natalia are doing GREAT! We miss them and we miss so much of Kazakhstan, too! You are in our prayers!
Michelle
Melissa
get some rest & Im glad you arrived safe & sound- that is one long trip. I cant wait to hear all about you meeting your boy
Take care
lauri
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