This is Abby’s sister and travel companion Ruth. Since Abby is really busy right now I thought you might enjoy some color commentary on our journey so far.
We were very lucky in our travels to Kazakhstan it appears that if possible the Canadian Airline industry is in worse shape then the US airlines. With the help a great travel agent in Minnesota who specializes in handling adoption travel (referred to me by a friend whose husband is on the board of a local adoption group) we scored business class tickets for only a very small amount about the going coach rate. The catch was we had to meet in Toronto. This turned out to be a great thing as we were able to travel most of the way together at no extra expense. The trip is long but not terrible particularly when you are really excited.
We arrived in Almaty at midnight on Saturday. We were a little worried that we would not know where to go or how to handle passport control. It was easier then we thought. You needed to fill out a migration card in Russian (tip to traveling families get the card and get in line). We were the last people through the line. We picked up our baggage and walked out the door. (Another note to travelers the passport control people are VERY serious and will not strike up a conversation with you- I am from the midwest so I could not help myself). We were met at the airport by our translator Kate and our driver Lenny and taken to our hotel.
We ended up and spending two days in Almaty which was fun for me because I will not be coming with Abby on her return trip so this was my one chance. Our hotel was well located and we overlooked the opera house and had a great view of the mountains. It was not as “Americanized” as I am used to but I am the sister whose idea of camping is the green on the Holiday Inn sign. We did get to see a little of the City including going up into the mountains and a stop at the central museum – very interesting but a little hard to follow as only one room had any English on the signs.
Off to Shymkent at 7:40 AM on Monday – We arrived early Monday morning from Almaty. The Air Astana plane was surprisingly nice. On a one hour flight we got not only a meal service but candy and a sample of hand cream - A little different from Northwest. The pilot was clearly American – when he came on he made his flight announcement in English with a distinct Midwestern accent – maybe it was a little more like Northwest then I thought.
We were taken to our new home for the next couple of weeks by the Shymkent Coordinator Balzhan. The apartment is nice. It has clearly just been renovated and was designed with Americans in mind. We do have one small window air conditioning unit but it is in the kitchen at the opposite end of the house from the bedrooms. I expect I at least will be sleeping in the family room where we can at least feel the air. As normal as the apartment seems when you walk out the door you definitely tell you are not in the U.S. If you go one block you are in the heart of the city and near to the grocery store and the “Mega” [yes that is the name]. It is a big mall with Kaz’s version of a Super Target. I tried to take pictures and they made me erase them or they would take my camera away. We are now loaded up on supplies and ready to tackle this adventure.
A few random thoughts:
Biggest Culture Shock – Not very many people speak English. (Sorry to sound like an ugly American) I have traveled in Europe and India and Turkey and found more English speakers – but I was in business or tourist locations.
Best Thing – The coordinators and translators from the adoption agency are really nice and very helpful.
Things I miss the most – 1. My family of course! 2. Diet Coke 3. Hot water in the shower – That’s a story you have to ask me to tell you in person and 4. The internet access here is not looking great at this moment. We may or may not have dial up at the house.
Funnest thing we have done – Enjoyed this trip together with great attitudes. Our motto is “It’s not bad just different.”
Dumbest thing I have done – I stepped in a hole in Almaty and did a major face plant. I scrapped my knees and hands, bruised my shoulder and definitely bruised my ego. I told Abby it was good we had travel insurance and she said she was glad not to have to med-evac me out on day two of the trip.
IT IS HOT HERE!! I had been told but being from Minnesota I was not prepared. For our Minnesota friends it is as hot here in the summer as it is cold in Minnesota in the winter.
Abby will post the good detail later (i.e., all the stuff about the baby).
Ruth
Just a quick note from Abby. Sorry about the lack of updates. We’ve had a few technical issues with getting to the internet. We haven’t been able to get it hooked up at the apartment yet so we’ve been going to cafes with wifi. The problem is my computer’s battery isn’t great so I can only use it for very short periods of time. Hopefully we’ll get the internet hooked up soon so I can give you more exciting info.
