Drool, Churches and Cemeteries…now that’s a day

The start of our first Monday in Kazakhstan started pretty much the same as our weekend days in Kazakhstan – the carton of yogurt, the delicious Kazakh oatmeal and the equally predictable questions from the hotel waitress “eggs? Omelet? Toast?” We are not sure if at the hotel, all they serve hot for breakfast are eggs/omelets or is that Americans may be thought of as egg eaters for breakfast. Anyway, the choices are getting a bit old but we are hanging in there as everyone is very pleasant and polite in accepting our attempts with Russian words. As we left the hotel our driver Igor was waiting as usual with a big smile and a “hello, good night sleep?” He is really a great guy and seems to get a kick out my electronic language translator (Thanks, Margie) and my phrase book. I try to search for funny phrases as he says he speaks “English – little” but nonetheless my attempts at phrases like “lets grab a drink” in Russian seems to make him laugh.

This morning at the baby house Joseph arrived in the cute outfit Laura had provided today along and with the outfit from Sunday and a shirt – they dressed him in three layers of clothes to keep him warm…in a room in which made me wonder if I was getting sick or was it just warm inside (…two independent sources confirmed it was warm inside!). This of course was because Joseph is still nursing a cold that you can hear and feel in his chest but it is getting better. We had a good morning visit but once again made mostly of hugs, kisses and some reading of books. He really likes his teething ring and goes right for it with both hands. The clenched fists which greeted us at first are rarely seen anymore which is really nice. The morning hour ended quickly and we packed up and headed to the “big market” with Olga our interpreter. This was an indoor mall like place with very small boutiques and shops. We were interested in some KZ bumper stickers but we need to go back at the beginning of May. I also wanted to get a cable for my iPOD and although I saw the parts in a store it quickly appeared to me that I would have to assemble it myself – solder and all. I took a pass this time but will keep looking for a complete cable. We stopped at the bakery and purchased several pastries filled with meat, meat & cabbage and just cabbage which were delicious in taste but am not convinced they have not started to “say hello” to us this evening – we will see.

This afternoon was another good but quiet visit. Joseph as you can see from the photo was a bit drooly but was moving around a bit on his stomach and dancing when on his back. We are working with him on sitting up on his own and he seems to get the concept but needs some more practice. It is really just fun hanging out with him and waiting for that smile or giggle which may just pop out every now and then. We tell him about Luigi, Bacio and Lucy and to be prepared for a bunch of kisses from his face to his feet – we can not wait to see all of that! Laura had a great idea and had given Olga a little book to translate our questions to the caregivers into as well as the answers. She also asked for the caregivers to write a note to Joseph that he could read later in life. Today we received that book back from Olga and it was very informative about his likes and dislikes – a good eater, not a great sleeper, loves music and loud toys as well as other kids etc… The caregivers also wrote some very nice words wishing him health and happiness; congratulating him on having a family (Us!); to be strong and to remember his home town as he gets older. I think he will really appreciate his Mom’s efforts with this one. He seemed to be feeling better by the end of the visit but then it was time to go until Tuesday when we will start again. Although sad about having to leave Joseph, we were looking forward to this afternoon as we were scheduled for the famous “Uralsk Excursion” with Olga and Igor.

The excursion was quite nice and included many war memorials (May 9th is Victory Day and is a holiday here) two churches and a cemetery. The first church was a great surprise as we got an impromptu tour by one of the priests – he was very nice and quite proud of his church. He told us about a famous saint (can not remember his name) who was portrayed in a hanging along with a relic (a rock). Although his story was long and involved we felt our interpreter gave us the Reader’s Digest version which we still could not follow (or she had difficulty interpreting). They offered and then removed the glass in front of the icon just so I could touch my own medals (crucifix, St. Joseph and St. Francis) to it. It was very generous and moving to see his devotion. The priest told us to remember the church and the saint as he helps all those in need that pray to him. The colorful flowers you see in the photo are actually cemetery flower arrangements which were being sold across the road. All in all it was a great time and the only thing we forgot was to go for ice cream which I promised everyone – something to look forward to doing tomorrow. See you all of you tomorrow where you will find out if I chose eggs or omelet…perhaps neither….hmmm…

Please remember to click on the “word” Comments below if you wish to leave us a note – you can choose Other so you do not need to register but can still sign your name. You can also click on a photo to have it enlarged.