Saturday, Day 32 Good news! All the paperwork in now headed our way...there are two sets of the documents, one is going to a very kind family in Philadelphia who has graciously offered to bring it to us, and the second will go to the Kazakh Embassy for official registration and then head our way. As soon as we get the first packet, our coordinator Dinara will take it to the judge and ask for a court date as soon as possible. We hope that the second set will arrive just on the heels on the first and that we will have them for the court date. We left today for Almaty to process paperwork at the US Embassy for the escort for Lily when she is able to travel to the United States. The process is a little different now, she won't be able to come home with us like Luda did. We have a wonderful friend from Kazakhstan named Oleg, who is a certified escort for adopted children and will bring her to the America sometime near the end of March.  The flight to Almaty was an interesting journey. Check in for the 2:00 flight was at 12:30. We packed up all our belongings from the hotel, stored most with our kind friends the Watrous', and headed out into what appeared to be a bit of a blizzard with one bag that was packed to the gills. When we arrived at the airport, we found out that the flight was late leaving Almaty and that check-in was delayed until 3:00.  Hmmm...well, we decided to go back to the hotel and treat our coordinator to lunch. After no luck finding a taxi, we decided to take the city bus. We climbed aboard and settled ourselves in for what we thought would be a slow bus ride back to town. As soon as we were in our seats, the bus took off at the pace of a sports car, moving along through the snow and ice as if it weren't even there. As we bumped along, I noticed all this snow falling from inside the bus. Looking up, I saw an vent that evidently wasn't very secure and with each bump, a bunch of snow flurried down on top of us. We arrived back at the Medeo in about the same time it took to take a taxi to the airport. After a nice, albeit slow to arrive lunch, we headed back to the airport for our flight. It was on time, and we checked in, and waved good-bye to Dinara who we won't see until we return on Wednesday. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Asian travel, it is a bit of a cattle drive to the plane. From the terminal, they load you onto a bus and take you out the aircraft. As soon as the bus doors open, it is a "free for all" to get on the plane. With no assigned seating, everyone races to get the type of seats they prefer. Luda, Kevin and I were ready--we ran with as much as gusto as the locals, making it on the craft third, fourth and sixth (an pushy woman jumped in between Kevin & Luda, and Kevin, ever the gentleman, let her in front) After entering the early vintage turbo prop (1960's?), we settled into the well-worn but very comfortable seats with much more leg room that in American planes. It took a moment to figure out the seat belts, and it was a just a little disconcerting to see the armrest was held together with duct tape! However, the plan ran very smoothly--a tough piece of machinery that seemed to effortlessly take us the 3 and half hours to Almaty. The windows were covered with curtains, no lights for reading, nor storage compartments up top for carry ons. The temperature on the floor and next to the window was very cold, we left our coats on, and I read my book with gloves on. They brought us a large dinner although we were unsure what all the pieces of meat were, most of it was quite tasty. (pretty sure I saw some horse meat on the tray and we carefully steered around that) We arrived at Almaty and went directly to the Hyatt, photo at right, where we had a very relaxing dinner, complete with piano music and wine. We nestled into our fluffy beds, safe and sound.

Sunday, Day 33 After a wonderful night's sleep in the luxurious surroundings, we found our way downstairs for the famous Almaty Hyatt breakfast bar. Kevin has been talking about this since we returned to Kazakhstan, and we headed downstairs in anticipation of a wonderful breakfast. They served us hot coffee immediately and we made our way to the food, selecting from just baked breads with real butter, beautiful pastries, fresh fruits, wonderful cheeses, yogurt, whatever style of omelet you would like--it is a wonderful treat to eat breakfast here. We waddled from breakfast to the swimming pool where Luda made laps and played with other children for 2 and half hours. After getting cleaned up, we set out for the the Promenade Mall for shopping and lunch. On our way there, we passed through the circus parking lot where we were surprised to find camels, horses and carriage rides. For lunch, we ate at King Burger (yes, a direct rip off of Burger King, complete with the same logo) and happily devoured hamburgers and fries. Amazing how good junk food tastes after a month without any at all! After shopping a bit, we headed back to the hotel about 4:00 because I had an appointment for a massage at 5:00. I went down to the fitness center and worked out before the massage. After showering, it occured to me that I was going to have to parade past numerous young men in the fitness center, in nothing but a robe, to get to the massage room. (oh my, at 46 that is just something that seems weird to do!) And the massage, well...hmmm..er, they definitely don't have the hang ups that we do in America. A massage in Asia is a bit different than one in good ol' Murrville, TN--don't get me wrong, nothing inappropriate...just, er, uh, different. But wonderful! :) (enough said! I think I am blushing...) We meet with Oleg tomorrow to go the Embassy for the paperwork.

Monday, Day 34 Hmmm...how nice to start the day with the Hyatt Breakfast Buffet! Omelets, made to order, sizzle while you watch. The buffet is stocked with fresh juices, and all sorts of nuts and cereals. It is no wonder Kevin was slightly obsessed with returning to the Hyatt. Curiously, the almonds here have a slightly different taste and are so flavorful. Would love to know how to get some of these back to the states, wonder if I could smuggle them out of the country tucked into my shoes... After school work, we met Oleg in the lobby to sign papers and prepare for escorting Lily to America.  We dotted every i and crossed every t, and took our leave for the US Embassy to prepare the rest of the documents. While we met Oleg on our first journey to adopt Luda, during the drive we found out just what an interesting person he is. Not only does Oleg run a travel business and work for about six adoption agencies, but he is also an attorney, and works in construction building condos for Americans who are temporarily located in Almaty for various reasons, AND ships, resales US cars and ski equipment to local businesses. He may be the only person in all of Kazakhstan to own a Chevy Suburban. From what we could see of the automobiles about town in Almaty and Kostanai, Oleg has the largest personal vehicle in the country. When we arrived at the Embassy, we were introduced to another American couple that he was helping to obtain a visa. This couple just adopted a little girl from Aktobe, and the husband is the architect for the condos that Oleg is building. On the way back to the Hyatt, we were talking about music and this interesting man also mentioned that he plays piano--took lessons for two hours, three times a week for six years. If I had to guess, he is probably very proficient at the keyboard. Oleg humbly denied being a true "Renaissance Man". Truly a wonderful person, Oleg is very kind and soft-spoken, with gentle and expressive eyes. We have also met his father--if you looked up the word "grandfather" in the encyclopedia, there would be a photo his father Yvgenie (Eugene). His younger brother Igor is the artsy, long-haired type. We haven't met his wife and daughter, but would guess that they are also special folks. Oleg told us that he transported about ten children last year and has an interest in seeing different parts of the United States. He definitely wishes to stay with us a few days and see East Tennessee. We will be delighted to accommodate him and only hope we can find enough to interest him in lil' ol' Murrville! The afternoon went by quickly, and we returned to the hotel. I spent some times sending emails pertaining to work and visited the gift shop, while Kevin and Luda enjoyed the pool again. Tomorrow is a "day off" and we hope to relax and enjoy ourselves a bit more before heading back to Kostanai. Perhaps we will all get haircuts as we are a bit shaggy!

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