 | Jeff says:
Before Dina and I left on Monday, we managed to find some holy oil from St. John's Monastery with which to bless each other. There was something remarkably fitting about being blessed by a Saint from San Francisco whose lifelong work began in Russia where he cared for orphans. Can one invest in advance to receive closure later? It felt something akin to that.
The trip to Frankfurt and on to Almaty was fine. The meals on Lufthansa are excellent, the film in coach was the classic "Garfield: The Movie" (oh, well), and the staff are remarkably attentive and friendly. I also slept more on the plane to Germany than I've slept on any given night in the past half a week.
Electrical outlets are hard to find in the Frankfurt airport, but it's not impossible. There seems to be one or two sets by the waiting area for each gate. Other than that, forget it.
In Germany we were able to meet our travel partners, John and Sue. They're from Denver and are adopting a pair of cuties. We also met April and Zach, a couple we know from Vermont who are going today on to Taldy-Korgan. In fact, we sat right in front of them, and April's German fluency came in handy while filling out customs forms! We'll see them again here in Almaty in a few weeks.
While en route, I again had that experience where I order in German only to hear the flight attendant say (in nearly unaccented English), "Sorry?" My response is always to reorder, somewhat embarrassed, in my native tongue. Herr Stride would be most unimpressed. This is about the sixth time in a row it's happened.
The process of going through customs was simple and straightforward. The agent didn't say a word to me. He just looked at me suspiciously for a moment and then waved me on. We immediately found all nine pieces of our luggage and walked outside to find our driver and our translator waiting for us. On the drive to the apartment, we were treated to a mix of Britney Spears-inspired russo-pop, American rap, and the "Romeo and Juliet" soundtrack. Apparently, this is what our driver either likes, or thinks we like.
I haven't yet told him that we like Urker. I think he'd be mortified.
The apartment is spacious. It's downright huge. It's well-furnished. The hallways and elevators aren't much to write home about, but the hardwood floors (or at least faux hardwood) are beautiful. People have left lots of goodies behind (toys, towels, pillows, various adapters and such for us geeks), plus the kitchen has the local staples of one jar of peanut butter, one package of microwave popcorn, and one Russian beer. I'll try to post a kitchen tour on the photos page tomorrow.
We won't wither away to nothing while we're here. :)
We had been expecting Sasha to meet us at the airport with a cell phone and instructions on how to call home and also connect to the internet. No such luck. We're untethered for the night. By the time you see this, it will be Wednesday here, at the earliest. After that, we should be able to update every 24 hours or so. |
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Comments for August 10
Comment from
Colene Belli | We are so glad to hear you arrived safe and sound!
We can't wait to follow your journey!
Colene and Jeff
NJ WPA | Comment from
Tyanna | I'm glad you guys arrived safe. I can't wait for
the update tomorrow. | Comment from
Melanie | Oh, look... I can click on a date and see more post! | Comment from
Auntie Julie | YEAH! You made it! Thank God! We have all been so anxious to know what is going on. So you head to Uralsk on Wednesday? I thought you wouldn't be there until Thursday... Does that mean you get to see him sooner? I can't wait to hear about flying Air Kaz. Love the commentary! Keep it coming!
Much love and lots of prayers...
Julie | Comment from
Julianna | I'm so glad you guys made it safely! I was nearly going insane waiting for the next post! Now we need pictures to satisfy our hunger for information!! | Comment from
Nana | | Comment from
Nana Nina | I guess I posted the message on the wrong day. But I still stand on it!
Try chilling the beer before drinking it.
Love,
Me
P.S. Dad says he hopes you have a good night's sleep.
XXXX OOOO | Comment from
Uncle Dan & Aunt Samar | Glory! God is in his heaven and our prayers have been answered! You're there and the saga continues. We've been on pins and needles awaiting the 10th s post.
And what's this about you getting sleep? You're not supposed to be getting sleep. You're supposed to be going through some sort of ersatz labor at the moment! However, we know that you need some rest. We've experienced those long long flights where one tries to sleep in an upright position or twisted into something like a pretzel, badly done! Hang in there. This, too, shall pass, but keep us posted. Nothing is trivial, mundane, or inconsequential right now. We only want to know everything everything everything.
If prayers got you there, the next ones will unite you with Herr Alex and your happiness will be closer to complete. Can it be complete before you return home, get fully rested, and can play this kid on your (His!) own floor in his own bedroom? I mist up thinking about it!
We're checking for updates hourly. Looking forward to the next one. Have you got this set up so you can only do one each day. If so, your baaaadddddddd!
Love and prayers,
Uncle Dan, Aunt Samar, Samantha, and Daniel | Comment from
Mairesue | Oh That is so cool about the oil.
Praying for the three of you.
| Comment from
jeney | I just figured out I can see more posts by checking a different date. |
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