Some trivia, some facts, some other stuff…
Not exactly sure what to write about so I’ll just start.
Some trivia
The time difference between Karaganda and New Orleans is 11 hours. We’re a day ahead of you.
Potato chips come in many different flavors here. And not the flavors you would think. We have bought chicken chips, meat and mushroom chips and ham and cheese chips (which Din says taste like an Egg McMuffin).
The public buses all have curtains. Not sure why.
You have to pay to use public toilets. This buys you the privilege and some toilet paper.
All the women wear fancy high heels here. Lots of bling on the shoes.
No one wears shorts even though it’s quite warm.
No one but Americans wear sneakers.
What do we do all day everyday?
We’re sort of boring. We get up – head off to the Orphanage, spend time oohing and aahing over our children then head back out. Off to the mall or the grocery to get supplies, home for lunch, nap and then back to the Orphanage. Dinner may or may not happen – usually we nosh, do some reading and then off to bed. The big excitement here was we did some laundry! We have a tiny washing machine that literally holds about 2 pair of jeans. All the instructions are in Russian of course so it was a complete mystery. I finally drew out the whole front panel and took it to the “O” to have it translated. It was a happy day!
We met a couple here from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Scott and Christina. They’ve adopted a boy and named him Will. We’re totally jealous of them because somehow they got their hands on some Community Coffee! For those of you not in NOLA, this is the coffee of choice. And when you’re in a place where Nescafe instant is the only option, you can imagine why we’re envious! We met these guys because they are in our playroom.
I should explain how the O works (or at least what we can figure out). There are many rooms where the children sleep. They seem to be organized by age or possibly feeding needs. Tristan is in a room where all the kids get porridge in the mornings but bottles in the afternoon. (What else they eat will be a later post- you won’t believe it.) Each sleeping room has about 10 cribs – or beds – lined up side by side around the room. There is a room right outside this where they get fed and the ones who have not been chosen yet, spend their days. The ones who have been chosen get fed in here by their new mamas and papas and then we all move to the playroom. The playroom has lots of toys available and a big ball pit so the kids have fun. Every family brings a blanket which is spread out on the floor and the kids go down on them. Then each family does what ever type of “playing” they want. We’ve been working with Tristan on his muscle building. He’s started standing and sitting – with help – but is making tons of progress everyday. It’s really amazing the difference we’ve seen in a week. Even the doctor came by and commented on it (we think!). He does have a cold right now but all of the kids have some sort of sniffle or cough. I’ve also turned up with a sore throat (can’t imagine why) but I’m ignoring it.
Some times we get to go outside and wander around the building. Tristan hates the sun in his eyes. We’re sure it’s because he hasn’t spent much time out of doors so far in his life. We figure he has to get used to it so he can deal with New Orleans sunshine! When the children go out, they are all loaded up with clothes. Especially hats which have to be pulled down over their ears. The Care Givers are very strict about this.
More new families arrived on Monday. We feel like seasoned veterans now! It’s almost impossible to believe we’ve been here as long as we have. On the other hand, sometimes it feels like we arrived yesterday.
We’re still having fun although I started reading Andrei Codrescu’s, “New Orleans, Mon Amour” and I’m starting to miss home. We do have a sort of streetcar outside our window which does sound like the one at home so it’s nice. The wine situation on the other hand is not so nice. We’ve tried to buy what we think is Cabernet but it’s either really sweet (more like Madeira) or is like vinegar. No amount of “breathing” helps. On the other hand the local beer is great. Very tasty.
We’re hoping to get a group of Americans together Thursday night for drinks or dinner. Should be interesting. Everyone we’ve met so far has a similar story to ours. We’re all so happy to be here and finally meeting our children.
Next blog entry: gypsies and why you shouldn’t pay them for photographs…
Paka!
Carolyn
Some trivia
The time difference between Karaganda and New Orleans is 11 hours. We’re a day ahead of you.
Potato chips come in many different flavors here. And not the flavors you would think. We have bought chicken chips, meat and mushroom chips and ham and cheese chips (which Din says taste like an Egg McMuffin).
The public buses all have curtains. Not sure why.
You have to pay to use public toilets. This buys you the privilege and some toilet paper.
All the women wear fancy high heels here. Lots of bling on the shoes.
No one wears shorts even though it’s quite warm.
No one but Americans wear sneakers.
What do we do all day everyday?
We’re sort of boring. We get up – head off to the Orphanage, spend time oohing and aahing over our children then head back out. Off to the mall or the grocery to get supplies, home for lunch, nap and then back to the Orphanage. Dinner may or may not happen – usually we nosh, do some reading and then off to bed. The big excitement here was we did some laundry! We have a tiny washing machine that literally holds about 2 pair of jeans. All the instructions are in Russian of course so it was a complete mystery. I finally drew out the whole front panel and took it to the “O” to have it translated. It was a happy day!
We met a couple here from Lake Charles, Louisiana. Scott and Christina. They’ve adopted a boy and named him Will. We’re totally jealous of them because somehow they got their hands on some Community Coffee! For those of you not in NOLA, this is the coffee of choice. And when you’re in a place where Nescafe instant is the only option, you can imagine why we’re envious! We met these guys because they are in our playroom.
I should explain how the O works (or at least what we can figure out). There are many rooms where the children sleep. They seem to be organized by age or possibly feeding needs. Tristan is in a room where all the kids get porridge in the mornings but bottles in the afternoon. (What else they eat will be a later post- you won’t believe it.) Each sleeping room has about 10 cribs – or beds – lined up side by side around the room. There is a room right outside this where they get fed and the ones who have not been chosen yet, spend their days. The ones who have been chosen get fed in here by their new mamas and papas and then we all move to the playroom. The playroom has lots of toys available and a big ball pit so the kids have fun. Every family brings a blanket which is spread out on the floor and the kids go down on them. Then each family does what ever type of “playing” they want. We’ve been working with Tristan on his muscle building. He’s started standing and sitting – with help – but is making tons of progress everyday. It’s really amazing the difference we’ve seen in a week. Even the doctor came by and commented on it (we think!). He does have a cold right now but all of the kids have some sort of sniffle or cough. I’ve also turned up with a sore throat (can’t imagine why) but I’m ignoring it.
Some times we get to go outside and wander around the building. Tristan hates the sun in his eyes. We’re sure it’s because he hasn’t spent much time out of doors so far in his life. We figure he has to get used to it so he can deal with New Orleans sunshine! When the children go out, they are all loaded up with clothes. Especially hats which have to be pulled down over their ears. The Care Givers are very strict about this.
More new families arrived on Monday. We feel like seasoned veterans now! It’s almost impossible to believe we’ve been here as long as we have. On the other hand, sometimes it feels like we arrived yesterday.
We’re still having fun although I started reading Andrei Codrescu’s, “New Orleans, Mon Amour” and I’m starting to miss home. We do have a sort of streetcar outside our window which does sound like the one at home so it’s nice. The wine situation on the other hand is not so nice. We’ve tried to buy what we think is Cabernet but it’s either really sweet (more like Madeira) or is like vinegar. No amount of “breathing” helps. On the other hand the local beer is great. Very tasty.
We’re hoping to get a group of Americans together Thursday night for drinks or dinner. Should be interesting. Everyone we’ve met so far has a similar story to ours. We’re all so happy to be here and finally meeting our children.
Next blog entry: gypsies and why you shouldn’t pay them for photographs…
Paka!
Carolyn
6 Comments:
Excellent commentary, kids! Every morning I check the blog hoping for another installment. When are you guys coming home? Do I need to UPS you guys some CC? Sounds serious...
Hey, were you a reporter in a previous life? Great details.
I'm enjoying the sense of community here in the Blogistan. Clearly, you guys have a lot of good friends who are sending their love.
Hey, what's everybody doing for happy hour?
what a great report - i can't believe you have the energy and presence of mind to write all about it - i was looking at the photos and just trying to imagine how happy you both feel - what a totally adorable child. thanks for all the info - thinking of you
great post. things here are fine. Went to Ian's memorial service yesterday and hung out with the old FBI crew last night. All sort of mind blowing. One life begins as another ends.
i love hearing about your day and how tristan is growing already. he is more adorable in each picture you post. and you look good as a mommy.
lucky parents, lucky kid!
stick to the beer, car, nothing worse than bad red wine, unless it's bad white wine...
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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