Saturday, June 3, 2006

First things first – Suzie Malon send me your email address. We saw Hannah and she is fine! I took a couple of photos I’d like to send you.

Well the creeping cold finally made it’s way to Din. Except this time it came along with a fever. Luckily we brought antibiotics, Tylenol and the inhaler so hopefully he’ll recover quickly. He’s spending the day in bed so he’ll miss the visits with Tristan today which means more Mama time for me.

We heard yesterday that our court date is set for June 12. That is a relief since we fly out on the 13th. (I’ll email the appropriate people our travel details.) Court is when we present our case to the judge and they officially rule that Tristan is ours. As a tradition, families who have gone or are about to go to court, have a party at the Orphanage for all the doctors and care givers. We give them gifts and celebrate with sweets and champagne or vodka (this is what we hear – can’t confirm). Ours will be next Sunday the 11th.

When we leave Kazakhstan this trip, we go home for a 15 day waiting period – a legality in this country – and then hopefully it’s only another week or so before we are allowed to come back. (we’ve heard varying time frames from our agency and folks here in country so we’ll see how the timing actually works out.) We’ll meet Tristan in Almaty, spend a couple of days there doing some paperwork and then come home. No need to come all the way back here.

Not sure if I mentioned the air quality here. I’m sure there is no emissions testing. Buses spew tons of black smoke as do most of the cars. The city itself is very dusty so you feel as if you’ve smoked a thousand cigarettes every day. Also, the air here is FULL of white cottony things floating around. Din says they are cotton wood trees and wow, do they make you sneeze. The white stuff actually piles up on the sidewalks. We have seen some of the locals burning these piles – I think they’re a nuisance to everyone. I’m sure all of this has added to our sniffles!

On the flip side, the city streets are completely clean of trash. Not a cigarette butt in sight. We’ve noticed people sweeping the sidewalks every morning with very short brooms – almost home made looking. It’s very interesting and they do an impressive job. Also interesting is that it stays light here until almost 10 pm. Throws us off every day.

Din and I went out last night to our corner place with the couple from Lake Charles. Had hamburgers and fries and many draft beers – entire bill, about $22.00. It took about 45 minutes between getting our burgers and the fries but we’ve learned that things operate on their own schedule here. In fact, we had dinner at a fancy restaurant here that was just one big confusion because the dishes came so spaced out. Nothing seemed to be what we had ordered, there was no rhyme or reason to what came out and when, and when we tried – tried being the operative word – to ask if anything else was coming, we got blank stares. So we thought we were finished and asked for the check. We realized later that we left long before our entrees came. No wonder the waitress looked so puzzled. This has been a real learning experience. We intend to go back to this place again to do it right - maybe with our interpreter this time. It’s become a challenge!

It’s interesting to hear the stories from other families – how they got here and how their agency works compared to ours. Several of the families we’ve met are here on one extended trip. These people have actually been allowed to take their children home with them for the rest of their trip here. This was not an option for us. Not sure why – guess it’s just the relationships different agencies have here.

I found out what Tristan’s actual schedule is. I have to share:

6am Wake up have a bottle of yogurt or formula. Have a bath in a big metal bowl. Play for a bit then nap.

9:30 Breakfast. Porridge made from powdered formula, ½ a boiled egg, and bits of bread. A small bottle of tea (not strong) to wash it all down. Playtime.

11:00 Nap

12:30 Up from nap

1:00 Lunch. Bullion soup, mashed potatoes, and ground meat. Apple or Pinapple juice. Playtime.

3:00 Nap

4:30 Bottle of warm yogurt. Hang out / play.

8:00 Dinner. Porridge with curd. Tea or hot chocolate.

9:00 Bedtime

11:00 Bottle with formula

Is it me or is this tiny kid eating a lot!???? You’ve gotta see the size of these porridge bowls! I swear he’s doubled in size since we met him so I’m not complaining! Oh - I have to remember to talk about his Massage therapy. Also his paraffin treatment. Another day.

and since Din’s the only one who knows how to post photos and he’s asleep – no photos today.

Paka-

carolyn