March 27
The weather in Taraz is trying to make us feel right at home. Like most Easter Sundays in Colorado, Easter in Taraz brought snow. At home, we generally have wonderful weather leading up to the holiday and then a cold front invariably sweeps in to the state.
It has been so warm here that nothing accumulated.
Our day was mostly centered around buying food. We’re now expecting to be in Taraz for most of the week, so Vasya and I went to the really nice grocery store named “Gross”. In spite of sounding….well, gross, it’s really the best general purpose store in Taraz, very US like (clean, wide aisles, actual shopping carts and a good selection of groceries, electronics and sporting goods) and everyone is very much impressed with it. It’s pretty far from the apartment, and the weather was awful, so Vasya and I got a cab, negotiated a fare, and went to the store. It’s really nice to have a native Russian speaker in the family when you are in a Russian speaking country.
We made the mistake of going into the weekend with only large denomination tenge bills, so we had to patronize the more expensive places that can make change. Change is not easy here—hand a street vendor a $2000 tenge note (about $16) and you’re likely to get a big sigh as they trudge off to see if any of their other little co-vendors can help them change this enormous bill.
This afternoon was our party at the orphanage. We took some rotisserie chickens that are very popular here, some bread, cake and Coca-cola. Since our kids were from two separate groups we took in enough food for about 25 kids. We were treated like honored guests, and given gifts by the Julia’s group. Each girl made a little speech. It was very touching and at the same time just about tore our hearts out, especially when they told us that the last girl to be adopted from that family group left in 2003. Most of them know they have very little chance of being adopted, but there’s still that little flicker of hope. Every kid in the family group was above average, and many of them were outstanding. Sarymoldava is packed with really great kids. They do everything they can for them, but they can’t give them parents. The orphanage director asked us to tell the people we know about the kids we know there, so that others may be adopted.
It was kind of hard on the kids to say goodbye, but now we’re done with the orphanage and ready for the next phase. Hopefully our paperwork process will pick back up so we can get home soon.
Russ
It has been so warm here that nothing accumulated.
Our day was mostly centered around buying food. We’re now expecting to be in Taraz for most of the week, so Vasya and I went to the really nice grocery store named “Gross”. In spite of sounding….well, gross, it’s really the best general purpose store in Taraz, very US like (clean, wide aisles, actual shopping carts and a good selection of groceries, electronics and sporting goods) and everyone is very much impressed with it. It’s pretty far from the apartment, and the weather was awful, so Vasya and I got a cab, negotiated a fare, and went to the store. It’s really nice to have a native Russian speaker in the family when you are in a Russian speaking country.
We made the mistake of going into the weekend with only large denomination tenge bills, so we had to patronize the more expensive places that can make change. Change is not easy here—hand a street vendor a $2000 tenge note (about $16) and you’re likely to get a big sigh as they trudge off to see if any of their other little co-vendors can help them change this enormous bill.
This afternoon was our party at the orphanage. We took some rotisserie chickens that are very popular here, some bread, cake and Coca-cola. Since our kids were from two separate groups we took in enough food for about 25 kids. We were treated like honored guests, and given gifts by the Julia’s group. Each girl made a little speech. It was very touching and at the same time just about tore our hearts out, especially when they told us that the last girl to be adopted from that family group left in 2003. Most of them know they have very little chance of being adopted, but there’s still that little flicker of hope. Every kid in the family group was above average, and many of them were outstanding. Sarymoldava is packed with really great kids. They do everything they can for them, but they can’t give them parents. The orphanage director asked us to tell the people we know about the kids we know there, so that others may be adopted.
It was kind of hard on the kids to say goodbye, but now we’re done with the orphanage and ready for the next phase. Hopefully our paperwork process will pick back up so we can get home soon.
Russ
posted by The Petersons at 6:22 PM
3 Comments:
Things are moving right along. I remember when you said we need our
LOI papers! It won't be long till you will be on your way back.
I print out the pages of the blog and read them over and over like a storybook.
Love and prayers
Mom and Dad
Dear Ones,
Hang in there. You only have a little longer. We were hoping for the 5th. Will it cost a lot to change your tickets?
We love reading about each day and have shared with all the family.
We had dinner at Robin's. Kelli and Chris didn't come. He had two trials to study for.Love you much, Mom & Dad P.
Hey guys!
We just got back yesterday afternoon. I know how you feel; it was a major relief just to be standing in the Lufthansa queue getting ready to return. But, I know you appreciate that you already have Vasya and Julia with you and have some time to learn about their town while with them. Saying goodbye to Alex was a weird feeling, even though we know we'll have him home soon. We'll be praying for you guys. Keep up the great posts!
Love,
Jim & Anne Bentley
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