Sunday, May 14, 2006

Sunday, May 14, 2006







Our schedule was different today since it was Sunday. We got to the Ark just as they were getting breakfast ready. Zarina was on kitchen duty and it was fun to watch her set the table and giggle with her friend every time they looked at us. Her caretaker let her sit and eat first so she could change for our visit. It was the first time we had seen her hair out of braids. It is almost down to her waist. The others came down with their group and inhaled some food so they could join us. Today we were sent to a common area upstairs for our visit. It was much too cold to be outside. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate soon and we can get to spend some time in more active play with them outdoors. Zarina’s buddies kept coming to the door and calling to her. She tried to shoo them away. When I asked what they wanted Valentina said the girls were calling her to come with them so they could make her hair beautiful for us. I gave them some M&Ms and they scurried away. Zarina let me comb her hair and give her French braids. She then added some of her new hair clips. Sholpan drew pictures for me while I braided. Sholpan then wanted hers done. That girl has got some thick hair! Her braid was solid. Meanwhile, Keith and Rinat kept busy playing Traffic. Rinat is a strategic thinker and quickly advanced to the higher level games. Since we seemed to be alone out came the Heart cards! It is nice to have something to do that does not require too much communication. Rinat won more often than not. Everyone enjoyed the games win or lose. The children tried the small camera and took some of today’s pictures for us. They really thought that was cool stuff. Oh no, time to go. No tea today. Director Sandi was caught off guard by our early arrival! Besides she was busy telling the children where to plant potatoes. The older groups of children have spent the last couple of days digging holes to plant the garden for food for the winter. Director Sandi says it is “gardening therapy”. I think it is free labor. She loaned some of the kids to older village ladies that can’t dig their own gardens. Actually, they did look like they were having a pretty good time.

After our visit we hurried to the hotel to get Kim for her visit at the baby house. Then we had a nice lunch at the Slavic Restaurant before Valentina had to head to the airport to fetch a new couple from Silver Springs. We had a nice walk to the hotel through the park and did a little shopping. When Kim finished her visit Valentina’s husband, Andrei (yes, John, the mystery man in the flesh) came and accompanied us to the Museum of Nature and History. Andrei is a teacher of English and history in a local school. The museum is newly built and very nice. It would probably make more sense if we could read all of the placards, but it was enjoyable. It relied heavily on taxidermy and bones.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for your great updates. It's wonderful to know how things are going. Time is flying here and we hope it feels the same for you so that you'll proceed to court soon. We're thinking of you both. Happy Mother's Day, Susan!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hopefully the children haven't read "Crime and Punishment" yet, or they'll get the idea to dig holes to plant the older village ladies in the garden, instead of potatoes. I was doing some "garden therapy" myself (digging up the front yard -- the back yard is already full of older neighbor ladies). I had an extra shovel, but no one from Kazakhstan here volunteered to help, instead volunteering to go swimming. Who in the Ministry of Digging should I contact to complain? As for Andrei -- you're wrong! -- we met him at the end of our visit (Linda bet me five tenge we wouldn't meet him, but she never paid up, which makes her an Irish Welsher). I shall buy a few more shovels in anticipation of your return with your most excellent children (but will keep the receipts in case I need to trade them for bathing suits).

    ReplyDelete
  3. P.S.

    Is it Susan who is writing and Keith who is snapping the photos? I give both high marks for their work!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It has become a huge priority to us to get a campground that has wireless internet. Can't make the day without the blog and a cup of coffee. The pictures are great (as is the script. Loved the pic of the 3 of them. Gosh, the girls are about the same height. Just wait til they get a look at your personal collection of 6 foot tall stringbeans (and Matthew the giant)But they need not be intimidated by anyone (except maybe Lucy) Time can't pass soon enough for us and we know that the five of you are back on US soil safely. Much love and a Happy Mothers Day to Susan and one to Keith as well. With this many children everyone has to be Mama sometime! toots &pawpaw

    ReplyDelete