Miscellaneous…

It has been a big two days here in Arkalyk. We would have updated yesterday but the phone line just went dead in the middle of the afternoon. Seems the utilities here are not as reliable as we are used to. Today we had a pretty good rain storm with thunder and lightening and all that good stuff and the power was on and off frequently.

So here is a double update…

Yesterday was a big day for two reasons. Starting at the end, we were invited to have dinner with our facilitator Habiba. We knew what building she was in but not which entrance. Luckily all the kids in the neighborhood were playing in the front yard and a simple “gdiya (where) Habiba” provided simple and clear direction to the correct but sorry looking entrance. Once at the door we were ushered into her double sized flat that as expected is very clean and exceptionally well furnished. Western style chicken, potatoes, rice and vegetables were on the menu and we ate heartily. We brought some peva (beer) and she of course had some very good Russian vodka and we all had a great time. She had invited one of her friends over who teaches English at the local institute because she wanted to practice her English with real live Americans. It did not take much vodka and beer to get the conversation flowing and we all had a great time eating way too much and drinking maybe a little too much.

Earlier in the day when we were at the track, Sherri was stopped by a lady who appeared to be working there. She waved to Sherri to go back behind the stands. A minute or two later I came by and we were both encouraged again to go back behind the stands. Our facilitator has warned us frequently about staying in public areas, not talking too much to strangers etc. The stands are concrete and behind them is a concrete fence that makes kind of a small enclosed area. The small space is pretty much filled with old wood and dilapidated parts from some temporary stands or other long since gone structure. The toothless little old man joined us by this time and provided additional encouragement to go around back. At this point, my security training started to kick in and I had to calculate if this was a worthwhile risk. The little old man and the little old lady seemed nice enough and I was pretty sure I could take them if I had to. But most importantly, I knew I could outrun Sherri if only one of us was to get away. So we decided to head on around back. Much to our surprise, they led us to a pretty well stocked fitness center. There were two clean and well lit rooms that contain weight lifting equipment, exercise bikes, treadmills and various other Ab-o-matic type machines. There was no one else there and we presumed that they kept it open late for us. What a pleasant surprise. One thing to note about the people in Kazakhstan is that they are pretty short in general. We try to fit in here but when you are a foot taller than the tallest Kazakh’s, it is rather difficult. The amusing part of the exercise equipment is that it is all designed for these midgets. The bikes and the machines are all built for people up to say 5’6” or so. I am looking for someone to complain to but so far no one is interested. The best part of the whole place though was the old school butt jigglers. In the center of the room they have two of those machines that have a belt that wraps around your butt and wiggles your backside. It is straight out of the Leave it to Beaver show.

Today was a big day for the adoption process. The birth mother signed the petition that allows Jacob to be adopted. There is still a period of time that must pass before the petition is accepted by the judge, but this is an important milestone. Please keep the prayers going that things continue to move along smoothly. Given this accomplishment and the availability of the other documents the current plan is to go to court on the 11th and then start our way back that evening. This would put us home somewhere around the 14th or 15th. All subject to change but it is progress nonetheless.

Piano Man – when we spend our hour or so with Jacob in the morning we are in a room that is basically empty except for a few pieces of furniture and a piano. The picture of Jacob and his peeps is taken in this room. Like a homing pigeon, if you set Jacob down anywhere in the room, he heads straight for the piano. Mago, you better get yours tuned up because there is some piano playing in your future.

Mr Hyde – We finally saw him. It lasted about 5 seconds and then he was happy again, but here it is. Foreshadowing of things to come…

We had a big evening tonight. I answered email from work and Sherri did laundry. We are living the life of true jet setter world travelers.

Until next time....

Tim and Sherri