Friday's breakfast was very fun, with Katiana, one of the Hotel Gazovic's waitresses, taking a very fond liking to Dub, and he to her. She fed him, cleaned him up, and just loved all over him all during breakfast. Lena, for reasons we don't understand, is all of a sudden very shy in public. Who knows. Dub will run to anyone who opens their arms for him, but Lena pouts and won't go to anyone.
After breakfast we decided we'd get some exercise by walking the whole park behind the hotel. Dub and Lena both feigned the need to garshok. Neither went. Lena then decided that she just didn't want to participate at all unless someone carried her. There were pouts, tears, screaming, sitting and refusing to move, and then nothing. We darted from shade tree to shade tree trying to keep cool-ish for about an hour. We were going to give them their first experience hopping around in the water fountains with the other kids, but the thought of lunch and nap time made us postpone that for Saturday.
I'm FREE! I'm FREE!
Our first PB&J! Yummy!
Today we tried a new method of getting them down for naps. We got them all cleaned up from lunch, then rocked them just a little to slow them down. Then we put them in their cribs with a board book and Pooh blankey, and we went into the bathroom, closed the door and read our books until they went to sleep. Took about a half hour and a couple of "JATT!" (that's Kazakh for "lie down") admonitions from Papa. They - then Papa - slept until 330. We packed up most of our belongings until 6pm, when we met Vera, Mit, and the Littlejohns to go have dinner at a traditional Kazakh Yurta.
The view from the floor to the top of the Yurta.
The Yurta waitress, in traditional Kazakh garb.
The food was great, and Dub & Lena were very well behaved. We sat on the floor at low tables, and ate Samsa, Plof, and, much to our chagrin, did shots of Vodka. It's offensive to Russians to say "no" to a drink of Vodka, so we capitulated. The heat of the Yurta (it was 630pm on a 97 degree day and the Yurta is just a really nice TeePee with no A/C) combined with the filling food and the Vodka was sufficient to knock us all down. We let D&L try "Cumus", fermented Mare's milk, which we tried a few weeks ago. It's too much flavor for us bland Americans, and Dub & Lena didn't much like it either. They did eat everything we ate, though.
They love their backpacks. They fill them up and wear them first thing in the morning.
Deciding to make the most of our time in Taraz, we went out to the Taraz square at 9pm to see the lights, people, performers, and to get a picture of D&L with the Rooster. It's "The Year of the Rooster" in China, and the Kazakhs acknowledge that, too. Lots of fun.
It's the year of the Rooster.
This is one of several performing groups we saw on the square Friday night.
A very quick hot bath, 2 books, and the kids took maybe 15 minutes - and NO screaming or crying - to get to sleep. Woo hoo! We even got in one episode of "24"! We're almost done with Season 3!
7am came very early today (now Saturday). Going to be a long day, since we have to catch the Spanish Train to Almaty at midnight tonite. Not sure how we'll do that with D&L, but we're thinking we'll keep them up until we get on the train, then let them crash with the rhythmic rocking on the tracks.
Something new about Dub: in 5 weeks of bonding, he really never said much, other than to parrott what we said to him (Love you, see you, garshok, mama, papa, etc.). On Thursday, he started babbling incoherently, and he hasn't stopped since. Just saying stuff as he thinks it, we guess. When I read to him last night, he babbled something that sounded like the words to the book. As I write, he's just wandering around the hotel room talking. No idea what he's saying. I guess we'll see something new every day as we get to know them more and more and more.
Tomorrow, we'll post from an apartment in Almaty, time TBD.
Blessings,
Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy, and Dopey
4 comments:
Both showing dominant Sandlin genes with the "motor mouth" and the shyness - must have gotten them by osmosis! Hope the train lulls them to sleep - I know it will lull Mama and Papa! Enjoy the journey. Grandma and Papu
So glad you're finally on your way home. It is good to hear that they are rolling with the change in schedule so well. They are lucky to have each other during this major life change. I wonder sometimes what the little ones that get adopted alone feel like adapting to all of the newness. Hope the train ride is not too bad and the next apartment is nice. Keep sending the posts if you have time. As I said before, I have become quite addicted. Love you all, Lisie
I am addicted as well. Guess when you get back to Atlanta I'll have to "get a life". Hope the train ride goes well. Missed your news tonight. Will you have to go back to the town where you have been staying, or are you gone from there for good? Shelly and I talked about your adventure for almost 2 hours today. Just an amazing ordeal for the little ones - and you also. I'll bet they grow up being very close to each other -like best buddies, almost like a twin childs special connection. Makes you realize how lucky we have always been - and our children to be in this country.
I am in awe of you all more each day. Take Care. Kathy
Kids waking up early? never...my kids always slept late...not! Josh and Jess used to delight in coming in to let mommy know they were awake at 5am... : ) I love the stories! Kev, sorry, time to give up naps as you know them! Love Caroline
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