Sunday, July 29, 2007

What's Going On In Kostanai

Sunday, July 29, 2007
11:55 am (Kazakhstan) & 1:50 am (East Coast)

Greetings from hotel Medeu: www.medeuhotel.kz / phone # 0117-3142-545-845 / room # 206. We thought it would be fun to share what a typical day in Kostanai is like for us: First of all, the days have been flying by; we are so busy taking care of our primary needs, walking to market to pick up water & supplies. We can only buy a few things at a time because we have to carry everything. We wake up each morning at 6:30 am, shower & get ready to have breakfast at 7:30 am at the hotel. We usually drink a liter of water “water with out gas” which is your typical American bottled water-they also have, “water with gas” which is sparkling water. (No Diet Pepsi & No Ice for Christy). Larry on the other hand loves the coffee and tea is very popular served with honey, milk, lemon, condensed milk or even jam. For breakfast (everything is homemade), we usually have bread with jam, eggs with chicken and potatoes, and Larry’s favorite “Ellada” a breakfast salad with sheep’s milk cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, Bulgarian pepper, fresh pickles and flour oil. Our driver “Andre” picks us up for 1000 Tenge round trip and we go to the Baby House every morning from 9:30 -11:00 am. (It’s the best part of our day!!).
When we come back in the afternoon, we usually have our main mid-day meal. Fortunately for us, our neighbors (who are from Harrisburg, PA) come with us and they have been studying Russian for over a year-which really helps because most of the menus are in full Russian. Amy and Galen know many of the great restaurants and sights to see so we have been having an amazing time. We have really fallen in love with the culture. The town square is beautiful, children and families are out and about –everyone walks all over here. It’s daylight from about 4:30 am until 11:00 pm this time of year and we love all the sunlight!!! Christy’s favorite thing is the Hot Chocolate with whipped cream-it’s like homemade, warm chocolate pudding in a cup-delicious! We think Rachel Ray should come here to do her $ 40.00 a day in Kostania. The food is really good-foreign but truly good! Since the fall of the Soviet Union, and especially during the past 5 years, small Russian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Kazak cafes have been popping up all over. We actually even found pizza-a thin crust-it was very good. The people seem interested in us; they are friendly and want to try a word of English or two. We are doing the best we can to learn some Russian-we want to continue to use some Russian words with Norah when she comes home. At the Baby House, her caregivers call her “Irina or Irrika”. Yesterday we went to an enormous outdoor market-it seemed to go on for miles! The locals have little huts with everything; kitchen sinks, household items, clothing, and food, you name it! Larry says it’s like their version of home depot, Wal-Mart and a super market all rolled into one. We are looking forward to going bowling, and to a Russian movie. We had our 4th precious day with Norah-she has a little bit of a cold and fell asleep on Daddy. She is beautiful! We’re so in love. Talk to you all soon. Love Christy, Larry & Norah xo

7 comments:

Aunt Jennifer said...

I am so happy to see and hear about "What is going on in Kostanai!" It is great to know that you are experiencing Norah's culture and enjoying it so much. The pictures show that she too is enjoying her time with Mommy and Daddy. Some day seeing this Blog will mean a lot to her!

Is there a story behind the scarfs on your heads? I noticed the woman in the background is also wearing one??

Nothing new to report from Norwich. Just know that we love you lots and can't wait to meet Norah! Be safe and enjoy!

Aunt Sandy & Uncle John said...

Good morning from Oswego. Uncle John,Uncle Bob,Carlee and I have enjoyed the pictures as well as your blog. You are making us feel like we are actually right there and a major part of your great adventure.

Looking at Norah I see you and Larry in her a perfect blend of you both. Right now I see Larry's wonderful coloring and your beautiful heart shape face. I know We'll see so much more in the weeks to come.
We are so anxious to see the Abrams family in person. Hugs and kisses to you all.
Love,Aunt Sandy and Uncle John

tuschinski said...

Ohmigawd...I just want to squeeze all of you. What a little beauty. She is super healthy and her ability to lift her head and arms whil on her belly: super.
Peter and I are thrilled that you are EXPERIENCING the world around you.
Christy, now we can exchange all of our cultural whoopsies! Only later could I laugh about the experiences that made me cry. Big kiss for not letting it stop you. Oh and when you don't know what to do, crying is good. Nobody wants to make a pretty blonde cry. Ö
Larry, have you started sampling the beers? Any preference?
Back to Norah... mmmmm.
Peter is away for another week. At least he was here for Will's birthday. We would sum the bday up as perfect. Four little boys playing in a fabulous park, water balloon fights, and a Henry the steam engine cake that kept me up until 1:30am to make. It was the most difficult cake I ever made. Will loved it.
We took Hayden school clothes shopping at the Tangier outlets. She is all set for school and the shopping was actually really fun. A great mother-daughter day.
Hayden has a job as mothers helper and loves it. She also likes all the money she earns. How fast they grow up.
Love to you. Oh and the Fern is still happy.

jim said...

Hi again, Love the pictures. Its great to learn about the cutlure and life with you. I hope to get mom and dad over here to see and read everything.

We can see more and more of Norah's personality and expressions in her face. She's so beautiful.

Miss you so much. At lease with the blog and phone calls you don't seem so far away. Be safe and we love you.

Deb

sandy davis said...

She is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS ! Jusy like her mommy!
I love the one of Norah and Christy- the eye contact is so Mom-daughter!
Not to slight Dad...you look like a pro- that is because you exude happiness !
She just FITS ! There are actualy no words for how happy we are for you all!
Stay well- and keep the pics coming!
Hugs,
Sandy and Lee Davis

Debbie and Allyson said...

We LOVE the pictures and hope you keep adding more.

Kostanai is more beautiful than we could imagine.

We hope to talk to you soon.

We're in Richmond, Indiana..at your house tomorrow. We wish all three of you were going to be there to greet us..but we are so glad you're where you are.

So much love to all three of you!!
Allyson and Brittany

Lorilee said...

Christy and Larry,

There are just no words that would describe how happy we are for you.
You are a beautiful family and Norah is the luckiest girl in the world. She hit the jackpot, as did the two of you!

What a beautiful place you are in. I think it is great that you will have time to soak up the culture. You should buy some cookbooks and newspapers to bring home.

Since you will be there for awhile, is there an address where you can receive mail? Care of the hotel.

Enjoy the whole experience, be safe, and don't take any more inappropriate pictures.

xoxo

Paul and Lorilee