No water, No power, No girl

I hope everyone had a good Easter weekend. We don't really have anymore news yet. We were taken for lunch yesterday to this little cafe and enjoyed a traditional Kazak dish...now by enjoy I meant Andrew kind of liked it and I didn't really. It was a little too bland and greasy for my liking. Andrew did have three helpings though. That is the one thing I am starting to get sick of here...greasy food. You really can't get away from it. Now there was a comment about getting perogies while here...nope, not a chance. We are in Kazakhstan not the Ukraine. Any of you that think McDonalds is greasy you are soooooo wrong. I would kill to have a McDonalds burger right now...purely because it would (1) taste better and (2) be healthier then most of the food here.

Well back to the title of this blog...yesterday we awoke with no water. This means Andrew gets to remain smelly (I always smell good) and we have to pour water out of our stash for the toliet (our stash is from the taps...we fill up old bottles of water to use in these cases). We were taken for lunch at around 1 pm and when we returned to the hotel the power was out as well. This makes for not so much to do...thank goodness we have a long battery life on my laptop (and a back up battery). We didn't use them though. I think we napped for an hour and then read for a while longer. The power/water fluctuated from about 4 pm till this morning. We woke up with water and power...whew!

You have all been asking for pictures...well we can't put photos of our girl up yet (not for another 2 weeks approximately) but I do have some more of the city of Kyzylorda.


This is the Russian Orthodox Church we went to. We don't have pictures of the inside yet...I didn't want to interrupt the baptism ceremony to take photos. We are going to go back in the next week or so to get some photos.


This is the train station in Kyzylorda. It is very old but many people still travel across Kazakhstan using this method. It is a beautiful building...we haven't gone inside yet. Actually, we were never asked if we wanted to go inside. I'll have to ask our translator about this. It was bulit in the tail end of the 19th Century.

Oh by the way...it is 17 degrees Celcius today. Just thought you all would like to know. We went shopping today and we didn't wear jackets. People did look at us like we were crazy for not wearing a coat but oh well.


This is a photo of what their apartment complexes look like...and this is a nice set of apartments. We dropped off our translator one day and I was saddened to see where she lived. They all live in apartments...that is how you fit so many people in so small an area. Our home in Saskatoon is a palace (of course I knew this already but it is highlighted even more by this trip).


This is a computer store in the sort of downtown area. Now normally people would go to the bazaar to buy most things, which means that the things in this store will be expensive. The things at the bazaar are typically cheaper then their stores. This store would be their equivalent to a Future Shop.


Now this is a bad picture but the only one I could take while we were driving by this place. This may look like a cement plant but it is actually an operational rice factory. They don't have many of these anymore. The oil and gas industry (as well as mining) has sort of replaced this industry. In terms of what the people do here for employment. Funny story...on our way from Almaty to Kyzylorda we heard two men talking in English. Upon closer inspection of their conversation we could make out that they were talking about the Fort McMurray Oil Sands project and how they are taliking of expanding into Saskatchewan. When we were boarding the plane we asked the gentleman where he was from? He replied Canada...I wanted to say Duh...we probed further and found out he is from the southern end of Saskatoon. Small World! He works for Cameco and they have a mine approximately 3 hours south of Kyzylorda. He gave us his business card too. Neat eh?

Well that should be enough for you all today. I hope things are going well. Keep up the good thoughts, prayers and pixie dust for us...it looks to be working. Miss you all.

Killing Time in Kyzylorda

We are sooooo bored right now. We are entertaining ourselves with our DVDs but we are just killing time. I know what you all are thinking "go out and do something". Well that is easier said then done. Kyzylorda doesn't have much to entertain its citizens that can speak Russian let alone those who can't. They have closed the casinos, theaters and video game arcades all for the good of their people. Thus we can't even go see a poorly dubbed American movie. We went shopping yesterday and that helped kill 3 hours. I bought a dress for our girl for Nerissa's wedding, a pink velour track suit and 5 pairs of tights in various colors. Kat you will be glad to hear a pair of the tights are in pride colors. We had a power outage for most of yesterday and we were not able to connect to the internet until now...that is why the delay in our post. It has rained here for two days...thank goodness...and the dust has been kept at bay by this. We were able to open our window for most of yesterday and today. We have finished Criminal Minds and have moved onto Numb3rs. Andrew and I like this series too! We went grocery shopping yesterday and picked up a few essentials...specifically soft TP. This soft TP is 4 ply and cost us over $7 US for 8 rolls. Now I know you may not want to know about our TP but here this is an important issue. Their TP is normally like tissue paper or streamers...not what a girl wants to be using (smile).

We have taken advantage of one of the hobbies open to us at the hotel...Russian billards. Okay this is the most difficult form of billards I have ever seen. We don't know the rules but the openings for the ball are just a smidge bigger then the ball itself. The table is bigger then a snooker table...so you can imagine. It took us one hour and we only sunk 8 out of 15 balls. These balls all have numbers on them but not in sequence...and there are doubles. We were playing flukesies (sp)...if we got one in we were happy. Andrew beat me 5 to 3...I set him up for all the good shots and he left me squat (Andrew says biased writing...). I gave him a raspberry in response. I am typing therefore I get to put what I want. We are stretching what we can put in a post.

A short update today...our girl is still getting better and her breathing has improved even more. She is still in the hospital and it is likely we won't see her for another 6 days...Andrew is staying optimistic that they will change their minds and make this time shorter (I'm not as optimistic and am counting down the days).

Oh! Happy Easter! Tomorrow is Easter Sunday here and I think it is the same in Canada. Enjoy your Easter dinners...we will again be in the hotel restaurant as we don't want to bother our translator with her family. Though she did say she will bring us Easter eggs tomorrow. I am so craving ham and scalloped potatoes right now. Their ham is significantly different...way, way, way too salty, and dark red in color. I also want a huge bowl of corn (I know I am allergic but oh well). Well we have had some beer and Andrew says he is going to pass out. I'll end it there for today. Have a good Easter!

Good News!!

We have heard from our translator today that our little one's fever has broken and that she is breathing better. This is good news! She will still remain in the hospital for a while longer yet but we don't have to worry so much. Our coordinator has gone to Almaty today to talk to the doctor about coming to Kyzylorda to complete the Immigration medical, secure our Russian VISAs for next month, see if she can pick up our fedex package (instead of them continuing to send it to us here) and get some other paperwork completed. We still will not be able to visit our little girl but at least we know she is getting better. I am so relieved!

Today's entry is going to be short...we have updated you on our girl's progress, we are still in our room watching Criminal Minds, and are eating well. No worries...now.

PS. Thanks for all the comments...we really appreciate hearing from all of you. We are definitely feeling the love these thousands of kilometers between us. Thanks for the hopes, prayers and pixie dust ;)

Sad day...but hopefully not too sad

Today is a sad day for us...our little girl was admitted to the hospital this morning. They think she has some fluid in her lungs and might have pneumonia. We are praying that she will get better soon but we might be without a visit for another ten days. Obviously this means our trip to Almaty has been postponed for the time being. Our coordinator is going to Almaty tomorrow to try and convince the doctor to come to Kyzylorda to do the medical for immigration. Andrew and I are trying not to be too worried about the hospital stay but are losing at this. I am extremely terrified as I have had heard of children not surviving this. I also have experience with children I care about passing away. It seems I have found my faith again and I have been praying to any God that will hear me to keep an eye on our little girl. Andrew is sad and has been cuddling one of the toys we have brought...I put the hat that Sharon bought for her in Saskatoon on it...and looking at pictures we have taken. We put the hat from Nana on our girl's head the first day we met her...it kind of smells like her. I'm sorry that todays log isn't as up beat as the previous but you guys wanted honesty so here it is.

We tried to distract ourselves today...we went to the bazaar in the morning (we didn't hear about our girl until early afternoon). I found two pairs of jeans that seem to have been made for me...the fit like a glove. Andrew likes the fact that they are stretch and a little form fitting. We were told the news while shopping today and it really made me sad (and not up for more shopping). I did try to distract myself with more shopping but all I really wanted to do was go back to the hotel and cry. I knew we would have hoops to jump through while here but when is it going to stop? We are nice people and do nice things and seem to have some interesting karma right now. Any thoughts and prayers would be really appreciated right now.

Normally I wouldn't say I am an overly religious person but I think having children makes a person believe in a higher power. A few days ago we went into a Russian Orthodox Church and it was amazing. This church was built in 1878 and had a presence about it. There were idols on all the walls and they even have a picture of the Holy Mother that has bled. Again I don't normally say things like this but it was like I could feel God's (or whatever you want to call it...fate, buddah, karma) presence there. It was a really nice feeling. The priest (if this is what the term is) was very nice and welcomed us in. He also invited us to witness a baptism and we stayed. Even though I couldn't understand what he was saying on some level I did. I don't know how to put it...it was like something he was saying was familiar. Now you don't all have to go and worry that I have fallen off the deep end or that a fish without the word Darwin is going to appear on my vehicle. I am just sharing the experience.

I hope I haven't scared to many of you. I needed to talk and I guess you all get to be my audience. Andrew says it is cathartic (spelling?). Well we are going to go back to watching DVDs now. Today we watched Criminal Minds (boy is it good) and now I think something light and cartoony is on the menu. Lots of love to you all...keep the good thought for our girl coming. Paka Paka (Bye Bye).

Shashleek is good!

Today is the day 2.5 with no visit to the little one...and again we are told we cannot visit her tomorrow. However, there is a good and bad side to this. Good side...she will hopefully be feeling a little better for the cross-country trip that I am taking with her on Thursday. Bad side...Andrew will have to go a total of 6.5 days without seeing his little girl. We love her and want her to get better soon. I have told Andrew that it won't be all giggles while she is with me in Almaty. Likely, she will be still a little sick...so I get to deal with a cranky, sick toddler for the trip. I am still looking forward to it though!

We took our translator and coordinator out for lunch today. They took us to a restaurant known for its Shashleek...this is a BBQ (fire usually) kebab of sort. They marinade the meet in vinegar and spices and then flame broil it. It is sooooo good! Andrew ate so much that we were all looking at his as to say "where is he putting it all?" Other then that we finished Season 2 of Enterprise (minus one episode...we know it is going to be a cliff hanger so we are not watching it until we have Season 3 in front of us). We have started watching Criminal Minds Season 1 and boy is it good! I'm glad we have all the DVDs with us...they help us pass the time. Kyzylorda isn't much of a tourist town...they don't even print maps of the city off. We could get one of the country or region but not a city specific map. Other then that we look at photos of our little girl (both printed out and on the laptop). I can't wait until after court and we can introduce you all to her.

Tomorrow we are going shopping!!! Our people here are taking us to a Bazzaar (think large flea market) and to the closest thing they have to a mall. I need pants. I only brought 3 pairs of jeans and I would like to have another option to wear besides my Geology sweats (they say Geology on the butt). Plus, I have seen the women here sporting some fabulous handbags and boots...I want me some! My travel purse is great for airplanes (large) but not for day to day needs...especially when I have a diaper bag a little larger with me as well. Well that's all for today. I'm sorry it isn't more interesting. Andrew has said he will post while I'm in Almaty. I'm not sure what my internet access will be...hopefully I can call him and update him to the going ons day to day. Well adios for now.

Still No Girl Sighted

Well today is day 1.5 of no visit with our little girl. We were also told today that we will not be able to see her tomorrow...she has a fever (37.2-37.3 degrees C)and we don't want her to get any worse. We understand that she is sick and want very much for her to get better...but I now know what child withdrawl feels like and I don't like it (my mom will get the reference).

So to keep ourselves busy today we went and paid for airline tickets to Almaty. I am going with our little girl and her caregiver to Almaty on Thursday to see a doctor there. This is so she can get her Canadian Immigration Medical done. We will fly out on Thursday early afternoon and not return until Saturday early afternoon. While gone I get to take care of my little girl...all under the watchful eye of her caregiver that is. I have met this caregiver before and she is very nice. I am sure she will give me lots of advice and I am ok with that...I can raise her the way I want when back in Canada, but until then I will listen and learn. We also watched CARS today and we loved it! If you haven't seen this movie yet go and watch it right now. It is so cute and has a very good lesson in it. Other then that we watched BBC world news. This is the only program/channel that we have in English here. Sometimes we switch to RU.TV, which is the Russian music channel. We don't understand a word of what they are saying but their videos are quite funny. All the female pop stars are gorgeous and the male ones are old...and I mean OLD.

Back to the tour...


This is our first hotel room in Almaty. It cost us 22 thousand tenge a night ($160 US)...it really wasn't worth it. The bed was incredibly hard. Imagine sleeping on plywood or a Klingon bed (for those geeks reading this). The last night we were there it rained and in the morning the ceiling was leaking on us...thank goodness we were awake already.



This is our hotel room in Kyzylorda. It is much nicer! It has two queen size beds...one of which we are using to put our luggage on top of and the other to sleep. These beds are much more comfortable then the first hotel. Not as comfy as home but not bad for hotel beds. This hotel is also way more cost effective. We get breakfast included (which I don't usually have as I'm not that hungry in the morning) and we get 15% off our other meals in their restaurant. Again the food here is quite good. I found a new discovery one night while reading the menu...spaghetti with cream oil. Anyone fancy a guess to what this is? Yep, it is spaghetti and butter. A culinary favorite of mine when lazy. So I have been eating this when I need some comfort...and I haven't reacted might I add.

A normal day (not recently but oh well) for us is us getting up at 8 am, Andrew rushing downstairs for breakfast like he has never eaten anything in his life, and then getting picked up at 10 am for our first visit. After the visit we go to the grocery store (if we need to) to pick up water or food stuff. After this we are dropped back at the hotel and we amuse ourselves with DVDs until 4 pm when we are picked up for our afternoon visit. After this visit we get dropped back at the hotel and do our web logging, email checking, etc. At around 6-7 pm we have supper in the hotel restauant. Finally we return to the room and watch DVDs until 9-10 pm when we go to sleep. Then again starts this cycle. You might be asking why don't we go for a walk or something...well it is extremely dusty here. My allergies and well just breathing isn't too good for long periods of time outside. Also, it is cold here right now (for here that is) and it isn't much of an inducement to go and brave the dust. Also air quality is a little different in comparison to home. Combine these with the fact that pedestrians do not have the right of way and it is a little dangerous to go outside really.

More pictures...


This is the hospital our little girl was born at! We are having a little discussion on our side here...Andrew thinks that he heard no men at all were allowed in this maternity hospital, while I think our translator said no men allowed in the birthing rooms. We will check back with her about this...we have said before she is pregnant and thus knows about these things.

The phone number for our cellphone was a little incorrect...instead of a 8 just use the country code of 7 when dialing. Well that should be enough for today. Andrew is now pacing within the internet room as I think a spec of dust has flown by him. Sorry guys his attention is gone. We'll put some more pics up tomorrow. Miss you.

Pray/send good thought that our girl gets better soon. Withdrawl pains are quite high right now.

Tour of Kyzylorda

Today was a semi-eventful day. We were allowed to visit our girl this morning but not this afternoon...or tomorrow. She is still sick and they want her to sleep and stay indoors. Where we visit her she has to be taken out of one building and into another one. We want her to get better but we miss her terribly. When she is uncomfortable while sick she acts just like her dad...she tosses and turns and makes little cooing noises. We cut our visit short today as well...she really just wanted to sleep and she couldn't get comfy on us. They want her to get better soon as I (Nadine) have to take her to Almaty on Thursday (with a caregiver) by plane for her Canadian Immigration Medical. So maybe if she is allowed to sleep undisturbed she might get better faster. Please have your good thoughts go to her right now.

Well since we really can't post too much about our girl today we thought we would give you a little tour of the city of her birth. We were taken by our interpretor and our coordinator on a little tour of Kyzylorda today. Size wise think of a tour of Saskatoon (population wise) and a small town (Cochrane/Canmore) area wise.



This first photo is of me in front of the first monument we have visited. This monument is to a Kazak historian who documented the life of the Kazak people. This monument is across the street from a big river that runs near Kyzylorda. I can't remember the name of the river right now but you can look it up if you want (google maps).



This second photo is of the world war II monument. In this one you might be able to notice that the eternal flame that is suppose to be burning in the center of it is out. It is too costly to pay for the petrol needed to keep this flame going so they let it burn out. Not shown in this photo is the two artillery pieces (big guns) flanking it. It has the dates on either side of the tower and the old Soviet star on the top.

Since we don't get to visit the little one tomorrow we will post more of our city pics then. We also might be taken to a Russian Orthodox church...again. We liked it so much the first time we are going back again...more on that tomorrow.

If any of you want to call us we now have a SIM card for our cellphone. We are unsure how to internationally call here but the number for our phone is...
8-777-613-37-02

Miss you all. We hope things are going well in your guys' lives. Keep the comments coming...besides visits with the girl it is all we look forward to.