Out for a run again this morning, with a hat this time. About seven blocks from our apartment is the Karaganda version of Greenlake Park.( a Seattle institution for those not familiar) A nice trail of about a mile and a half around. This is the happening place during the summer with beer gardens, rides for kids, and food stands.
Nastia tells us that people occasionally cut holes in the ice for a swim. I caught a shot of this person shaving a few minutes off the walk to work by going straight across the lake.
Dr Tjarnberg: Sometimes you find a sign that needs no translation.
We noticed this Vegas tribute our first day in Karaganda. We drive and wak by it frequently. Not that we're fixated on it or anything! Ahhh... Vegas. Good times! I think eventually, Katja and Artome will give us their permission to go back for a quick trip so they can be spoiled by Mor-Mor! (Cecelia's mother)
We're not trying to make everyone cry every day as they read this site, but today was pretty special. After lunch, our interpretor Nastia was kind enough to accompany us on a clothes and shoe shopping expedition. In addition to basics like socks, undewear and winter jackets for the kids we also purchased their first pairs of shoes!
We had traced their feet on a piece of paper for lack of a better way to figure out their sizes. We were then able to figure out about what size they wear thanks to a nice clerk who pulled out her tape measure (the customer service here is fantastic!) and she knew immediately what we needed.
We brought the shoes with us to our afternoon visit to try them on. The reaction from Katja was absolutely priceless! Here at the Baby House they have 'community shoes", a cabinet (you've seen pictures of the kids playing in the shoe cabinet) with various sizes and types of shoes and the kids wear whatever fits. They have never had a pair of shoes purchased just for them. Her eyes lit up when we pulled them out of the bag. We told them (in our broken Russian/half English) that these were THEIR shoes. THEIR shoes only! Artome seemed semi-pleased and even put his on without his usual whimper (he doesn't like wearing shoes). Katja's reaction? Well, check out the pictures!
When we were packing up to leave at the end of our visit she tried to put the new shoes in the "community shoes cabinet". I said to her, "No, Katja's shoes!" and I put them in our green duffel bag that we bring each day. She looked up at me and smiled the biggest smile as she knew that it meant she didn't have to share these shoes with anyone else and they are hers! Wow.
They are starting to play together more and more. It is wonderful to watch them get to know each other. In case it is not obvious, we are enamoured with our children! :)
One happy Artome!
Katja will need many purses and bags!
The Babushka's sent Katja out this morning with this fetching Kazakh Princess bow in her hair.
Nastia advises us that it is very dangerous to cross the lake at this time of year.
Hola! to our friends tuning in from Espana, Norway and anywhere else! Please contact us if you are somewhere else in the world.
