It is Muslim New Year today. Out on a run this morning, quite a few more yurts appeared overnight. This is close to where the parade route ends, and where the party goes on for the rest of the day (and night).
People come from all over the region for the one day street party and set up their camp sites.
Food and drink are plentiful. Here are some vendors with the woks and smokers already fired up some hours before the parade.
By the time we got the kids fed and bundled up, the sky turned gray and it began to rain for the first time since we came here. The following are some pictures of the last half of the parade.
More Kukla Chronicles
Here are the latest entries to our Kukla collection. A girl in camo pants, Shrek, and a Made in China rendition of Michael Jordan with Superman cape. The kids still prefer the original Kukla.
The salad bowl continues to be a crowd pleaser. Also, Katja loves this hat that her Uncle Joel and Aunt Sandy gave us right before our trip!
Delicious looking breads and pastries.
We really planned on being out and about amongst the festivities a lot longer, but the weather really turned horrible as soon as we stepped outside. Rain and snow and very windy. The kids were really getting drenched even though we have our deluxe stroller and they were bundled as well as any local Kaz kids! We received a lot of smiles and stares from people in the parade and people passing by as I don't think they see many double-strollers here. The rest of the day was the usual routine of naps, food, playing and then finally bedtime. We just aren't the same entertaining, out and about couple from our earlier days (and nights) here in Karaganda. There are a few bartenders and waitresses missing us right now! :) That's ok. This is a whole new kind of fun!
If you look closely you can see a couple of men in the parade looking over at us and smiling at the sight of Artome and Katja. Artome bobbed his head up and down every time the band started up!
This Police Officer kept checking us out and staring at the kids. I think I saw him almost smile, but I wasn't going to stare back! :)
