February 2 - 4, 2008

Saturday, Feb 2^nd – left Boston airport at 10pm

Sunday, Feb 3^rd – Arrived in Amsterdam early morning. We had a 7 hour lay over so we took the train to downtown Amsterdam and walked around for a few hours. That was really nice, we were glad we had the time to do that. It was so easy to taking the train right from the airport that we might when coming home go down again. This of course will all depend on how well of a traveler Lincoln is and what the temperature is outside.

Monday, Feb 4^th – Arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan at 5:20am. We thought we were going to fly directly out to Aktobe but once we meet up with our translator, Sania she informed us that we would not be flying out till the next morning. We were not too happy with this but we did end up enjoying our day in Almaty. They took us from the airport to our hotel. We spent a few hours getting settled in and had breakfast. This breakfast was ok, it really was not too great but it was food. Then at noon time Lena who is our Wide Horizons in country rep came to our hotel to take us out sight seeing. We first walked to a restaurant and had lunch which was very good. Then from there we walked around the city. She explained different things about the city. She took us to a beautiful old church. When it was build it was made from wood but they used no nails. They carved notches and holes from the wood and fit them together like a puzzle. The church still holds services on Sundays. Next to the church was the World War Memorial this was really nice too and we were glad that we saw it. It was really super cold walking around that day. So when we were ready to go back to the hotel Lena taught us about getting a taxi. Everyone is a taxi. You stand on the side of the road in the direction you want to head and stick your thumb out. When someone stops you tell them where you are trying to go and what you are willing to pay them. If they agree you jump in and they take you there. They drive crazy fast and weave in and out around each other and people walking. They do not believe in people walking have the right away so you have to be very careful and fully alert so you make it safely.

** We are traveling with another couple that is also using our same adoption agency, Wide Horizons. They are Gen and Joel and they live in New Jersey. They are also adopting a son, Gabriell. Gabriell was born on May 10th so he is just a little younger than our guy. Joel, Gen, Eric and I do everything together so when I mention them you will know who they are. Plus they will probably be in some pictures that we post during out stay. It has been fantastic to have them here with us both from the support and sharing of the experience. We help to keep each other company and just being able to have a normal conversation with out pointing and acting out what we are trying to say makes life seem some what normal.