We are definitely back in Kaz. How can I be so certain? Because I just had beets & pickled cauliflower for breakfast, & Russian MTV was playing in the background with an over-dub of “vintage” Justin Timberlake. Definitely in Kazakhstan.
We completed the first 24-hours of our trip here, and arrived at the Hotel Kazzhol, Almaty, in the wee hours of Christmas Eve morning. Going through immigration & customs in Almaty was a far less intimidating experience than in Kostonai, which was a relief. After stealing 4 hours of sleep this morning, we were very pleasantly surprised by both the shower (hot, clear, high pressure water!) and the buffet breakfast at the hotel (4 different pickled veggie salads to choose from!). The temps are no colder here in Almaty than at home, but there is a nice covering of snow. We will have a little time to wander around this AM before returning to the airport for our flight to Kostonai. I don’t think we’ll get to see Aliya tonight, but am hoping this will be first on the agenda for Christmas morning.
It is nice to be back here (though, I suppose technically, having not been to Almaty before, this is still new territory). Nevertheless, everything has a nice nostalgic feel to it- the architecture; the banners of scrolling, festive colored lights everywhere; the fur-rimmed coats; the ubiquitous Kaz-pop music; the soft rumbling background of Russian voices, and the burst of excitement when I catch a word I know. I’d already forgotten small details, such as the effort put into interior decorating, obvious in all the restaurants, hotels and shops, and the patterns stamped into the sidewalks.
Hopefully by this time tomorrow, we’ll be snuggling the little baby girl.
We completed the first 24-hours of our trip here, and arrived at the Hotel Kazzhol, Almaty, in the wee hours of Christmas Eve morning. Going through immigration & customs in Almaty was a far less intimidating experience than in Kostonai, which was a relief. After stealing 4 hours of sleep this morning, we were very pleasantly surprised by both the shower (hot, clear, high pressure water!) and the buffet breakfast at the hotel (4 different pickled veggie salads to choose from!). The temps are no colder here in Almaty than at home, but there is a nice covering of snow. We will have a little time to wander around this AM before returning to the airport for our flight to Kostonai. I don’t think we’ll get to see Aliya tonight, but am hoping this will be first on the agenda for Christmas morning.
It is nice to be back here (though, I suppose technically, having not been to Almaty before, this is still new territory). Nevertheless, everything has a nice nostalgic feel to it- the architecture; the banners of scrolling, festive colored lights everywhere; the fur-rimmed coats; the ubiquitous Kaz-pop music; the soft rumbling background of Russian voices, and the burst of excitement when I catch a word I know. I’d already forgotten small details, such as the effort put into interior decorating, obvious in all the restaurants, hotels and shops, and the patterns stamped into the sidewalks.
Hopefully by this time tomorrow, we’ll be snuggling the little baby girl.
2 comments:
I'm glad you made it to Almaty safely. Good luck with everything on your whirlwind trip. We hope to see a new picture of sweet Aliya and her parents celebrating Christmas together!
Thinking of you,
John, Jenny, and Roxana
Wow, amazing you are there once again. I hope court goes smoothly and that we will see pictures of the happy family celebrating Christmas.
Sending positive thoughts.
Sandi
Post a Comment