October 4: Packing Day

Although we’re not leaving for the airport until midnight tonight, the day was full of packing, and a brief trip to the US Embassy (or Consulate, we’re not sure), for Josie’s visa. Mira picked us up at 3:00. We arrived at 3:30 for a 4:00 appointment, and while there wasn’t exactly a line of people waiting to be helped, it’s still a US government office, and at 4:02 they called our name. At 4:07 we were done. We had filled in a survey while waiting, paid the fee, and then the woman behind the counter explained Packet A is for the check-in at the Almaty airport, and Packet B, the secret sealed envelope, is for US Customs in San Francisco. No problems, and we were headed back.

We had lunch at the “Lipton place” just outside the apartment. Vanessa said in yesterday’s post (or maybe the day before’s) that non-English menus are a big problem. It’s true, but even when they have English menus, in the little café places, I’d estimate that 90% of the time, at least one of our orders is wrong. It’s a drag, but it would be WAY too much trouble to explain it, and wait for the right thing. It hasn’t been a problem at all at the nicer restaurants, but in the cafes, I just don’t think they’re trying.

It’s early evening now, and we’re all dreading the trip home. Mom and Liam are napping, Vanessa is finishing the packing, I’m writing this, and Josie is rolling on the floor, completely unaware of the next 30 hours. Ah, to be clueless.

Mira and Genne (Gyene, whatever) are picking us up at 12:00. The flight’s not until 3:30 am, but we want to check in super early so we can get a Bulkhead row and a bassinette. Then, we wait a couple hours. Sit on a plane for 7 hours. Wait for 7 hours. Sit on a plane for 9 hours, and then drive home in what will probably be commute traffic. Oh joy. Help!

Ok, that’s it. Technically, the trip isn’t over, so I won’t wrap up just yet. I’ll put one more page up when we get home. After that, stay tuned to the site for more Josie and Liam getting used to each other and her to her new surroundings.