Day Twenty or...

In the Air Again

Our evening with Katya went well. We brought home pizza from the pizza place again, and Katya ate 4 slices. The last two, she ate like an American, with her fingers! After dinner we had some ice cream and watched Lady & the Tramp II.

The movie was delayed a bit, because I had started to put a few things away, and Katya became upset thinking of us leaving. So, Mama and Katya spent some quality snuggle time, until the tears were gone.

Soon, it was time for bed. But it was very warm in the hotel suite, and no one really got as much sleep as they needed.

After showers and cleaning up in the morning, we headed downstairs for blineys. Before we knew it, Marina arrived and it was time to take Katya back to the Shelter and say our goodbyes.

We were able to see Galina and thank her for all the love and care she has given to our girl. Mama got teary eyed when it was time to say our goodbyes, but Katya handled it pretty well.

Then it was back to the hotel for some intense packing. We were done with only minutes to spare, and we lugged all our luggage downstairs. At 1:40 p.m., we were off to the airport.

Marina was with us on the plane as far as Kokshetau, which is about 35 minutes flying time from Petropavlovsk. She was going to catch a train to Astana and arrive at midnight. She was scheduled to meet another adoptive family in the morning at the Astana airport, and then take them on to Akkol, where they would be picking up the two children they had adopted.

We said our goodbyes on the plane, and it was difficult, even though we will see her again in just over two weeks. I don't think Cameron realized we were saying our final goodbyes to her, as he kept asking for her after we arrived in Almaty. I know he is very fond of her.

The second leg of the flight was about 2 1/2 hours, and Cameron slept almost the entire way. He fell asleep shortly after takeoff and I had to wake him right before we landed.

Dilnosa and Andrei were waiting for us at the airport, and we lugged all our luggage out to his Machina. They brought us back to our apartment, a different one than last time. We calculate that we have stayed in four different apartments in Almaty now.

After a quick cleanup, we were off to the Ramstore to buy food for dinner. We made ourselves a delicous supper of spaghetti and French bread, with ice cream for dessert. Our neighbor downstairs was quick to call us complaining of a headache and to please ask "the child" to stop running around. Okay, how do you tell a 34 month old, who was on a plane for 4 1/2 hours not to run around???!!!???

Then it was off to sleepyland.

I will try to post some pictures of scenes around Almaty and the apartment in the next installment. We arrived back to lush trees, grass, and tulips blooming all over the city. I truly beautiful sight, with plenty of sunshine and blue skies.