Welcome (Back) to Kazakhstan

The lobby of the Hotel Kazakhstan

We arrived in Almaty a bit late since we had to wait for the fog/smog/smoke to clear enough for the plane to land. We needed a ceiling of at least 250 feet, but only had one of 150. We circled for about 45 minutes. When we asked the flight attendants what would happen if we didn't get the ceiling, they said we would be diverted to Karaganda likely. That is where Adelyn and the others are--oh, only if we could get them a couple days early! That was not to be and literally, we dropped out of the fog and touched down in Almaty as planned. It was scary, but the pilots did a great job landing practically blind-folded. Many passengers clapped!

We were old pros this time, gathering our luggage and clearing customs and we weren't too worried that our driver wouldn't show this time since there were eight people on this flight coming to reunite with their babies. Our drivers were waiting for us outside the baggage claim and we were quickly on our way.

After some issues with going to the hotel we did not request to stay at, we arrived at the Hotel Kazakhstan, we rested a bit, walked down to the grocery store for needed items (mainly water) and then had dinner across the street at the Guiness Pub. Two other families came in early the next morning so we were all back together again on Tuesday morning for breakfast -- just like old times! We arranged a city tour with the hotel and spent about 5 hours visiting several sights in Almaty: Shymkynt ski resort, the Ice Areana they are building for the next Asian Winter Games, Green Market, Tsum Mall, Panfilov Park and Holy Ascension Cathedral. Our tour guide was the best. He even took us out for tea and dessert, in which he insisted on treating. The tour was a nice diversion since we were anxiously awaiting our babies and it helped to pass the time, as well as learn more about Adelyn's birth country.

Holy Ascension Cathedral built in 1907, the 2nd highest wooden building in the World

Memorial to WWII in Panfilov Park

Outside of the Ice Arena that is under construction for the next winter Asian Games

Our group and Andrew at Shymkynt ski resort

Dried Fruits and Nuts at the Green Market

Got Milk?--Specifically Camel's Milk?! Scott was the only adventurous one!

Tuesday evening after our tour, we were anxious since we were waiting word on when the babies would arrive, and finally found out (after our agency had to get involved) at 11pm that they would be coming at 7am or earlier tomorrow. This threw us into a frenzy as we expected them to arrive around 12:30p on the Air Astana flight from Karaganda! How were they arriving? We checked the train schedule and did not see a train arriving at that time....it is a mystery! Time to get some sleep, or pretend like it, since it seems like Christmas Eve......Andrew wants to know how many hours, minutes before HIS baby sister arrives. Our belated Christmas present is about to arrive!! We wonder how she has changed. Had she changed that much from 6 months to 8 months, would she remember us? Would she be afraid with so much to take in? We are so blessed!