We got up at 0530, packed and headed to the lobby. I paid for our hotel bill using my MasterCard. This was the only time I used a card on this trip. It cost $130 for 2 night. I thought that was very reasonable. Our driver picked us up at 0630 just like he said he would. Throughout our trip I was impressed how prompt everybody was. If we were to be picked up at 0700 the driver was there at 0700.
We were flying Air Astana from Almaty to Qyzylorda. The plane was a turbo prop, German made, Fokkers. The plane was full. Most of the passengers appeared to be business men. Qyzylorda has large oil reserves that are being developed. Canada and China are helping Kazakhstan develop their oil fields. The plane trip took about 2 hours.
Unlike Almaty that appears to get some rain, Qyzylorda is in a desert. Not a blade of grass can be found. The Province that Qyzylorda is located in has the highest population of Muslims and native Kaz people. When we landed we were met by our driver and translator. They drove us to the baby house. We had our first opportunity to meet our new granddaughter. I think she was overwhelmed by all the attention. She did not walk during our 1 hour visit.
We did meet Karen Welsh who was bonding with the little boy she was adopting. Karen works for AID in Almaty. She has a car and drove from Almaty to Qyzylorda. It took her 2 days.
The agency that is working with Tasha provides the driver, translator and also an apartment. Tasha looked at 2 apartments. The one she selected was in a building that was a Soviet era public housing project. We were on the third floor and it was a walk up, no elevator. The apartment consisted of a bedroom, living room, washroom, toilet/shower and kitchen /eating area. It was small. Nancy and I got the bedroom and Tasha slept on the sofa. The apartment was a 2.0 but the stairwell and exterior of the building was 1.0. (4 point scale)
We bought groceries at a supermarket, I use the word loosely, and had lunch at a local eatery. We all took a short nap. Tasha and I took an evening walk down to the River. The roads were in poor shape with many potholes. I also noted that a lot of manholes located in the street and sidewalk had their covers missing. The open manholes were dangerous to cars and pedestrians. Qyzylorda must not have many personal injury lawyers.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was Monday with a cool morning and hot afternoon. John C picked up car and drove to shop to fix self starter. It cost GG $3.45 for this work. Murphy delivered 6 cords of wood.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday August 21, 2009
We woke up early in Almaty, Kazakhstan, 0630. Looking out the hotel window we had a great view of snow capped mountains. The hotel provided a complimentary breakfast. The breakfast consisted of hard boiled eggs, assorted breads, fruit and cheese. They also had something that looked like soup. I think several of our breakfast mates were Russians. We heard no English spoken.
After breakfast we got a map from the front desk and started walking around Almaty. The people at the desk highlighted several places that we should visit. The street names were in Russian letters and very hard to read. Our first stop was the Visitors Information Center but that was a disaster. No one spoke English. We then stopped at the big shopping mall. The mall was in a huge five story building. The store was empty until we got to the electronic section. That section was jammed with young folks buying cells phones and ipods.
Almaty has several nice parks and they seemed well maintained. We visited one big park that had a huge Russian Orthodox Church. The church had a big golden dome. We walked around Almaty getting a feel for Kazakhstan. I was surprised that in Almaty we saw few signs that we were in a Muslin country. We did see a lot of blond folk. I am assuming that they were Russians who had moved here during the Soviet era. Traffic was fairly disciplined and the cars looked to be of recent vintage. The streets were wide and tree lined. The police did not carry guns. We did note a lot of people smoking.
The exchange rate was $1 = 150 tenge. For dinner we ate at a sidewalk cafe. The meal ended up costing us $30. It was early to bed for Bob and Nancy because we had to get up at 0530 to catch our morning flight to Qyzylorda.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. GG noted that it was a cool Sunday. Ossineke beat Hubbard Lake 12 to 2 and there were 12 people at church. GG also noted that the self starter on his car burned out.
After breakfast we got a map from the front desk and started walking around Almaty. The people at the desk highlighted several places that we should visit. The street names were in Russian letters and very hard to read. Our first stop was the Visitors Information Center but that was a disaster. No one spoke English. We then stopped at the big shopping mall. The mall was in a huge five story building. The store was empty until we got to the electronic section. That section was jammed with young folks buying cells phones and ipods.
Almaty has several nice parks and they seemed well maintained. We visited one big park that had a huge Russian Orthodox Church. The church had a big golden dome. We walked around Almaty getting a feel for Kazakhstan. I was surprised that in Almaty we saw few signs that we were in a Muslin country. We did see a lot of blond folk. I am assuming that they were Russians who had moved here during the Soviet era. Traffic was fairly disciplined and the cars looked to be of recent vintage. The streets were wide and tree lined. The police did not carry guns. We did note a lot of people smoking.
The exchange rate was $1 = 150 tenge. For dinner we ate at a sidewalk cafe. The meal ended up costing us $30. It was early to bed for Bob and Nancy because we had to get up at 0530 to catch our morning flight to Qyzylorda.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. GG noted that it was a cool Sunday. Ossineke beat Hubbard Lake 12 to 2 and there were 12 people at church. GG also noted that the self starter on his car burned out.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday Auust 20, 2009
Early Thursday morning we arrived in Frankfurt. The United Airlines flight from Chicago was full. Nancy and I sat in the economy plus section of the airplane. The extra 5" between seats makes the flight much easier. If you are flying United, I highly recommend paying the extra fee, especially on long flights. In Frankfurt we had a short wait for our plane to take us to Almaty, Kazakhstan. We flew Lufthansa to Almaty with one stop in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana. When we got to Almaty, Tasha's adoption agency had a representative meet us. The flight to our final destination, Qyzylorda, was almost full. Only 1 seat was available so Nancy and I told Tasha to take the seat and we would stay in Almaty. An early Saturday morning flight was available. We stayed in the Almaty Hotel.
The reason for the full flight was 30 new Peace Corp volunteers were heading to Qyzylorda. Qyzlorda is spelled many ways. I am using the spelling shown in my World Atlas.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. GG gave the score of the Friday night baseball game, Ossineke 1, Alpena 3. It was Saturday and the weather was partly cloudy and warmer by noon. GG drove to Alpena and noted that the banks were closed.
The reason for the full flight was 30 new Peace Corp volunteers were heading to Qyzylorda. Qyzlorda is spelled many ways. I am using the spelling shown in my World Atlas.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. GG gave the score of the Friday night baseball game, Ossineke 1, Alpena 3. It was Saturday and the weather was partly cloudy and warmer by noon. GG drove to Alpena and noted that the banks were closed.
Wednesday August 19, 2009
Today is a travel day. Nancy and Bob start their big adventure. We are accompanying our daughter, Tasha, to Kazakhstan. That's right folks, Kazakhstan, in central Asia. I finished packing last night. Tasha said we would have plenty of downtime so I bought 5 books from Amazon and downloaded them to my Kindle.
Bob and Nancy always have a big argument about the correct time to be at the airport. Our plane leaves at 4:20 PM and I want the taxi to pick us up at 2:30. Nancy says that is stupid 3 will get us to the airport in plenty of time. I whine so much she relents and the taxi picks us up at 2:30.
Our flight to Chicago is on time and we meet Tasha in Chicago. Our United flight to Frankfurt was suppose to leave at 6:00 PM. The flight is delayed by 2 hours because of thunder storms in Chicago. At midnight we are some place over the Atlantic Ocean.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It is Friday and GG drove to Alpena. He picked up his coat at the cleaners and bought chicken feed. GG worked in the post office in the afternoon. He also got a haircut and a shave. A barber shave is a luxury. My Grandfather Hughes when he reached 65 use to get a barber shave most every day. This was something that he enjoyed and it let everyone know that Roland Hughes was a successful man.
Bob and Nancy always have a big argument about the correct time to be at the airport. Our plane leaves at 4:20 PM and I want the taxi to pick us up at 2:30. Nancy says that is stupid 3 will get us to the airport in plenty of time. I whine so much she relents and the taxi picks us up at 2:30.
Our flight to Chicago is on time and we meet Tasha in Chicago. Our United flight to Frankfurt was suppose to leave at 6:00 PM. The flight is delayed by 2 hours because of thunder storms in Chicago. At midnight we are some place over the Atlantic Ocean.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It is Friday and GG drove to Alpena. He picked up his coat at the cleaners and bought chicken feed. GG worked in the post office in the afternoon. He also got a haircut and a shave. A barber shave is a luxury. My Grandfather Hughes when he reached 65 use to get a barber shave most every day. This was something that he enjoyed and it let everyone know that Roland Hughes was a successful man.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tuesday August 18, 2009
It was another dark gloomy start to the day. I performed my morning routine at 75% today. I pedalled over to the bank and got some money for our upcoming adventure. At the Kava House, I had 2 people ask me to give them a demo of my Kindle. I should get a finders fee. However, it give me some perverse pleasure to know that an old guy must explain the new toys to the younger generation. Old Guys Rule!
When I got home our overnight package from NY had arrived. I headed for the office to get a scan made so I could email to Tasha. I spoke with several folks and they all seem very busy. It is great to see, in these tough times, that the company is doing well.
Around noon the sun came out and remained out the rest of the day. This afternoon I mowed the grass. It took about 3 hours because, in addition to cutting, I also edged and blew the grass clippings off the sidewalk. Tonight Nancy and I had dinner at Great Lakes Shipping.
I failed to mention that on our trip to TH, IN we saw a large wind farm between Kentland, IN and Boswell, IN. Nancy counted about 100 large windmills. The wind farm appeared larger than the one we saw several years ago in Palm Springs, CA. I will try and find more information on this large facility.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear and warm Thursday. GG attended dinner at the church. The had 2.5 tables and collected $10. GG noted that Kitter worked teams today and it was the third day. (I am assuming the team GG referred to was a team of horses pulling a plow or some other implement.)
When I got home our overnight package from NY had arrived. I headed for the office to get a scan made so I could email to Tasha. I spoke with several folks and they all seem very busy. It is great to see, in these tough times, that the company is doing well.
Around noon the sun came out and remained out the rest of the day. This afternoon I mowed the grass. It took about 3 hours because, in addition to cutting, I also edged and blew the grass clippings off the sidewalk. Tonight Nancy and I had dinner at Great Lakes Shipping.
I failed to mention that on our trip to TH, IN we saw a large wind farm between Kentland, IN and Boswell, IN. Nancy counted about 100 large windmills. The wind farm appeared larger than the one we saw several years ago in Palm Springs, CA. I will try and find more information on this large facility.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a clear and warm Thursday. GG attended dinner at the church. The had 2.5 tables and collected $10. GG noted that Kitter worked teams today and it was the third day. (I am assuming the team GG referred to was a team of horses pulling a plow or some other implement.)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday August 17, 2009
It rained hard last night. I woke at 0600 and it was still dark outside. Bummer! I am still doing my morning routine at home. I stopped at the post office to send more money to correct my snafu. Tasha talked to the right people and got everything squared away. At the Kava House I took out the Kindle and read the DFP and NYT.
After lunch I had several errands to run. I purchased a 200 V converter and straw hat at the Mall and personal care products at Meijers. Nancy and I started to pack and believe it or not we are both done.
We are spending a quiet night at home. After a hectic weekend it is nice to relax at home. I did talk to Sasha for a short time this evening. She said everything was going ok.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a cool, rainy Wednesday. GG picked 1.5 bushels of corn. In the afternoon they drove to Spruce and then to my Grandparents in Hubbard Lake. GG purchased apples for my Grandmother, Florence and my Aunt Julia. GG purchased the apples at the Hallenback farm.
After lunch I had several errands to run. I purchased a 200 V converter and straw hat at the Mall and personal care products at Meijers. Nancy and I started to pack and believe it or not we are both done.
We are spending a quiet night at home. After a hectic weekend it is nice to relax at home. I did talk to Sasha for a short time this evening. She said everything was going ok.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. It was a cool, rainy Wednesday. GG picked 1.5 bushels of corn. In the afternoon they drove to Spruce and then to my Grandparents in Hubbard Lake. GG purchased apples for my Grandmother, Florence and my Aunt Julia. GG purchased the apples at the Hallenback farm.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sunday August 16, 2009
Sunday is another travel day for Bob and Nancy. We eat our free breakfast at the TH Holiday Inn and head north. I fill up in TH before starting. The new car has a 20 gallon tank and this large tank gives the car a range of 350 + miles. Traffic on 63 and 41, as always, is extremely light. In fact if these roads were to be built today they would be 2 lanes instead of 4. We make only 2 quick stops and complete the trip in 5 hours. The car averaged 29 mpg.
We get home and have a phone message telling us of a snafu in our plans with Tasha. I panic but Tasha settles me down and tells me the problem can be solved tomorrow. Tonight Nancy and I are eating light. After 60 minutes we are heading for bed.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. GG was very brief. He said that it was a little colder. He went to garden for vegetables. He mentioned they picked a bushel of corn. GG got more ice to Aunt Laura and worked in the post office in the afternoon. Aunt Julia went to Alpena, cousin Sis went with Uncle Guy. Ossineke had 2 hours of heavy rain.
I have often wondered, was GG writing the diary for his records? Or did he intend the diary to be read by future generations. I think he wrote it so that in the future he could get an idea when they picked the first corn, etc. GG was starting his own data base.
We get home and have a phone message telling us of a snafu in our plans with Tasha. I panic but Tasha settles me down and tells me the problem can be solved tomorrow. Tonight Nancy and I are eating light. After 60 minutes we are heading for bed.
Ossineke, MI this date in 1938. GG was very brief. He said that it was a little colder. He went to garden for vegetables. He mentioned they picked a bushel of corn. GG got more ice to Aunt Laura and worked in the post office in the afternoon. Aunt Julia went to Alpena, cousin Sis went with Uncle Guy. Ossineke had 2 hours of heavy rain.
I have often wondered, was GG writing the diary for his records? Or did he intend the diary to be read by future generations. I think he wrote it so that in the future he could get an idea when they picked the first corn, etc. GG was starting his own data base.
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