Not Much

Not much happening on my side of the world. Seems new activities are grinding to a halt. Did meet up with Annie today and we did some more shopping. She has a lot of friends back home she is buying gifts for. So really I am only tagging along at this point. But it’s nice company and a good way to pass the day/time. Also gets me and Hayden out for a stroll.

Shot some photos today. The fountain is in a large town square that has a parkway which leads down to a small lake. That’s me in front waiving, have to look hard. The carnival with the kiddy rides is also attached to a path that leads from the lake. Unfortunately the lake has a lot of litter in it. Don’t think it’s safe to swim in, and I have never seen anyone swimming. It’s sad but they have a lot of garbage/litter just lying around. You can’t walk down the streets without seeing trash and litter just thrown onto the ground all over the place.

Our apartment complex though seems to be making an effort to improve their trash situation. While we’ve been here they installed 3 more trash bins, for a total of 6 now. With a large garbage truck coming to empty them just about every other day. It’s odd because, last time, we never not once saw a garbage truck; someone would come by to burn the trash instead. And since there used to be only 3 bins, the trash would pile up high and overflow onto the ground. Thus causing the litter all over the place!

Next photo is one of the places I’ve been spending a lot of time; it’s one of two malls in the area. I’m on the steps again waiving. Then the building with all the banners on it; we’re not quite sure what it is. I love the colors in the banners, and think these must be plays or musicals? The last is a statute of a pilot in combat, can’t read the dedication because it’s all in Russian, but against the dark ski, thought it was picturesque.

I will be leaving Karaganda, Kazakhstan on Monday July 4th. Will be flying to Almaty, Kazakhstan where I will begin the process of immigrating through the US Embassy located in Almaty in order to bring Hayden home. That will consist of an appointment with the US Medical Clinic to exam Hayden and assure he is healthy, then meeting/being interviewed by the US Embassy itself to process Hayden’s Immigration papers.

On the other side of the world: Bob’s not sure when our story will air on TV. KOVR has contacted KLM/NWA; who indicated they would fix the problem. So we’ll have to see how this story ends. We owe our thanks to KOVR for intervening on our behalf, and are hopeful this will end on a happier note.

Will keep you posted. Till then – another day done!