THE DAY
Our appointment at the US Embassy was set for 3pm, so Annie and I decided to head out for some sight seeing this morning. First we needed to run a quick errand over to Annie’s airline to finalize Lilly’s ticket. We asked Bolat last night if he could take us and he told us he “was busy”. So we figured we would get a taxi ourselves and go.
Headed out and found a taxi stand near the mall entrance. Annie’s flying on Lufthansa and their office is at the Hyatt, so easy to convey to the driver. Got there, and asked our driver to wait for us; bought the ticket and asked the gal at Lufthansa to tell the driver where we wanted to go next.
We headed over to the Cathedral. It’s built of wood and entirely without nails. It’s in the middle of a large, beautiful park, and it’s the main tourist attraction. Turned out the Cathedral was open so we got to go inside, no service, but plenty of people praying at the various alters. It’s a Russian Orthodox Church, that has been restored and we actually met the priest, who obliged us with a photo op. Next we headed over to the monument of “15 Kaz Soldiers” who died defending Moscow. Quite the sight.
After all this we had originally wanted to head home for lunch but couldn’t seem to find a taxi, while we were walking we ended up running into a HUGE market area, filled to the brim of small vendor stalls selling their goods. Annie’s guide book says it’s called the Asia Market. This had to be about 10 times the size of the one Bob and I found in Karaganda. Now this would have been the place to buy the souvenirs!! Had everything we bought already and at the “locals” pricing. So of course, we had to pick up one or two more items!! The place was jam packed. Wandered around, found a café, and ordered up lunch. Our waitress spoke a tad bit of English and helped us figure out how to find a taxi.
Headed home before our appt at the Embassy. Bolat arrived early asking for his fee. Now mind you this is an outrageously high fee, so I told him Annie and I should spilt the fee, since he has done no additional work for either of us; it’s as if we were husband/wife. Our staying together in this apartment has made it tremendously easier for him. Well, we got into a heated argument, mainly because he accused Bob of not paying the right fee on his way out with Spencer. I won’t get into all the details, let’s just say, it did not go well for either of us. He stormed out saying he would meet us downstairs.
Once we got to the Embassy he deliberately was not assisting me. Turns out there is nothing mysterious about the process and by asking other folks there, Annie and I were able to figure out what to needed to be down without his help. All the more evidence his fee/service is nothing more than a farce.
The interview at the Embassy consists of a few simple questions, mainly asking if we encountered any problems during the process. Then they explain all the paperwork/visa and what to do with them, once you arrive in customs at the US. Very very simple and uncomplicated!
But I need to get to the airport at 4am tomorrow morning, and I didn’t’ want to have to figure out how to get a taxi on my own; so on our ride home, I agreed to pay the fee but not until he came to pick me up for the airport. Tomorrow can not come soon enough!
Headed out and found a taxi stand near the mall entrance. Annie’s flying on Lufthansa and their office is at the Hyatt, so easy to convey to the driver. Got there, and asked our driver to wait for us; bought the ticket and asked the gal at Lufthansa to tell the driver where we wanted to go next.
We headed over to the Cathedral. It’s built of wood and entirely without nails. It’s in the middle of a large, beautiful park, and it’s the main tourist attraction. Turned out the Cathedral was open so we got to go inside, no service, but plenty of people praying at the various alters. It’s a Russian Orthodox Church, that has been restored and we actually met the priest, who obliged us with a photo op. Next we headed over to the monument of “15 Kaz Soldiers” who died defending Moscow. Quite the sight.
After all this we had originally wanted to head home for lunch but couldn’t seem to find a taxi, while we were walking we ended up running into a HUGE market area, filled to the brim of small vendor stalls selling their goods. Annie’s guide book says it’s called the Asia Market. This had to be about 10 times the size of the one Bob and I found in Karaganda. Now this would have been the place to buy the souvenirs!! Had everything we bought already and at the “locals” pricing. So of course, we had to pick up one or two more items!! The place was jam packed. Wandered around, found a café, and ordered up lunch. Our waitress spoke a tad bit of English and helped us figure out how to find a taxi.
Headed home before our appt at the Embassy. Bolat arrived early asking for his fee. Now mind you this is an outrageously high fee, so I told him Annie and I should spilt the fee, since he has done no additional work for either of us; it’s as if we were husband/wife. Our staying together in this apartment has made it tremendously easier for him. Well, we got into a heated argument, mainly because he accused Bob of not paying the right fee on his way out with Spencer. I won’t get into all the details, let’s just say, it did not go well for either of us. He stormed out saying he would meet us downstairs.
Once we got to the Embassy he deliberately was not assisting me. Turns out there is nothing mysterious about the process and by asking other folks there, Annie and I were able to figure out what to needed to be down without his help. All the more evidence his fee/service is nothing more than a farce.
The interview at the Embassy consists of a few simple questions, mainly asking if we encountered any problems during the process. Then they explain all the paperwork/visa and what to do with them, once you arrive in customs at the US. Very very simple and uncomplicated!
But I need to get to the airport at 4am tomorrow morning, and I didn’t’ want to have to figure out how to get a taxi on my own; so on our ride home, I agreed to pay the fee but not until he came to pick me up for the airport. Tomorrow can not come soon enough!
posted by bob and gina | 5:48 PM
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