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Heather and her host family Opa
(grandmother) who met Shelly yesterday |
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| Kazakh train |
Shelly left this week on a long-anticipated trip to visit Heather in Kazakhstan. Here is the first report on the trip, gleaned from a telephone call I had with Shelly and Heather just a few minutes ago (Sunday 11-13-11). Shelly's flight from Mauritius through Moscow, then to Almaty, Kazakhstan on Thursday and Friday was long, but uneventful. She stayed at a new Ramada hotel near the Moscow airport, and met a very happy Heather at the Almaty airport Friday evening. Heather's boyfriend, Chase, is visiting from Washington, DC, and Shelly's trip overlaps with his by several days. Saturday morning, the threesome went to the village of Birlik to visit with Heather's first host family. Shelly describes the visit as "magical"---seeing this lovely close-knit family who are so welcoming and hospitable, and, like us, adore our daughter. Shelly got to meet the 85 year old grandma and the rest of the family. She reports that horsemeat doesn't taste so bad, and that she's now tasted camel's milk for her first and only time. Shelly had taken some small gifts for the family, which were well-received and appreciated. Shelly was overwhelmed by the wonderful hospitality and generosity of the family. Back in Almaty, they spent the rest of the weekend touring and dining. One highlight was a visit to a war memorial Saturday evening, where they happened to see visits by no less than 8 bridal parties for a traditional laying of flowers and wedding pictures in full wedding regalia. Shelly was impressed with the beautiful ornate wedding gowns that ran from Kazakh traditional to contemporary. They also visited an ornate, elaborate Russian orthodox cathedral. Just as I was talking with them on the phone, they were at the train station, getting into their sleeping compartment for the 14 hour ride to Shymkent, the largest town near Heather's post. The overnight train ride will be followed by a 3 hour ride in a marshutka (van) to Zhetysai. Shelly reports that Heather's ability with the Kazakh language is great, and she is a great tour guide after living in Kazakhstan for 8 months. Shelly says she is having a great time---over the next 2.5 weeks, she will help Heather's school by running a training seminar for Heather's English teacher colleagues, get to meet her second homestay family, and help her settle in to her new two room apartment. Stay tuned for more reports on Shelly's extraordinary visit!
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Almaty Russian Orthodox
Cathedral |
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| Almaty War Memorial |
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