First I have to give my Dad credit for the title!
Sarah had quite an experience on her trip over. First there was construction on #1 highway, then the 10 minute delay leaving Winnipeg turned into 40 minutes. En route to Frankfurt she had an angry, loud, large family surrounding her and a little girl kicking the back of her chair. Her seat mate was a German man named Herman - Herman the German!!! After some trouble finding her gate (which was changed) and a six hour lay over, she was taken to the plane. She fell asleep almost immediately and when she woke 1/2 hour later, they were still on the ground and the drinks cart was making the rounds! Apparently the wrong info had been punched into the computer and they waited 1 1/2 while it was changed. Meanwhile, I arrived at the airport at 10:20pm only to find out that the plane was an hour delayed! After telling Oshut, I browsed through some gift shops where I found a great book about Astana. It has lots of photos that I recognise, even if some of the buildings weren't built yet and best of all, is in Russian & English! That gave me something to do while waiting. Finally, the flight landed. Then I had to stand around waiting for my first glimpse of Sarah! Finally we saw each other and both began some exuberant waving! Meanwhile, Sarah had met some new friends, Sandra style! A Belgian reporter, a diplomat's wife and a "cute little airport dude" (Sarah's exact wordski's!) who wore fabulous red shoes! All stood (entire flight) around the baggage carousel watching everyone else's bags go around. The tags all said ALA which Sarah thought sounded more like Almaty than Astana which should have been TSE. Turns out they took the wrong bags off the plane. [The plane was continuing on to Almaty after unloading passengers in Astana]. So after an hour of waiting, the Belgian herded Sarah towards the doors, while she was saying, "but my sister, my sister!" While standing in line upstairs to find out what happened to the luggage, Sarah introduced me to a Michigan couple who just arrived via the same flight, to adopt as well! Poor them, they had no luggage as well. Anyway, at 1:15am we finally left the airport minus any checked luggage and the stroller which Chris was coerced into picking up. Poor Ashut was curled up in the car asleep! When we got to the apartment, Auntie Sarah even picked watching Matthew home video over a shower! (Not sure how I felt about that! - Sarah's comments on what she thought I was thinking!) [As I am writing this, she is pacing around and having stroller races up and down the hall! All because we had the call that her luggage has been found and is supposed to be here tomorrow afternoon!]
After a brief night's sleep, we were up and off to the airport because at that point we didn't know that the bags hadn't arrived! She did receive a consolation pack containing among other things, white XL tee-shirt, and "whitening, mild care, reduces skin darkening" deodorant! Because obviously, she needs to be whiter!) We also retrieved the missing stroller! Once back we went to the Ramstore, had lunch and while I watched a movie, Sarah had a nap. I considered poking her a few time, just to see if she was still alive. She was that still! Then it was off to exchange some money and then time to go meet Matthew! Auntie Sarah was impressed with my ability to share! I had to try really hard though, I must admit! Matthew thought Auntie Sarah was lots of fun. She plays fun games like his Daddy! Sarah had made him a book of our side of the family and he enjoyed looking at it and chewing on it! The visit went too quickly as usual. Tonight we went to Ali Baba's for a late supper and had lots of laughs with Soraya, Caroline, Rolando and Denise. Then Sarah and I walked home through the rain, each of us having to hold the umbrella so neither of us could hog it. (And we all know who the hog is! It reminded me of when we were little and Sarah was a bed hog and would even roll right over any barriers I would try to erect!)
Okay, now for some photos.
Sarah had quite an experience on her trip over. First there was construction on #1 highway, then the 10 minute delay leaving Winnipeg turned into 40 minutes. En route to Frankfurt she had an angry, loud, large family surrounding her and a little girl kicking the back of her chair. Her seat mate was a German man named Herman - Herman the German!!! After some trouble finding her gate (which was changed) and a six hour lay over, she was taken to the plane. She fell asleep almost immediately and when she woke 1/2 hour later, they were still on the ground and the drinks cart was making the rounds! Apparently the wrong info had been punched into the computer and they waited 1 1/2 while it was changed. Meanwhile, I arrived at the airport at 10:20pm only to find out that the plane was an hour delayed! After telling Oshut, I browsed through some gift shops where I found a great book about Astana. It has lots of photos that I recognise, even if some of the buildings weren't built yet and best of all, is in Russian & English! That gave me something to do while waiting. Finally, the flight landed. Then I had to stand around waiting for my first glimpse of Sarah! Finally we saw each other and both began some exuberant waving! Meanwhile, Sarah had met some new friends, Sandra style! A Belgian reporter, a diplomat's wife and a "cute little airport dude" (Sarah's exact wordski's!) who wore fabulous red shoes! All stood (entire flight) around the baggage carousel watching everyone else's bags go around. The tags all said ALA which Sarah thought sounded more like Almaty than Astana which should have been TSE. Turns out they took the wrong bags off the plane. [The plane was continuing on to Almaty after unloading passengers in Astana]. So after an hour of waiting, the Belgian herded Sarah towards the doors, while she was saying, "but my sister, my sister!" While standing in line upstairs to find out what happened to the luggage, Sarah introduced me to a Michigan couple who just arrived via the same flight, to adopt as well! Poor them, they had no luggage as well. Anyway, at 1:15am we finally left the airport minus any checked luggage and the stroller which Chris was coerced into picking up. Poor Ashut was curled up in the car asleep! When we got to the apartment, Auntie Sarah even picked watching Matthew home video over a shower! (Not sure how I felt about that! - Sarah's comments on what she thought I was thinking!) [As I am writing this, she is pacing around and having stroller races up and down the hall! All because we had the call that her luggage has been found and is supposed to be here tomorrow afternoon!]
After a brief night's sleep, we were up and off to the airport because at that point we didn't know that the bags hadn't arrived! She did receive a consolation pack containing among other things, white XL tee-shirt, and "whitening, mild care, reduces skin darkening" deodorant! Because obviously, she needs to be whiter!) We also retrieved the missing stroller! Once back we went to the Ramstore, had lunch and while I watched a movie, Sarah had a nap. I considered poking her a few time, just to see if she was still alive. She was that still! Then it was off to exchange some money and then time to go meet Matthew! Auntie Sarah was impressed with my ability to share! I had to try really hard though, I must admit! Matthew thought Auntie Sarah was lots of fun. She plays fun games like his Daddy! Sarah had made him a book of our side of the family and he enjoyed looking at it and chewing on it! The visit went too quickly as usual. Tonight we went to Ali Baba's for a late supper and had lots of laughs with Soraya, Caroline, Rolando and Denise. Then Sarah and I walked home through the rain, each of us having to hold the umbrella so neither of us could hog it. (And we all know who the hog is! It reminded me of when we were little and Sarah was a bed hog and would even roll right over any barriers I would try to erect!)
Okay, now for some photos.
Mommy and Matty on Thursday evening!
"I'm drooling on you Uncle Jamie!"
"Hmmm, that's what I'll look like with hair!"
I love my Auntie Sarah!
Imagine what we would look like if we had been drinking!
5 comments:
Auntie Sarah sounds really cool, and good thing she's flexible and patient too. You must have given her the lesson that our agency keeps telling me, TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT. Love the new pics and glad Aunt Sarah got their safe and sound and Matthew dug her. :)
We are glad to see Auntie Sarah landed safe and sound but too bad about the luggage. Hopefully it is recovered soon. Just remember Auntie Sarah, you will have to share when you deliver Mommy and Matthew to the Winnipeg airport safe and sound!!(Ha ha) Have a great time and we are counting down till the Gotcha day is here.Take care of each other, keep safe and we can hardly wait till your next blog.
Tracy
Glad to hear you are no longer alone in Kaz and that you have someone to share this amazing time with. Glad to hear the trip (although adventurous), went safely. Just adds to the wonderful story! Love the last picture. Suzanne "waiting"
You look pretty proud Auntie!!! Get used to the sharing Jenn; we plan on being hogs when he is with us!! We shouldn't be surprised about the problems in flight; sounds about typical. This only means you have passed and the rest will be easy. Kaitlyn loves the pics especially his chapeau. We were shopping and she wonders what M's favorite color is going to be. She chose a few colors and will let him choose. Hers is purple. Don't worry dad, we don't expect it to be Matthew's! Michael called the other night to check in. I was so upset that I missed his call. It was great to hear his voice! Even if it was on the machine. I can't wait for our official visit. Talk soon, Love, the mcs
How nice to have your sister, something you'll share forever, That Matthew is a fine looking boy in all the pictures. I think he's filling out a bit since you started taking them. Wait to read your blogs to see how your day goes.
Take care Sharon
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