July 7 - Monday 8 am. Hi everyone - it's hot and sunny again so far today, supposed to get up around 30 C. I guess we're getting more used to it, as when it cools to 26-28 at night it feels so cool!
Yesterday afternoon we tried to stay busy as it was the first day we weren't allowed to visit the babyhouse (which sucked), so we went shoppin' (yes Paul was thrilled...). We checked out the big department store called TSUM and the outdoor pedestrian mall beside it - interesting stores in the outdoor area, an extremely crowded electronics store (didn't stay long in there as it was literally elbow to elbow people), and the TSUM store has 3 floors of KZ souvenirs, high-end fancy designer clothes, and really beautiful things. Lots of china and crystal chandeliers and breakable stuff so I felt like the proverbial bull, and of course I'm looking around at everything and not really watching where I'm going so I kept tripping over a step or a dip in the floor - Paul says I might want to 'look down' once in a while when I'm walking, maybe he's right?!?
We bought 2 books at TSUM - one a very cute children's alphabet / picture book with words in all of English, Kazakh and Russian, and the other a gorgeous coffee-table book filled with history, stories and culture of Kazakhstan, also in English, Kazakh and Russian. These will be wonderful keepsakes!
We stopped for a quick beer and people-watching at an outdoor cafe, with fans that blew cool mist over the tables - very nice! Then another stop at Ramstore for groceries, spices, junk food and beverages, came home and relaxed. We've talked with quite a few people from home in the last couple of days - thanks so much for your calls, we really really appreciate them!
Oh we also did much better with getting a taxi, to and from TSUM - there are no meters in the cabs here so you have to negotiate up front what the price will be. After our first taxi experience when we were WAY overcharged, we've since learned - today we said 'TSUM, pyat sot', which is 500 Tenge or approx 4 dollars US. At first the cab driver said nyet, 1000 Tenge- so we said nyet, spaseeba and walked away to find another taxi - but he chased us down and agreed to 500. On the way back from TSUM we again said 500 Tenge, and our driver spoke a bit of english so he said 'that's very cheap, but OK'. So we're learning!
Today we should be back on our visiting schedule but we're not sure what time yet - we'll call Svetlana shortly to find out when we can go.
Have a great day and week! Thanks so much again for following along and for your comments and emails - they really do make us feel not as far away.
Take care,
N&P
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6 comments:
Hi There!
Good for you for sticking to your guns about the price of the taxi! Nyet spaseeba means no thank you, right? Am I close? Glad you had a chance to relax in that heat...hope you get that fan soon!
Thinking about you always,
Love
Mummmmm & Dad
Hi from CA. We are thinking of you evryday.First thing in the AM I go read that you have done. Glad everything is moving along.
We have the heat here too, over 100 all week.
Can't wait to meet baby
Love
Pam & Ray
Hello Paul and Nicole....
Just saying Hi and celebrating in our hearts for all the good things happening...I'm sure you've heard concerning Joanne but just in case I'll just say, luv you all.
Auntie H and Uncle Pat.
Hello from Tbay. We are following everything with great anticipation.Everything going by quickly..probably not quick enough on your end. On the bright side, you'll be able to barter taxi-fares anywhere in the world when this is through.
Love
Aunty Dee George and fam
Wow... I'm very impressed with the cab negotiations and even more so with the fact that Paul spent the day shopping :)
enjoying your posts very much!
Hello you two - just a brief message from Katherine and Leo to let you know that you are in our thoughts. It took me (Katherine) awhile to figure out how to use a blogsite (your mother was very helpful and I even had to get help from the IT guy at work). All is well here - we got some very badly needed rain today - the flowers and trees sure needed it. We catch a glimpse of Farley now and then - so everything is well in the neighbourhood! The house next door to you is up for sale again - so it was a flip as we suspected. A pair of robins have a nest in our cranberry tree and are busy feeding their young everyday - they should be ready to leave the nest soon.
Take care of each other and travel safely.
Katherine
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