Well, we survived another day on the roads of Kazakhstan. I think the hardest thing to get used to here
for us is the driving. Anyone who has been to NY or Boston and thinks the driving is boring or lacks
challenge needs to come on over to Kazakhstan b/c it is nothing like we have EVER seen. And for all
you Gator fans, check out the car we saw and what it was sporting on the back window. Made us feel
right at home - and yes Lee, we thought of how proud you would be to see Gator Fans so far from
home. I think I will ask Donna for a UGA sticker to bring back w/ me on our second trip and will give
to Natasha to place on her car! GOOOOO DAWGS, SICK EM..WOOF, WOOF, WOOF...just
kidding.
Today we ate at an Italian restaurant which was very good and there were two other American families
w/ their children. Both were leaving tonight on the 3:00a.m. KLM flight for home. Following lunch, we
headed to the flea market where we got to see an abundance of fresh cut meats (including sheep
heads), fruit, salads, fish, and miscellaneous fresh foods. We went through the food market into the
retail market which had everything from clothes, toys, shoes, to bolts, doorknobs, dog leashes. It was
an endless mass of people and very hot. You could smell the meat market throughout the market given
it was such a hot day today. From here we went to the local chocolate/candy factory across the street
on the opposite block. Natasha advised us that the most popular candies are the apricot and prune
covered chocolates. We got an assortment and will let you know how the taste testing goes.
On to see Lia was our next stop and we were prepared with a new toy we purchased for
550tg/$4roughly...a toy dumptruck w/ shovels and items with which to make sandcastles - things to
come once she gets home to Jacksonville. She is bonding w/ us and it is precious. She even comes up
and leans on us and follows us around the room to get our attention. This little munchkin has stolen our
hearts and we are so excited for everyone else to meet little Ms Independence. She is truly a Levins
girl w/ her stubborn streak and a Lynott w/ her infectious laugh. One of our favorite things that she
does is cock her head sideways when she is curious about something or is flirting/giggling with you
Natasha also went over our second trip itinerary and what we can expect given that there are more
changes at the government level daily now. We have to be back on 6/28 to apply for Lia's Birth
Certificate/adoption certificate and her passport. Her passport will take up to 5 business days and then
we go get her Exit Visa and her medical exam. These documents then are sent to Astana for Consular
Registration and then from there to the American Embassy for approval. Following approval at the
American Embassy we are set to fly back to the States w/ our daughter. If all goes well, we could
leave as early as 7/9. If there are delays (which will most likely be the case) we will leave on 7/12. On
Monday we will go to British Airways to get our tickets and reserve both dates. It is easier to get
tickets with alternate dates here than would be possible in the States. Plus, the fares are much cheaper.
As a sidenote, the other American couple we met on our first day left yesterday after deciding against
adopting here in Kaz. They wanted a boy, 3-4yo in age and did not find one at BH1. There are many
changes going on right now due to changes at the government level and we continue to pray that we can
make it through this process and get Lia home without incident outside of what we have already
experienced. PLEASE keep the prayers coming...they mean a great deal to us and we cannot thank
you enough.
xoxoxo
Lisa, Wil, and Lia :oP
should be a video
<--- view from our apartment as we
write this tonight (10:15 am US time)
