Alison
and Michael slept in the same room at the orphanage, so we'll
make sure they're lifelong friends.
We all
went shopping today. I've attached a picture of the gang bundled
up and ready to spend some of those tenge (pronounced teng-gay,
Kazakhstan currency). The exchange rate is currently 145 tenge
to the dollar.... needless to say, I spend a lot of tenge!
We went
to the central market today, which is sort of like a mall,
only different. I guess you had to be there. On the way, there
were local artists displaying their work on the sidewalk and
I bought a couple of paintings with local flavor. They'll
look great in my house. Don't ask how I'm going to get them
home! Though I do have a duffel bag that was filled with orphanage
donations on the way over that I can fill with stuff to bring
home...
I already
have something else difficult to transport that I bought a
couple of days ago. A WorldClassRock.com listener who has
been reading this my adoption journal wrote commenting on
Alison's long musician-like fingers, and asked what her first
instrument will be. Well, I bought a dombro (I think that's
what it's called). It's a beautiful two-stringed guitar-like
Kazakhstani instrument made of wood. I'm hoping I can wrap
it up really good and stick in smack dab in the middle of
that duffle bag with a lot of padding and it'll make the journey
from Kaz to Moscow to Frankfurt to Miami to Los Angeles in
one piece. (Am I nuts???)
At the
central market, I bought a lot of souvenirs as gifts (yes,
I know I'll be home right before Christmas) and things for
Alison to have as she grows up, so she'll know about her homeland.
I also bought myself some jewelry. I spent about $50 US dollars
for a sapphire ring and necklace. Alison particularly likes
the necklace. I can tell because she keeps trying to grab
it from around my neck. I promised her that it's hers when
she gets older. I guess motherhood has made me very generous!
I got
a bunch of matroiska dolls (I'm sure I spelled that wrong),
and I don't even know what else. I haven't had a chance to
go through all. But I think I bought out the store, and it
came to something like 22,000 tenge... about $150! I also
bought Alison a traditional Kazak vest and hat that look so
cute on her. I'll have to have her pictures taken in them
when we get home.
Regarding
the sleeping arrangements, my normally very happy, giggly
little girl turns into the tantrum monster when it's time
to go to sleep. She just wants to be held and rocked!
Last night
I finally rocked her to sleep sitting on the sofa in the living
room of the apartment where we're staying, and set her down.
I think since she was used to sleeping in such a tiny crib
in the orphanage, she's used to a confined space, and the
bed gives her too much room to thrash about (and thrash about
she does!). So, I brought the comforters and pillows from
the beds and laid them out on the floor next to the sofa,
and slept there. I have a two-bedroom apartment here in Almaty
and I'm sleeping on the floor! It's amazing what motherhood
does to you.
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 1
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 2
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 3
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 4
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 5
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 6
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 7
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 8
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 9
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 10
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 11
Alison's
Journey Home: An Adoption Story - Part 12
About
The Author
Nicole
Sandler is the owner/producer of Legacy Video Productions,
specializing in producing adoption stories. You can see Alison's
Journey Home, the video at www.legacyvideoproductions.com.
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