This past Sunday was quite a treat. Our interpreter, Julia, and her parents invited us to a family gathering and dinner at their apartment here in Karaganda. In addition to Julia and her parents, Slava and Sveta, Julia’s Aunt Lara, cousin Helen (Lara’s daughter, who looks just like a grown-up version of our niece Emily) and her grandmother (babushka) and grandfather were in attendance.
Julia’s mother and babushka must have cooked for hours because the table was crammed full of delicious food (we’re getting her homemade pickles recipe!), and a few hours later, so were our stomachs! Lily Grace was scared and cried a bit when we first arrived but soon calmed down and had a great time scooting around in her walker and getting into everything she wasn’t supposed to be getting into. :-)
Much conversation and laughter passed between us, as Julia put Helen to the test, asking her to serve as our interpreter for the afternoon. Helen, who is a second-year English interpretation major (following in her cousin’s footsteps), did a fine job. We all learned a lot about each other – and discovered just how much we all have in common, despite living on opposite sides of the world.
We are thankful for these new friends, and many others we have met, and are humbled by the efforts all have made to make us feel home away from home.
Steve and Tonya
Julia’s mother and babushka must have cooked for hours because the table was crammed full of delicious food (we’re getting her homemade pickles recipe!), and a few hours later, so were our stomachs! Lily Grace was scared and cried a bit when we first arrived but soon calmed down and had a great time scooting around in her walker and getting into everything she wasn’t supposed to be getting into. :-)
Much conversation and laughter passed between us, as Julia put Helen to the test, asking her to serve as our interpreter for the afternoon. Helen, who is a second-year English interpretation major (following in her cousin’s footsteps), did a fine job. We all learned a lot about each other – and discovered just how much we all have in common, despite living on opposite sides of the world.
We are thankful for these new friends, and many others we have met, and are humbled by the efforts all have made to make us feel home away from home.
Steve and Tonya
2 comments:
What a wonderful memory especially on the eve of your departure from Karaganda. The people there are just amazing, aren't they - all so hospitable.
You'll get a kick out of this. I'm just about to turn the TV off the other night, and I hear Almaty, Kazakhstan mentioned. Apparently, they took the Amazing Race there. It was entertaining to see the city and a couple of the places we'd been. They focused a few key places to highlight the Kaz culture along with a silly chicken coup excursion (hunting for eggs) because the show is a race to the finish. Still . . . how often do you see anything on the country in the U.S.? We've set Tivo up to record any mention over the course of the year and haven't had one hit. I'm surprised they allowed cameras in the country. It was fun to reconnect, although in a very different way.
Glad all's well with the Young family. From the pics, LG looks like she's always been a part of yours.
Happy days!
Melanie
What a delightful time that must have been to be invited into Julia's home. It was great to see the pictures of everyone, and to hear that Lily Grace soon adapted and began her explorations. I must admit that I paged down to see if there was a video before I read what you wrote. The videos have been such fun!
I'm so excited that I will be able to meet my precious grand baby two weeks from today!!!
Love you,
Mom
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