Sunday, January 03, 2010

New Friends

Today we met a new adopting couple in town, the Yaegers. We went and visited with then at the Skiff...and visited...and visited...and visited. We were joined by the Oborn's and it was so nice to just relax and hang out, nothing to do, nowhere to be...and lots to share about lives and adventures here.

Being here can feel very isolating in many ways, and you begin to wish for more things that are familiar. It's not that this is all that bad, but after awhile you really feel the distance from home, from your "real" life, and this begins to seem a bit like the movie Groundhog Day with the monotony of every day being much the same. The boys were sweet and allowed me the down time to just yack, and quietly played at a table with the computer and a few toys they brought along. The Skiff is the hotel almost every adopting couple stays at when in town, so after all these years it was nice to see it in person.

You know, being here is a bit like summer camp. You are going through an intense experience, with no one around you that you know, and you lean on those who are here. We all talked about the movies we brought so we can pass them around, the foods we brought or that got left behind, the differences in our experiences up until now. And with all of the things that make us each individuals and unique, there is this shared thing that we know most people back in our "real lives" might not ever really fully understand...the emotions and almost unreal experience of a child being brought to meet you whom you will agree to parent and yet don't even know yet, the frustrations of simply being here and feeling like a toddler being led around by the hand, the laughter over English translations and odd product labels, and the singular joy of becoming a parent through adoption.

It is nice that we have such great folks to share this with while we are here!

8 comments:

Dee said...

So glad you met some more Americans! When I was there in 2007 I developed a close bond with the other families there at the same time, even though we were with different agencies and adopting different aged kids. We were Americans. We met for meals and sometimes at other times walked around, shopped, went out a few times. I have kept in touch with them over the years and all the kids are thriving - as far away as California, New York state, and Atlanta.

Did you go in the second floor room at The Skiff that has the crazy orange swirly designs on the walls and ceilings?? That was my room on the first trip. It's a nice room but you can't flush toilet paper down the toilet.

The Skiff has a great gym where the kids can play, but avoid the pool. When we were there, someone got pinkeye and traced it to the pool water.

Stay warm!
Dee

Lori said...

I know there isn't anything that can be done to reallyhelp your feelings of physical isolation, but hopefully knowing that people all over the world are thinking of you may make it seem like a little less closed-in.
Lots of love!

Anonymous said...

Meanwhile, back at home, we said prayers for you in church today and continue to pray for each of you. We hope for a glimpse of Dom while he is home and are anxiously awaiting your arrival.

Love,
Lael

Janet said...

Hi Cindy, don't forget my recommendation of leaving Petropavlovsk on the train to Almaty....you will save an arm and a leg - esp when travelling with 6 or 7 people....and you will save on the hotel bill for that night too. Train ticket is about $60 compared with what? 300? 500? per ticket on the plane plus the hotel at $100 or more. It's not going to be the Orient Express, but def a wonderful experience and a chance for the boys to experience more of the REAL kazakhstan!. Janet

AlyB said...

I am so glad that you met my dear friends the Yagers! Sandy told me about you all a while ago and I have been following your blog and praying for you for a few weeks... My husband and I love Mike and Sandy dearly and are so glad that you got to connect with them, and they wth you. We will continue to pray for you all. May the Lord guard your hearts and make the time pass quickly.

Carrie DeLille said...

Love the analogy of camp!!

Kami said...

We are thinking of you and praying! The girls are so beautiful! Safe travels.

Paige said...

Love the pictures. Hope you were able to get some sleep!