Back in Kaz

Hello everyone,
I arrived in Almaty at 1:00 am after a nervous day of waiting for my passport and visa. It arrived just in the nick of time on Wednesday afternoon. That snow storm was something down in Marengo.

Arman picked me up and took me shopping for water, potatoes, bananas, and bread in the middle of the night. He reserved an apartment for me and Sofia this time. It has more space, but is very run down and no telephone or internet. I didn't like it, so now I am back at the Hotel Kazakhstan.

Sofia arrived at 11:30 this morning. That was one hour later than Arman said. Waiting that one hour was as brutal as waiting the last 6 long weeks. Finally, a knock on the door. She had just woken up so she was a little groggy at first. Once the lady who brought her left, we played on the bed and with in minutes she was all smiles. Just like when I left her. She did not want to go to sleep for her nap. She was too happy. Finally she did nap at 1:00pm, two hours later than usual. Then we had to wake her up to go the the US Embassy. She didn't like that much.

At the Consular's office, she was very good. We waited an hour, then the head guy came out to talk to me. They offered a big apology for the misunderstanding in the instructions given to me. They will make sure to be more accurate from now on.

It's all set. She was approved and has her visa to come home on Tuesday!! We will just hang out here at the hotel. I met another family at the Embassy and they are staying here, too. So maybe we'll meet up tomorrow.

I'm glad to be in the hotel. Its much cleaner and feels more comfortable. Sofia is over tired and therefore very clingy.. I can't leave her sight or put her down without her crying. And I think she is tired of being schlept around. She has taken 3 ..14 hour train rides in the last week or so!! I'll keep holding her, I don't mind at all. If she sleeps through the night, then she will be back to herself tomorrow

I'll try to write again tomorrow.