Sunday in Panfilov Park

Little man slept better last night - only woke up from 2:15-2:45 and then was up shortly after 7 which gave mom some better sleep. Kurt went to bed at 8:3o last night and spent the day in the apartment alternating between sleeping and catching up on his e-mail - he's glad we have a follow up appt tomorrow for Serik since he needs to be seen too. I bundled Serik up after an early lunch and out we went to meet up with Linda and Scott - my partners in sight-seeing crime. We met up at Panilov Park a pretty park with many things to check out. The entrance has a statue and some older Russian insignia on the walls. Our first stop was to check out the Russian/Kaz war memorial - it's a huge sculpture that looks like its been carved out of stone but I'm sure it's cast in some metal. Nearby is the eternal flame much like we have in the U.S.

From there we walked to the Cathedral of the Holy Ascension, a Russian Orthodox church. I had seen pics of this and wanted to make sure that we got to see it in person. It's absolutely beautiful - and as it happens we were there on the Russian Orthodox Christmas so there were alot of worshipers heading in and out. Outside there was the Nativity cresh set up and people were praying in front of it. It was interesting to see how they would stop and cross themselves and bow at each icon inside that they worshipped at (see pics) as well as before entering and leaving the church.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the town - checked out the Tsum, the Silk Way (shopping Centers) and I was able to get discs of the songs that we've been hearing all over Kaz (Russian and Kaz artists). We tried to find a little restaurant that Linda had heard about but ended up in a little Kaz/Russian cafe that was decked out with a giant tree. Towards the end of the afternoon we hunted down a rug store for Linda and Scott - literally in the bowels of some random building - you would never know where it was if you weren't specifically looking for it and had the address. Looks like they'll buy a Kaz dream quilt. We might get one - they're used (or were) to hang in the yurts.

Tomorrow after the doc appt. we are planning to drive up to the mountains - there's a bit of a resort or something there to check out. It's about 40 minutes away - we'll see how everyone is feeling. Tuesday is our embassy appt and then we're out of here on Wed. a.m. (Thu 8pm your time CDT) - woohoo!

The pics at right are of the interior of the cathedral. They're not great b/c 1. we weren't supposed to take pics inside so I was trying to not be noticed and 2. I didn't use the flash.

Scott helping with Serik at lunch - huge help - note the tree in the background.

A few random thoughts: Almaty is-as we'd heard - much prettier than Astana. Mature trees, character to the buildings, and not half as cold and windy. It's practically balmy here compared to Astana. That being said - Astana was nice and when it's all built (I could count no less than 20 cranes from our apt window) it should be really nice - esp. in summer.
Also - will be soooo nice to have water that doesn't scald you - they have no water safety features that only allow the water to get so hot. It's ridiculous how many times I've scalded myself. Well off to bed - little man went down at 7:20 - let's hope he stays down!