Clowning Around

What an awesome surprise to be met by two clowns at the train station when I returned from my UK vacation a few weeks ago!  Those who know me know that something like that would have probably embarrassed me to death a few years ago but living here, you just have to "get over it" and have fun!  



My train pulled into the station and as I started to climb down the stairs with my luggage, I was met my my friends Nadezhda and Marina dressed in clown costumes, Yura who gladly grabbed my bags, Ember who was taking pictures in paparazzi style and Ken who was shooting video.  I had a sneaking suspicion that something was up earlier in the evening when Marina texted to ask what wagon I was on but had no idea I would be met by such an entourage!  I think it was pretty entertaining for those around us and it was a great way to be welcomed home!

Golden Tree

A small paper tree made from gold foil left over from a cigarette box sits on the corner of my desk. It was a small gift from a young man named Slava. Olya and I went to a local rehabilitation center today to see their work with kids and adults. I had heard about this program last year and finally had an opportunity to meet with the head doctor who invited us for a visit. The small facility is set back in one of the micro-regions in what used to be a small kindergarten. The grounds were well maintained with flowers and plants and some of the adult clients were pouring cement on the areas of the building needing repair. We made our way to the second floor and was met by a young nurse who unlocked the barred door to let us in to the patient area. We met briefly in a small room that served as an office, therapy room, classroom and exam room depending on what the need was at the time.

After gaining an understanding of the program and the population they work with we moved on to a small room containing 4 beds, each one occupied by a young man with a recently shaved head. One boy was lying on a cot with an IV drip of who knows what. The other three boys introduced themselves and responded openly to our questions. The 16-year-old had arrived three days before by order of the court. Apparently he had stolen a car and had been given a sentence of 2-years on the local juvenile jail. Since he has a problem with drugs/alcohol, he will need to get a clean "bill of health" from this center before moving on to finish his time. His "cousin", Slava was in the cot next to his and in the window was a picture of a woman and in response to my inquiry he said it was his mom. During the conversation, Victor, age 13 stood by quietly with his hands clasped behind his back. His tiny frame made him look more like a 9 or 10 year old but his face, with awkward glances of curiosity mixed with timidity indicated that he has seen more than his fair share of life experiences. In those short moments of interaction I was made aware of another group of kids at risk of falling through the cracks. Before leaving the boys gave each of us the craft they had finished as a "thank you" for visiting. For me, it will sit on my desk as a reminder to be doing something more for these kids. Olya and I brainstormed some ideas on how we might provide some games, activities and crafts for these kids. We would also like to see some volunteers from the community coming in and just spending time talking and trying to encourage them. We will also see how we might use the Youth Impact program to give them some much needed skills and hopefully this visit might open some doors for us to the local juvenile detention facility. I wish Slava knew how much his gift meant to me today...

Normal or Expedited Service?

I guess I am not the only one who has a challenging time dealing with visa issues. One of my British friends needed to obtain Kazakh visas for 6 people. Since the embassy website was down, e-mail wasn't working and they were not answering their phones she decided to drive down on a Friday to submit her applications. Since they were leaving the following week, it was pretty important for them to obtain the visas quickly. She arrived in time, submitted the forms and was told that each one would be $40 each and would be available Monday morning after 9. Knowing that she wouldn't be available to pick them up she asked if expedited service was available. She was told that service was available for an additional $22 each. Great! She asked if she could stop by in the afternoon to get the visas and was told, "no, those would be available Monday morning after 9 a.m." Okay, so you can go for either normal service for $40 or expedited service for $64 and both available Monday morning after 9 a.m. Hmm, I guess normal service would be the way to go huh? Fortunately a friend was available to pick them up on Monday so it did work out ok. Never a dull moment!

Culture Shock

As I have walked the streets of London over the past few days I find myself experiencing a bit of culture shock. Old brownstones, fancy cars, outrageous prices, creature comforts from home and everything is in English. Green grass, clean streets, pristine gardens, customer service with a smile, an apology even when something was your fault, mass transit systems, accents and languages from all over the world, fresh avocados, Starbucks (I refuse to pay $6 for a cup of java even if it is from there). Drinking water out of the tap, flushing toilet paper (still can't get myself to do that). No one following me around the store being suspicious that I might steal something. Dogs being walked on leases everywhere...not a stray in sight. Fashion...let's not even go there.

I arrived in London last Saturday after a very LONG wait in the Moscow airport. Made my way to Alice's place where she gave me a great place to sleep and call home base for a few days. She let me borrow an Oyster card (better and cheaper way to get around on the public transportation system) and an orientation on where to go and what to do. I have made it to Kensington Gardens, the museum of Natural History, National Gallery, London Eye, Big Ben, Covent Gardens, Regent's park, etc. So for the past few days I have been exploring London while waiting for Annie to get here (arrived on the 13th). She injured her back last week and had to delay her trip by several days. She's not yet 100% but is doing better. We will then head to the Cotswold and then up to Manchester to see a friend there. Early next week it will be on to Belfast!

What do you mean you don't take cash?

I am staying in London with my friend Alice and since I was going to the Russian embassy she asked if I might drop off her visa application at the Kazakh embassy about a mile away. After my long wait at the Russian embassy, I had about 45 min. to get to the Kazakh embassy before it closed. No problem...got to the nearest underground tube station and waited for the line that would take me there. Whoops...same line that was having problems in the morning. After having spent 3 days now in London, I thought I was getting a handle on this public transport bit. I decided to get on a different line and get off two stops before where I needed to be and walk. Got out and had no idea where I was and after asking realized that I was still a ways off. Mind you, it closes at 12 and it was 11:45. After a brisk walk I realize that the only way I would make it was to grab a taxi. Hailed a taxi and got to the embassy at 11:55...whew.

I happily spoke to the guy in Kazakh (I don't think he was impressed) and he took the application. He then asked for payment of £20 which I had in my pocket. I handed him the bill and he said, 'we don't take cash, only credit card or bank transfer'. What!?! Since the Russian embassy said it didn't allow handbags I had left my purse and cards at home. He said, we close in a few minutes so there is no time to process this, you will have to come back another day. Oh my land...you must be kidding me! He must have seen the look on my face as I asked, "can't I pay it when I pick it up?" He said, he would only make this one exception and wrote a note at the top of the application.

There was a huge sense of relief as I exited the building shaking my head of course at my morning "adventures". I almost got run over by a guy that had obviously run there based on the sweat dripping off his nose and breathing heavy, I sure hope he brought his credit card!

You Do the Math

For some reason I had this crazy notion that I should fly through Moscow for vacation so that on the way back I can spend time with Anton and his family. My layover, which requires a transit visa, is from the evening of the 28th until the morning of the 31st. A few weeks ago, I went to the Russian embassy in Almaty to get the transit visa, only to find out that I need to acquire it here in London. They assured me that the transit visa requirements is anything under 72 hours.

Yesterday I went to the Russian Embassy only to discover that the line was a mile long (slight exaggeration) so decided to go early today instead. I was up and out the door by 7:45 and to the Embassy by 8:20. Not bad considering that one of the tube lines I needed wasn't working so I had to reroute the trip a bit. The line, even that early in the morning was already about 50 people deep. Sigh...I should have bought coffee for the wait. By 10:00 I had decided that maybe it would be better to send it by post and made some phone calls to see how best to do that. In the course of obtaining an address, etc. I ended up talking to the guy in back of me who encouraged me to wait it out since I had come this far. My main concern was having to wait in the same line next week to pick up the visa/passport. Fortunately pickup is in the afternoon.

By 10:30 I was finally inside and this time the queue (British English for 'line') was a little shorter. Finally got up to the window and asked the gentleman behind the glassed counter to borrow his glue stick since my pictures where on the two previous applications I had filled out in Almaty. He commented that everyone expects them to have glue but since I asked so nicely, he would let me use it. At which point I politely replied that since they insisted that ONLY their form could be used from their website, I needed to remove my picture from the previous applications and attach it to their form. He smiled affirming that yes, he would only take their application (which by the way has exactly the same information and layout as the previous one I completed, minus the little symbol in the corner denoting their embassy).

He examined my paperwork, looked at my documents and then informed me that he could not give me a transit visa. What!?! He said, according to the dates, you will be there longer than 3 days and the rule is no more than 72 hours. Now keep in mind, most people will tell you that my math skills are zero without a calculator and even then I sometimes have problems. However, I KNEW that I didn't exceed the limit. Fortunately I was pretty good at story problems growing up so I drew it on a piece of paper and started counting for him. I was glad that he really did want it to work out for me but just couldn't see how it could. I got to the last day at which point he said, 'oh, I see' and quietly went back to work processing my request. So, after 3 hours and $90 (only cash accepted) later I should be able to pick up my permission slip next week between 4 and 5 o'clock and hopefully without a line.

Touching My Heart

It is often the unexpected that touches our hearts the most. Today I received an e-mail from a national friend to whom I had given a book to about finding your purpose in life. She works in one of the local businesses and is amazing at customer service and is always such a help to me. She has a genuine kindness and is always serving others. In a conversation back in March it seemed evident that her "success" was falling short in giving her meaning in life. She is clearly searching and wants to experience joy and peace in her life. I remembered a book that was available in Russian that I thought might help answer some of those questions and arranged with our mutual friend Nadezhda to get her a copy. She writes,

I do very appreciate your heart for the book, you have given to me!
I thank God for meeting you!
And I thank you for your love and kindness, hope and joy, you spread to everyone!

As I read it it was I who felt abundantly blessed and hope that it will be used in her life to find the hope she's looking for. I am also looking forward to getting together with her after I get back from vacation!