Got the call!

On Tuesday, January 9, 2007 Ashley called to tell me I have an "Invitation to Travel". I honestly cannot tell you much of what she said after those words. I was in shock and just kept saying, "NO WAY! REALLY? NO WAY!" This call came much, much sooner than expected but everything happens as it should. I truly believe that. The mix of emotions is incredible, similiar I am sure to pregnancy. I've applied for my Visa and pray it gets here in time. I've booked my flights - 2 full days of travel - Denver to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Almaty, Almaty to Astana. I will arrive in Astana on the 21st. Astana is 13 hours ahead of Mountain time.

I leave on Friday the 19th and will meet Maya on Monday the 22nd. All I know about her is she will be between 7-12 months old. I'll get her medical history and all other information about her on the 22nd before meeting her.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of good friends, Christy, Meghan, Lindsey, Dan & Tiffany, I am set with all of my baby needs for the trip. Maya will be quite the looker in all of her cute outfits. Thank you guys. You are great.

About Kazakhstan

When Vi mentioned this country as an option I didn't even know where it was. Kazakhstan is located between Russia and China. It is actually the 9th largest country in the world, roughly 4 times the size of Texas but with only 15 million people.

A great resource for information on any country is The CIA Worldbook www.cia.gov

"Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes who migrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united as a single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th century, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. Independence came in 1991. "

Contrary to what "Borat" would have people believe, Kazakhstan cities are pretty modern. Adult literacy is 99.5% literacy rate and women are represented in every profession. In fact, laws against homosexuality were defeated in 1997. Which is why I was so surprised when they insisted on my Statement of Heterosexuality - a fabulous trip down memory lane of failed relationships but stating "there is hope!"

Maya is in Astana, the capitol of Kazakhstan. From what I have heard it is quite architectually interesting. I'll let you know. All I have been able to focus on so far is that it is below zero there now. I am just not a cold weather girl! This bizarre winter we are having now in Denver is killing me and I keep thinking, man it is going to be sooooooo much colder there!