More about the trip...

Our day starts at 8:30am with our driver Nursultan. He picks us up and begins what is an hour and a half drive (although we think he views it as a big game) to the baby house. There is nothing like a long drive with Nursultan. The Kazaks don't really pay attention to lines in the road (even when they are present) and speed limits??? Are you kidding? The most undesireable part of the drive occurs about half way through where they are re-building the road, Kazak style. For about a 10 mile stretch we are 4 wheeling in the drivers Volkswagon Gulf. Twice we have blown a tire. Passing moments are always white knuckled for us, but seem to not bother Nursultan, he actually seems to get a kick out of it! And, just to keep the game interesting, he likes to pass slow drivers then slam on the breaks just to let them know who's in charge. The drive is very interesting, cows in the road, major potholes, pedestrians with no respect for the oncoming tonage, old closed down factories, and a host of other landmarks that we'll never forget.

We arrive at the baby house usually around 10:00 for our hour and a half visit, just to jump back in the car for another game of Kazak driving.

We aren't complaining. We have become to trust in Nursultan and the small amount of time we do get to spend with our son means everything. Truth be told, we'd drive 8 hours a day each way for just a 5 minute visit. We can't however wait for the time we get to go there and keep him forever. We estimate that we only have another 29 days of travel back and forth.

Check out some pictures of the trip and the final destination: The baby house!!!