September 18, 2006
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Today’s Visit With Alma
When I arrived for our morning visit, Alma hadn’t been fed yet so I was able to feed her again. She had the same porridge as she had Saturday morning followed by a cup of Kefir. Like Saturday, she did not finish the Kefir and later spit some of it up. At lunch time, I bought an electric tea kittle so I could boil water to sterilize her bottles as well as boil the bottled water that I will use to mix her formula.
When I went to visit Alma this afternoon, I took a bottle of formula with me. She is fed just before our afternoon visit; therefore, I waited until our visit was almost over before trying to give her the bottle. The good news is she drank 160 ml or about 5.5 ounces of the formula!
Sight Seeing in Ust – Kamenogorsk
Ahz picked us up in front of our hotel Sunday morning at 9:45 am to go sight seeing. He gave us a tour of the significant monuments located in Ust. The first monument we visited was a memorial to the Kazak men and women who fought in the Afghanistan war while part of the Soviet Union from 1979 to 1989. The monument was very regal and sits on the bank of the Irtysh River. Just like the Vietnam Memorial in D.C., this monument is made out of black marble and has the names of the service men and women from the Ust area who died in that war are engraved on it. I’ve uploaded a picture of Ahz and the other American family who is here standing in front of the memorial.
While traveling to the World War II monument that was a few miles down the same street, we passed a very lovely children’s park that had all kinds of swings, slides, and other attractions that children would love. Ahz told us this park was built by the President of Kazakhstan’s wife as a gift to the children of Ust. We didn’t stop to get a closer look, but it looked like a place children and parents would enjoy.
The World War II memorial is located on the bank of the Irtysh River where the Irtysh meets another river. The memorial is surrounded by a beautiful park that includes sidewalks running parallel to the river. Along the walks include plaques every so many feet honoring Kazakhstan’s World War II heroes. There are numerous rose gardens within the park and they were in full bloom the day we visited.
The next monument we visited is also located along the bank of the Irtysh River and is not as grand as the previous two. This monument was built many years ago when Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union and was built to honor and memorialize the Russian revolution of 1917.
The last place we visited is called the Central Square Park and is located across from the Kazakhstan government building in Ust. This is a beautiful park with numerous flower beds and a grand fountain in the center. In the background are a masque and its spiral towers and the mountains. There were lots of roses in bloom in the gardens and you could smell them as you walked along the paths. I’ve uploaded a picture of this park as well.
There is another very nice park in walking distance from our hotel that has flower gardens, paved paths, fountains, statues of fairy tail characters and lots of trees and benches. This park seems to be a favorite of the local residents as there are always lots of people in the park.
Impressions of Ust – Kamenogorsk
Ust is an industrial city and the main form of industry and employment are metal factories. It is surrounded by un-forested hills and sits sort of in a bowl. The locals claim the air is very polluted. On Saturday, Ahz pointed out a hazy cloud hanging over the city. He said the pollution was worse that day because the factories were not using any filters. He thought it had something to do with the factories cleaning or changing the filters. When Pamela asked whether the path that follows the Irtysh River would be a good place to run, both Ahz and Galina said no because the air in Ust is too polluted. I have to admit that I can’t tell that the air is any more polluted than what you would find in a similar city in the U.S. However, I have to admit I have not seen anyone walking or running for exercise since I have been here. I think the main reason I haven’t seen anyone walking and running is because that form of exercise is not popular here.
Like most large cities, Ust has paved streets and sidewalks. The main streets and avenues are in good shape while the side streets are full of pot holes. You have to drive very slow and the ride is always bumpy.
Most people live in large high rise apartment buildings that are located all over the city. Most of the buildings are older and have stucco or tile finishes on the outside. I think most of them appear a little drab and dreary because of the building materials that are used and everything is looks sort of gray and brown. Only wealthy people can afford single family homes. Although there are a few small houses on the outskirts of town as you come into the city from the airport. There also seems to be lots of mounds of dirt everywhere. I haven’t been able to figure out if there are lots of little construction projects or if they just don’t landscape after they finish a building.
Ahz says the majority of families own at least one automobile. While you see some Toyotas and Hondas, you mainly see small cars manufactured in Russia. I have also observed that Kazak drivers like to play chicken and no one likes to yield the right of way to someone else. Fortunately, someone usually does chicken out before an accident occurs. I’ve shut my eyes several times as we came within inches of being hit or hitting someone else!
Drivers also do not yield to pedestrians! You take your life into your own hands if you try crossing the street against the light. While I haven’t seen any pedestrians hit, I’ve seen some close calls!
As I’ve mentioned previously, all the Kazaks I’ve met or encountered so far have been very polite and nice.
