For anyone not of facebook that would like to see our first pictures from Astana, please view this link:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150363630027209.392512.534272208&l=e08f062268&type=1
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Best laid plans....
We made it!! Our 22 hour travel from Lansing to Astana was a success with the exception of a forgotten stroller, a lost Nook reader, and a panic attack courtesy of the Consulate of Kazakhstan....
Cole, Avery, my Dad (who was kind enough to accompany us on our adventure) and I arrived at the Lansing airport with 11 bags to check and carry-ons in hand. I knew we'd have a few "extra" bags that were overweight and learned am important lesson: It is WAY cheaper to check extra bags when they are not overweight! I thought it would be better to have the least amount of bags possible, but because two bags were extra AND overweight, not only was I charger $200 per bag for being extra, but an extra $400 each for being overweight!! So $1200 in baggage fees were paid and we were on on way. Yikes!
Avery fell asleep during the descent into Chicago-O'hare and I was forced to wake her up. I've always known there was a reason I don't like waking Avery up and I was unfortunately reminded of why that day. She was ridiculously grumpy and proceeded to have a full-on meltdown while trying to enjoy a nice dinner at the airport Chili's. We eventually were able to calm her down but not without ruining everyone's dinner at the restaurant. We waited around for our flight and did anything we could think of to keep the kids busy before having to sit on a plane for 8 1/2 hours. Then it was finally time to board!
We we lucky enough to have the bulkhead seats behind business class so we had plenty of legroom and a reasonably comfortable trip to Frankfurt. The kids slept for 4 or 5 hours, and "Nono" (as the kids call my Dad) and I were also able to catch a few Zzzz's.
After we arrived in Frankfurt, I realized I had hopped on the shuttle to the terminal and forgotten my stroller. Ooops! Trying to keep my cool, I went to the United desk to inquire about how I could track it down. There was a bit of a line, and the Lufthansa counters were next door, so I thought I'd go ahead and get our boarding passes for the final leg of our flight. After checking passports/visas for Cole, Avery, and Dad and printing their boarding passes she got to my Visa and hesitated, "Your visa is not valid". "Excuse me?? Are you sure????" I questioned. "No look, it expired August 7th, 2011", she stated. I grabbed the passport and looked for myself. Thanks to a typo by the Consulate of Kazakhstan that issues visas, I was not going to be allowed on the flight!! Instead of being valid August 8th, 2011 to August 7, 2012, they had put August 8th, 2011 to August 7, 2011. That expires a day before it was even valid! Doesn't even make sense, and the Lufthansa woman agreed, but her hands were tied. To add on to my stress, I had accidentally left my phone powered on on the plane, and the battery was dead so I couldn't call anyone. I opened my computer to email or skype but there was no internet!! I was helpless. A kind American woman let me use here phone, only I didn't even know Andrew's Kazakh cell phone number. I quick called my mom to get it, but I still didn't know the country code to call him. I texted him the issue, told him I'd call when I could, and gave the phone back having no idea what to do next.
The man running the ticket counter told me I had one hour to contact a Consulate to get an updated invitation letter (we needed invitation letters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get a year long visa) The one I had wasn't technically the right one since it was for a year. My best hope was to get an invitation for a 30 day tourist visa, have it issued upon arrival in Astana, then have to leave the country within those 30 days to apply for the correct visa. At this point I didn't care. As long as I could get on that plane that's all that mattered. After figuring out the country code, I desperately called Andrew from the Lufthansa desk He had a game that night and I was afraid he was already on the ice for warmups, but luckily he answered. After telling me to calm down (I definitely was freaking out) he told me he was already working with the team about getting me on that flight. At this point, they were boarding and we had to make the decision if my Dad and the kids should go without me. Of course my Dad did not want to leave me there, but I convinced him I would be fine, and I wanted them (especially the kids) to get there to see Andrew. I had my phone (if I could get it charged), a computer, and money. I figured I could fend for myself. They left, and I continued my frantic quest to obtain the correct documentation to get me on that flight.
Within minutes, although it seemed like an eternity, I was able to print up an invitation that was emailed to me. "This is in Russian, how are we supposed to know what it says??" the woman at the desk asked me. Although the invite is all jibber jabber Russian letters, it is easy to see that the dates of validity are. She called the gate agent, sent me on my way, and said it's completely in the hands of the gate agent. A nice girl who had been helping the entire time took me the secret way through security and ran me to the gate. We also passed a Russian speaking girl who started running with us so she could translate the document if necessary. Dad and the kids were still waiting as everyone else was already boarded, waiting to see if I would make it. The document was good enough for the gate agent and she handed me my ticket!!! I have never felt so relieved in my life. I hugged Dad and the kids, and was so happy to be finally on my way to Astana. Phew. Dad and I had a couple beers on the plane to calm down, kids fell asleep and the rest of the travel was uneventful. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Asel, the team translator, and Boris, the team Chief. Boris yelled something in Russian to the Visa office and after a little wait, they fixed my visa so not only was I allowed in, I don't have to worry about getting a new visa issued. Andrew also arrived after his game, we loaded the bags on the bus, and we were off to see our new home.
Cole, Avery, my Dad (who was kind enough to accompany us on our adventure) and I arrived at the Lansing airport with 11 bags to check and carry-ons in hand. I knew we'd have a few "extra" bags that were overweight and learned am important lesson: It is WAY cheaper to check extra bags when they are not overweight! I thought it would be better to have the least amount of bags possible, but because two bags were extra AND overweight, not only was I charger $200 per bag for being extra, but an extra $400 each for being overweight!! So $1200 in baggage fees were paid and we were on on way. Yikes!
Avery fell asleep during the descent into Chicago-O'hare and I was forced to wake her up. I've always known there was a reason I don't like waking Avery up and I was unfortunately reminded of why that day. She was ridiculously grumpy and proceeded to have a full-on meltdown while trying to enjoy a nice dinner at the airport Chili's. We eventually were able to calm her down but not without ruining everyone's dinner at the restaurant. We waited around for our flight and did anything we could think of to keep the kids busy before having to sit on a plane for 8 1/2 hours. Then it was finally time to board!
We we lucky enough to have the bulkhead seats behind business class so we had plenty of legroom and a reasonably comfortable trip to Frankfurt. The kids slept for 4 or 5 hours, and "Nono" (as the kids call my Dad) and I were also able to catch a few Zzzz's.
After we arrived in Frankfurt, I realized I had hopped on the shuttle to the terminal and forgotten my stroller. Ooops! Trying to keep my cool, I went to the United desk to inquire about how I could track it down. There was a bit of a line, and the Lufthansa counters were next door, so I thought I'd go ahead and get our boarding passes for the final leg of our flight. After checking passports/visas for Cole, Avery, and Dad and printing their boarding passes she got to my Visa and hesitated, "Your visa is not valid". "Excuse me?? Are you sure????" I questioned. "No look, it expired August 7th, 2011", she stated. I grabbed the passport and looked for myself. Thanks to a typo by the Consulate of Kazakhstan that issues visas, I was not going to be allowed on the flight!! Instead of being valid August 8th, 2011 to August 7, 2012, they had put August 8th, 2011 to August 7, 2011. That expires a day before it was even valid! Doesn't even make sense, and the Lufthansa woman agreed, but her hands were tied. To add on to my stress, I had accidentally left my phone powered on on the plane, and the battery was dead so I couldn't call anyone. I opened my computer to email or skype but there was no internet!! I was helpless. A kind American woman let me use here phone, only I didn't even know Andrew's Kazakh cell phone number. I quick called my mom to get it, but I still didn't know the country code to call him. I texted him the issue, told him I'd call when I could, and gave the phone back having no idea what to do next.
The man running the ticket counter told me I had one hour to contact a Consulate to get an updated invitation letter (we needed invitation letters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get a year long visa) The one I had wasn't technically the right one since it was for a year. My best hope was to get an invitation for a 30 day tourist visa, have it issued upon arrival in Astana, then have to leave the country within those 30 days to apply for the correct visa. At this point I didn't care. As long as I could get on that plane that's all that mattered. After figuring out the country code, I desperately called Andrew from the Lufthansa desk He had a game that night and I was afraid he was already on the ice for warmups, but luckily he answered. After telling me to calm down (I definitely was freaking out) he told me he was already working with the team about getting me on that flight. At this point, they were boarding and we had to make the decision if my Dad and the kids should go without me. Of course my Dad did not want to leave me there, but I convinced him I would be fine, and I wanted them (especially the kids) to get there to see Andrew. I had my phone (if I could get it charged), a computer, and money. I figured I could fend for myself. They left, and I continued my frantic quest to obtain the correct documentation to get me on that flight.
Within minutes, although it seemed like an eternity, I was able to print up an invitation that was emailed to me. "This is in Russian, how are we supposed to know what it says??" the woman at the desk asked me. Although the invite is all jibber jabber Russian letters, it is easy to see that the dates of validity are. She called the gate agent, sent me on my way, and said it's completely in the hands of the gate agent. A nice girl who had been helping the entire time took me the secret way through security and ran me to the gate. We also passed a Russian speaking girl who started running with us so she could translate the document if necessary. Dad and the kids were still waiting as everyone else was already boarded, waiting to see if I would make it. The document was good enough for the gate agent and she handed me my ticket!!! I have never felt so relieved in my life. I hugged Dad and the kids, and was so happy to be finally on my way to Astana. Phew. Dad and I had a couple beers on the plane to calm down, kids fell asleep and the rest of the travel was uneventful. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Asel, the team translator, and Boris, the team Chief. Boris yelled something in Russian to the Visa office and after a little wait, they fixed my visa so not only was I allowed in, I don't have to worry about getting a new visa issued. Andrew also arrived after his game, we loaded the bags on the bus, and we were off to see our new home.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Countdown
Seven bags (wouldn't be bad if I hadn't sent Andrew with Eight!).... CHECK!
Dozen sticks.... CHECK!
Plane tickets.... CHECK!
Passports with visas.... CHECK!
I think we are just about ready to head over!! TWO DAYS!!!!
Dozen sticks.... CHECK!
Plane tickets.... CHECK!
Passports with visas.... CHECK!
I think we are just about ready to head over!! TWO DAYS!!!!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Pre-Game
After an anxious summer preparing for our new adventure, the time has almost come! After a little miscue at the airport (in the form of not really having a ticket. Oops!) we had a extra day for family time. Andrew eventually left July 21st and has gotten a great deal accomplished in his short time in Astana. He has found us a place to live (nice 3 bedroom apartment in a huge complex called Highvill) where many foreign diplomats live and we are also right across the street from the United States Embassy. All of the "imports" (i.e. non-kazakh players) will live in this complex so it will be great having our friends close by.
He has also gotten us cell phones. Very different process over there since most phones are no contract, prepaid phones which is perfect since we only need it for a short time.
And the biggest news of all is he officially looks like a true hockey player now!! After surviving almost 10 years of professional hockey with every one of his pearly whites, his initiation into the KHL arrived in the form of a hefty high stick to the lip resulting in several stitches and a couple pulled teeth. Not his front ones luckily, but the top and bottom teeth to the right of his front teeth. This was followed by the team doctor having to make a quick stop to pick up some smokes on the way to the dentist.... Different over there indeed. Although the medical offices weren't quite up to the standards we are used to here, he felt like he was in good hands as far as the doctors went. That's a relief considering his mother's and my first concern was "did his teeth really need to be pulled????" Either way, he's recovering well and will see a dentist on Friday about a replacement. He says many Kazakhs have gold teeth so he knows what to make sure he DOESN'T receive. On a side note: To his family and mostly his sister Anne (who just got engaged.... yay!) I promise you we will do everything in our power to have a perfect fake tooth in place by the wedding day! Stay tuned for a picture....
The kids and I (and my Dad who will be accompanying us on the dreadful 15 hour plane ride) have our passports and visa applications ready and are just waiting for the official invitation from the Country of Kazakhstan to finalize our paperwork and begin this new adventure. I'm assuming we will have plenty of stories to fill up this blog and I will do my absolute best to update it freqently with photos and posts!
He has also gotten us cell phones. Very different process over there since most phones are no contract, prepaid phones which is perfect since we only need it for a short time.
And the biggest news of all is he officially looks like a true hockey player now!! After surviving almost 10 years of professional hockey with every one of his pearly whites, his initiation into the KHL arrived in the form of a hefty high stick to the lip resulting in several stitches and a couple pulled teeth. Not his front ones luckily, but the top and bottom teeth to the right of his front teeth. This was followed by the team doctor having to make a quick stop to pick up some smokes on the way to the dentist.... Different over there indeed. Although the medical offices weren't quite up to the standards we are used to here, he felt like he was in good hands as far as the doctors went. That's a relief considering his mother's and my first concern was "did his teeth really need to be pulled????" Either way, he's recovering well and will see a dentist on Friday about a replacement. He says many Kazakhs have gold teeth so he knows what to make sure he DOESN'T receive. On a side note: To his family and mostly his sister Anne (who just got engaged.... yay!) I promise you we will do everything in our power to have a perfect fake tooth in place by the wedding day! Stay tuned for a picture....
The kids and I (and my Dad who will be accompanying us on the dreadful 15 hour plane ride) have our passports and visa applications ready and are just waiting for the official invitation from the Country of Kazakhstan to finalize our paperwork and begin this new adventure. I'm assuming we will have plenty of stories to fill up this blog and I will do my absolute best to update it freqently with photos and posts!
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