We need a pumice.

I wish I’d listened to my instincts and brought one but alas, Zac’s instincts for hectoring his wife into packing light won the day. So now we pass the time by playing the “listen, listen” game, wherein we take turns rubbing our callused feet back and forth across the satin bedspread and having fits of hysterics over the loud scratching sounds. Like I said -- no TV, newspapers, or shopping malls.

We did go to the Tsum (Zoom) store today though. The Tsum is an indoor marketplace in Kokshetau, and we popped in with the couple that we’re sharing the cottage with for a quick hour between visits to the baby house (they visit their son in the morning and we see Chloe in the afternoon -- we share the same driver). I wish that we’d gotten a chance to take some pictures but we were in such a rush trying to get a bunch of shopping done in a short time that there wasn’t even a chance to think about it. I’m looking forward to going back and taking a good long look at all the merchandise and people.

I know that we’ve talked about this before but I have to say it again, the people here are so good-looking! Seriously, so many of the Kazakhs, the Russians, and everyone in between are really striking, and they look nothing like Borat from the Ali G show though I hope that’s not news to any thinking person (As, of course, you all are. Right???). I can’t deny that the bit is funny but it has about as much relevance to Kazakhstan as it does to Canada or Kokomo, Indiana.

Marina has promised that she’ll try to take us to the open-air market next if there’s time. I definitely want to get a piece of that action. I’ve heard that the market is open year round, even when it’s below zero out. Marina says that the stall keepers stay warm by drinking vodka (VODE-ka as she pronounces it – sort of). So. It seems that the forced air heating industry has been depressingly successful in their efforts to hoodwink the American public. Boo! (Have I mentioned that Marina is ethnically Korean? Isn’t that cool?)

Chloe was a complete doll today, really mellow, still mouthing everything within reach and drooling rivers and streams. We’re thinking about volunteering her to visit drought-stricken countries around the world as a goodwill ambassador. Angelina Jolie had better watch out! That husband-stealing, brother-frenching, Billy-Bob-blood-wearing weirdo’s got nothing on our little Kazarina.

P.S.: Zac and I want to thank everyone for all of your supportive comments and emails. We wish that we could answer you all individually but our Internet access is somewhat limited as Zac’s modem is malfunctioning and we’ve had to rely on the generosity of our cottage-mates. Reading all of your comments and emails while we’re so far from home means so much more than we can say. Please keep them coming! Chloe sends her love (and drool).

PPS: We're working on a pic of all three of us, but Zac hasn't gotten his arm stretched out long enough yet. I suppose we could ask Marina ...