At the end of our trip we had the privilege to go and visit the city in Kazakhstan where Rachel grew up for about 9 years as a kid. Though I (Josh) visited together with her before, it was quite a long time ago and before we were married, so it was really special to go back.
One highlight for Rachel was to be the first in her family to ride the new metro! Why this is so significant?? Because when Rachel's family first moved there (when she was 9) the city was talking and planning on building it. Now it is a reality!
A slightly less significant experience was for me (Josh) to try Rachel's favorite childhood soda (which apparently made her and her friends very hyper).
One day we got to go up to the mountains just south of town. Here was a view of their big ice skating rink.
The mountains were absolutely beautiful.
On another night we visited some friends of Rachel's who owned a restaurant. Kazakhs are known for their hospitality and feeding you until you are stuffed -- this was no exception!
After we couldn't eat another bite, they took us to a friend's place where we could try a local specialty - Kumis and Shubat.
For those who don't know, that is fermented mare's milk and fermented camel's milk, respectively. I may have been a little less excited to try it than this picture implies.
The inside of a traditional yurt.
And last, but not least, we got to make a quick trip on a very rainy day to see Rachel's old home!
Yay!
