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dktem
Trad climber
Temecula
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Jan 27, 2010 - 05:35pm PT
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micro,
I know I'm just repeating everyone else here, but I'll say it anyway:
Beautiful.
My wife and I went in 2000. We did a few parts of India first, then to Kathmandu, and from there Lhasa in Tibet. All overland.
It can sound like a cliché, but it's true that the experience does change one forever.
India and Nepal are similar but, believe it or not, we found India to be much more difficult. More poverty, more filth, and never-ending throngs of desperate humanity. When we got to Nepal we actually actually joked that it was like a "lightweight India" with regard to the intensity of the experience.
We resolved to adopt a child from India. We tried for a few years, got caught up in red-tape, and the process eventually led us to Russia where we adopted our son in 2003. (Another interesting trip, but nothing like the subcontinent). Sometimes we receive our blessings in roundabout ways.
My wife and I plan to take our kids to that part of the world when they are old enough to understand the experience better. We have no specific plans yet, but we would like to do some volunteer work there. Perhaps I will look you up when that day comes.
God Bless. I'm looking forward to seeing and reading more.
Dave
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Lambone
Ice climber
Ashland, Or
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Jan 27, 2010 - 05:39pm PT
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Amazing, thanks for sharing!
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TKingsbury
Trad climber
MT
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Jan 27, 2010 - 05:46pm PT
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really cool
thank you for this
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micronut
Trad climber
fresno, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 27, 2010 - 06:47pm PT
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Dave,
That's super cool that you guys adopted from Russia. We adopted our three year old son, Bek, from Kazakhstan a couple years ago. That's interesting about India. It makes you realize how much of the world lives. Whether its Nepal or Mogadishu, or Ghana, or Central Fresno, ca. Its a hard world out there for a lot of people. Kinda overwhelms you once you immerse yourself in it for a spell. The response to what you have seen is what matters. Your adoption is the ultimate response in my opinion.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Jan 27, 2010 - 07:07pm PT
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You sure got your arms wrapped around 'em this time.
Throwing up, through the night, into dry heaves beyond your abdominal strength, in a third world country is not as romantic as it might sound.
Genuine, open, & positively active.
We love you Micronut!
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dktem
Trad climber
Temecula
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Jan 27, 2010 - 07:49pm PT
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Micro,
That's really cool that your son is from Kazakhstan. We were looking into that area as well. We even had plane tickets to Tajikistan at one point, but it didn't work out. (I'm sure you know how the process works...)
Our son in from Russia (Astrakhan, on the Caspian sea), but he is half Kazakh ethnically. There is so much history there. Another huge place that few Americans know much about. I'm very lucky to have had the opportunity to visit and learn about it.
Here he is (can't resist):
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dktem
Trad climber
Temecula
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Jan 27, 2010 - 08:21pm PT
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Thanks Cragman. Your little one is an angel as well.
I never tire of hearing adoption stories.
Dave
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Jan 27, 2010 - 08:39pm PT
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Great report Micronut. Thank you for sharing that with us. It is very moving. And thank you for doing such good work. Very beautiful.
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micronut
Trad climber
fresno, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 28, 2010 - 12:51pm PT
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Dktem....what a handsome lad. He totally looks a bit Kazakh. My boy is a bit more Ghengis Kahn in the eyes. Them Kazakhs is a tough breed. What an honor to be his dad.
We adopted him just over two years ago but Kazakhstan is really, really tough to adopt from now. Nearly all but closed. Total bummer.
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Nate D
climber
San Francisco
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Jan 28, 2010 - 01:21pm PT
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Good man, micro (and Adam)! Thanks for opening our eyes a little further (and with great photos) to the needy out there. We all need more perspective and a hard look at our priorities.
Truly, faith without works is dead, brother.
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dktem
Trad climber
Temecula
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Jan 28, 2010 - 02:23pm PT
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Micro,
Cute little guy. I like the Genghis Khan look. It's definitely cool to be connected to such an interesting part of ancient history.
My son's birth name was Timur (now his middle name). Named after one seriously tough dude, and a fascinating character in history whom I've never heard of before.
As far as personality goes, I don't think my son is the warlord type. Probably good, since he lives in suburbia, in the 21st century.
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Majid_S
Mountain climber
Bay Area , California
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Jan 28, 2010 - 02:43pm PT
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great job
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jan 28, 2010 - 03:12pm PT
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This is probably the best TR ever posted on this forum. By far the most moving.
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micronut
Trad climber
fresno, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 28, 2010 - 04:47pm PT
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Cragman,
We named him Bek.
bek is the last three letters of any Kazakh names like Turabek, Isilabek, Tokabek.
We just shortened it....and I'm a big fan of the band Beck. Just sounds cool.
Thanks Ghost. That means a lot.
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Double D
climber
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Jan 28, 2010 - 05:15pm PT
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micronut thanks for sharing your incredible journey and fabulous photos. Your reminder of how privileged we are is very heart-felt. You are practicing your faith in a very real way that I’m sure has touched many lives.
May God richly bless you and your family and hope y’all get well soon…been there done that and it’s no fun.
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Barcus
Social climber
San Luis Obispo, Ca.
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Jan 28, 2010 - 06:05pm PT
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Micro,
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible journey with us!
The bottom line....you make me strive to be a better man.
Thanks for sharin the luv,
Marcus
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BrassNuts
Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
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Jan 28, 2010 - 07:31pm PT
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Great job Dr. J!! A great story, great pics and a great service to those in need!
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jan 28, 2010 - 08:05pm PT
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Great looking kids, you guys.
My wife and I have considered the idea of adoption. You guys are amazing people. Cragman included!
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MH2
climber
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Jan 28, 2010 - 09:56pm PT
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Way to go.
For my part I have steadfastly refused to visit a dentist for years now, hopefully freeing up one or two to visit the third world.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Jan 29, 2010 - 04:11pm PT
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Great TR. Your thoughts on the I, I, I, me, me, me part is my personal favorite. That attitude is the stuff that wears me down. Seeing your TR is the stuff that ameliorates that. Thanks.
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