Computers and Snow Leopards

Like many other adopting families, we are taking a laptop to Kazakhstan. We plan to arrange for internet access inside our apartment, but we understand this may be limited to dial-up access on a pay-for-time-used basis. It will require some adjustment after being spoiled by the current flat-fee, high-speed, wireless access in our home! For the occasional high-speed, wireless fix in Kaz, we've been directed to various restaurants and public spaces around Almaty where we can access the internet for free or a nominal fee with our laptop.

However, anyone who has traveled with a laptop knows that they quickly become heavy and cumbersome. To the point of being a burden. Imagine our delight when we discovered an ASUS Eee PC mini-laptop for around $300! It's approximately 6 x 8 inches, fits inside a purse or large coat pocket, and weighs next to nothing. It won't replace our other laptop but it's perfect for toting around town in search of prime wireless hotspots. We got it at The Source (Circuit City in the U.S.).

Here it is next to our regular laptop.


Here it is with the books I (Sara) am planning to take to Kaz.

Granted these books are larger than normal, in thickness anyway. (And I'm thinking I just might forget to pack War and Peace.) But it's still a tiny computer.

Enough about computers.

Today was my last day volunteering at the zoo until we return from Kaz. I was glad I had my camera with me when our baby snow leopards appeared for a morning romp in the snow. They were born this summer and are now almost as big as their mother, but much more playful.

Here's one of the cubs peeking out from behind a snow-covered rock.

These animals are known for their magnificent tails. To keep warm in cold Kazakhstani winters, they simply wrap their luscious tails around themselves.

Here's Mom keeping an ever watchful eye out.

Snow leopards are indigenous to the mountains of central Asia, including those around Almaty. Unfortunately, we are unlikely to see any during our visit there, even if we were to venture into the mountains. One reason is that they are good at hiding. Another reason is that there are not many of them left. Their biggest threats are habitat loss and poachers.

Luckily the Snow Leopard Trust (http://www.snowleopard.org/) is working to protect the snow leopard and its habitat. One of their approaches is to partner with communities who share the animal's habitat and provide alternative income opportunities. They have engaged local herding families in a handicraft program which provides training and equipment to the herders who make handmade products out of the wool from their livestock. The Trust purchases these products from the families, which helps enable children to go to school, buy food, and have access to medicines.

In turn, we can purchase these products from the Trust and contribute to the preservation of the beautiful snow leopard while outfitting our Kazakh kiddies in cute clothing, some of it handmade in the region of their birth. :)