Over the past three months, we have been to Chumchuk Aral (Dove Island - so named for the large concrete sculpture of a dove with outstretched wings at one end of it) many times. It's a very pleasant, laid back park cum fairground, with a few unusual touches like the large shallow pool in which children can paddle about in tiny boats. There's a roguish teenager decked out in a homemade Mickey Mouse costume who poses for photos for a small fee, a hamburger stand that serves neither cold drinks or chips as accompaniments to the main fare (while otherwise striving to imitate the American prototype faithfully), and a plethora of sellers of sunflower seeds, buns, cheap plastic toys etc. There are beautiful flower beds everywhere and great views of the river - crisscrossed with pedalos and canoes - and the ever-looming mountains.
Today our trip varied from the norm because we went in the morning - arriving there by 9, to be caressed by most welcome breezes coming off the river. Even better: we had arranged to meet an American family with two young children there. Our first English-language playdate in many months! It warmed the parental heart to see Jacob rushing up excitedly to meet his contemporary Ella, and to watch them chatter together, hold hands and bounce on the trampoline. Ella has lived here since she was a baby, and so does not suffer from Jacob's language barrier problems, but she was also happy to have an English speaking playmate for a change. Ella has a little brother who is about Rufus and Leila's age, but they were not so interested in each other today - one language does about as well as another for the under 2s it seems.
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