Instructions for sending packages

Some of you have asked how you could send care packages to us. I am attaching detailed instructions on how to send using the most reliable method, an organization called CAP. Please carefully read the instructions and follow them to the T, or we might not recieve the package. Please only send personal items unless you email me. Please notice that you ship the package to one place, but send a check to pay for the shipping from the U.S. to us, at $3.1o a lbs., to another location.


Sender Responsibilities

It is in the best interest of all members of the Service if every individual who has your shipping address or plans to send you items via the Service understands the nature of the service and the packing and shipping guidelines. Therefore, upon acceptance to the Service, members should give an explanatory introduction of CAP Shipping Service to all potential shippers. Key points for senders to remember are:

1. Shipping Standards
All packages should fit the following guidelines:
a. SIZE: Able to fit into the back seat of a car and to be carried by one person for 100 meters.
b. WEIGHT: Individual boxes should weigh no more than 30 lbs.
c. DENSITY: Boxes should be packed as tightly as possible, to minimize air freight costs
d. CONTENTS: Preferably nothing fragile, glass or liquid. Any such contents should be very well-packed and padded.

2. Coding
To comply with customs regulations, the contents of all packages must be known.
a. On the outside of the package, next to the address, simply write “CODE” and two or three of the following content codes to represent the main contents of the box:
1 - Letters and Mail
2 - Books (includes printed matter, documents and magazines)
3 - Clothing (includes shoes)
4 - Toys
5 - Kitchen Items (all foods, drinks and spices as well as usual kitchen items)
6 - Office Items (faxes, modems, computer accessories, teaching supplies)
7 - Bathroom Items (medicines, personal care items, cleaning supplies)
8 - Household Items (decorations, bedding, storage devices, lawn care items, hardware, furniture, stereo equipment, cassettes, CDs, videos and everything else for the home)
9 - Computers
10 - Sports Equipment
11 - Musical Instruments
12 - Child Care Items (includes strollers, children’s car seats, children’s beds, etc.)
b. Example: a box containing cookies, popcorn, socks, winter hats, cold medicine, ten cassettes, towels and several pieces of office equipment would be coded as: CODE 5, 6, 8
c. Items shipped to members of the Service via on-line or catalog companies should meet the coding requirements for package contents by the member including “Code #” as part of the shipping name or address given, if possible. Otherwise, educated guesses will be made as to what the contents may be, based on the main products of that company (such as drugstore.com)

3. Shipping Cutoff Dates
Whatever is received in Marietta by about 4 p.m. the third Friday of the month (or whatever shipping date is advertised) will generally be sent on to Bishkek within 20 business days.


Packages should be sent to:
CAP Shipping (Robert & Rhesa Rodriguez)
6025 Sandy Springs Circle, NE
PMB #316
Atlanta, Georgia [30328-3863]
Code___________


The packages are then flown to Bishkek through ARI Cargo
The over sea shipping is payed by sending your estimated $3.10 per pound to the address below
If you do not pay this Robert and Rhesa will have to pay when the package arrives

Send payment to; (Be sure to include name on check memo line(Robert & Rhesa Rodriguez)

Carole Sprague(CAP Shipping Service)
Texas Capital Bank, NA
2100 McKinney Avenue, Ste. 100
Dallas, TX 75201

A picture of our kitchen and our floor scrubber in the background. It is amazing how dirty the floors get sooo fast! We bought the hood above the stove, and our landlord installed it. It was funny, the whole landfamily came over when he was installing it. I guess to see the new fangled thing. His wife kept asking questions about it, and then proceeded to tell her husband that she needed one for her kitchen. I thought that was cute and funny!

They have the shortest brooms here. You have to bend over to reach the floor!

A picture of our new dishwasher!!!!

Mommy getting the dirt out of the floors the old fashioned way!!!

Our new bed with a stow away!!!

Josiah and daddy were running upstairs to see the new bed, he slipped and went into the corner of our night stand! OUCH!!!

Josiah needed stiches, but no doctors in town, so nurse mommy came to the rescue with a butterfly strip cut smaller!

Robert Loves bright colors and was extatic to find this jacket in his size at a thrift shop here. It was less than five bucks. Can you imagine? Who would get rid of this wonderful jacket? Joy Lou, this one is especially for you!!!

An electrical fire broke out! Luckily we were in the next room when we heard the snap crackle pop of the electricity, and were able to get the extension chord out the door and nothing was burned! PTL!!!

For those of you who know Robert, he likes to do new things, but this is the most adventurous he has ever been!! These pictures are from our mountain hike on tuesday. Enjoy. Robert got a really bad sunburn on his head since he is going bald!!!





The water was FREEZING!!! It is glacier water. They told us this after we had taken our shoes off and were on the other side. Our toes were literally numb after getting out.

Here are some pictures of our 2nd week. Most are from our walking excursions around the city.

The White House

The Changing of the Guard




Some things here come in bags rather than boxes or cartons.

Like Salt

Milk

And Turkish Tortillas. Who knew?

It was a treat to see real grapes growing in our friends backyard. We had some and they were sweet. We spoiled Americans have to learn to spit out the seed though. We just got used to seedless! =-)

This is a picture of our friends backyard and guest house. Don't you just love the old fashioned dryer? I haven't used one of these since I was a kid. Brings back many memories.
Also, some faces have been blurred to protect identities! =-)

Josiah having Fun! All shoes are to be taken off at the front door and are not worn into the house.

The girls after one of our walking excursions!

Remember, some faces have been blurred to protect identities. Our kids could not stand to just look, but thanks to Ms. Tricia and Ms. Barbie, they have done well and pocketing thier pals. You can ask them for more details! =-) This is a wonderful toy selection isn't it?

Now most locals go shopping at the local food bazar. Here is one that we visited.

They still serve tomatoes here! =-)

Josiah and Mikayla enjoying some strawberries. I know they are small and look like raspberries, but they truly are some of the smallest and sweetest strawberries I have ever had.

Finally, this was our trip to the local discount icecream store. Notice the wonderful selection behind me. You actually pay at the window, then off to the right, they fill your order. Another thing that comes in a bag here is icecream. You can see the bags right below my elbow.

Our first week in Central Asia

Following are some pictures of our week here in Central Asia. We are in our temporary housing and are in search of a permanent place.

Notice anything different about the egg carton?

Remember, don't flush the paper!

Our micro oven! I don't mean micorwave, just micro!