Thanks Cathy Dietz for the great pics!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
don't ya hate it when...
When we were in Russia, we came up with the best 'new name' for the blog. Since we're not really 'bringing Anya home' anymore...I remember it was still 'Bring Anya Home' - then a word that started with a 'C'. I can not remember what that very special, very appropriate word is! And, it is killing me!
So - give me your best "c" words...maybe it will spark some memory!
So - give me your best "c" words...maybe it will spark some memory!
'C'
Moscow - and then HOME!
After an almost 9 hour delay, we FINALLY lifted off, and the heck outta Irkutsk!
Good bye Irkutsk!
In Moscow, one of the first things we did was head to Mc Donald's. I don't know why. We don't eat there EVER at home...but it seemed familiar - so to McD's we went. Anya DID NOT like the hamburgers. But thought the nuggets were OK.
She was particularly fond of the orange drink (which was orange juice)
The inside of the McD's in Moscow doesn't exactly look like the McD's around our home.
And then, after a few days of running, exhaustion, tension and then relief...we're headed HOME!
I have more pics of our time in Moscow, but they are on another camera that I'm not allowed to mess with (haha!)...those are coming, I promise!
Good bye Irkutsk!
In Moscow, one of the first things we did was head to Mc Donald's. I don't know why. We don't eat there EVER at home...but it seemed familiar - so to McD's we went. Anya DID NOT like the hamburgers. But thought the nuggets were OK.
She was particularly fond of the orange drink (which was orange juice)
The inside of the McD's in Moscow doesn't exactly look like the McD's around our home.
And then, after a few days of running, exhaustion, tension and then relief...we're headed HOME!
I have more pics of our time in Moscow, but they are on another camera that I'm not allowed to mess with (haha!)...those are coming, I promise!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
..and then
After we got home from the Jackson's home on our final day in Irkutsk, we continued to finish packing - and Alex stopped by to drop some things off, and wish us well.
Honestly, I cried when he left. Alex and I have talked at least every few weeks since 2005. We have had a lot of candid discussions about adoption, Irkutsk etc. I have the utmost respect for his heart and what he his work ethic. Time and time again, he did the right thing for us. We hope to see him again.
Honestly, I cried when he left. Alex and I have talked at least every few weeks since 2005. We have had a lot of candid discussions about adoption, Irkutsk etc. I have the utmost respect for his heart and what he his work ethic. Time and time again, he did the right thing for us. We hope to see him again.
final hours in Irktusk
Of course, it was important during our final hours in Irkutsk to have pretty toes (Anya's purple, mine red)
And finish up the last bits of laundry...
And check the "closet" to make plans what we will be wearing in Moscow.
Me and Tami
The kids made Easter cookies (Anya had never decorated cookies before)
And colored and decorated Easter Eggs (again, Anya had never done this before)
The whole group coloring eggs.
And finish up the last bits of laundry...
And check the "closet" to make plans what we will be wearing in Moscow.
Me and Tami
The kids made Easter cookies (Anya had never decorated cookies before)
And colored and decorated Easter Eggs (again, Anya had never done this before)
The whole group coloring eggs.
the last supper
I'm trying to get caught up on posts here from our final days in Irkutsk - and first 2 weeks home.
Thought I would post a pic of our last meal at the apartment. Truth is, on our last LAST day - we ate at the Jackson's - which was a HUGE relief! But, here was the last thing that I cooked - and I'll call it Mexican Fiesta...Russian style!
My no-meat version
Anya gave it a "thumbs up"...which for this picky eater - that is a big deal!
And here is the meat version (with chicken).
Thought I would post a pic of our last meal at the apartment. Truth is, on our last LAST day - we ate at the Jackson's - which was a HUGE relief! But, here was the last thing that I cooked - and I'll call it Mexican Fiesta...Russian style!
My no-meat version
Anya gave it a "thumbs up"...which for this picky eater - that is a big deal!
And here is the meat version (with chicken).
Sunday, April 18, 2010
I'm not dead
Not dead, just busy. Nothing like coming home from being in Russia for 2 months, and hitting the ground running! I will say, however, this is a great cure for jet lag. We haven't had to deal with ANY jet lag!
I have a huge project next week, once I get through that - I promise I will give you all some pics and updates!
With all the news coming out of Russia, we've been on the news (what seems like) every night since we got home.
Here is a news story from the station I do some work with:
I have a huge project next week, once I get through that - I promise I will give you all some pics and updates!
With all the news coming out of Russia, we've been on the news (what seems like) every night since we got home.
Here is a news story from the station I do some work with:
Monday, April 12, 2010
latest news out of Russia
I guess I should say something about the latest scandal involving an American family and a Russian adopted child. If you don't know what I am talking about, look HERE or HERE or Google 'Russian adoption Tennessee woman'.
It is horrible. I don't know what kind of irresponsible adult would think it is OK to put your child on an airplane with a note, and send him back to his birth country.
How option blind do you need to be to think THAT is the only option?
Unbelievable.
My initial reaction to this news feels as extreme as are things in Russia. This happened about 24 hours after we got home with Anya. I am blessed and have seen the hand of God in my life, in Anya's life, in our families life in such a big way. We are grateful, and recognize the window God opened for us to bring Anya home. The prayers we had from all of you, from all over the world, are the reason we have Anya home...
Along with feeling blessed and grateful for God's timing - I am also concerned, worried, gobsmacked and mad. I am concerned for friends who leave tomorrow for Irkutsk. They will go to court next week to try to bring their little girl home. I am worried for all of the other families who have yet to receive a court date in Irkutsk. There is so much going on with adoptions in that region, so much anti-American sentiment....all I can do is pray. I'm gobsmacked at the utter stupidity of people who live in this country; and I am mad. Mad that this seems to be happening all over again. Mad because I am ashamed at what American people have done to make the world think we're all crazy. I am mad because I fear this is the final straw (as President Medvedev said).
It is horrible. I don't know what kind of irresponsible adult would think it is OK to put your child on an airplane with a note, and send him back to his birth country.
How option blind do you need to be to think THAT is the only option?
Unbelievable.
My initial reaction to this news feels as extreme as are things in Russia. This happened about 24 hours after we got home with Anya. I am blessed and have seen the hand of God in my life, in Anya's life, in our families life in such a big way. We are grateful, and recognize the window God opened for us to bring Anya home. The prayers we had from all of you, from all over the world, are the reason we have Anya home...
Along with feeling blessed and grateful for God's timing - I am also concerned, worried, gobsmacked and mad. I am concerned for friends who leave tomorrow for Irkutsk. They will go to court next week to try to bring their little girl home. I am worried for all of the other families who have yet to receive a court date in Irkutsk. There is so much going on with adoptions in that region, so much anti-American sentiment....all I can do is pray. I'm gobsmacked at the utter stupidity of people who live in this country; and I am mad. Mad that this seems to be happening all over again. Mad because I am ashamed at what American people have done to make the world think we're all crazy. I am mad because I fear this is the final straw (as President Medvedev said).
Sunday, April 11, 2010
best diet plan ever
Looking for a good diet plan?
Go to Siberia for 2 months. If I could bottle it, I'd sell it and be a bazillionairre!
Go to Siberia for 2 months. If I could bottle it, I'd sell it and be a bazillionairre!
...and WNDU followed up with us
WNDU was also at the airport Wednesday night, but they couldn't wait for our late flight. We agreed to let them stop by on Thursday afternoon and talk to us about being home.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Anya's broadcasting career
My brother took Anya to WSBT on Friday while I was getting my hair cut. He used to be a producer at WSBT, and this is the station where I have been doing segments for about 3 years. Good people. Looks like Anya fit right in, and took her position at the anchor desk!
more questions answered part 7
What other vocab do you wish you'd learned?
Every now and again, I think it might have been helpful to learn more of the Russian alphabet – but really, it is very much like the Greek alphabet (so, all those years in a sorority HAVE paid off!). But really, that wouldn’t be that helpful. Most signs etc. here have Roman and Cyrillic lettering now days.
WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST ABOUT HOME?
Now that we’re on our way home, I will tell you that what I’ve missed most has changed. It seems every day, every week I missed something different.
Aside from the obvious (I miss my house, my cats, my stuff, my friends, my family bla bla bla) The things I missed most:
1. Convenience and ease of things. Everything in Russia is hard. It is the way of life, and is ingrained into the very being of who Russia is and what makes up the Russian people. Or rather, my perception of things in Russia is hard. It is hard to do a load of laundry. Hard to get anything done (you can’t just go to an office and have something done in one day). In Russia, we had to shop for our food every day. Nothing in the stores (generally) is prepackaged for convenience like at home – everything (again, generally) is made from scratch. We had to walk everywhere, therefore our “community” was as far-reaching as we could walk. If we needed something, we had to figure out a way to ask for it, using the limited vocabulary we know – or, use sign language.
2. Church. I miss out church and the people there. I miss the freedom to worship as we do at home. I miss the teaching at our church; understanding what is being said in church.
3. My attitude. Me in Russia isn’t really ‘me’. I am cynical. I walk down the street with a hard edge about me. I try to not smile. Smiling in Russia can be seen as a sign of ignorance. I felt like I always had to have my guard up…always had to be looking for people that were trying to take advantage of us. Lack of sleep (good sleep), lack of meals and food that we are used to, and a complete change of the way we go about our day takes a took on me.
4. Manners. I miss manners as we know them at home. Russian culture is very different than ours, therefore the things we might see as rude is as it is in Russia.
Every now and again, I think it might have been helpful to learn more of the Russian alphabet – but really, it is very much like the Greek alphabet (so, all those years in a sorority HAVE paid off!). But really, that wouldn’t be that helpful. Most signs etc. here have Roman and Cyrillic lettering now days.
WHAT DO YOU MISS THE MOST ABOUT HOME?
Now that we’re on our way home, I will tell you that what I’ve missed most has changed. It seems every day, every week I missed something different.
Aside from the obvious (I miss my house, my cats, my stuff, my friends, my family bla bla bla) The things I missed most:
1. Convenience and ease of things. Everything in Russia is hard. It is the way of life, and is ingrained into the very being of who Russia is and what makes up the Russian people. Or rather, my perception of things in Russia is hard. It is hard to do a load of laundry. Hard to get anything done (you can’t just go to an office and have something done in one day). In Russia, we had to shop for our food every day. Nothing in the stores (generally) is prepackaged for convenience like at home – everything (again, generally) is made from scratch. We had to walk everywhere, therefore our “community” was as far-reaching as we could walk. If we needed something, we had to figure out a way to ask for it, using the limited vocabulary we know – or, use sign language.
2. Church. I miss out church and the people there. I miss the freedom to worship as we do at home. I miss the teaching at our church; understanding what is being said in church.
3. My attitude. Me in Russia isn’t really ‘me’. I am cynical. I walk down the street with a hard edge about me. I try to not smile. Smiling in Russia can be seen as a sign of ignorance. I felt like I always had to have my guard up…always had to be looking for people that were trying to take advantage of us. Lack of sleep (good sleep), lack of meals and food that we are used to, and a complete change of the way we go about our day takes a took on me.
4. Manners. I miss manners as we know them at home. Russian culture is very different than ours, therefore the things we might see as rude is as it is in Russia.
Friday, April 09, 2010
on Moscow
Overall, I will say that we enjoyed our time in Moscow. It felt so much easier than Irkutsk. When you've heard about how expensive that city is - you have NO IDEA! WOW!
GENERAL RECAP
TUESDAY
The next day, we went to the Embassy to get Anya's visa to come into the U.S. When we were checking in, the Embassy employee greeted us with ,"oh YOU are the famous Friend family! It is nice to finally meet you!" So funny...if we were ever to become famous, this is NOT how we would have wanted it to happen!
There were about 5-6 other families there on this day getting visas for their newly adopted children. In the past, I've heard stories from other people that there have been up to 30-40 at a time there!
Met several nice families. One from Michigan, another from Georgia, and another from somewhere else I can't remember right now (sorry!). One lady I met had heard about us. She was a FRUA regular. (Frua.org). It's funny what people say to you, and the look they have on their face when they know of you -but meet you for the first time.
It was nice to chat with our contact at the Embassy - she is such a nice person. Really...very helpful, has a big heart.
From the Embassy, we went sightseeing. Red Square etc. It was a beautiful day, nice to walk around!
Got back to the hotel at about 6pm. Our coordinator guy came into the hotel with us to settle the fees. And, of course, his final bill was several hundred dollars more than what he told me - and what we agreed to. I called him on it. At this point in our trip, I was so tired of "oh, another hundred dollars" being added in. Yes, I would pay it again ten-fold to bring Anya home...but this seems to be a blatant attempt to get more money out of emotional people who just want to go home.
I think his conscious got to him. After we paid him and went to dinner, he was waiting for us in the hotel lobby. He was concerned that we were upset about the fee thing (um, ya think?).
Bottom line? We are sleeping well at night. Not sure about him.
WEDNESDAY
So, on Wednesday morning - we gathered our things, and flew home. We had a few delays in New York, but it was HOME!
We had so many people waiting for us at the airport when we finally got home at 11:10pm, Wednesday night. I thought for sure no one would be there, so I didn't even think about brushing hair, or anything like that. Well, as we walked through the gate tunnel - I saw balloons and TV cameras (yikes!).
...more on that later
and will post some Moscow pics later.
GENERAL RECAP
TUESDAY
The next day, we went to the Embassy to get Anya's visa to come into the U.S. When we were checking in, the Embassy employee greeted us with ,"oh YOU are the famous Friend family! It is nice to finally meet you!" So funny...if we were ever to become famous, this is NOT how we would have wanted it to happen!
There were about 5-6 other families there on this day getting visas for their newly adopted children. In the past, I've heard stories from other people that there have been up to 30-40 at a time there!
Met several nice families. One from Michigan, another from Georgia, and another from somewhere else I can't remember right now (sorry!). One lady I met had heard about us. She was a FRUA regular. (Frua.org). It's funny what people say to you, and the look they have on their face when they know of you -but meet you for the first time.
It was nice to chat with our contact at the Embassy - she is such a nice person. Really...very helpful, has a big heart.
From the Embassy, we went sightseeing. Red Square etc. It was a beautiful day, nice to walk around!
Got back to the hotel at about 6pm. Our coordinator guy came into the hotel with us to settle the fees. And, of course, his final bill was several hundred dollars more than what he told me - and what we agreed to. I called him on it. At this point in our trip, I was so tired of "oh, another hundred dollars" being added in. Yes, I would pay it again ten-fold to bring Anya home...but this seems to be a blatant attempt to get more money out of emotional people who just want to go home.
I think his conscious got to him. After we paid him and went to dinner, he was waiting for us in the hotel lobby. He was concerned that we were upset about the fee thing (um, ya think?).
Bottom line? We are sleeping well at night. Not sure about him.
WEDNESDAY
So, on Wednesday morning - we gathered our things, and flew home. We had a few delays in New York, but it was HOME!
We had so many people waiting for us at the airport when we finally got home at 11:10pm, Wednesday night. I thought for sure no one would be there, so I didn't even think about brushing hair, or anything like that. Well, as we walked through the gate tunnel - I saw balloons and TV cameras (yikes!).
...more on that later
and will post some Moscow pics later.
Monday, April 05, 2010
wanna come to the airport?
So many of you have been so sweet in sending us messages to ask about coming to the airport.
The short answer is YES! We would LOVE to see you all at the airport!
I can't promise that Anya will be in the best mood, that any of us will be picture worthy - but it doesn't matter.
So - to that end, here is our flight information. You can check the status of our flights on Delta.com; and please check all the flights to be sure everything was on time and OK. If something happens and get get delayed, we will do our best to post it here and/or on Facebook.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 7
Delta Air Lines Inc - Flight DL 0031
Depart:
Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport
Arrive:
New York John F. Kennedy Int'l Airport
Delta Air Lines Inc - Flight DL 7293
Depart: New York John F. Kennedy Int'l Airport
Arrive: Detroit Wayne County Airport Travel
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Delta Air Lines Inc - Flight DL 4113
Depart: Detroit Wayne County Airport Airline
7:40 PM
Arrive: South Bend St. Joseph Co Airport
8:36 PM
The short answer is YES! We would LOVE to see you all at the airport!
I can't promise that Anya will be in the best mood, that any of us will be picture worthy - but it doesn't matter.
So - to that end, here is our flight information. You can check the status of our flights on Delta.com; and please check all the flights to be sure everything was on time and OK. If something happens and get get delayed, we will do our best to post it here and/or on Facebook.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 7
Delta Air Lines Inc - Flight DL 0031
Depart:
Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport
Arrive:
New York John F. Kennedy Int'l Airport
Delta Air Lines Inc - Flight DL 7293
Depart: New York John F. Kennedy Int'l Airport
Arrive: Detroit Wayne County Airport Travel
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Delta Air Lines Inc - Flight DL 4113
Depart: Detroit Wayne County Airport Airline
7:40 PM
Arrive: South Bend St. Joseph Co Airport
8:36 PM
...then we got to Moscow
Do you ever wish you had a direct line to God? Like a cell phone that only calls Him. I do. All the time. I wish there was some kind of "heaven phone" available, so when it starts to feel like you are being attacked you can get a jolt to keep you going. Crazy, huh?
When we're in the heat of it, I know intellectually what is going on. But the attacks seem to come when I let my guard down. And I know I let my guard down once we booked our flights home. I was focused on packing, planning and didn't stop to just pause. Pause to pray, pray four our trip, for the last leg of the process. That is always when we get attacked, isn't it? When we least expect it, or when we get too busy with our 'to do' lists.
We get to Moscow. Our driver was great. Get to the hotel (at about 10pm) and our 'helper' meets us there. We weren't met with a welcoming greeting. We were all tired, grumpy and really weren't in any frame of mind to deal with anything.
The helper made us sit in the lobby before checking in. He began going over paperwork. I then suggested that Marty check in while we deal with paperwork (multi tasking!). So - Marty walks away. The helper then takes one look at our documents and exclaims "this will not do. you do not have what is required at the Embassy. I don't know what you will do, this will not work"
nice.
I say "ok, um, can you be a little more specific? If there is something wrong with those documents, can you please call Alex to discuss? He prepared those documents, he can help you"
He says, "where is the stamp for this document? It MUST have a stamp?"
I say, "again, I don't know anything about stamps and I do not read Russian, please call Alex and ask him"
He goes on..."you will never be able to leave the country with her with just this. i don't know what you are going to do"
I mention "Well, if we need something overnighted from Irkutsk, we can do that. Also - if we need help at the Embassy with timing, we can talk to Jessica"
He yelled "who is Jessica, what can she do? Does she had a blue stamp?"
By this time, I am done. Just done with him yelling at me, demanding me give him some kind of answer for something I don't know anything about.
But HE isn't done with me. He starts asking for documents for the Embassy that I KNOW we don't need.
About this time, Marty walks up and I ask him to please finish up with 'Mr-meany-yelling-man-helper-guy' so I could put Anya in bed.
Today when we went to the Embassy, he went into the office, came out and said "the officials said they wold turn a blind eye to all the problems with your documents, so everything is fine"
Well, isn't that something!
Got some advice from a friend that it seems these little "emergencies" pop up all the time. Perhaps these "problems" come up so that he can look like a hero - and you can tell all of your friends what a great job he did at saving you and getting you home. Who knows.
I have one thing to say about it all....GRRRRRR!
When we're in the heat of it, I know intellectually what is going on. But the attacks seem to come when I let my guard down. And I know I let my guard down once we booked our flights home. I was focused on packing, planning and didn't stop to just pause. Pause to pray, pray four our trip, for the last leg of the process. That is always when we get attacked, isn't it? When we least expect it, or when we get too busy with our 'to do' lists.
We get to Moscow. Our driver was great. Get to the hotel (at about 10pm) and our 'helper' meets us there. We weren't met with a welcoming greeting. We were all tired, grumpy and really weren't in any frame of mind to deal with anything.
The helper made us sit in the lobby before checking in. He began going over paperwork. I then suggested that Marty check in while we deal with paperwork (multi tasking!). So - Marty walks away. The helper then takes one look at our documents and exclaims "this will not do. you do not have what is required at the Embassy. I don't know what you will do, this will not work"
nice.
I say "ok, um, can you be a little more specific? If there is something wrong with those documents, can you please call Alex to discuss? He prepared those documents, he can help you"
He says, "where is the stamp for this document? It MUST have a stamp?"
I say, "again, I don't know anything about stamps and I do not read Russian, please call Alex and ask him"
He goes on..."you will never be able to leave the country with her with just this. i don't know what you are going to do"
I mention "Well, if we need something overnighted from Irkutsk, we can do that. Also - if we need help at the Embassy with timing, we can talk to Jessica"
He yelled "who is Jessica, what can she do? Does she had a blue stamp?"
By this time, I am done. Just done with him yelling at me, demanding me give him some kind of answer for something I don't know anything about.
But HE isn't done with me. He starts asking for documents for the Embassy that I KNOW we don't need.
About this time, Marty walks up and I ask him to please finish up with 'Mr-meany-yelling-man-helper-guy' so I could put Anya in bed.
Today when we went to the Embassy, he went into the office, came out and said "the officials said they wold turn a blind eye to all the problems with your documents, so everything is fine"
Well, isn't that something!
Got some advice from a friend that it seems these little "emergencies" pop up all the time. Perhaps these "problems" come up so that he can look like a hero - and you can tell all of your friends what a great job he did at saving you and getting you home. Who knows.
I have one thing to say about it all....GRRRRRR!
when an airplane blows an engine
I can't say it was easy getting out of Irkutsk. Why would it be?
I won't admit that I almost boo-hooed in a horrible nasty cafe next door to the Irkutsk airport.
Our flight was scheduled to leave at 12:30 (ish) on Easter Sunday. We got to the airport around 10:30. Flights out of Irkutsk have been known to leave early...or late, VERY late!
There always seems to be some drama with the luggage in Irkutsk. Who knows why - who cares.
We got on the plane, started the taxi down the runway - turned around, felt the "hunker down" for the big thrust to take off...and then it happened. POW! BOOM!
Marty looked at me and said, "oh no, that can't be good!"
It wasn't.
We then taxied back to the terminal, got off the plane and were told to wait. The terminal in Irkutsk is new - but with the new terminal also came the omission of English announcements.
We are smart enough to know what happened, so we knew we were to wait. OK, maybe not smart enough - but observant enough of everyone else who was on our flight.
So time passed; hours and hours and hours. Lunch time came and went. Then someone from the airline came up to where we were all sitting, said something, and a big group of people left.
Um, OK.
There was one English speaking guy on the flight. He was kind enough to let us know that the airline would pay for a meal at the hotel across the street. We were to go there, get something to eat (it was dinner time) and come back in an hour or so. The airline would have more information in about an hour and 1/2.
Not that we didn't believe him, but we went to the ticket desk to confirm.
So - we went to this "restaurant" at the hotel. The restaurant was full and they were not allowing anyone else to eat.
Well, OK then.
We decided to go to this "Coca Cola" cafe next to the airport. Not bad, not good. Very smokey - but they had an English menu (bonus). The food was ick, but it was food.
We were gone form the airport about 45 minutes - TOPS. Went back to the airport, went through the initial security station, and were told to 'hurry'.
Yep! They were boarding the flight. 45minutes after they told everyone to leave the airport and go get something to eat.
At the end of the day - we got to Moscow. It was all fine. Anya was such a little trooper! We were all grumpy, but she did so well on the flight!
We made a list of what she was going to do on the flight, so she methodically went through every item on her list (a few times!)...and then we got to Moscow.
I won't admit that I almost boo-hooed in a horrible nasty cafe next door to the Irkutsk airport.
Our flight was scheduled to leave at 12:30 (ish) on Easter Sunday. We got to the airport around 10:30. Flights out of Irkutsk have been known to leave early...or late, VERY late!
There always seems to be some drama with the luggage in Irkutsk. Who knows why - who cares.
We got on the plane, started the taxi down the runway - turned around, felt the "hunker down" for the big thrust to take off...and then it happened. POW! BOOM!
Marty looked at me and said, "oh no, that can't be good!"
It wasn't.
We then taxied back to the terminal, got off the plane and were told to wait. The terminal in Irkutsk is new - but with the new terminal also came the omission of English announcements.
We are smart enough to know what happened, so we knew we were to wait. OK, maybe not smart enough - but observant enough of everyone else who was on our flight.
So time passed; hours and hours and hours. Lunch time came and went. Then someone from the airline came up to where we were all sitting, said something, and a big group of people left.
Um, OK.
There was one English speaking guy on the flight. He was kind enough to let us know that the airline would pay for a meal at the hotel across the street. We were to go there, get something to eat (it was dinner time) and come back in an hour or so. The airline would have more information in about an hour and 1/2.
Not that we didn't believe him, but we went to the ticket desk to confirm.
So - we went to this "restaurant" at the hotel. The restaurant was full and they were not allowing anyone else to eat.
Well, OK then.
We decided to go to this "Coca Cola" cafe next to the airport. Not bad, not good. Very smokey - but they had an English menu (bonus). The food was ick, but it was food.
We were gone form the airport about 45 minutes - TOPS. Went back to the airport, went through the initial security station, and were told to 'hurry'.
Yep! They were boarding the flight. 45minutes after they told everyone to leave the airport and go get something to eat.
At the end of the day - we got to Moscow. It was all fine. Anya was such a little trooper! We were all grumpy, but she did so well on the flight!
We made a list of what she was going to do on the flight, so she methodically went through every item on her list (a few times!)...and then we got to Moscow.
Friday, April 02, 2010
We're Coming Home
As we stood in front of the passport lady today, we felt your prayers. We stood there for what seemed an eternity. There was some talk that we were waiting on a call from Moscow (for what, I don't know) - and then another discussion about how (according to Russian standards) Anya has no middle name, so they weren't sure what to do with 2 first names (as if we were the first American people to ever do this...whatever!)
Some other people were coming in and out of the office, and then all the sudden, out of nowhere, Andrew said "the passport is here, you can get it today". Guess he is psychic or something.
This little drama raised our suspicions about this whole passport thing, but the bottom line is that we have the passport and we're coming home!
We have been in touch with the Embassy and the coordinator in Moscow who will be helping us. We have the appointment(s) made for Monday, making it possible for us to get Anya's American passport on Tuesday afternoon and come home on Wednesday.
I've contacted our travel agent, and as soon as she wakes up today (it's 4:45am at home), she will get on booking the flights.
As soon as I have more specific information on our flights, I will be sure to let everyone know!
Some other people were coming in and out of the office, and then all the sudden, out of nowhere, Andrew said "the passport is here, you can get it today". Guess he is psychic or something.
This little drama raised our suspicions about this whole passport thing, but the bottom line is that we have the passport and we're coming home!
We have been in touch with the Embassy and the coordinator in Moscow who will be helping us. We have the appointment(s) made for Monday, making it possible for us to get Anya's American passport on Tuesday afternoon and come home on Wednesday.
I've contacted our travel agent, and as soon as she wakes up today (it's 4:45am at home), she will get on booking the flights.
As soon as I have more specific information on our flights, I will be sure to let everyone know!
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