Our trip to Moscow started out early'ish on Saturday morning. As with each day in Biro we were up just after 5. The mood was heavy with both of us feeling a real sense of sadness in having to move to the next stage of the process. We were packed quickly and ready to leave on time.
The roads were snow covered and slippery and we stopped at one point as a car going in the opposite direction had skidded off the road and into a ditch, every one was fine and there was help so we were on our way. Vovo was with us and stayed with us until we were through security. We suggested that he head back but he was resilient and stayed.
The flight was not full so we had an extra seat between us and that made for better comfort. The seven and a half hour flight passed in no time and we landed safe and sound in Moscow. There was a wrinkle that I had not shared. The Monday flight was cancelled so we had the choice of leaving Sunday or Wednesday. We chose Sunday, we needed to see our Kaelan.
As we ventured out of the gate Dmitri was standing right in front. I could swear people had to walk around him as he stood right at the door! There was no missing him!
Dmitri is a really nice guy, he speaks in broken self taught English and clearly is a proud Russian. The drive from the airport to the hotel was just about a half hour and he told us about all the sites as we passed through 12 lanes of traffic at some points!
Moscow is large about 12 million strong. It is a place I have dreamt of going my entire life. I may have been exhausted but being there made me wide awake. We checked into the hotel and Dmitri gave us our bearings so we could head out for some sightseeing and shopping. He told us plainly carry your passport and handed us the hotel business card, keep this with you as well, he also handed us his business card and said call me if you need anything.
Our Hotel is just across from old Arbat Street, Old Arbat is a pedestrian mall of shops and restaurants made of old cobblestone. To get across the 8 lanes of traffic we went through a pedestrian underpass. It was about -2 and damp. What a great walk we had. The street was busy and alive. Street musicians played and there were lots of great buildings and things to see. We did not eat as we were full from the airplane food. We made a few purchases and headed back for a night cap at the hotel.
Amanda fell asleep within minutes of her head hitting the pillow and sleep came hard for me. Both of us were wide awake at 2 am. This was a 7 hour time change from Biro.
Before Dmitri picked us up at 9, I headed out to the grocery store to get some Russian chocolate that we had forgotten to pick up the night before. We were in the lobby promptly at 9 am for 2 hours of sight seeing before heading for the airport.
To have had the opportunity to drive up to the Kremlin and the Red Square is in a word WOW. This is a place that is beyond expectations. I was so excited about being there that I screwed up the first 10 minutes of video that I took! St. Basil's is outstanding, the Square awe inspiring and Lenin's tomb boggling. We spent about an hour there. It was early so it was quiet. Heck Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky, Catherine the Great, Rasputin, Czar Alexander among others all walked here! This was one of the most memorable moments and places in my life. And I stand now thankful that Amanda takes as many pictures as she does. Yes I said that out loud!
So we were off to the airport.
Kaelan was not aware that we were arriving a day early. Amanda asked " what do we do if she is disappointed to see us?"
We hopped on the plane...a 9 1/2 hour flight and 8 hour time change to go. Suffice it to say we would have had 6 hours of sleep in about 48 hours.
As the plane left tarmac, I know our hearts were heavy. We missed her but had great solice in knowing that we would be back and that Kaelan was waiting for us at home. We also had comfort in knowing that we are blessed beyond measure.
The roads were snow covered and slippery and we stopped at one point as a car going in the opposite direction had skidded off the road and into a ditch, every one was fine and there was help so we were on our way. Vovo was with us and stayed with us until we were through security. We suggested that he head back but he was resilient and stayed.
The flight was not full so we had an extra seat between us and that made for better comfort. The seven and a half hour flight passed in no time and we landed safe and sound in Moscow. There was a wrinkle that I had not shared. The Monday flight was cancelled so we had the choice of leaving Sunday or Wednesday. We chose Sunday, we needed to see our Kaelan.
As we ventured out of the gate Dmitri was standing right in front. I could swear people had to walk around him as he stood right at the door! There was no missing him!
Dmitri is a really nice guy, he speaks in broken self taught English and clearly is a proud Russian. The drive from the airport to the hotel was just about a half hour and he told us about all the sites as we passed through 12 lanes of traffic at some points!
Moscow is large about 12 million strong. It is a place I have dreamt of going my entire life. I may have been exhausted but being there made me wide awake. We checked into the hotel and Dmitri gave us our bearings so we could head out for some sightseeing and shopping. He told us plainly carry your passport and handed us the hotel business card, keep this with you as well, he also handed us his business card and said call me if you need anything.
Our Hotel is just across from old Arbat Street, Old Arbat is a pedestrian mall of shops and restaurants made of old cobblestone. To get across the 8 lanes of traffic we went through a pedestrian underpass. It was about -2 and damp. What a great walk we had. The street was busy and alive. Street musicians played and there were lots of great buildings and things to see. We did not eat as we were full from the airplane food. We made a few purchases and headed back for a night cap at the hotel.
Amanda fell asleep within minutes of her head hitting the pillow and sleep came hard for me. Both of us were wide awake at 2 am. This was a 7 hour time change from Biro.
Before Dmitri picked us up at 9, I headed out to the grocery store to get some Russian chocolate that we had forgotten to pick up the night before. We were in the lobby promptly at 9 am for 2 hours of sight seeing before heading for the airport.
To have had the opportunity to drive up to the Kremlin and the Red Square is in a word WOW. This is a place that is beyond expectations. I was so excited about being there that I screwed up the first 10 minutes of video that I took! St. Basil's is outstanding, the Square awe inspiring and Lenin's tomb boggling. We spent about an hour there. It was early so it was quiet. Heck Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky, Catherine the Great, Rasputin, Czar Alexander among others all walked here! This was one of the most memorable moments and places in my life. And I stand now thankful that Amanda takes as many pictures as she does. Yes I said that out loud!
After here we were off to see the Cathedral, the Vatican for the Russian Orthodox Church. It was off limits to the public as the church is in the process of choosing a new Patriarch, the most recent passed way in January. As a result there were police and barriers everywhere. Dmitri talked about how Stalin had closed the church and it was not reopened until Yeltsin opened it again.
Kaelan was not aware that we were arriving a day early. Amanda asked " what do we do if she is disappointed to see us?"
We hopped on the plane...a 9 1/2 hour flight and 8 hour time change to go. Suffice it to say we would have had 6 hours of sleep in about 48 hours.
As the plane left tarmac, I know our hearts were heavy. We missed her but had great solice in knowing that we would be back and that Kaelan was waiting for us at home. We also had comfort in knowing that we are blessed beyond measure.
No comments:
Post a Comment