We left Moscow on time and were able to navigate really well. We hung out at the main airport until about 2 hours before our flight to Khabarovsk was to take off. About 10 minutes after we arrived at the other airport it was time to check in, timing was perfect.
Kaelan was able to nap on our 4 hour layover in the main airport, so that was great.
As we were checking in the lady at the counter asked in russian if we had a baby with us. It was confusing as we have the stroller and a return ticket for Claire, but no Claire. I think she thought we had forgotten her in the departure area! After we said we did not, she said excuse me (we think) put on her coat and left. The three of us stood there, looked at each other and laughed, we had no idea what was going on but thought staying put was a good idea. After about 10 minutes she came back and finished checking us in. Maybe she went out to check if we had left Claire behind?
It was not over...As we were boarding the plane the same lady was checking boarding passes... we had been given one with Claire's name on it. Again she said "Baby"? We said "no baby". She said something to another lady, gave us our part of the boarding passes and left. We three stood there dumbfounded for a minute and then the other lady said we could go and board the plane. Still no idea why or what. I really think she went looking for an abandoned baby!
The flight was good. 8 hours long over night and again Kaelan did not sleep a wink. We arrived safe and sound and were met at the airport by a translator named Yulia and a driver. The road to Birobidjan is pretty beat up after the winter and we had the bumpiest ride for 3 hours. Kaelan fell asleep and the bumps actually pried loose her pony tail twice.
We stopped at the "Super Good" grocery store to buy a few things and then headed to the apartment. At the apartment we were met by Nadjerda and Natasha! We were both very happy that Natasha was going to be our interpreter. Especially after Yulia told us that ketchup was spaghetti sauce...I found that out after I opened it to make spaghetti for dinner!
The apartment is out of a Chekovian short story. It is in a very old building as most buildings here are. Walking up to the apartment would scare many who have not travelled or feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Personally I find it really romantic and think about who may have lived here in the early Soviet years and heard the KGB knocking at the door very late at night. It is small but comfortable. We hit the hay early and both Amanda and Kaelan were asleep by 7:30.
Kaelan was able to nap on our 4 hour layover in the main airport, so that was great.
As we were checking in the lady at the counter asked in russian if we had a baby with us. It was confusing as we have the stroller and a return ticket for Claire, but no Claire. I think she thought we had forgotten her in the departure area! After we said we did not, she said excuse me (we think) put on her coat and left. The three of us stood there, looked at each other and laughed, we had no idea what was going on but thought staying put was a good idea. After about 10 minutes she came back and finished checking us in. Maybe she went out to check if we had left Claire behind?
It was not over...As we were boarding the plane the same lady was checking boarding passes... we had been given one with Claire's name on it. Again she said "Baby"? We said "no baby". She said something to another lady, gave us our part of the boarding passes and left. We three stood there dumbfounded for a minute and then the other lady said we could go and board the plane. Still no idea why or what. I really think she went looking for an abandoned baby!
The flight was good. 8 hours long over night and again Kaelan did not sleep a wink. We arrived safe and sound and were met at the airport by a translator named Yulia and a driver. The road to Birobidjan is pretty beat up after the winter and we had the bumpiest ride for 3 hours. Kaelan fell asleep and the bumps actually pried loose her pony tail twice.
We stopped at the "Super Good" grocery store to buy a few things and then headed to the apartment. At the apartment we were met by Nadjerda and Natasha! We were both very happy that Natasha was going to be our interpreter. Especially after Yulia told us that ketchup was spaghetti sauce...I found that out after I opened it to make spaghetti for dinner!
The apartment is out of a Chekovian short story. It is in a very old building as most buildings here are. Walking up to the apartment would scare many who have not travelled or feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Personally I find it really romantic and think about who may have lived here in the early Soviet years and heard the KGB knocking at the door very late at night. It is small but comfortable. We hit the hay early and both Amanda and Kaelan were asleep by 7:30.
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