Hey, everyone. We made it safe and sound. The flight was fabulous. Big Big Big thumbs up for American Airline's business class! The seats lay FLAT. Yes, flat. So, I watched Made of Honor, ate an amazing dinner I couldn't finish and then went to sleep. I woke up to a yummo breakfast buffet in front of me and then we landed. Delightful.
Then, there was DME... I will refrain from making up all the alliterations I think it should stand for. But, I shall abbreviate the experience: 3rd in line for immigration/ 30 minute wait! Pity those in coach who ended up behind us. Priority luggage/last off the plane. Stroller still in the box/spotted at the last minute next to a service elevator (Don't ask me. I don't know.)
Just when I thought I could take no more, I learn we are still driving all the way to SVO to get Ian... OK, Michelle, put on a happy face and enjoy the ride. First hour goes by.... smile is fading.... second hour goes by.... smile gone and I am focusing on the positive and decide to nap.... sometime later, I am awoken by cigarette smoke. I am very allergic to smoke and I throw my head out the window hoping for the best. Truth be told, that traffic jam would have driven me to smoke too. Oh, but wait, where are we going now? Oh, I see... we are out of gas, and yes, dears, the first gas station was closed. (again, don't ask- I don't know) finally, some time later we end up on the other side of the universe and pick up my dear dear husband. True to his word, Al gets all of the luggage in and we all sit quite comfortably for the journey back.
Lesson learned: boys and girls, fly in together. It just works better.
We stopped by the agency office (I do love everyone here!!! what amazing people they all are!) and dropped our stroller in the storage closet before heading to our hotel.
The Ararat Hyatt is NICE. Fellow PAPs, this is a beautiful hotel and location for trip 1 or court, but this is NOT the location for kids. There is nothing kid friendly about the rooms at all much less the hotel. It is very boutique sheik. We do have a view of the Kremlin and Red Square and we are so close I think I can touch it.
OK, we are off to hook up with L and E at My Mys. I have been craving it since June. I hope they bring a photo along so I can take a peek!
Then, there was DME... I will refrain from making up all the alliterations I think it should stand for. But, I shall abbreviate the experience: 3rd in line for immigration/ 30 minute wait! Pity those in coach who ended up behind us. Priority luggage/last off the plane. Stroller still in the box/spotted at the last minute next to a service elevator (Don't ask me. I don't know.)
Just when I thought I could take no more, I learn we are still driving all the way to SVO to get Ian... OK, Michelle, put on a happy face and enjoy the ride. First hour goes by.... smile is fading.... second hour goes by.... smile gone and I am focusing on the positive and decide to nap.... sometime later, I am awoken by cigarette smoke. I am very allergic to smoke and I throw my head out the window hoping for the best. Truth be told, that traffic jam would have driven me to smoke too. Oh, but wait, where are we going now? Oh, I see... we are out of gas, and yes, dears, the first gas station was closed. (again, don't ask- I don't know) finally, some time later we end up on the other side of the universe and pick up my dear dear husband. True to his word, Al gets all of the luggage in and we all sit quite comfortably for the journey back.
Lesson learned: boys and girls, fly in together. It just works better.
We stopped by the agency office (I do love everyone here!!! what amazing people they all are!) and dropped our stroller in the storage closet before heading to our hotel.
The Ararat Hyatt is NICE. Fellow PAPs, this is a beautiful hotel and location for trip 1 or court, but this is NOT the location for kids. There is nothing kid friendly about the rooms at all much less the hotel. It is very boutique sheik. We do have a view of the Kremlin and Red Square and we are so close I think I can touch it.
OK, we are off to hook up with L and E at My Mys. I have been craving it since June. I hope they bring a photo along so I can take a peek!
UPDATE::: We are back from eating with Lori and Ed who had me in stitches! We went to My Mys(pronounced Moo Moos) and darn it, the pancakes didn't have meat in them this time. It was a yummy berry dessert, but you know what it is like when you have a craving! And mine was 2 months old. I did get my "dumplings" and summer soup.
Best of all I helped Ian find the metro stop on our way, and I successfully navigated both of us back to our hotel all by myself. Ian is testing me so he feels safe leaving me here in a week. So far I am passing!! I added some pictures of us at My Mys... photos are always fun.
Tomorrow we head out to see Ariana at 11:00 am (3 am Tampa Time, we are 8 hours ahead). So far no jet lag. Again, big thumbs up on the American Business class seats! Lots of water and 8 hours of sleep is always a good start.
Big hugs for everyone- especially my boys!!
Paka,
Michelle
6 comments:
Welcome back! Sounds like your ride into town was a true Russian experience! Enjoy your visit tomorrow, and we look forward to hearing how your visit went.
Paka!
Dinia
Sounds like your trip is off to a "lovely" start. At least you had your dumplings. My Russian craving is the funnel cake doughnuts and the tiger prawn shrimp stuffed ravioli in a cream bisc sauce from Mama's Pasta. Yum, now I'm hungry.
On our trip 3 I flew into SVO and had to go with Pasha to DME to get Randy, long drive.
By the way, if you see Pasah at all on this trip please tell him I emailed him and have not heard back from him. He has asked a few couples for our email and I tried emailing him but who knows if it actually went through.
Enjoy your visit tomorrow and please hug Tamara for me and tell her Artem is doing wonderful.
Oh, just seeing My My's makes me miss Russia!! So glad you had a great flight but so sorry about the drive! Russia traffic is not for the faint at heart. :-) Enjoy your visit seeing your little girl tomorrow!
Girl ,you look like you are having a blast! I am glad you survived the airport adventure. Just think you get to see Ms. Ana in just a few short hours! I am so happy for you!
Nic
Okay, how do you know when you are done with adoptions for life? When other PAPs say photos are making them miss Russia, but the photos actually give me a sharp pain in the chest of anxiety! :)
I am glad you are settled into a plush hotel. The location is pretty close to where we stayed on our first three trips. (See that BIG hole in the ground where they demolished something HUGE? Tha's where our hotel was!) Anyway, I love it there, I really do... and I can't wait to see your girl home. Please say Hi to S, I, Tamara (tell her Liam is still screaming as loud as he was the day we left the orphanage!) and Pasha. And please please eat some vareniki for me! That is what I crave... I LOVE the potato Pelmini and the meat Vareniki, both with lots of their yummy sour cream. Also, be very sure that you have a chocolate blini... and a meat blini at any of the little stands along the way... those things are just amazing... Okay, gotta run, love you dear, so glad you are there... kiss miss Ana for me!
O
Only 8 more days until I get to meet you in person! Can't wait to meet your beautiful daughter.
Karen
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