12/18/2007 Holiday Inn Lesanya,
We ventured out and found our way to Red Square, Kremlin and experienced a bit of the cold here in Moscow. Light snow fell as we walked across Red Square. We delighted a small group of Asian tourists when, after asking them to take our picture, we donned our Santa hats. That paled in comparison to the pleasure that some technician is likely having today. Nancy used a special ATM to exchange dollars into rubles. In order to do this she had to access her money strap which is a neck hanging type (Note to self – always turn my back to those monitors on ATMs when I access my money belt…).
We noted the typical nesting dolls and other Russian gifts we will get for the children to give them in future years but have to wait until we return at the end of the week because of the strict weight limits to/from Kemerovo. Knowing both of us, you can imagine we are already well over the weight limit. The array of shops is impressive and similar to other major European and American cities. The streets are clean and there was little snow on the ground. We did note that everyone drives at breakneck speed even at close quarters in the city. It makes I-270 and the beltway seem tame by comparison!
Our day has been one of getting ourselves back in order after a long trip across 8 time zones. Tonight we will fly four plus hours (we think) and four more times zones (we think). We are relatively well rested after a nice meal here at the hotel. Nancy is doing very well as the family interpreter and has struck up a few brief exchanges with the patient Muscovites (sp).
Prices here are comparable to New York. Our water tab was more than our usual wine tab at a restaurant at home but the food was good. We’re now chllin’ waiting for our ride to the airport. We are anxious to meet the kids and learn much more about them tomorrow. We have our prepared lists for each one so we hope their caregivers are patient with us.
We ventured out and found our way to Red Square, Kremlin and experienced a bit of the cold here in Moscow. Light snow fell as we walked across Red Square. We delighted a small group of Asian tourists when, after asking them to take our picture, we donned our Santa hats. That paled in comparison to the pleasure that some technician is likely having today. Nancy used a special ATM to exchange dollars into rubles. In order to do this she had to access her money strap which is a neck hanging type (Note to self – always turn my back to those monitors on ATMs when I access my money belt…).
We noted the typical nesting dolls and other Russian gifts we will get for the children to give them in future years but have to wait until we return at the end of the week because of the strict weight limits to/from Kemerovo. Knowing both of us, you can imagine we are already well over the weight limit. The array of shops is impressive and similar to other major European and American cities. The streets are clean and there was little snow on the ground. We did note that everyone drives at breakneck speed even at close quarters in the city. It makes I-270 and the beltway seem tame by comparison!
Our day has been one of getting ourselves back in order after a long trip across 8 time zones. Tonight we will fly four plus hours (we think) and four more times zones (we think). We are relatively well rested after a nice meal here at the hotel. Nancy is doing very well as the family interpreter and has struck up a few brief exchanges with the patient Muscovites (sp).
Prices here are comparable to New York. Our water tab was more than our usual wine tab at a restaurant at home but the food was good. We’re now chllin’ waiting for our ride to the airport. We are anxious to meet the kids and learn much more about them tomorrow. We have our prepared lists for each one so we hope their caregivers are patient with us.
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