Day 2

Today was a free day due to a holiday in Moscow.  I hired Vladamir to give me a tour.  Since I was traveling solo I figured safer to go with someone who  spoke the language.  (Note I'm using my blog like a journal so I am giving play by play documentation.)  


We set up to leave at 10:00 well the night before I said 10 or 11 LOL  I figured I would be dragging due to lack of sleep and jet lag.  So when I finally went to bed the night before somewhere around midnight I set my alarm for 9am.  I got right up and took a bath and had some breakfast.  I bought yogurt the night before.  Yummy


I still had some time so that is when I wrote Day 1 and Day 1 continued's post.  Then it was after 10 and I started to think maybe he forgot... nope he came at 10:40.  His building has a locked door that you buzz someone in.  So I went downstairs to meet him.  I tried to open the door, no luck it will not budge.  I push I try to turn the knob...nothing.  I see what looks like a lock on the top and tried that...nope still nothing I start to get a little concerned just shy of panic really LOL  then I remembered someone said there was a button that needed to be pushed in order to open the door.  Oh you mean this small silver button on the side... BINGO!

That little silver dot on the right about 1/2 way down push that you can get out!  Phew.

So now that I accomplished getting out of the building it's off to see the sights.  Today was Russia Day like independence day.  I knew it was a holiday but didn't know what until just know (I googled it).  So there was a demonstration scheduled in the streets around the Kremlin and Red Square. So those are on my list for another trip.  Vladamir took me around and showed my his favorite spot in front of the University.  It was a nice view of the Olympic stadium and other buildings (government type)  He recommended I take the boat tour around Moscow so I did.  He dropped me off and told me where to meet him.  The tour was about an hour and a half.  It was a non narrated tour which was good 'cause I do not understand Russian no matter how hard I try!  On our way to the tour it was pouring rain, but I figured it is just rain so what, I have a rain coat and an umbrella (both left at the apartment, yes I knew the forecast said rain but it was so sunny when I got up.  Oh well again just water.  When we got to the start of the tour totally stopped raining.  

While on the boat my camera battery ran out. :(  but thank Heavens if I shut it off and turned it back on there was always enough juice to take the photo I wanted! There was a darling little girl named Alona on board with her family.  She looked to be about the same age as Sophia she was so animated and you could tell she was enjoying the sights with her family.  There was also a photographer on board.  He snapped candid shots and proceeded to try and sell them to me in Russian....nope sorry can't understand a word. He did speak some English so it was 400 rubles (roughly $12 for the photo.  I said sure.  He left to print it when I realized I didn't have 400 rubles I had a larger bill but only 300 rubles.  So I (which I never do) tried to have him give it to me for 300 rubles it didn't work LOL  So I said sorry.  Waited a while then tracked him down and said I found a larger bill if he still had the photo...he did.  Here is a pic of the pic.   You can see the head of little Alona behind me with her dad.

I also took a self portrait   I took lots of picture of the intricate and beautiful buildings.

There was one man on the boat that was literally staggering drunk, so much so that the captain made him sit down and stay there.  He was quite boisterous.  He had looked like he was with maybe his daughter and young toddler son with him.  :(  He didn't bother me but you could see everyone watching him closely.

When the tour was over Vladimir took me to Old Arbat street. It had a lot of shops and street vendors and artists.  We stopped for lunch at MY MY (pronouced Moo Moo yes like a cow) 

This Vladimir standing next to MY MY's mascot.  It was a buffet styled place there was sushi, shrimp, different meat and sausages and borsch (a traditional soup with beets and beef)  I tired borsch and had a shrimp skewer and bread and a bottle of water.  It was very humid today.  The borsch was pretty good I admit I was surprised.  Those that know me I'm picky but I didn't want to offend Vladimir and thought I should try some traditional something.  So I decided it was either borsch or vodka, I decided on the borsch ( I don't drink at all LOL)  That was the end of my tour.  We returned to the apartment and he dropped me off.  I came up stairs and realized I think the time and lack of sleep was catching up with me.  I had to take a nap so I took an hour and a half nap.  I'm pretty sure I will be able to sleep though tonight.  I still feel a little off tired and dizzy.  Yuck.  But so full of excitement for tomorrow.  

There isn't any american TV that I can find.  I found out two things one anything remotely scary in a movie is 10x scarier when you don't speak the language LOL and the festivities for Russian Day were aired so lots of what I am assuming are pop stars concert all aired live.  I wish I could tape this and bring it home.  

:)  

I also for the first time understand how all the tourists who came to Disneyland while I was working merchandise felt not speaking English or knowing our money.  I am lost half the time.  But I'm working it out slowly.  :)

I don't know what kind of access I will have in the Hotel in region so I hope to continue to post if I can't I will when I get home. xoxo

Day 1 continued

So for some reason my computer wouldn't let me see what I was typing or scroll down far enough so I had to keep shrinking the page to see where I was.  It finally got too small so I had to start a new entry so I could read it LOL.

After getting food for the morning (I had brought the makings for PBJ's and snacks) we head to Vladimir's apartment that I had rented.  Since it was all done via email I prayed he was there and that it really existed (well I know it existed other families had stayed there that is how I found it)  Anyway he was.  It's now about 9pm and still very much light outside like!  It is awesome love that (I live by the sun cycle: sun up I"m awake, sun down I"m asleep)  I'm still very much awake and actually feeling really good.  It was crazy.  We walk up a dark staircase (little scary) and take a very tiny somewhat rickety elevator (although it seemed much more rickety when in it alone) to the 6th floor where apartment 94 is (does that seem odd to anyone but me?  I thought it would be on the 9th floor although I don't remember how many floors total there were I wouldn't have guessed the 6th)  Very nice studio like apartment.  The kitchen was cute and well equipped.  There was a tub in the bathroom (I love baths so much more than showers) and after 24 hours of travel I wanted a hot bath.  So after settling in.  I headed for the tub.  hmmmm no plug for the drain... improvise used a wash cloth.  Girl has to do what a girl has to do to get a hot bath LOL.  It was great.  Got out it's now after 10pm and yep still light out closer to dusk but still light out.  I love this place.  (How do we get that to happen in the USA LOL)  I figure I should get some sleep after all I have now been up for 41 hours and only had about 3 1/2 non consecutive  hours of sleep.  And then I realize I'm dizzy hmmm sign of exhaustion?  I think so.  It is warm in the aprtment no air conditioning or heater that I see (not that I needed or wanted a heater just noting) there are a couple windows that I closed (for safety reasons and they remained closed) Then it started to rain (weather reports back home had said rain pretty much all week) thunder lightening the whole bit I so wanted to stay up and watch and listen but I thought better of it especially since I was dizzy and was hoping to go sight seeing the next day with Vldamir as my tour guide.  I did find out the during the holiday in Moscow the Kremlin and Red Square were closed due to a protest.  I won't be seeing those places at least not this trip.  Hopefully I will get to see some gardens and old beautiful buildings.

*another side note my converter works!  woo hoo.  I was afraid things would blow it up.  I think that it was Priscilla who's straightner blew hers up but it is all good.

End of Day 1

Day 1

I arrived in Moscow last night after 24 hours of travel!  Yep got up to leave for the airport at 0430 and was on the plane by 0705.  First stop Atlanta Georgia. Can't remember if I got a 30 minute or so cat nap on that flight it was only a 5 hour flight.  I Was there just long enough to exchange my chosen seat for an exit row.  It was awesome had leg room for the 9 1/2 hour flight to Venice, Italy.  We got delayed on the Tarmac for around an hour give or take, but not to bad due to weather (rain).  Pretty much a smooth flight though.

I enjoyed the 2 1/2 of the 3 movies shown. (Journey to the Mysterious Island, We bought a zoo, and Stupid Crazy Love)  At the very end of Journey to Mysterious Island my earphones broke. I got a new pair but missed the audio.  I fell asleep about an hour in to We bought a zoo but caught the end, the good movie.  Then we arrived in Venice, Italy.  Small airport, and very crowded.  I had to check in on this part of my journey.  I had done so ahead of time for the Lax to Georgia and the Georgia to Italy legs.  I wasn't sure if I had to claim my luggage first as the flight information I had printed (mind you not my itinerary which I though it was...oops so I didn't know the airline)  Anyway I waited at baggage claim but nope no bags.  So I ventured into the airport.  You actually went through passport check and then basically left the airport to have to go through security again.  I was told I couldn't check in until 2 hours before my flight.  It was a little after 9 am and my flight didn't leave until a little after 1pm.  So I wondered the airport trying to determine which airline I was on.  Turns out it was Aeroflot (Russian airline).  It was on the board but without a check in booth number so I continued to wander the very crowded small airport.  I went outside where many sat and waited and smoked.  I forgot how many Europeans smoke.  I have gotten so spoiled living in California where smoking is still around but doesn't seem so prevalent.   It was a light rain.  I found it kind of cool.  :)  I would like to go back someday and really see Venice.

*Let me just say as a side note there is something sexy about European men.  LOL

Ok back to the trip.  So finally it is a two hours before my flight and the ticket booth number gets posted. Talk about a mad house a crowd of people no real formal line just everyone crowding everyone.  And the booth number they post is marked "Business Class"  I was not flying business class...  So I crowd with all the other economy flayers.  I get up to the window and hour later and I am told they have a crowded flight and my carry-on is too big.  Mind you its a carry-on size and fit on the two full flights I had on the way over.  50 Euros later (I haven't converted yet but I'm guessing on what a 2nd bag on an American flight is it is about $80)  they check my bag.  Much to my dismay and a little protest (It had my hand carried documents that I had to get last minute.  You all know what those are worth and they want to check the bag in as luggage!  AUGH.  Ok what am I going to do but sit and pray.  This was only going to be about a 3 hour flight. So I get my seat (noted preference when booking aisle) Yep I got....a window seat next to 2 gentlemen.  They were quiet which was fine with me  I was still pouting about my bag especially after seeing multiple bags the size of mine and people with more then the two allowed carry-on items.  There bags could easily have gone under the seat like a purse.  Oh well it is done.  Thank you for listening to me vent.  I'm sure it didn't help that I had been travelling all day and night and was probably tired oh yeah and hungry after wanting pizza in Venice but the pizza place was closed.  :(

I slept on that flight for about an hour.  We arrived I had started to fill out the migration form on the plane but then saw it said "Foreign National"  is that me??  So I only filled out 1/2 put it in my purse and well quite honestly played dumb.  Got up to Passport control and was asked for the form I pulled the 1/2 filled out form from my purse and gave it to the nice officer he said both sides needed to be done. Ok.  I got out of line and finished it.  (note for others travelling fill out both sides they are the same)  Got my luggage mad a pit stop and went praying my ride would be waiting.  I come out the doors and there like in the movies is someone holding a sign that says "Ms. Megan Meier"  Woo Hoo what a sight for sore eyes.  Also as I had imagined I was picked up in a Mercedes Benz.  I don't know why but even a co-worker envisioned me being picked up in a (he thought old but it was  newer model) Mercedes Benz.
.  I
First stop the "mall" or Costco like store for food supplies, a  sim card for my phone and money  exchange.  I finally got Pizza but in Moscow not Venice and it was Sbarro just like home!

3 more days

Three more days and I will be leaving to meet my little girl!  My passport and visa arrived and all the paperwork that I can do is done!  Now it's time to pack!  EEEEEK so excited!

Seven Days

I will be leaving in seven days I can't believe it.  


There is a song from Christina Perri - A Thousand Years

Heartbeats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I’m afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What’s standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed that I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

One step closer
One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

This song always makes me think of how I feel about Sophia.  I know she is my daughter, I feel I have searched for her even when I wasn't conscience of it. I have always wanted to be a mom.  I have loved her for a thousand years and I will love her for a thousand more.  

I am so grateful for all those who have supported me on this journey and given me love and encouragement as well as financial support.  Without each and every one of you I would not be going to meet Sophia and telling her of the love that so many have for her.  

I will try to post pics while in country but if I can't I will when I get home.  Love you all.

Get ready for some fundraising I have a lot of funds to raise to bring her home! There will be 3 more trips after I get home.

God bless.

Update

Ok so the 2 weeks got extended due to holiday's in her country so I will be leaving very soon.  I'm so excited, stressed, over joyed, amazed, and in a constant state of doing the happy dance LOL.  


Although the fundraising efforts are going to have to go peddle to the metal when I get back to pay for the next 3 trips!  Which God willing will occur quickly upon my return.  


Please pray for my journey to my daughter and share my story.  Someone else might find their daughter or son too.  You never know who will see it!


God Bless

Let me just start by saying EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!! (high pitched squeal) translation:


I'm going to meet my daughter in a little over 2 weeks!

That's right you read it right, I'm going to meet the little girl that will be my daughter!  I'm so excited and I just can't hide it, I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!


Yipee!!  Woo Hoo!