Happy Easter from Moscow

We are here!  Mom and I landed in Moscow with no problems.  Other than being 10hrs long, the flight was just fine.  My translator, Tanya, met us at the airport along with my driver, Alexander.   Tanya shared that she will be my translator for all 3 trips which is great!  I don't have a picture yet but will get one tomorrow. We got to the Courtyard around noon.  Tanya showed us where the market was, how to walk to Red Square, etc.  She is also very concerned about how expensive everything is in Moscow so she strongly recommended we try to eat as much as possible at McDonalds.  She subsequently proceeded to give me directions to 3 McDonalds - all within walking distance of the hotel.   I appreciate her looking out for my best interests (and my pocketbook) as international adoptions can put a dent in the pocketbook for sure.

So, once Tanya left - mom and I headed down to Red Square.  What an amazing site!  The pictures 1) are not great and 2) do not do it justice.   Now, we are back at the hotel, unpacked and trying to decide which of the 3 McDonalds to hit for dinner.  Just kidding!  We are trying to decide where to go for dinner but it won't be Mickey D's - not yet anyway.

Tomorrow, Tanya and Alexander pick us up at 10am to go to the Ministry of Education and then off to meet my referral - about a 2hr car ride from Moscow.  I don't do well in cars, especially in the backseat, so 4hrs a day should be sheer joy for me.  I bought these Seaband wrist things before I left.  They say they cure all kinds of motion sickness, including car - I will find out soon enough.

My next post will be end of day tomorrow - hopefully with good news about my referral.  

For now - here are some pics from the journey so far. 

Baba in front of St. Basil's in Red Square

Beautiful St. Basil's - loaded with tourists on Easter Sunday

Lenin's Tomb

The market where we bought water and Pringles!