As I mentioned a few posts ago, we will be traveling to the Moscow Region. The Peanut started in Krasnoyarsk, made his way to Izhevsk and is now in the Moscow Region. We are excited about going to the Moscow region! We'll be in the big city and I love to explore big cities. I can't wait to take the metro.
The Moscow Region is much more than the city of Moscow as you can tell by looking at the map above. The city is the red dot in the middle, everything else is the region. It is primarily an industrial region and 20 % of all scientific organizations in Russia are in this region. Something else I read that I thought was interesting: "Currently, there are 1,099 churches and 27 monasteries open in the region. 896 temples and chapels are declared to be historic and cultural monuments. Along with the restoration of temples that were destroyed in past decades, new churches are constantly being built throughout the region." See, it's big!
We anticipate the weather being a high of 35ish and a low of 20ish. Brrrrr... Here's a little info from Wikipedia:
Moscow Oblast (Russian: Московская область, Moskovskaya oblast), or Podmoskovye (Подмосковье, Podmoskovye) is a federal subject of Russia (an oblast) officially established on January 14, 1929. It is the second most populous Russian federal subject after the city of Moscow (pop. 6,618,538 as of the 2002 Census). Its area, at 45,900 km, is relatively small comparing to other federal subjects, so it is one of the most densely populated regions in the country. Moscow Oblast is highly industrialized with its main industrial branches being metallurgy, oil refining, and mechanical engineering, food, energy and chemical industries.
If you've read this blog long enough, you realize that each region in Russia does adoption differently. The Moscow Region is 100% blind. This means that prior to traveling we will not receive an ioda of information about our potential child. We'll arrive in Russia on a Sunday and then Monday morning we'll go to the MOE (Ministry of Education) and receive information about a child.
From that point, we'll head to the orphanage where we'll meet our referral. We're going to have a Russian doctor who is trained in Western Medicine meet us there to assess our referral, both developmentally and physically, and will explain everything to us. Having a doctor is an option, but it was something we feel very strongly about doing. We're still toying with the idea of also using UAB to review the information we receive as well. Yes, it's more money, but in the long run it will be worth it.
And that's really all I know! I am hoping to take some great pictures and hopefully we'll have a little time to explore. Of course, I'll most likely be so stressed that sleeping will be the only thing I'll want to do! :-)
Here's you're geography lesson for the day! Only 3 more days until we find out our "real" travel dates! Goodness, I really, really, really hope they're for the 23rd!
Hugs!
Becky
14 comments:
This is so exciting. We met a couple on our trip home from Moscow who adopted from the Moscow Region. The little boy was healthy and so adorable!! They had a short time between trips.
Myra
Great news and information. I am very excited to read the updates and of course see pictures. Pack your longjohns the wind can be cold! Best
Wow - you are so close. I am sure the 100% blind thing is a little scarey for you but I've heard lots of good things about the Moscow region. Cannot wait to hear more.
Little Peanut's quite the traveler already! I'm hoping you travel the week after us, so that our court dates can be close together & perhaps we'll have a chance to meet in Moscow!
You do such a good job explaining it all. I hope you hear great news on Friday and get the travel date you want.
Yay!! So exciting! Nice that you won't have the extra flight to another region. Just think of the medical expense as a good swap for the extra sets of plane tickets from the other regions. Seems like a good deal to me! :)
Take lots of good pics and I'll help you put together a book when you are done with your 3 trips over there like the one I did for Mateo.
Don't sweat traveling blind. It can be a great experience. We went blind to the Perm Region, and were referred to wonderful girls.
I'm so excited for you. I cannot believe you will have dates within three days. Yee Haw! I know you must be so excited.
Thanks for the update on the Moscow region as I wasn't exactly sure how that worked.
So happy for you! I cannot wait to hear more!
Counting down those three days. Good info on Moscow and you are so brave to try the metro!! I think I'll walk anywhere we go although who knows right!?!? Let us know those dates as soon as possible!!
Becky,
I really appreciated the info on Mosow Region. Are the other little red dots on your map where the orphanages are? I hope you get the travel dates you wanted!!!
You have to be biting your nails about now! Hopefully you will get your call by the end of the month. Moscow Region sounds really nice...and FUN!
Renae
I'm excited to hear that you're going to Moscow Region - we'll be going there, too...though it'll be a while. Can't wait to hear all about it!
I am so excited for you guys! If I had to do it over again, I would want to go to a larger city, preferably Moscow or somewhere nearby. The travel throughout Russia is really grueling and the added stress and anticipation of the occasion really adds a whole different dimension to the trip. Good luck, I hope your dates come soon!
This is getting so dang exciting! I check everyday to see if there is news. I can't wait to find out with you.
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