Rather then me ramble on (shocker!), here are some pics and commentary. It'll be just like you came with us! (click on the pictures to make them bigger)
First, we stopped at McDonald's to get some coffee and a "Coke Light".
Then we headed down Old Arbat street. This street is only open to pedestrians. There are tons of shops and restaurants but at 8:30 in the morning it's pretty empty.
After that we made our way to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. What a gorgeous church! We didn't get to go inside and since we can't read cyrllic we had no idea what time to go back. :-)
We walked along the Moscow River where we saw some Russian ducks and baby ducks. We also had a good view of the backside of Red Square/the Kremlin.
We were trying to track down a church our translator told us about. On the way there, we happened upon a Russian KISS billboard. And y'all know how much Keith loves KISS - well, enough to stand in front of the billboard and stick his tongue out. :-)
After that we found the church. It was built in the 7th century.
Around noon we headed to GUM again to meet Karyn and Norm. When we talked in the morning we decided to meet at the fountain. Apparently there were a lot of fountains and we couldn't find each other! We had a good laugh about that. So instead, Keith and I had Sbarro's for lunch (yes, we ate Sbarro's in Russia) and while eating Keith spotted someone below making crepes (or belini's) so we decided to go have one. Yummmmm....
We saw the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Red Square) and then walked through a beautiful garden.
At 5:00 we met Karyn and Norm, Dana and Aaron and Ron for dinner. Ron took a picture of us in front of My My (pronounced Moo Moo, thus the cow). It was a buffet style place and I happened upon some more mystery meat. Thank goodness for potatoes and chocolate!
And now, here we are! It's 8:40 and we're contemplating a very early bedtime (actually, Keith is snoring very loudly so he must have decided to head to bed!). Tomorrow morning is "THE DAY". Our translator and driver are picking us up at 10am. We'll head to CSS' office and meet "S" and then to the Ministry of Education to receive our referral. Everyone at dinner tonight answered so many of our questions so we feel pretty good about tomorrow. Of course, ask me tomorrow morning how good I feel! :-)
Till tomorrow!
Paka, Paka! (Bye Bye!)
Becky
P.S. This is not spell-checked so sorry if there are any mistakes!
20 comments:
Hi!
Just wanted you to know we are all thinking of you and praying for your big day tomorrow! You both look as though you are having fun and feeling good about being in Moscow! Good Luck and God bless your wonderful adventure!!!
Sounds like you guys had a great day. Don't forget to go to Novy Arbat and get a funnel cake doughnut. Same place you get the cheap and YUMMY rotissiere chickens. Two doughnuts will cost you 20 rubles and a whole chicken will cost you 100 rubles. The store is right across from TGIFridays and has a pink front with the cop from the Simpsons. I ate there everyday on our 3rd trip, sometimes went there twice a day for doughnuts.
Enjoy tomorrow and take lots and lots of pictures and video even if you think you are being dorky. It is what will get you through the wait for your court date once you get home.
I am soooo happy we finally found you today! LOL! Obviously Norm & I would not be good contestants on the Amazing Race.
Enjoy tomorrow, take pictures of everything (even the teensy tiny elevator at Moe), and fill is in tomorrow evening. It's going to be a great day and we're looking forward to hearing all about it.
Paka!
Oh, yes, the elevator! LOL! I got in it with our translator, went down a floor, where another patron entered, and then another floor, and a 4th person got in with us. Literally, perhaps 2 feet by 4 feet. LOL!!
I am praying for you guys- that your visit is pleasent and that your 1st referral is Peanut, so you don't have to go back to that place! (okay, I'm probably a bit biased based on last Tuesday).
Oh, and did you eat at the My My on Old Arbat?? We didn't eat there, but we did meet another couple for dinner at the Italian restaurant next door. Pretty decent if you don't order shell fish.
Sleep tight and post again tomorrow!!
Wow - You all look like you are having so much fun. So excited to hear about tomorrow after tomorrow!! Glad you are doing okay!
Tomorrow's the big day, I can't wait to hear all about it. The pictures are wonderful, thank you for sharing and keep them coming. My DH loved the KISS billboard, maybe we'll be able to find it when we're over there. Get a good nights rest!!! Prayers being sent your way.
It is so fun to go down memory lane once again. I'm so glad you are taking in so many of the sights while on trip 1. Norman and I did as well and were very thankful as it is much harder to do on trip 2. It is funny how many of the same places we all go. The Russians probably think, we'll there's another one of those silly American adoptive families. I'm sure we stick out like a sore thumb.
Loved Keith's tongue picture. You go with your bad self.
The belini (crepe) looks delicious too. We too ate at the Sabarro in the GUM mall. It is almost as if you are walking in our same footsteps.
The Church (Cathedral of Christ the Savior) is worth seeing if you are able to go another day during your trip. We saw the inside of the Kremlin on trip 1 too. It is great to see the bell and other churches, but I think St. Basil's and Cathedral of Christ the Savior is prettier.
Okay, enough rambling on sightseeing. I think we both know that the most important item of discussion is that visit tomorrow. Have I mentioned how excited I am for you? I cannot wait to hear details. So, we need all the good stuff...size, hair color, eye color, dimples (if applicable), etc. I need to be able to make a visual.
Best wishes tomorrow and lots of love. Sorry for the book, but I'm just so excited to be finally following your journey to Russia and just cannot tell you enough how excited I am!!
Happy Mother's Day (just a few days belated)!!
Thinking about you guys. Since you are so far ahead of us, you should be getting up soon and getting ready to go meet peanut (hopefully). Seriously, I wish you all the strength to get through the next week. Its going to work out for the best and I can't wait to hear all about it.
Hey Becky,
My husband and I are so excited for you and Keith..I love the posts and will be following your blog the whole time. We're thinking and praying for you in AZ!!!
Arrione
Glad you are having fun in Moscow and seeing the sights! Can't wait to hear all about your trip to the MOE tomorrow and your first meeting with the little peanut. It is such an exciting day! I second Karyn...definitely take a picture of the elevator at the MOE..you've never seen anything sooo small!
I'm so glad you all had a good day exploring Moscow. I'm praying for you all-it's 6:30 in the morning there, and you're probably wide awake getting excited to finally meet your little Peanut today! I'm praying that God would calm your nerves and give you a great first visit together! I can't wait to hear the details!
Hi Becky! It sounds like you and Keith had an amazing day yesterday! It is Monday morning in the US and by now, you guys have already met your little one! I am so excited for you and your family and we are praying for you! Warmest wishes...Teresa
What a wonderful day...but I suspect TODAY was even better! I can't wait to hear. Hurry, hurry!
By the way..those pictures are great!! You all look great!!
I am so excited for the two of you - I can't wait to see how everything goes today and hear about when you meet "your Peanut". Thanks for the great pic's as well.
Becky- you are so damn cute!!! I am on pins and needles to hear about "the day"
Okay, we are anxiously awaiting your next post.....tick, tock....tick, tock.....
Those flowers are beautiful. Moscow looks much less glum in May than it did in April! What a difference a few weeks makes.
How exciting! Thanks for sharing the details!
Wow!! It's amazing to see your photos. We were in many of the same places. Good memories! It sounds like you are having a great day sightseeing!
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