Moscow Day 1

We got our bags, drove around the airport (about 10 minutes) and dropped off Phillip and the Goeppners for their flight home. Vladimir was our driver again- it was so great to see a familiar face :) He took us out on the "second road" to avoid the downtown traffic as much as possible. It was so nice to get a different view and see the "'burbs" of Mosow. Some houses appeared to be nothing more than shacks, some were very similar to what we'd see in America, and many, as we grew closer to the city, looked like small mansions. We also drove by many wooded areas. How nice that was!

Traffic is absolutely insane in downtown Moscow. We had heard that it was crazy, but hadn't experienced it until we were actually downtown. Apparently, there are 2 or 3 main roads closed, so everyone is using different roads, going in loops- Kinda reminded us of the intersection in Haiti- 5 roads coming from all different directions- merging to get everyone where they are going. We were so glad we didn't have to drive!

Then we got to the hotel. WOW!! It is so beautiful! Vaulted ceilings, cherry furniture, a beautiful, comfortable bed, very nice bathroom- with wash cloths and big bath towels. The lobby has glass elevators- marble everywhere. We feel so pampered and spoiled! Philip said he'd call us in the evening to let us know about Thurs- so we had the whole day to ourselves.

We went to the restaurant and ate breakfast, came back, and then...We took a nap! I slept for several hours. Did I mention how comfortable the bed is? In the middle of our nap, Philip called to let us know Anna, his wife, would meet us at 11 in the morning to be our guide and interpreter.

Then, when we woke up, we went for a walk to the grocery store down the road. It is quite different from ours in the states. There are many similar elements, but very different. We were trying to figure out what was available here, so we'd know what we would need to bring on our next trip for our son.

By this time it was dinner time, so we went back to the restaurant and had dinner- which lasted 3 hours!! Quite yummy! Why is it we are always sooo rushed when we eat at home? It was a very nice change, as we had to wait for the bill, to sit, sip tea and talk abou our lives and all that has been happening over the last few weeks, and especially about our son.

Believe it or not, then we went to bed. I slept like a baby- until about 8 the next morning. Tim was awake most of the early morning hours, after 3. Our bodies don't quite know what to make of all this time zone jumping. Looking forward to seeing the sites!