SURPRISES….”At least I (we) am (are) enjoying the ride”… (Grateful Dead)

Surprises abound in the last 24 hours!! For those of you joining us today on this leg of the Amazing Race: Little Man Stoli, take note: bring warmer weather clothes when traveling to Russia in May!!! The 10 day forecast last week was off by about 10* for the high – it is HOT here!! ☺ Seriously – first surprise was yesterday (Monday, for those losing track because we are – it’s a time warp here!)… 80* and sunny in Moscow!!

Surprise #2:
Perhaps you’d like to take a guess at the above picture… I don’t know, things like:
• What does it say?
• What does it mean?
• How did it get there?
• WHERE in the world are they?
Well, for those of you who thought it looked suspiciously like an airport sign indicating a flight: You ARE correct. And you, are not the weakest link on this adventure.

Our ride to the train arrived to tell us they were taking us to the airport – all 8 of us (4 families) were shocked. A plane? To our region? Thank goodness for both our adventures in California in October, but who knew it could take 3 hours to fly 600 miles? Yes, friends, it was a lovely 24 seat propeller plane. Chris and Lisa, STOP LAUGHING. (I had images of your Kaz plane story in my head the entire time!)… We made it, and believe me, I was thinking of my mom/Carl's adventures and stories of little planes, my dad's flying and staying safe all these years, and of a story my Aunt Norine had just emailed me about Nana the day before (timely timely timely).... However, interjected between the positive "we will make it" and deep breath thoughts, I was, of course, chagrining myself on the plane for too many “hi-5’s” to Jeff in Moscow that we were almost to the gavel and should have no more surprises…LOL

So, instead of arriving this morning, we arrived last night.. And Pat, be prepared – your experience on your way to the Grand Canyon may have paid off – Tanya, to answer your question: NOPE the entire hotel has not been re-done. Apparently only a few rooms and we are not in one them this time. It is very much like Romania, so it really doesn’t bother us… truly, I don’t mind…except that I didn’t pack a hair dryer this time for the first time in this 3rd of the leg race… A little advanced warning would have been nice about the entire situation, but come on folks, this is international adoption – whatever can be a surprise and out of your control will be just that…. Thankfully, the really nice German couple happen to have a great hairdryer I can use tonight so that I am not 3 days into a scary do for court tomorrow! Beyond that, I don’t so much care how my hair goes, as we all know the most important part of this story and it is not my hair.

OK, we are OFF to the orphanage… wonder what the day will bring???

THANKS for all your support back home!! We hope you are all enjoying this ride as much as we are… Surprises aside, we do feel our team is super competent and we are excited to be back in “Little Man” territory!! They know what they are doing... and we are so very appreciative of that!!

Shouts out today to my UD bud, Brian, who defended his dissertation -- I am sure you did great, Brian!!