51-1/2 Hours

by bill - 2007-12-19 12:31:44 ( in family, adoption, holmes, travel) [php version] rebuild (165)

That's how long before we leave Astrakhan for Moscow. Not that we're counting or anything. The bad thing about these in-country flights is that they don't use "jetways," those expandable tubes that protect you from the weather as you get on and off the plane. You are out there exposed on the tarmac, which is no fun in bad weather.

Once in Moscow, Elizabeth has to get a "physical" which really just verifies that she's a real live girl, nothing more. Then we go to the US Embassy to make Elizabeth a US citizen. Then we fly home. Hopefully, that'll happen on the 21st or earlier. If it is, we'll have to adjust our flights with Delta, but it'll be worth the penalty fee.

Then I get to go straight back to work. At least it'll be Christmas time, so hopefully that means things will be slow.

Otherwise, everything is fine on the Russian Front.

Comments (We enjoy free speech. Try not to offend, but feel free to be offended.)

It is almost over! I know it's been a trial but it's almost over. I hope to be able to come visit you, Tara, and Elizabeth in May. She should be very settled in by then. I know I wouldn't want to fly anywhere for a long time after this trip of yours. - Jeannie, 2007-12-15 04:00:18

You're right, Jeannie. I told Tara I'm never flying anywhere again. Well, not until Elizabeth is old enough to want to come back to Russia to find her roots. The adoption agency has a phrase for that return trip. Not "homecoming." It escapes me at the moment. - bill, 2007-12-15 05:25:57

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Here is the complete blog of the adoption experience in paperback form, Russian Adoption: From Nashville to Astrakhan and Back (PDF). And here is the fictionalized, future "homeland tour" (action adventure) version in various forms: on Kindle, various electronic formats, and in paperback.

This time next week.... — Preparation — The day before — Travel day — In the air — We're in Moscow — Moscow — Check out time — We're in Astrakhan — It's only Monday? — What a day... — Tuesday (2007-10-02) — It's a girl! It's a girl! — Wednesday — Thursday — Great visit — Sights of Astrakhan — Another great visit — Last visit for a while — Atlanta! — We're home! (10/06) — Round two — Skora mweh tam boojum — Internet access — Elizabeth's room — Mweh yeddum v aeroport eta ootra — In the air again — Back in Moscow (11/26) — Tuesday (2007-11-26) — Back in Astrakhan — Russian adoption consultant — Comments welcome — Showtime! — And the judge says...... — Success! — The day after — Saturday morning — Much better visit today — Beet salad — Went for a walk ... — Its going to be a good week — She's warming up to us — Light at the end of the tunnel — Picture of us before court — More pictures — She's ours! — The first hours of parenthood — Bowel movement — Sleep, what a concept — Update — Nothing much to update about — 51-1/2 hours — Just another week to go — Pictures of our life in Astrakhan — Back in Moscow (12/18) — Moscow update continued — Update to the update's update — To the embassy — Can't leave early — Still in Moscow — Riding the Metro — Riding the Metro, part deux — We're home! (12/23) — A few pictures — Airport arrival — Stay tuned — More pics — Summary — Doctors say she's normal — Adoption video — Holmes Russian adoption videos — Adoption videos updated — Our Russian adoption story

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