Saturday, April 30, 2011

Quick Post - Answers and Non Alex Updates!

Poor Alex, already getting slighted and not making it into a blog posting? Well, scratch that -- he just did! While he's napping this afternoon, I am going to squeeze in a shower (my 7th floor neighbors in the Courtyard will thank me) and thought I'd post some quick responses to questions and non Alex pictures...

Cindy & Nikolay: Congrats on the impending #2!! Can you drop me your email? Mine is amysrepp@gmail.com

Michelle: I was PRAYING that his hair wouldn't be buzzed when I arrived! The coordinator in town here says she always asks the baby homes "please no hair cuts after trip #1". LOVE that! He does need a trim... but thankfully he wasn't buzzed!

Heather (& Chad!): Yes! I am back at the Vasilievsky Island Courtyard. I liked both of the Courtyards, but this one is so handy. I LOVE the breakfast -- just getting tired of the price!

Sarah: Alex is from Baby Home #6 -- which is here on Vasilievsky Island. Super close to the hotel. You could walk it! Can you send me your email as well?

Sally: Yes, we're taking the speed train to Moscow on Wednesday. I think we leave around 2pm or so. I am excited -- but have no idea what to expect in the train. Any other tips?

Jeanette: I totally agree with your assessment! I think he looks a LOT like Grace and also Cassie (Holly's little girl). They suspect his mom was from Kaz...

Ok -- I think I got to all the pressing questions. I seriously love hearing from all of you. It helps pass the time and have a heart beat to home!

From my hotel room I can see a three different churches. One is across the nearest bridge, off the island. It's the largest of the near by ones. So this morning, Alex and I set off to check it out. He still didn't love the stroller... oh look! He snuck into this post after all! But more on that later...
*** Update: EDITED*** This is Prince Vladimir's Cathedral - consecrated in 1789, making it one of the oldest churches in St. Petersburg. It's been a working, open Cathedral this entire time, closing only once for a year in 1926 for renovations. It's gorgeous by any standards, but pales in comparison to a lot of the super ornate, grand Cathedrals around town. Seriously, they are a dime a dozen around here - it's awe inspiring to see them all!

Around the outside of the gates to the Cathedral, there were what we'd probably call "Homeless" people sitting. They weren't begging, at least they didn't ask me for anything. However, in my brown and pink Crocs, I surely screamed "AMERICAN".

Conversely, I think I have had too much exposure to Russia. On our way back to the hotel, a guy paused in front of us only to literally blow his nose/snot rocket (think finger to one nostril and blow like heck) against the side of the building. I literally yelled at him. I believe it was a combination of English and Russian... along the lines of "DUDE!? That's disgusting! Nil Za!" Which translates roughly to "Dude!? That's disgusting - don't do that!". Holy crap - I am turning into a crazy babooshka who yells at people on the street! Thankfully my friend Sara will be here to rescue me tomorrow. None to soon, it sounds like!

Lastly, tomorrow is "May Day" here in Russia. In the former USSR, it was a holiday in close relation to our Labor Day. After the creation of the Russian Federation, it was technically dropped, but it's still widely celebrated. May 9th is "Victory Day" - a post WWII holiday. Some people feel the reason "May Day" continues is for some Russians to take a holiday encompassing both. While I am not volunteering to stay longer, I would have loved to seen some of the Victory Day celebrations.

These "signs"/banners are hanging above many of the major streets,
celebrating May Day/Victory Day

5 comments:

Bill and Michelle Curran said...

I have seen the famous snot rocket myself. Not sure why people do that in public - dude!!!

hope said...

Hi Amy,
We are so excited for you! He's quite handsome....and in light of his nickname, I think you should have named him Campbell!! :) We are still waiting to hear a court date for Trip # 2. Have fun and capture all the memories! Love, Loraye and Bill

Sarah said...

Such an exciting time! It looks like #6 takes great care of the kids like #3 and #13. #12 wasn't half as good as #3. By the way the fast spped train is wonderful! You will love it! So will Alex. It is fast smooth and very very nice. Hopefully, Alex will continue to do well. If not don't worry! My Alexander (Sasha) did great 3 years ago but Gracie really had a tough time with food, sleeping and bathing in December. My email is sarahwalkersage@yahoo.com. Best of luck and enjoy Russia!

Sarah

Glen Scotia said...

Our facilitator in Vlad told Sacha that the stroller was his "machina" (car) and he was a bit nervous the first time but then loved it. Until of course he was older and trying to bust out and run free.

Our Russian Adopted Princess said...

Amy, the speed train is very nice. Our coordinator asked for the car with the handicapped row. We wheeled Ava right in and she was able to eat at a table and then she slept in her stroller. I walked her up and down the "car of the train" a few times and she liked the motion. I brought our own food and drinks on and loved it. You really don't get to see a whole lot because ours traveled at night and got in around 11:00 p.m. to Moscow. We watched a movie on the laptop. Oh and they have very nice washrooms on board also, there is a very large handicapped one. There is also a food car if you don't bring your own food for you to purchase also.