A Positive Project Hope - Reader Contribution, Page 4
Doing the Moscow HustleMoscow, again. We were met immediately by Svetlana. It was 4:30 AM. Off to the Marriott Grand. No, the Marriott Grand was not really in our budget for what was already a very expensive undertaking but, before we left the US, my wife and I decided that we would opt for a "slice of home" and to hell with the cost. I made our reservations dialing directly from Pittsburgh to the Marriott Grand before we ever left home. We had the help of IFS in choosing the correct dates based upon our expected travel in Ivanovo. The Marriott Grand is at 26 Tverskaya St. (011-7-095-935-8500).
Sometimes you just make the right choice.
When we entered the Marriott Grand in Moscow that early morning on March 23, 2002, Kathy and I both breathed a giant sigh of relief. It was a slice of home. English-speaking staff, and a fantastic breakfast buffet included in the adoption rate price of $185 per night (plus taxes). There was a very nice pool for Dinar, a HOT TUB for us, and full size beds! In addition, lots of other adoptive families to meet and share experiences with. This was worth every penny!
Since we arrived back in Moscow on Saturday, Svetlana told us that we'd have the next three days to enjoy the city. It seems that the US Embassy is closed on the last Monday of every month so we had an extra day to relax. The real paper chase would not begin until Tuesday, March 26.
Let me say, the three of us really enjoyed the Marriott Grand, and from its location on Tverskaya St. it's only a 20 minute walk straight down Tverskaya to Red Square. We did some of the normal tourist activities, visiting St. Basil's and the magnificent GUM. We had dinner at TGI Friday's right on Tverskaya and at a small Italian joint with good pizza but no non-smoking section. We also sent a few email messages to family and friends using the Marriott's on-site Business Center. As advertised, the morning breakfast buffet and the food in general at the Marriott Grand was great.
Our three days of relaxation ended on Tuesday morning, March 26. It was time for our own version of the Moscow Olympics but performed and coordinated perfectly by our Russian IFS Reps. First, the doctor visit and a physical for Dinar. This was performed quickly and easily, and in our hotel room for $95. Ohmygod, this Dr. made a house call!!! Right on the money. Then the goofy US Embassy. A $325 charge for a Visa and the "magic package" for INS. What a deal, all so we could get that completely unnecessary "Green Card." Time for the illustrious leadership at INS to wake up to the new law! The US Embassy interview was perfunctory and quick. A few questions, a raise of your right hand and you're on your way. Lastly, the Russian Consulate for $120. And the answer is, sign on the line and it's time to go. At the Russian consulate, Svetlana and Vlad pointed out a number of folks wandering about from line to line in a merry-go-round process of completing paperwork. These poor folks were pursuing "independent" adoptions. Perhaps I'm just not adventurous enough, but I would not want to tackle this process without the help of an agency. As I said, everything perfectly coordinated by our IFS reps. And what they never told us, a form was missing from our package from Ivanovo. Unknown to us, they contacted our lawyer, Irina, and had the document sent via the previous evening's night train to Moscow. I asked Svetlana why she never told us until now and she said, "Why worry the new parents? There was nothing you could have done but loose sleep, we had it under control."
Our trip was drawing to a close. It was now our last evening in Moscow. Time to repack, double check the paperwork, and for just a bit, reflect on this whirlwind trip.
It was now the morning of March 27, and the three of us were back at Moscow's draconian little Sheremetyevo airport for the SVO-JFK-PIT adventure. Here we finally paid Svetlana the $500 "Travel and Assistance" fee. Again this was one of the fees we had planned for ahead via IFS. It covered all Moscow travel regardless of how much, including two airport trips, two trips to the train station, US Embassy, Russian Consulate, and all of Irina and Vlad's running around to set up appointments etc. I actually thought we'd still be paying the driver $50 for each trip to the airport and mentioned this to Svetlana. She quickly said no, it was included in the overall fee. We tipped the driver a small amount anyway.
A quick goodbye to Svetlana at SVO and we were off on Delta to JFK.
We'd spent approx. 7.5 days in Russia.
Some of you have asked about what travel agency we used and prices for flights etc. Well, we didn't use a travel agency. I made our Marriott reservation myself and Svetlana took care of our first afternoon/evening in Moscow by having us stay at the Hotel Ukraina. Regarding flights, we chose to use Delta exclusively and I also contacted them directly. We ended up paying $750 per person round trip for our PIT/JFK/SVO airfare and it cost $652 for Dinar's one way from Moscow. Where we did take a chance was that our tickets were the reduced rate, non-refundable, extra charge for changes, type of tickets. Dinar's ticket was not this type. He had a refundable, change for free, adoption rate ticket. In fact, Delta even called us back shortly after I made the reservations to tell us that there was a lower price for Dinar's ticket. The price was reduced from $768 to $652. A pleasant surprise!
A word about gifts for those we interacted with in Russia. My wonderful wife was completely in charge of gifts. No specific amounts were expected and Kathy discussed her thoughts and got suggestions from our IFS office. We had gifts for the Orphanage Director, Lawyer, Translator, IFS Reps in Moscow (Svetlana and Vlad) and a bunch of stuff for the kids. Actually Kathy had knit hats and gloves for the children in Dinar's "group". No gifts were expected for the judge or prosecutor. Kathy also had some extra stuff packed and we gave gifts to some of the other teachers who came by the Director's office. That was about it.
© John Galembush, All rights reserved
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