Today, we visited the US Embassy to complete our official business here in Russia. Our driver picked us up at 12:45pm (along with Chris, Daniela and Sasha). Traffic in Moscow was bad, but not horrible. So, we arrived at the Embassy at 1:15pm and waited for our Moscow coordinator, Natalia (who had submitted our paperwork to the Embassy last Friday). At 1:35pm, she arrived with our interview ticket which we needed to gain entrance into the Embassy (it contained our names and proved that we had an interview appointment). Only adoptive parents and children are allowed to enter the Embassy for the interview, so we approached external security at 1:45pm.
Once inside, we proceeded down a long hallway and through another security checkpoint. We picked up another interview ticket (a sequential type ticket…akin to the kind of ticket that one would pick up at a deli counter) and then headed to the cashier’s window. We were #4 of what wound up being 6 American families with scheduled adoption interviews (Chris, Daniela and Sasha were #5). At 2:20pm, we were called for our interview. The gentleman at the counter was extremely pleasant and the interview was quite painless (which was nice for a change...hahaha). We signed a few documents and Victoria said a very pleasant “spasiba” (thank you), without being asked (looks like we are making headway on her “please” and “thank you’s”). We were then asked to wait while they finished processing the documents. While we waited, Victoria took the opportunity to count (over and over) the number of chairs in the waiting area. At 2:46pm, we officially received Victoria’s Immigration Visa! We have been waiting years to say this, but this officially completes our business here in Russia.
As a small celebration, we went out to an Italian restaurant for dinner with Chris, Daniela and Sasha. It has really been a blessing to be able to share this experience with this incredibly nice family. We are now only one full day away from heading to the airport and beginning our journey back home. When we arrive in JFK airport, Victoria will set foot on US soil and have her immigration visa stamped. At that time, she will officially become a citizen of the United States of America. Currently, we have no real plans for tomorrow (our last full day here in Russia) as we are hoping to get some rest for what will be a long travel day on Wednesday.
For security reasons, they do not allow pictures within or right outside the Embassy (sorry about that). However, here are three pictures. The first is a picture of the US Embassy in Moscow (from their website). The second picture is Victoria buckled in for the ride back to the hotel. The thirf is a picture of Victoria shortly after dinner (with the excitement of the day, she passed out on the bed pretty early).
Once inside, we proceeded down a long hallway and through another security checkpoint. We picked up another interview ticket (a sequential type ticket…akin to the kind of ticket that one would pick up at a deli counter) and then headed to the cashier’s window. We were #4 of what wound up being 6 American families with scheduled adoption interviews (Chris, Daniela and Sasha were #5). At 2:20pm, we were called for our interview. The gentleman at the counter was extremely pleasant and the interview was quite painless (which was nice for a change...hahaha). We signed a few documents and Victoria said a very pleasant “spasiba” (thank you), without being asked (looks like we are making headway on her “please” and “thank you’s”). We were then asked to wait while they finished processing the documents. While we waited, Victoria took the opportunity to count (over and over) the number of chairs in the waiting area. At 2:46pm, we officially received Victoria’s Immigration Visa! We have been waiting years to say this, but this officially completes our business here in Russia.
As a small celebration, we went out to an Italian restaurant for dinner with Chris, Daniela and Sasha. It has really been a blessing to be able to share this experience with this incredibly nice family. We are now only one full day away from heading to the airport and beginning our journey back home. When we arrive in JFK airport, Victoria will set foot on US soil and have her immigration visa stamped. At that time, she will officially become a citizen of the United States of America. Currently, we have no real plans for tomorrow (our last full day here in Russia) as we are hoping to get some rest for what will be a long travel day on Wednesday.
For security reasons, they do not allow pictures within or right outside the Embassy (sorry about that). However, here are three pictures. The first is a picture of the US Embassy in Moscow (from their website). The second picture is Victoria buckled in for the ride back to the hotel. The thirf is a picture of Victoria shortly after dinner (with the excitement of the day, she passed out on the bed pretty early).
Here are a few pictures of the subway from yesterday (the one of the escalator is from about 2/3 the way up…they were really long)…
YEAH! Hopefully, the "worst" is behind you (i.e. all the paperwork vs the plane ride home!). I am so glad that you shared this experience with me! I hope you have a safe journey home. Can't wait for one of the newest American citizens to get home!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I liked your skiing comment, but you know if it ever snowed in SC...rifles would probably just be something that automatically came with the skis!!!!!!!!