The trip back to Moscow

Jet lag is a killer! Sorry it's taken awhile to get to the end of the trip.

Tamarra and our driver met us in the lobby early Sunday morning to drive us to the Khabarvosk airport. Gail and I were pretty tired so we didn't talk much and just enjoyed the peaceful 2 1/2 hour drive. The road was pretty much covered with snow except for one lane which was used by cars going in both directions, thank goodness there was not much traffic. The Russian version of speed bumps is to travel along a paved road and then it will turn to gravel/dirt for about a 1/4 mile, this was the case in about 4 or 5 spots along our route. The countryside is dotted with villages every few miles which consist of a few shacks that constitute someones home, very dreary.

We finally arrived in Khabarovsk about 2 hours before our flight was due to leave. Tamarra helped us with all of our luggage which was considerably lighter since leaving all the toys and clothes for the kids at the orphanage and the gifts for the caregivers, although we still ended up being over the limit and had to pay a small amount. We got our boarding tickets and then Tamarra suggested that if we needed to use the restroom, now was the time to do so and she pointed to it down this flight of stairs. She also whispered to me to "take my sense of humor". Gail and I followed this group of women to the restroom and stood in line (just like America), when it was my turn, I opened the stall door and found a small step up and a hole in the ground!!! I about died! There were two places to put your feet and you were expected to stand up and take care of business! No time for a bashful bladder - when in Russia, do as the Russians do!! Gail was up next and as soon as she saw it she said "no way"!! I told her the alternative was using the disgusting airplane bathroom, she chose the stall. Back upstairs to say our goodbyes to Tamarra and then on to the gate to wait to board the plane. Everything they are announcing is in Russian, Gail and I just pray we get on the right plane headed for Moscow and not China. We board the bus to take us to the tarmac to board the plane, everyone just pushes and shoves their way on, no semblance of order, it is insane. We are finally seated in our seats and pleasantly surprised to find we are on a much newer jet and there is no ugly smells. Now only 9 more hours till we are back to Moscow.