Sunday, September 13, 2009

Our Adventure Continues

Our drivers picked us up at the Sheraton hotel lobbyat 8:30pm on Friday, the 11th. We went straight to the train station.

moscow and st pete trip 2 009

We walked to our platform about 9:15, and there our drivers helped us load our luggage onto the train and into our respective cabins.

blue train

It was like stepping back in time. The cabin was very small and had 2 long benches which doubled as our beds. There was also a small fold up table in the room. There was no sink so no running water there. We had one bathroom (no shower or anything) at the end of the car for about 10 cabins to share. It was very much like an airplane bathroom.

train


The train departed at 9:55pm right on time. We were already tired from a long day, but we were extremely jittery about being in this uncomfortable space. JC and I split an Ambien in hopes of sleeping a little on the train. I slept a little from 11:30 to 2am off and on. I was then awake from 2 to 4 and slept from 4am until 5:15am when the overhead lights came on to alert everyone that the train was close to the station. We finally got to the station at 5:53am as scheduled. Alex, our agency rep in St Petersburg, was waiting for us. We saw him through the windows of the train. He boarded and helped us with all of our luggage. There were four of us with all of our luggage and we all piled into Alex’s Honda. We were packed in like sardines. First Alex drove us to our hotel. We walked into the lobby at 6:15am. Of course they wouldn’t let us check in, but there happened to be an executive room available that we could use for half the daily rate. However, Alex needed to pick us back up at 9:20am from the hotel lobby…that was only 3 hours away and the discounted rate for the hotel was going to be almost $200 (US) after taxes. We opted not to check in until later. The hotel stored our luggage and we walked to a coffee shop on Nevsky Avenue (the main street in the city centre). We drank lattes, had Russian pancakes and read for about 2 hours. The sun came up so we decided to walk around for a bit. We walked by St Isaac’s Cathedral again and by the Hermitage.
20090912-st petersburg (7 of 20)

20090912-st petersburg (10 of 20)

20090912-st petersburg (14 of 20)

20090912-st petersburg (16 of 20)

20090912-st petersburg (1 of 1)-3

Fountain in front of the Naval Admiralty Building across from the Hermitage

20090912-st petersburg (4 of 20)

We came back to the hotel lobby around 9am, and Alex was there waiting for us. We then left for the baby home to see Emma again for the first time in three months.

Our visit with Emma to follow…

9 comments:

Gwen Oatsvall said...

i will pray sister !!!! God speed to bringing Emma home ...

Over-Caffeinated said...

Those photos take me back big time.... Wow, I can almost feel myself standing on Nevsky with all that traffic.

Can't wait to hear about your visit.

Anonymous said...

Oh praises that you have had your sweet Emma in your arms! Continuing to pray for safe travels;)

Blessings, Ashley

Love Being A Nonny said...

I am so excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Corey,

I am so happy for you and JC. I know both of you will be happy when this journey is over. Be safe!!!

Jessica

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

WOW...such beautiful photos!!

By now I hope you have seen Emma......I am so thrilled for you guys:) Can't wait to see her precious face!!

Take care of yourselves,

Lisa

teg said...

Corey, I've been reading these updates for months, but I guess it's just now really touched me how lucky you are to have JC and he you. What you're going through takes a tremendous commitment, and knowing both you and JC are without a doubt committed to Emma means a lot to everyone who cares about you - me included. You are so lucky and I know you and JC are going to bring that beautiful girl home soon. It might not seem like it because I'm a bit removed, but I will love you all forever and always! Looking forward to meeting baby Emma. xoxo, T

Jo said...

The photos are beautiful ~ such an adventure!

Looking forward to hearing more about Emma and one day {finally} seeing this little lady!

Thinking of you ~
Jo

Brooke said...

I am so happy and excited for y'all! Continued prayers going up for yall!!

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