Russian Adventure: Moscow Circus

Next up was the circus! Our sweet friends grinned when they realized we'd be walking right past a Krispy Kreme! We stopped in for some toasty coffee and doughnuts. For these Ankara folks, it didn't even matter what kind. Yes, please. Anything.

This was one of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

All of the following pictures were forbidden. Tons of rules.  Don't take pictures. But I have a little girl at home who loves animals!

We were unable to take pictures during the show. In fact, little old ladies were hired to stand at every section and scold us if we tried. Lots of rules in Russia, it seemed. But at the end, we were allowed to take a picture. The circus was an absolute ball!

Russian Adventure: Smiles and Church

They took us to their place for Sunday morning meeting! It was all in Russian, and we had headsets for translation. The moment I stepped into this rented building, something struck me. I saw something I had not seen anywhere else. The Spirit of God, of course. Joy, pure joy, on the faces and in the hearts of the people there. God's breath on a people and in a place. There is NOTHING like it.

We loved worshipping with them! 

Russian Adventure: To the Market

Well, I've had surgery on Friday. I'm grounded for 1 week. So, I am going to catch up. Catch up on my blog. Catch up on some reading. Catch up on my baby books. I had babies. I loved them. I just had so many at the same time, I couldn't fill in their baby books. I don't want their future spouses to despise me. So, that's my plan.

And now, to Russia....

M and S and the twins took us to the famous Russian market. We loved being on the other end of the tourist track. We are usually the ones taking others to local markets.

Couldn't resist this little guy.

The colors surrounding us were fabulous!

We couldn't wait for after church lunch at the market!

They knew just where to take us. We had our pick of meats: salmon, chicken, beef, pork.

While inhaling the amazing smell of the grilling, I took a couple of shots around me. They do love their furs!

We went to the top floor of a log shack and waited until someone finished eating to get a seat. The meal was served like this. Pickles, carrots, potatoes, meat. I can't even begin to tell you how good it was!

This little beauty was having a day out with dad. If I were to write a children's book about a little Russian girl, she would be my subject.

We knew it would be cold. But it was like Siberia. M and S kept saying, "such good weather...such a lovely day..." BUT we were FREEZING. Firstborn whipped out her tutoring money and bought herself these gorgeous hand-knitted stockings to go right under her boots. A useful souvenir! Well done!

The little lady was so happy, she helped her put them right on.

They took us to an antique bazaar. It was all stuff from my childhood! How did that happen?! Firstborn was overcome with the typewriters and radios. What's so antique about that?

And just as we were leaving, we found Putin's friend. All stuffed and severe.

Russian Adventure: The Canal

I really have not forgotten my Russian Adventure! I'm behind on blogging because I'm gone from my home 7:30AM-6PM every day...but I am determined to keep this blog moving!

M got me up the next morning to see the sunrise over the canal near her house. I was happy to go! I got to see early morning ice fishing.

It was just impossible to take a bad picture! Here is the lock for the canal.

This lone dog was guarding the path.

It was well worth the loss of sleep!

Russian Adventure: Red Square

It was so wonderful to get to see Red Square! I grew up praying for Russia daily in elementary school. I could hardly believe I was actually there!

We got to go inside St. Basil's cathedral.

It was absolutely beautiful! And so is she!

Russian Adventure: Those Amazing Subways

It was so wonderful to see S and M and their twin girls! We shared so many good memories from college, and M stood with me at my wedding. The first morning, we headed out. They took us to the subway system. But this was not an everyday adventure. Very quickly, S realized we were being followed. Of course we were. He works for the FBI and a couple of "Turks" have flown in for the weekend. (I failed to tell you about my experience with the immigration officer the night before. Generally, I photograph that which I plan to blog, but I felt best not to ask him to "Say cheese!" He asked me why I wanted to come into Russia (who is currently unhappy with Turkey) and why I live in Turkey. I was really hoping to promote my US citizenship, but he quickly realized I had flown in from Turkey. I said, "I am here to tour. And to see my friend." Please imagine here your very best Russian accent..."Ah, you are here to see your boyfriend, then." I was speechless. Shucks, no. I don't have a boyfriend, I'm married! Anyway, he grumped a bit, then let us through. Soon in the airport, we began seeing Russia from our naive eyes! The women police officers work skirts, heels, and pistols. I am not sure I've ever actually seen a woman police officer in Turkey. Man, they looks classy!)

We enjoyed catching up that night, then slept like logs after our journey! But back to the "being followed" part...so S realized there was a guy tailing us as we walked. So we stopped. So he stopped. (So, Firstborn and I were DYING! Was this awesome thing really happening to us?!) Then he made a phone call. Then we walked down the stairs to the subway. Then he walked down the stairs to the subway. Then we rounded a corner, and another man standing there snapped our picture. Tag teaming, I tell you! It was all terribly exciting, and we probably talked about it the entire day like we were in junior high. Just livin' the Moscow experience I tell ya!

The escalators in the subway were SUPER long.

And they were built in the early 1900's. They were SO beautiful and classy.

The guy with his back to us was the who followed us! I took his picture, too, when he passed us off, because I'm mature like that.

They really lived up to the stereotype I had for them. Lots of police. Lots of fur. Lots of hats. Lots of guns.

Russian Adventure: From Here to There

I had a very big adventure last month! A combination of several wonderful things happened at once. My good college buddy is currently living in Moscow, taken there because of her husband's FBI job. (I know, crazy. It's like living out our board game "Clue: Secrets and Spies"...the laptop with Agent Black in Moscow). She really wanted to me to come see her while she's living so close, and their family came to see us for a week or so. Additionally, Firstborn was turning 17. And when your little baby is suddenly 17 and a year out from moving away, you begin to want to spend birthday money on memories with them rather than tangible boxes to open. And finally, we found flight tickets for less than $200. So, that settled it. I took our only 3 day weekend, and off we went.

She was the best traveling buddy ever. I loved every minute of it. Here we are in the Ankara airport, waiting on our first flight. I felt like the entire time I was with someone more responsible than me!

When we landed in Istanbul, we kept seeing men wearing only towels. I suspected they were on the way to the Haj at Mecca. So, I asked the ticket agent, and she confirmed it.

What we didn't factor is that it was soon to be Friday (holy day) prayers. Soon, all of the women in the entire back wing of the airport were washing their hands, feet, and faces in the bathroom for prayers. And then there we were, two little white gals, sitting on the bench at the gate, surrounded by 50 women bowing and reciting their prayers, with a man standing up on the bench singing the call to prayer. It was overwhelming to say the least. I suppose because it was Turkey, and all these aunties were village Turkish women, I didn't feel as uncomfortable as you might think. I am glad we experienced it together. We said our own prayers. It was a good reminder.

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