• 2/4/2008 11:18:35 PMTwo Minute ScrambleGood News... We got "the call".  As has happened for us every step of the way, the good news was immediately followed by bad news.

    In today's episode of "What is it this time?", we find ourselves with no place to stay in Moscow after we return from the orphanage.  We had visited this issue once before and we thought we had it settled.  I guess not.  We are waiting on more information from Val as to where we'll stay.  If nothing turns up, I guess we'll be looking for a flat or something.

    But wait... that's not all!  

    Some of our documents that we had notarized and apostilled are now expired.  We get to do them again and pay an additional $10 fee for each signature.  Not only that but we have to send them away to Madison.  That means additional FedEx costs and travel time.  The documents have to get there, be signed and be returned quickly.

    There's more...

    We are trying to find flights to Moscow.  Let me tell you - that is quite an adventure.  We looked at all the big on-line sites like Travelocity and Orbitz and they all list fairly reasonable rates.  You can get a round trip ticket for under $1000.  "Good news!", you say?  When you call them and tell the agent what you need and mention the Adoption Discount, they double the price!  What a fantastic deal!  

    Here is an example:
    - On line price: $968
    - Phone price:  $1065
    - Changing the return date:  $1065 + $200 change fee + price difference
       (price difference is subject to change with out notice)

    - With the Adoption "Discount":
       - which allows for a full refund
       - you can change the return date with "no penalty"
    - $2016

    One way ticket for child back from Russia
    - $2600
    - $1008 (with "Adoption Discount")

    Bottom line, it looks like the plane tickets are going to cost around $5,000.  OUCH!  That is a far cry from the on line price.  We spoke with 5 different people from Delta and got 5 different quotes.

    FIVE DIFFERENT QUOTES!

    I wish I could stop there but no...

    So Peggy applies for our Russian Visa Invitation letters.  She wants fast service so she pays $15 extra to get them back the same business day.  Around 12:30 PM central time, she submits the request and charges $90 ($45 for each of us).  We quickly get an email back saying they have received our request and we'll get the invitation letter shortly.  When we get that, we need to put it in a FedEx envelope along with our passports and a check for $600 and send the whole thing to Seattle, WA and pray that they will do their job quickly and return the envelope to us before we have to leave.

    It is now 10:00 PM and we do not have the letter.  The FedEx guy has come and gone.  The clock is ticking.  I hope it comes before the FedEx pickup tomorrow or we will not get it back in time to leave.

    Of course the entire process has always been in God's hands.  I must say however, the stress of the whole thing is incredible.