- 2/28/2008 10:00:00 PMMoscow Trip - Day 18Today was one of those days that started out looking bad but ended up very nice. Last night I had a very hard time falling asleep. I think I was awake until around 3:00 AM. I developed a head cold from being out in the rain at Red Square yesterday and I couldn't stop my mind from reviewing the events of the day. I didn't sleep well at all.
Peggy on the other hand fell asleep right away but woke up during the night and could not fall back asleep. By the time I awoke around 8:00, she had been awake for hours - reviewing the events of yesterday and missing home.
Marina could see the distress on our faces and invited Peggy and I out to run errands with her. Grandma would watch Michael while we were out. Marina had to meet Lisa Smith - the leader of the Lighthouse Project to pick up documents and then with Katia to pick up and drop off translated documents. Then we had to go to the US Embassy.
This was my first time traveling around Moscow on foot. Each time we went around town, we were in Dima's van. This time we took the bus from Marina's flat and then got on the subway. The subway is very extensive and amazing to look at. It is well taken care of and meets the needs of millions of passengers daily. This was the first time I had an opportunity to see some of the poor and needy in the city. I didn't see many, but they were there. Old men and women squatting down and leaning against a building. They wore shaggy rags and held their hand out to collect a few kopecks or Rubles.
On one occasion, there was a boy who was sitting near the top of the stairwell holding a sign. It read something like the following:
My mom is dead and my sister is sick. Please help me.
As I mentioned, the subway system is extensive. I had learned that there are untold numbers of adults and especially children who call this place their home. Each day, millions of people pass them by.
Once upon a time, I worked for a man named Mr. Lopez. He was born and raised in the Bronx. I had told him that my mom worked for the police station and according to her statistics, the number one place to hide a dead body is in the Machickinee Flowage. This is a very swampy place that is not too far from where I live. I know that is a gruesome statistic, but there is a point in my telling this - I promise. Hang in there.
So I told this to Mr. Lopez and he replied, "Do you know the best place to hide a body in the Bronx? Right in the street where everyone can see it. People will pass by for days and say to themselves, ' I don't want to have anything to do with that !' " There you have it. Horrific scenes of people in desperate need right there in front of millions of people who could help. Most people just pass by.
Getting back to my original story... We were to meet Lisa in the subway. She is in Moscow now and I had been looking forward to meeting here. She could not come for what ever reason and we met with Larissa instead.
In the subway, there are two bronze icons of a Russian Soldier with a guard dog. It is rumored that if you touch the dog's nose, it brings you luck. Consequently, the snout of this animal is highly polished from all the millions of people that pass by each day.
We left there and went above ground to meet Katia to pick up and drop off some translated documents. We met her in some kind of half office/half shopping center. While we waited, to guys came up right next to us and began to play acoustic guitars. It was very nice and soothing to listen to them play.
Next stop was the US Embassy. I was not allowed to take my camera in as it is a photo capturing electronic device. What I can tell you is that there was a lot of Russian people applying for Visa's to get into the U.S. In fact, I don't remember meeting another American while I was there. We waited and waited for the people to call for Marina so she could do her business. While we waited, we watched some bizarre old Russian comedy that was a little like the Three Stooges. I think the Three Stooges are better.
After the Embassy, we headed to a restaurant called Moo Moo's. It is some kind of buffet where they have all different kinds of food. After we ate, we headed to a famous market place called Arbot street. No motor vehicles are allowed, foot traffic only. It is filled with lots of small and sometimes expensive shops. Of course - each of them have "the best price in the world". While I doubt the "best price" remarks, it was a nice walk in one of the oldest parts of one of the oldest cities in the world.
Marina, gave us the outline for our visit to the US Embassy tomorrow. We must go in alone, have an interview, pick up Michael's passport and some immigration documents. Either before or after this, we are going to try and visit the Military Museum that was closed the other day.
Today was a good day and was just what the doctor ordered.
