Two months later and finally the end of my trip to Russia! Our last stop in Russia was to Tula, the last city I served in. We got up early and raced to the train station. We were really running late, luckily a nice ticket counter agent took pity on us and helped us, even though we weren't at the right counter. Claire had been reading Anna Karenina and wanted to go to Yasnaya Polyana- Tolstoi's estate - or as Cam called him - Toy Story.
Of course - since it was Russia - by the time we got to the estate we were told it was closed. They had some kind-of production that night that they were preparing for. After pleading with the guards a tour group came up - and were immediately let in - we finally convinced the tour guide to let us "join" their group - after I told her we didn't want the tour - we just wanted to get in! So, we immediately ditched the group and wandered around the estate.
The next day we raced to church - it was so fun to see all my friends at church - although I felt like a grandma - the cute girls that were my little 13 and 14 year-old young women are now married and have children!!
We enjoyed a nice LONG dinner (an hour after we ordered they finally put our food on the grill) - but we had a comfy couch at our table - so at least we were comfortable.
Then raced to the train (I may or may not have mixed up the time so we almost missed the train)
We hated to leave Katya's house in Moscow - we had so much fun chatting with her every night! Sadly all good things must come to end, and after an interesting flight - complete with a drunk Russian harassing Cam, we came back to reality :(
Of course - since it was Russia - by the time we got to the estate we were told it was closed. They had some kind-of production that night that they were preparing for. After pleading with the guards a tour group came up - and were immediately let in - we finally convinced the tour guide to let us "join" their group - after I told her we didn't want the tour - we just wanted to get in! So, we immediately ditched the group and wandered around the estate. 
The next day we raced to church - it was so fun to see all my friends at church - although I felt like a grandma - the cute girls that were my little 13 and 14 year-old young women are now married and have children!! 
We enjoyed a nice LONG dinner (an hour after we ordered they finally put our food on the grill) - but we had a comfy couch at our table - so at least we were comfortable. 
Then raced to the train (I may or may not have mixed up the time so we almost missed the train) 
We hated to leave Katya's house in Moscow - we had so much fun chatting with her every night! Sadly all good things must come to end, and after an interesting flight - complete with a drunk Russian harassing Cam, we came back to reality :(
3 comments:
Looks like a GREAT trip! How fun for you to get to go and visit your mission again!
Cute shoes!
Amanda, may I be invited to your blog? I'd love to see what you're up to.
Ha Ha Ha! Good Times!
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