January 20th -- still waiting on VISA approval . . . .

We made a conscious choice to travel to Russia in February.  We know that most people living in the northeast typically escape to somewhere a bit warmer during the winter season, but we typically like to vary from the norm.

Although, December 2011 we traveled to Key West and "swam" with Squirt (the dolphin).







So, here are how things stand as of January 5th . . . . .

Reservations

• Airfare . . . .9 short hours from JFK - direct to Moscow
• Hotel with a view of Red Square (so they say)
• Bolshoi Ballet Tickets for Coppelia http://www.bolshoi.ru/en/performances/283/
• Considering seeing a KHL game - Sarah has to get her hockey fix somehow!

Packing thoughts . . . .
Warm lightweight coats (anything resembling a parka really) & boots sufficient for sub zero temperatures.  29" luggage versus 22" carry-on, since each piece of clothing required will be a bit larger.

Awaiting VISA Application -- in addition to a passport, a VISA is necessary for travel to Russia.
We are required to obtain permission to travel to Moscow beginning with a tourist invitation from the hotel --
We spent more time completing the application than any job application, due to the extensive, detailed questions, such as:

• List all the non profit organizations you have volunteered for in your lifetime (this alone adds an additional page of information).  
• List all the countries you have visited in the last 10 years 

• (easy for me, only Brazil and France -- not so much for Sarah -- she has traveled all over Europe, Central America and Fiji).

Sarah in Fiji

School Visit

We are hoping to be able to visit an IB (International Baccalaureate) school during our visit, although we're not certain if that will be possible.