Seeing Sasha Again

After our first night in Hotel Hell (as we foundly refer to Hotel Belgrade), where I got no sleep due to the amazing heat and lack of air con or window fans. There wasn't even a breeze ... it was horrible. Nathan slept just fine. It's quite a gift really. And, as if the oppressive heat weren't enough, Moscow only gets two hours of darkness right now so with the windows open for a chance gust of fresh air it seemed like 'time to get up' all the time.

Our medicals were completed yesterday and were, I am delighted to report, a non-event.

We had time to swing by an Novodevichy Convent after our medicals. Yes, it's on the list (if you don't know about the list remind me to tell you). We ate lunch al fresco (there is no way you could get us to sit inside another stuffy, hot building) and braved the Moscow Metro to get us home. We sat in the lobby for as long as we thought they would allow us before returning to our blazing rooms. And, just when I thought I was going to have a meltdown (in more ways than one), a thunderstorm came through. Wow .. it was fresh and cool and I got a few hours sleep. I know it's quite spoiled, but I don't operate without any sleep. A couple hours are fine but no sleep is just not something I can handle. Yes, surely a sign of old age.

Today we said a tearful farewell to Hotel Hell and traveled by car to Kaluga. We checked into our hotel (oh, so much nicer than Hotel Belgrade) and finally got picked up to travel to see Sasha again. So .. the answers to your questions ...

He does have more hair .. not much in the front but long in the back.
Svetlana thought he remembered us although I'm not completely sure.
He has grown. My arm muscles will be extraordinary after a few more days of lugging him about.

This photo is Sasha getting his first kiss from his classmate, Irina.


And, here is a photo of Toni G. aka the Babushka with her grandson.