We spent the day at the US Embassy. Nothing like it looks like in the movies by the way. There is no clearly marked front door. There isn't a big US Government seal welcoming us in. No US officials. It's a building just like all the rest of them, drab colored and not remarkable at all. We couldn't take our phones or cameras in, but I'm sure that's pretty normal with any embassy. We made our way to the "adoption" area, which was pretty clearly marked. Aftering paying the $404, we were addressed by a very American sounding woman. She went over a few key points about why we were here and what we should expect when we entered the United States again. Maddux will be a dual citizen at least until he reaches the age of 18. Then he can decide to either renounce one citizenship or the other, or remain both. There is a catch though. If he is still a Russian citizen and he returns to Russia between the ages of 18 to 35, he could be drafted into military service. Then again, that's 17 years in the future, who knows how things might change between now and then.
After the embassy appointment, our driver took us to the Moscow Zoo. It was a nice day, not very cold at all. The zoo is super nice, they have a ton of animals. We really enjoyed the two hours we were there. Maddux seemed to enjoy it too, but fell asleep at the end. No nap today, but he did great.
Yesterday we ventured down to Red Square and paid 300 rubles for what we thought was a museum. Turns out it was some kind of Russian Orthodox trade show/gathering. Lots of stuff for sale, lots of priests talking to old ladies about Orthodox stuff I'd guess? There was this odd, building looking thing in the middle of the floor with a long line to either light a candle or kiss a picture of something on one of the walls. Jenny was very curious, and stood in line. In the end she kissed the picture along with the other people in line. We still have no idea what it was all about. There were a ton of people waiting though.
Tomorrow we're going back to the Kremlin to see if we can find the entrance and do a little sight seeing. Maybe Jenny can find another picture to kiss?
Rich
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So happy for you guys! I think the entrance to the Kremlin is on the side of Red Square that Tverskaya runs into. But outside of the square, if I remember correctly. There was a trailer where you bought your entrance tickets. Then you cross a bridge and walk in under a tower with a star on top. I asked Steve and we can't remember whether it's right by the history museum or down in the gardens by the tomb of the unknown soldier. Sorry, I hope that helps!
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