There was a change in our schedule today and unfortunately we did not get to visit Liam.   :-(

Our day started at the Moscow Regional Courthouse (shown below) to file our intent to adopt paperwork.   We also saw our judge to be pass through the hallway.   We’re told that she is a very fair judge and her court cases usually last about an hour so that was good news.



When we entered the Courthouse, we stood in line at a window booth and showed our passports while Pashe explained our business there.   We then received a barcoded plastic card that we used to pass through the turnstiles.   From there, we went into another room where we gave them our coats and they gave us a number.   You have to remember, we don’t really have winter in Texas so there are no coat check rooms in Texas but I thought it was a great idea for a place like this.   I’m easily amused!   After ditching the coats we went upstairs and waited in the hallway outside the judge’s office until one of her secretary’s showed up to take our paperwork.   This had to be done today because we were told that she only accepts adoption case paperwork on Thursday’s.   The secretary had us sign a few forms and sent us on our way.   After we unchecked our coats we were out the door back on to the icy parking lot.   By the way, learning to walk on ice is another skill needed for Moscow!

We had a couple of hours before our appointment at the medical center so we stopped off at a mall for a quick bite to eat & a cup of coffee.   It was suprising how much this was just like any U.S. mall with many of the exact same brands & stores there.

After the mall, we had a 1:00 p.m. appointment at the medical center.   There was some issues getting into the gate at the parking lot as the guards tried to shake Pashe down for some quick cash but a phone call later and the gate opened.   We were required to put on the now-familiar blue plastic shoe covers when we entered the building and they charged us 10 rubles per person for them.   (I know that’s not even a dollar, but hey, they’re free at the orphanage!)

We were seated in a long hallway where we were to be seen by the 8 specialists.   In reality there were only 6 doctors unless some of the people standing in the offices were doctors and we didn’t know it.   The exams consisted mostly of repetitive questions about family history and demographic data.   It took about 3 hours to see all the doctors and get our medical report.   In spite of it being a little tedious, we were amazed that we could see that many doctors in that short of a time.   That would never happen in the U.S.

On the way back to the apartment, Pashe detoured to Red Square for a few standard tourist photos.   I just know he has to hate that and probably does it on a weekly basis!   Anyway, here’s the traditional Moscow photo op.



That was it for the day.   It was almost 7:00 p.m. before we got back to the apartment.   We’re off to Podolsk first thing in the morning to see Liam for the last time before we head home.   The week has flown by and we still need to fit in some touristy shopping tomorrow afternoon before we pack.
 

Labels: traveling