Smooth Travels Back to Siberia

 

     Once again we're back in Siberia after a wonderful home service in the States.  With covid, it certainly wasn't a typical home service, but it was still very good.  We had times of rest and times of connecting.  Our hearts are full, and we feel ready to enter back into life in Siberia.  

     One of the most popular questions people ask us is what route we take when we fly to and from the States and Russia.  This answer is always different, depending on fares (right now, fares are in general very low, so our decision was based on which countries are open!)  Considering that we had to go the long-way around the world, we had an awesome flight plan this time.  We started from the Spokane airport (after teary goodbyes and hugs with my parents at the curbside) and flew to LAX.  A very fun story is that we had travel credit from Alaska Airlines.  The credit covered tickets but not bags, so we planned on paying an extra $30 per bag.  I texted with a representative from the airline and discovered that we could upgrade to first class (because this was included in our flight credit) and not have to pay for bags!  So it was cheaper to fly first class than to have regular seats!  The kids were over-the-top excited!!

This was the view behind us on that flight.  The plane was practically empty!  

     One of the requirements for flying to Russia right now is that you have to have a negative covid test within 72 hours of arrival.  We had the day at LAX, so were able to get rapid tests done at the airport.  Everything was very organized and the sunshine felt so nice on our faces!  

     We soaked in the sun's rays and stayed outside, away from other people, for most of the day, while we waited for our covid test results and for our evening flight.

     Both of my parents wrote each of us special letters and included money for us to spend on special food items at the airport.  Most of the food stands/restaurants were closed, but one Starbucks was open, so we got special drinks.  We also had a last wonderful Mexican meal before leaving the country.  

     Anneka was trying out new filters on her camera and took this picture of me, jumping in the outdoor seating area.  At about 10:00 pm, our direct flight to Moscow left.  We purposely avoided Europe because of the various border closures and the new strains of covid.

     At the Moscow Airport (Sheremetovo), we had less lines than we've ever had before!  Our whole family was allowed to go through customs together (usually we cannot do this).   It was also very smooth turning in our paperwork for our covid tests.  And all of our bags arrived!

Ike, our energizer bunny.

     The flight to Siberia is in the evenings and the timing of our arrival made it so that we needed to get a hotel (because we were there for 22 hours).  We drove 1.5 hours through a snowstorm to get to a hotel near the other airport (Domodyedovo).  Our taxi driver needed to stop for gas, so I was able to grab us some food at a little store while he stopped.  The place was a little funny (and the pipes broke while we were there, so they had to shut off the water for awhile), but our room was perfect for us- a bed for everyone!  We rested and walked around in the snow until our final flight.

     It was still snowing pretty hard when we left for the final airport.  Thankfully our flight wasn't delayed or affected.  I think Moscow is used to snowy weather.  They just sprayed our whole plane down with deicer right before taking off.

     We were all feeling pretty tired as we waited in this last airport.  The lines here were also very fast (for checking in and security).  We found our favorite food (shaurmas) to eat for dinner while we waited.  

We found a section of the airport that was completely empty!

Sleeping Beauty

     The last flight is about 6 hours and is the toughest of them all.  It was so fun to look out the window and see Buryatia!  The weather was cold when we arrived, but not as cold as it has been recently.  I think it was -23C when we landed.  When we entered the airport, it was all under construction, so no one was allowed to come inside to greet us.  We had to carry all of our bags up stairs.  But we did it!  Nettie and Dima were waiting outside to help us and whisk us away to home.  It's so nice to be back and settled in!  We're thankful for the many ways God showered his mercy and love on us as we made the journey home.