I had read alot about the country in general, and there where a few things that I could not believe, but came back home with such a "RENEWED" appreciation of our country and freedoms!!!
The crowdedness of Moscow. How they can literally turn a 4 lane (each way) into a 7 lane (each way) highway at rush hour!! How they can, and do drive like crazy people, and no one gets upset, including cutting someone off
, or pulling a U-turn in a middle of a middle section with cars coming right at you
!!!!
AND...... I had heard horror stories, and seen expose's on orphanages and the deplorable conditions.... I really wasn't ready to see it in person. DD's orphanage was terrible. 100 children 7.5 to 16 in this broken down building, no hot water, a hole with no seat as a toilet, no toilet paper (I gave 36 rolls, and got a strange look), no soap to wash hands, and just cold water!!!! These same conditions where found in the GUEST bathroom on the main floor
Bathroom floors always soaking wet
, and DD's bed was one of 21 in a small cramped room all lined up in rows at "head to foot" style. A piece of wood for bottom, head and footboards, and a 1" mattress. No dolls, or fun stuff in this room or on the beds. The food was sooooo limited. I visited everyday for a week and sat for lunch with the children, and after the 2nd day, could not even eat to be polite. I threw up, and they knew it. I have some of the plainest tasts around, and couldn't handle it
The proverty as soon as you get 15 miles outside of moscow was heart wrenching. For the first few days, I was very affected by it, but then had to just focus on my DD so I could be the best, happiest, etc. for her when I saw her.
On the good side.... I LOVE architecture, and the buildings in Moscow are wonderful and old. I had a knot in my neck for each day I was there from trying to see every building that I could
