Thank you so much for all your comments, thoughts, and questions posted on the last few blog entries. I want to respond to all of them, and will in time, I'm just busy with the Bureaucracy game for a few days. When the winner is announced ( attempt at humor) then I'll have time to respond! I have five minutes right now before I have to head out the door again with Nastia and Svetlana and face the angry masses of government workers masquerading as humans.
New drama -- looks like I MUST leave the country on October 13th for a few days at least. I do not trust the woman who said " oh, if you overstay your visa you can just pay a fine!" Well, not according to the countless poor souls who posted of their experience in overstaying a Russian Visa on the internet! All I can say is: SCARY.
So, I am going to call my friend Alex in St Petersburg and see if he can help me over one of the border crossings near there. I'm hoping Nastia can stay with him, so I'll feel closer to her, and Anya can stay with Svetlana for 2 nights.
Anyway, thoughts and ideas are welcome. Where should I cross over? Which country will have the friendliest Russian Consulate? Anyone have any Consulate connections in Latvia or Lithuania?
Talk to you soon!
New drama -- looks like I MUST leave the country on October 13th for a few days at least. I do not trust the woman who said " oh, if you overstay your visa you can just pay a fine!" Well, not according to the countless poor souls who posted of their experience in overstaying a Russian Visa on the internet! All I can say is: SCARY.
So, I am going to call my friend Alex in St Petersburg and see if he can help me over one of the border crossings near there. I'm hoping Nastia can stay with him, so I'll feel closer to her, and Anya can stay with Svetlana for 2 nights.
Anyway, thoughts and ideas are welcome. Where should I cross over? Which country will have the friendliest Russian Consulate? Anyone have any Consulate connections in Latvia or Lithuania?
Talk to you soon!
Thank you for posting! I have no helpful advice, but I find myself staying up past my bedtime hoping to hear something about how your family is faring! Keep going strong Mama!
ReplyDeleteOh my . . . I don't know . . . but am praying for wisdom. . . and you will certainly have gotten to be the voice of wisdom till this is all said and done. Maybe you can start some kind of a business as a consultant for other souls who need help with unique situations in Russia!
ReplyDeleteHi Keri, I know how to donate to the orphanage but what is the best way to contribute to your personal fund? You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Emily
ReplyDeleteI don't have any first-hand experience, but I wonder if Finland might be able to help in ways that other governments haven't been able to. Newsweek recently named them the best country, and it sure ain't for the weather. For years they served as something of a bridge to the USSR so I imagine their bureaucracy has an understanding of Russian bureaucracy.
ReplyDeleteYou and your girls are in my thoughts every day--best wishes.
Weird Plan B idea that's probably not practical: You're awful close to Kazahkstan. No idea if the consulate in Omsk could get you a visa in time, or if there's ground transportation (definitely no air) to Astana or another major city.
ReplyDeleteAnd what Emily said: How can we help?
My e-friend Elizabeth (http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/) who, coincidentally is busy with bureaucracy now, too, has had to do this dance a few times; you could check it out on her blog, or contact her; I know she'd help you all she could.
ReplyDelete