Hello all-
We have arrived in Moscow and are doing well.  We are tired from the travel but the trip was glitch free!  I do have to say that the blog site is completely written in Russian right now and so I'm just crossing my fingers that this posting makes it through to you all. 

We flew from Minneapolis to Amsterdam on Wednesday night.  It was a full plane. Our layover in Amsterdam wasn't too long ... just long enough to find Traci L. a Starbucks and to walk around the gift shops.  While the coffee is the same wonderful coffee we are use to ... the pastries rendered us speechless.  Let's just say that the chocolate caramel shortbread should definitely be on your "to-do" list if you head to the Dutch Capital!

Once we reached the Moscow airport we had a bit of driving to do.  Traffic was thick and our guide, Sasha, told us that more and more people are purchasing cars in recent years creating considerable rush hour. We haven't explored the city as of yet-just grabbed some dinner in the hotel (YIKES ... not an inexpensive country for dinner).  We are looking forward a full day of sightseeing tomorrow-including Kremlin, Red Square, Armory Chamber, St. Basil's Cathedral and the Diamond Fund (State jewels).  We will also be attending the Opera at the Bolshoi tomorrow night. 

We've included some travel photos and shots of Moscow through our car window.  Note the Russian Starbucks; do you see a theme here?  More tomorrow ...

Moscow Airport

 

Harriet, the CASCW mascot also made the trip to Moscow ... what for her follies and adventures throughout Russia

Plaza outside the Economic Development Building

 

                                     Wow ... the Starbucks really are EVERYWHERE!