Waking so early as I always do I just lay there, I was in Russia and lying only a few feet away were two Russian girls. 

Ok now that I got you attention let me rephrase. Galina (my uncle’s sister -in-law) and Elena were top and tailed in the sofa bed and sound asleep as I careful rolled out of the camp stretcher and rubbed the condensation from the window and peered out on to the street below. Autumn was here and leaves golden yellow were being swept up by an old lady with scarf over her head reminiscent of old pictures of Russian Grandmothers.using her broom made from twigs she pitched her determination against the gentle breeze that continually rained down more leaves.

Galina's Flat in Moscow1

An hour passed as I lay there not knowing what to do – Just looking as Elena and studying her face, finally after nine months of writing letters the “old fashioned way” I was here looking at her. All those hours working three jobs and sorting out travel papers were worth this quiet moment. The city was waking as the sound of voices were heard muffled through the wall. The family of 4 in the next room were rising and preparing for work. Galina started the make movements of a person not really wanting to wake but forced to buy the pressures of life that tug at our wallet should the dare to challenge the situation. But Elena slept on for another hour.

Breakfast was prepared and Galina ate with us brown bread, black tea and kalbasa (like baloney sausage) before heading off to work as a hairdresser in the city. We were finally alone, but with no thought of romance in mind as we hurried out the door and off to the Metro. We had to start the ball rolling on Elena’s papers with the New Zealand Embassy, this was not going to be an easy project.

Moscow_State_University
Moscow Metro was the most amazing sight. The ornate mosaic art of the soviet area still stands testament to a way of life that in one’s mind seems ideal and looking into the pictures described in the mosaic’s you can be drawn into the propaganda that was the Soviet Union – Strong, Mighty, Powerful and Perfect. However you don’t have to look far into history to find out how many lives were lost as this project was built.

Russian Metro Nap

I was learning all about Russia  – Elena explains that the huge fountains and ponds were emptied in Autumn as the water freezes solid and with the expansion on the water the ponds and water pipes would break – I never experienced such harsh climatic conditions.If nothing in life teaches you patience try standing outside an Embassy in what now is almost snowing conditions. Due to security the Guards were only allowing 4 couples in at a time. We were late and were well down the queue. The Embassy was only letting people in between 8am and 11am and considering the slow process there was no way we were going to get in today. We decided to go sightseeing instead. Elena wanted me to see where her Parents studied here when she was a child. She lived with her grandparents until she was 11 years old. Education was important to  her parents and it reflected somehow in Elena too.
The next day was the same – we just missed out at the embassy again and decided that the following day we must make the first train when the Metro opens and run to the embassy – we have to make it or we would run out of time!
Finally we were in! armed with all my letters and envelopes (important to keep because they have post marks and establish the time you have known each other) we were lead into different rooms for a chat (interrogation). Mine went smoothly I thought, as I was asked the usual questions, how long have you known her, when do you plan to marry, how long are you in Russia, what do you know of her family. Elena however was more difficult questions like , where is your police certificate saying you are a good citizen? Where is your medical certificate saying you will not be a burden in New Zealand if you are unwell? Where are the papers from your child’s father stating he will allow you to take your son from Russia? Finally after an hour we were freed onto the street outside armed with the knowledge that we need more paperwork. But we were in the system and wheels were slowly starting to turn.
Arriving home to find Galina back early from her work we headed of to Red Square and the Kremlin. Standing on the square was a surreal feeling that even today stirs emotion. Elena wanted to show me the inside of St Basil’s the famous onion domed building show on so many films
I was finally starting to discover Russia….