My Mother visits the Motherland!

I was so excited for my mom to visit and see where I call home now! She arrived on May 1st and stayed until May 17th. We took a bus tour of Moscow, went to see a ballet, she came with me to my women’s group, met some of my friends, went out for lunch, shopped, visited Red Square, went to Izmylavo (open market) and just had fun!

St. Basil’s Cathedral. Beautiful!

 

Old KGB building. Now it's the Federal Security Service. One of the metro stations that was bombed is underneath this building.

 

 

 

 

Christ the Savior Cathedral from across the river. It’s amazing inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of the Kremlin from across the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mom taking a rest on the path around Novodevichy Convent

 

 

 

 

 

Mom in front of Novodevichy Convent

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty green church on Sparrow Hills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a church in my friend Jamie’s “hood”. We spent the day with her walking, seeing beautiful tulips, seeing the “lock bridge”, and eating at an American Diner!

 

 

 

 

The “lock” bridge. Newlyweds put their names and wedding date on a lock, lock it, and throw the key in the river for everlasting love! Very cool tradition!

 

 

 

Close-up one of the newer metal trees with locks. When the trees are full, they move them to the sidewalks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Mom & my friend Jamie.

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful tulips in a     garden across from the “House on the Embankment”

 

 

 

 

 

Mom & I and the tulips. It was HOT and bright that day!

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn’t believe Moscow had flowers this pretty! Not quite Holland, but still beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

Quick pic of mom and some tulips on the way back to the metro.

 

 

 

 

 

Mom “rubbing the dogs nose” for good luck at the Ploshad Revolutsi metro station. It’s not just a touristy thing…all the Russians do it!

 

 

 

 

 

Mom in a fancy Russian hat at Izmylavo market.

 

 

 

 

 

Mom & I made homemade oreos—they were DELISH! I mean, ridiculously good! I really think she should have her own show!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had lunch with my friend Krista & Pebbles!

 

 

 

 

 

Bedtime snack. Vanilla ice-cream in a bag!

 

 

 

 

 

Mom’s last full day in Moscow. We went back to Red Square for a few more pictures. This was taken in Alexander Gardens near Red Square.

 

 

 

 

Mom in Red Square with the Historical Museum behind her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My beautiful mama with St. Basil’s behind her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Mom and Me. I Love you Mom!