Happy Fathers Day - from Spain!

Not our plan, but a happy alternative to getting sent back to Washington, DC.  

On the 18th, After flying Tampa to Washington, DC, then DC to Moscow, about 13 hours flight time plus layover, we had an unexpected surprise waiting for us while attempting to clear customs and immigration.  After presenting our passports which contained our visas, without explanation, we were motioned to follow one of the immigration higher-ups to a downstairs office where we waited outside and witnessed her making copies of all of our passports and visas.  Finally after what felt like a never ending wait, we were told that it was impossible for them to let us into the country since our visas said we could not enter until the 20th, and then we were told, "you will pay a fine of 2,000 rubles and you will return to Washington."  We asked when, they said "Now."  

After the blood returned to our heads, Jose and I swallowed hard and our minds began racing for some solution, we were then escorted to the security area and told to put our belongings through the x-ray machines.  At this point, they still had our passports but we refused to go through security.  We apologized profusely for the error and kept begging for a solution explaining that we had a court date on Friday to adopt a little boy. 

Eventually, we were surrounded by about four customs agents, the United Airlines representative (apparently the UA return flight to DC was being held just for us) and eventually the on-site Russian Consul, himself showed up in his suit.  They were in a hurry to finish with us.

I dragged out my little book of photos and showed them Little M's photo and said "This little boy is sitting in an orphanage, waiting for us to adopt him."  Finally one of the agents told us that maybe we could go somewhere in Europe to wait the two days, maybe Frankfurt?  It was the first ray of hope offered other than being sent back to the US.  The Russian Consul insisted that any Russian would be told to leave the US if they showed up with an incorrect visa. We told him that he may be correct, but asked if he couldn't please help us do something, anything, so we would not miss our court date.  When he finally saw that we were open to the option of leaving, but going somewhere else in Europe, he lightened up a bit.  As long as we didn't return to Russia before the 20th.  Being pressured to make a quick decision, with no map or travel agent available, we quickly decided on Madrid, since Jose's family is there.  There was no time to sit and strategize for the best option... we took the most obvious one to us, go be with family.

Sbarro!

We spent the next 7-8 hours sitting in the room with the x-ray scanners, sequestered, without our passports, without being allowed to exit the room to even purchase food. Apparently we were a "flight" risk. About an hour into our lock-up, the UA agent came in with our new flight information to Madrid (the first one out, of course), took our credit card number for the new tickets and then proceeded to charge us three extra service fees (one per person) for booking our tickets.  We were just happy to have an option, and hungry.  Luckily, the UA gate agent had a kind heart and agreed to go purchase some food for us (with our money, of course).  I am convinced, had we not been traveling with little Evan, we would have sat with no food or water the entire time.  At least we had a bathroom at our disposal.  

First & Only meal in Moscow

Finally, many hours later about fifteen minutes prior to our flight departure, we were again escorted not just to the gate, but to the door of the airplane. We were not given our passports and tickets until the Iberia flight representative signed for us -- that we were getting on her airplane.  Never in my life have I been treated like a criminal... all because of an incorrect date on a piece of paper.

What's incredible is that this BIG detail slipped by too many people without being noticed.  Not only the company that booked the visa, but also Jose, myself and finally the gate agent in DC whose responsibility it was to check all the visas prior to allowing people onto the airplane.  They looked at our visas, but didn't notice the date either. 

13 of the 16 grandkids for Toño & Marivi

So... in the end, we arrived at 11pm on Saturday, we were welcomed in Madrid by immigration and by Jose's family.  We spent a wonderful day seeing all seven of Jose's brothers and sisters and their families, swimming in the neighborhood pool and enjoying my mother-in-law's delicious cooking.  Jose's mother, Marivi, joked that she was to blame because she was praying for us to come to Madrid this summer.  We are ecstatic to be here with family, but now anxiously await attempt number two at entry into Russia.  We depart tomorrow morning (Monday) and arrive Tuesday afternoon in Vlad. It's been a crazy, expensive lesson on making sure EVERY duck is in it's row.  Goodyay OOtkah?  Next post, hopefully from the Russian Federation.