| I was reading something somewhere on the | | | | As we landed my heart started racing, I was |
| Internet about scary travel experiences. It's | | | | shaking and my face was flushed. My dad actually |
| interesting because I have been to every | | | | asked if I was OK.... He didn't watch the movie - |
| continent except Antarctica, and my scariest | | | | he was safe! |
| travel moment was as I was flying into Moscow | | | | My logical mind said - don't be silly...this doesn't |
| in February of 2000. | | | | happen anymore - it's the year 2000 - the new |
| My sister and her husband had adopted a baby | | | | millennium - the wall fell ages ago...People visit here |
| from Kazakhstan. She had to spend a few days | | | | safely all the time...my my emotions said - "What |
| in Moscow to get approvals from the Canadian | | | | are you Crazy????" |
| Consulate for my niece to be admitted into | | | | I was so flustered I left my laptop ON THE |
| Canada. My parents and I were in Europe on | | | | PLANE!. I rushed back to get it and 2 very stern |
| business (back when I worked for the family | | | | security personnel (with guns I might add) told me |
| business) so we decided to detour to Moscow to | | | | in Russian (at least I think this is what they |
| spend it with them and to meet the new | | | | meant) - that I had to turn around and go back - |
| member of our family. | | | | I couldn't go back onto the plane! I knew it - this |
| I grew up in the 70's and 80's. Even though I | | | | was a plot to steal my stuff like they did in that |
| grew up in Canada we were still "concerned" | | | | movie. Well OK I am exaggerating a bit! |
| about the USSR. We had heard stories about how | | | | I stood in the very long immigration line up...with |
| people were treated and how they would have to | | | | my papers in hand...still fearful....who knows what |
| line up for hours to get bread and food. And of | | | | might happen once we get past that line. |
| course the "nuclear" threat. | | | | We then got to the baggage claim and low and |
| The flight from London to Moscow was on BA. | | | | behold a flight attendant had taken my bag off |
| They showed a movie called "East/West". It was | | | | for me. Whew! |
| nominated for an Academy Award for best | | | | We went through customs and found a taxi...The |
| Foreign Film, and it was a really well made movie. | | | | rest of the trip was AWESOME and we got to |
| It told a story that should be told, just not a | | | | meet my beautiful niece for the first time later |
| great idea to show it while flying into Moscow. | | | | that night. |
| The movie was about a Russian Expat Doctor | | | | In my 4 days and touring around in the cold. They |
| who was asked to come back to Russia to live | | | | only time I got "hassled" by the authorities was |
| and practice. Stalin asked many soviets that left | | | | when I was in a taxi going back to the airport - |
| the USSR after WWI to return and help to | | | | they wanted to see my papers - I happily obliged. |
| "rebuild" the USSR with no repercussions for | | | | So it was just my mind that made it all up! I |
| fleeing in the first place. Well of course Stalin lied | | | | guess that is the power of the mind. |
| and killed some as soon as they arrived, or in the | | | | The lesson I learned - Don't make up what isn't |
| case of this family took the French wife's | | | | there .. stay present while traveling. Assess what |
| passport as soon as they arrived and then pretty | | | | is actually going on..Not what you think might |
| much treated them like prisoners. | | | | happen!. |