No arrests

Well we made it - we have been in Russia for eight days and we were not arrested, and not even asked for our passports or identification. However, it came very close. Cam and I went out for a couple of hours this morning and we were approached by three young policemen who were obviously bored and looking for something to do. They looked directly at us, as we both looked directly ahead, and then side stepped us and continued on their way. It was the closest we got.

It is necessary to have your visa registered within three days of being in Russia and if you move to another area you must register again within three days. I have already commented that we had not been able to register easily in Moscow as we were staying in a private accommodation so we completed registration in St Petersburg. Cam was a little concerned that we might have to quantify this on our exit and that might have caused us a few problems due to language. However, I am pleased to say not one person spoke to us as we handed over our passports and papers, we just stood as they did their lengthy looking, inputting into the computer, looking again and then nodding us on. So we are through with no problems and it appears that we can enter Russia again with no history of misdemeanours. Whew! We are now in the British Airways lounge relaxing as we wait for our flight to London and we have a connection through to Brussels. If we made ourselves clear to the check in girl, we won't see our luggage again until arrival in Brussels at 10.25 p.m. local time tonight.

We have had an awesome time with Cam, and I am sad to leave him behind. We are uncertain how soon we will see him again - it may be in Moscow or somewhere else in the world but I am sure it will be within the next year or so and we certainly know that he is enjoying the opportunities Moscow is providing him both from a work perspective and great social life.