Proudest Travel Accomplishment: A scared little girl taught me that we can conquer the world

I was recently asked what my proudest accomplishment was that I achieved while traveling. I had never really thought about that. My first thought, getting over my fears and just traveling. I mean, that’s pretty big, right? But when I stopped to really think about it there is one instance that has given me the [...]

Visiting a Russian Banya

I had all but forgotten about the oak tree my grandmother told me about when I was a kid…the one her parents would pull a “switch” from when she or one of her siblings were misbehaving. That is until I myself was being beaten by oak leaves – willingly. One of the things I have [...]

Traveling to Siberia. In the winter. By myself. (Gulp…)

On Sunday it will be exactly a year ago when I stepped out of the car at DIA, kissed Princess One and The Husband goodbye. As I watched them driveway, it hit me. I’m traveling to Siberia…by myself. A jolt of fear followed. Really? Siberia? In January? I had to give myself a quick pep [...]

Merry Christmas from Moscow!

Since we weren’t really allowed to post photos this time last year from our trips to Moscow, I thought it was timely and appropriate to share a few holiday photos now. Christmas in Moscow is cold – and beautiful. Red Square is light up with millions of sparking white lights that outline an outdoor ice [...]

When in Russia…what to wear?

I talk to a lot of families before they travel to Russia and there is one question I get time and time again that always makes me smile, “what do Russians wear in the winter”? “What should I pack?” “What is the fashion/style in Russia?” These were the same questions that I asked before we [...]

The Encounter: Being Kicked Off a Flight by TSA

On our second trip to Russia The Husband and I boarded our United flight, settled into our seats and took a deep breath. We were on our way. Or so we thought… When you’re flying into Moscow from the US you’re usually the minority on-board. At the time we weren’t allowed to discuss why we [...]

A little slice of Russia in Colorado…

By Elaine N. Schoch Princess Two and I set out on a Russian adventure, right here in Colorado. A woman I met had recommended a Russian bakery to me when I mentioned wanting to get Princess Two a traditional Russian birthday cake for her first birthday celebration (she’s actually turning three, it’s just her first [...]

Are Airport X-ray Scans REALLY Safe for Laptops?

So are airport x-ray scanners safe for laptops? The answer is no. At least according to me they aren’t. On my first jaunt to Russia I chose only to take my laptop and iPhone, forgoing the iPad. I mean really, that should be enough, right? But no. It happened to me. What everyone says isn’t [...]

Russian Bathrooms + Kids = Disaster

By Elaine N. Schoch Before traveling to Russia several friends who had been there warned me about the bathrooms. Not only are they scary, but I was repeatedly told “toilet seats don’t exist”, they’re just a “big bowl on a stick shooting out of the ground”, and the bathrooms are “never stocked with toilet paper”. [...]

Election Day in Russia

As March 4 approaches – election day in Russia – we wanted to dedicate our photo of the week to the occasion: Red Square at sunrise. Here’s to a fair and honest election.

It all took place in a little town known as Ekatrinburg

If you’ve studied history, you may remember the story about the last Russian Czar, Nicholas II and his family being murdered in a little town called Ekatrinburg (also called Yekaterinburg) there by Bolsheviks at the Ipatiev House. But the story doesn’t end there. One of the Czars daughters, Anastasia, supposedly survived and was hidden, then [...]

Things to know when traveling to Russia

Before leaving on our first trip to Russia in November The Husband and I both read Russia a Short History by Abraham Ascher. We’re both interested in learning as much as we can about a culture / area we travel to beforehand as it tends to enhance our overall experience. Russia is massive and has [...]

My New Appreciation for Roped Lines

I admit, I’ve always taken roped lines for granted. You know the ones I’m talking about, the lines artificially formed with metal posts connected by thin cloth/rope that direct the masses into an orderly line to say go through airport customs or to check-in at the airport. Yeah, those annoying places where you have to [...]

A Day in Moscow, Russia: A Visit to Red Square

By Elaine N. Schoch We’ve made three trips to Russia since November and really have only been able to experience a little taste of what Moscow has to offer. On the list of things to do in Moscow – Red Square, The Kremlin…and shopping. On our first visit to Moscow we stayed at the Sheraton [...]

Starbucks, a Russian Coffee House?

By Elaine N. Schoch I’ve often mentioned my obsession with finding the best lattes when I travel but on our recent trip(s) to Moscow, Russia I had no such interest. Normally, I would seek out a local coffee shop to try to experience more of the local scene but after traveling more than 20 hours [...]