BACKGROUND



This Blog is meant to journal the combined experiences of the persons involved in the Sasha Project. Its objective is to strengthen the ties between families, students (several of us teach), friends, and the growing number of persons who want to be part of the JOY which this Sasha Journey is spreading.

In 2004, I (Tina) traveled to Russia to assist with the adoption of my two nephews. Alexander (Sasha) was our interpreter, driver, and so much more. I have kept in touch with him and it has been my dream to let him experience first-hand the typical U.S. life (versus merely his impressions from American TV, movies and music). My initially modest idea blossomed to include eleven other adoptive families who also want to host Sasha and thank him for helping to make their dreams come true.

It will be fun as well as educational for all of us to share Sasha's observations and impressions of his daily travels as this Journey unfolds. There is an intricately choreographed daily itinerary which will take us to visit the Space Shuttle, Golden Gate bridge, Route 66, a Home Depot and other American icons through Sasha's eyes. The flight to L.A. is scheduled to leave Moscow on Saturday, June 15th to begin his six week visit.
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It seems incredible, but the interviewing U.S. Immigrations officer denied Sasha a Tourist visa. He did not see the value in Sasha's trip or understand the desire for the adopting families and children to reunite with Sasha. The officer decided that Sasha was too poor to be allowed even a brief visit to the U.S.

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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Parcel Delayed


On 2 May 2013, I mailed the “Playbook” to Sasha with all our supporting documents, photos, and more.  It was sent from a US Post Office - International Express Mail with an 8-10 day delivery time (working days).  As of yesterday (May 22), Sasha had not yet received the package! 

Yesterday I tracked the parcel.  It was “Processed Through Sort Facility in LA” on May 5.
On May 17 it was “Processed Through Sort Facility, Russian Federation”. “Customs Clearance Complete, Russian Federation on May 20.

Today Sasha did some checking on his end. Here is what he wrote:

Yes, it is in the Russian Federation, but is still somewhere in Moscow. They say there was a fire at the mail sorting station about two weeks ago. We shall hope there was no your parcel there that time yet. The time estimated of its arrival in Dinskya is June 5, as I was told at the Post Office today...

Sasha’s Interview at the Embassy is June 6!  He was to have that notebook in hand by May 17 so that we could finalize the pages and rehearse his presentation.
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 23, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    March into the post office and demand a refund.

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    Replies
    1. TinaMay 23, 2013 at 4:50 PM

      I did go back to the local post office where I had mailed the notebook. They said once the parcel is in the custody of the Russian postal service, there's nothing the US Postal Service can do. And the Russian Postal Service is not known for helpful cooperation.

      Delete
  2. Chaz DeSimoneMay 23, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    Hopefully you did what I do with every important document, scan or photograph it. So you can send the jpegs to Sasha or share it online with Skype screenshare, and proceed with the rehearsal. Now you know why my place looks like I have duplicates of everything? Because I do!
    Then he'll have the actual docs the day that he needs them. What's a good story without a little suspense?

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    Replies
    1. TinaMay 23, 2013 at 4:54 PM

      "scan or photograph it. So you can send the jpegs to Sasha or share it online"

      Not exactly that easy. Think more along the lines of "Memory Album" or "Scrapbook" versus letters to easily be scanned. There were inserts, post it notes with instructions, original signed papers inside sealed envelopes ...

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