Sasha's Journey: One Month Away

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 16, 2013

One Month Away

At 12:03 a.m. this morning I sent Sasha an email: “It is now May 16th. Just one month from today you are scheduled to arrive in CA. Counting down the days...”

His reply: “ J Again, I cannot even imagine - what is real America? I think everything will be taking place with someone else, but not with me... Too far and away country.... Too distant dreams... But, we shall live and see. Everything is possible with the help of Angels and Heavens... “

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ABOUT SASHA

Sasha has a passion for learning and teaching English. He was trained and worked as a welder, has been a taxi driver, as well as a parts processor. In order to practice speaking English, Sasha at one time served as a translator for U.S. Families who were in Russia to adopt children. Sasha helped make their dreams a reality and now the well-known adage "What Goes Around, Comes Around" is proving true for him. There are 12 families who want to reunite with him and show him their homes and surroundings.