We had planned to go to Russia in May. Unfortunately, Stas’ Russian passport didn’t arrive in time. We postponed our trip until August, hoping his passport would arrive in time. It finally did. Next step: visas for the rest of us.
I went to the online visa application. I began completing the questions. The questions were pretty standard, father’s full name, mother’s full name, marriage status. And then came the question that stumped me. List all the countries that you’ve traveled to, by year, for the last ten years. I got my passport out, and looked at all the stamps. And made a list. And sorted it by year. Then filled in the 55 entries of all the countries I’ve been to over the past ten years.
I waited the requisite seven business days and received my passport back, the visa taking up a full page. I studied the Cyrillic letters, somewhat in awe that I’m really going to Russia. Russia!
I’ve wanted to visit Russia ever since we were shown cold war propaganda films in the sixth grade. Of the peasants in the fields, with nothing to eat but potatoes, of citizens lining up outside of GUM department store. When I saw that, I wondered, “What are the Russian children seeing about America? Wonder if any of this is true?”
Russia’s changed since then. And tomorrow I’ll be on a plane, headed to St Petersburg. Russia!
LoriLoo 
Happy Travels – Enjoy!
The US asks you to compile a list like that as well when applying to a visa – such a hassle to put together!
Enjoy that caviar and 50% vodka.
Now I understand what you go through each trip here! The caviar and vodka have been most excellent so far! 🙂
That sounds like a grueling visa form. Why do they want to know where you’ve been over the course of the last ten years?
I’m not sure. They asked a lot of questions, though. My colleagues from other countries say this is what they go through every time they come to the US.
Hello Lori,
I am about to publish an article about Russian-French cultural relationships and I am looking for a good picture of the Sphinxes from Universitetskaia Naberezhnaia. I have noticed that you have one picture of good quality. Would you mind if I use it in my on-line article?
Best regards,
Adalyat
Hi Adalyat, Thanks for your note. It’s fine to use the picture of the Sphinx. I’d appreciate it if you would credit me for it (Lori McLeese). Thank you!
Thank you, Lori,
Of course, I will cite you!
Best,
Adalyat
Here is my article with your picture! Enjoy it! http://revuemusicaleoicrm.org/rmo-vol3-n1/dialogues-of-culture/