Hello From Sochi!!


We have been very busy navigating our new territory.  As you all know, we are staying on a ship out in the port of Adler. We are just outside of the Olympic Village and the Olympic Park.  BUT....from where we are they are surrounded by a barrier of security. So that means that we have to walk around a very long distance to get to the Olympic Park. One solid hour each way!! We spent the good part of yesterday walking.  There are so many things that you need to register for and have on your person for every thing that you attend, ride on or go into.  So are necks are adorned with lanyards with our Spectator Passes, our venue tickets, our ship credentials and our passports.  We need all of them with us at all times. 


Sochi is very beautiful!! You have the black see and then the white capped mountains in the background.  There are parts that would remind you of a beach community and other parts that would remind you of Switzerland.  There are palm trees and there are dolphins that pass by daily a few hundred yards of shore. 


For anyone worrying about security it is everywhere.  There are police officers everywhere you go.  There are police on top of buildings, in cars, and at all train stations, venues etc.  There are a ton of them, they only problem is that most if not all that we spoke to do not speak a word of English. 


On top of the security, there are thousands of volunteers at all venues and most accreditations, but again the language barrier is there.  We have found some volunteers that speak English and it is so helpful when we can't find our way and need help with directions. 


So far the only negative has been a problem with accommodations.  Unfortunately, we have a few parents that were not able to get onto the ship yesterday! I can't even imagine the exhaustion and mental strain that they have been through over the past 48 hours.  There were some delays with the snowstorm out of the east and the travel for some was difficult.  To have finally reached their destination and to have been turned away after paying in full for their trip is just unacceptable.  They have been put up somewhere in Adler until things are worked out for them. We are waiting word on what their situation will be today.  Rumor has it that there are many hotels that were built specifically for the Olympics but parts of them are unfinished.  So many people are scrambling for places to stay.
Keep our parents that have not checked in yet and the ones that are trying to get on the ships in your prayers!!!  This is something that should not happen when you are so far from home and unfamiliar with your surroundings