GOOD NEWS -- BAD NEWS

The good news: Alexi arrived today, safe and sound. We had a nice driver, Vladimir, deliver us very quickly to the apartment. I had expected the trip from the airport to be 1.5 - 2 hours, but Vlad saw the backup on the highway, took a detour, and we were at the apartment by 1:30 p.m. Record time!

More good news: we spent a nice afternoon walking the streets, stopping for a very late lunch and strolling some more on a mostly cloudy, moderate temperature afternoon.

The bad news: while we were walking on the New Arbat Street, Alexi's purse was pick-pocketed. The clever thief made off with her iPhone! People's lives are in those phones! Alexi is on the phone right now cancelling her credit card and Sprint account.

I am backed up on blogs, which will come later, but this is breaking news! Stand by for updates...

WAITING FOR VLADIMIR TO PAY THE PARKING GARAGE TOLL. ALEXI IS SAFELY IN RUSSIA.

"HEY PRETTY GIRL, CAN I HAVE MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH YOU TO SHOW MY FRIENDS BACK HOME I AM NOT A TOTAL LOSER?" THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ALEXI OUTSIDE THE KREMLIN WALL. BEFORE THIS, SOME GIRLS APPROACHED ALEXI ASKING HER FOR DIRECTIONS. SHE IS SO RUSSIAN!

TAKING A PHOTO OF THE ETERNAL FLAME COMMEMORATING SOVIET SOLDIERS KILLED DURING WORLD WAR II. ALEXI WAS TOTALLY LOVING BEING IN RUSSIA, UNTIL ABOUT 6:45 P.M. LOCAL TIME, WHEN HER PURSE WAS PICKED NEAR SMOLENSKY BOULEVARD AND NEW ARBAT. UGGGHH!