Adopting from Russia - What To Pack
Pack lightly!
This is repeated over and over again by folks when they come home. Many disposables can be bought in Moscow or the city you will be traveling to.
Distribute everybody's clothes into all suitcases
So that if one suitcase doesn't arrive, no one person will be without clothes.
Money
Your agency will tell you how much you will have to pay your facilitator the day you arrive in Russia. In addition to that, you will need cash to convert to rubles to pay for just about everything outside of Moscow. You need almost all the money to be in brand new $100 bills, with a small amount in $20s and even less in $10s, $5s and $1s, in US dollars. You will need to call your bank and let them know you need brand new bills. You will need passport/money carriers to be worn inside your clothing and/or a fanny pack. Airport security will make you take off the fanny pack but not anything worn inside your clothes. Small bills can also be used for tipping at the airport in Moscow.
Credit cards
We have one report of MasterCard not being accepted. Bring a Visa card for charging your Moscow hotel. Make sure to call your credit card company and tell them you are going to Russia, otherwise they might think your card is being used fraudulently and decline your charges.
A good book to read
A journal and camera
To record your trip(s) for your kids to see and read about in the future.
Dark clothes
When in Moscow, do as the Muscovites do. If you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb, wear dark clothes. You can't go wrong with black or dark gray. Other dark colors are pushing the envelope. Even in the summer. If you wear a light colored shirt, wear a dark sweater over it. Blue jeans don't count as dark clothes!
That being said, a number of people have said they were dying to put on a comfortable pair of jeans by the end of the trip and didn't care if people noticed. Also, a few people report that jeans are fine in Moscow.
Dress clothes for court
A suit or good dress. As a volunteer put it, "I was surprised to find how well most Russian women dress. They take great pride in looking their best. The first time we traveled, we took casual clothes. I was embarassed that I didn't have something more presentable to wear in Moscow, especially at the Bolshoi.
Don't be stingy with gifts
And take some nice looking clothes.
A day's worth of food
Depending on your facilitator, you may drive around town from one office to another all day - without stopping to eat. Therefore you will want to bring enough food and water to make it through the day. Only bring enough water to get from the airplane to the hotel - you can buy it anywhere. Pick some up soon after your arrival.
Sweet-n-low
Or your artificial sweetner of choice if you must have it.
Freeze-dried food, snacks
Again, depending on your facilitator, you may be running around until mid evening and not feel like venturing out to eat when returning to or checking into your hotel. Also, if you already have your child, waiting at a restaurant may not desirable. It is very convenient to have everything you need with you and eat in your hotel room. Don't bring water - you can buy it anywhere. You can share these foods with toddlers and older kids.
Antibiotics for yourself
So you can self medicate if you get sick. When you have your physical, ask your doctor to write you a prescription.
Scabies cream
If your child has it, you can begin treatment immediately.
Kleenex
Shoes for the child
You must bring shoes for the child, no matter what the age. Otherwise you will offend Russian sensibilities. Since adoptions through most agencies and in most regions require a trip where you meet and accept a referral and a second trip where you adopt and take custody of the child, you can make outlines of the child's feet during the first trip to have an idea what size shoes you will need.
Extra clothes for the child
In case you have the child for more days than you expected.
'Appropriate' winter clothing
Again, in order to not offend Russian sensibilities, you must bring clothing that the Russians deem appropriate. They will scrutinize what you are wearing and what you bring for the child.
Winter clothes
Russian winter is cold.Cars and hotel rooms are not heated to levels we found comfortable. Make sure to bring boots and coats that are rated for the temperatures you may encounter.
Electric fan
In summer For your hotel room.
Insect repellent
In the summer.
Pot for boiling water
And also heating room in winter.
Voltage converter
This one is the lowest cost I have found ($17.95). Make sure to get one that can put out 1600W for your hot pot.
Woolite, Bungee cord clothesline
Bath towels
Russian hotel bath towels are miniscule. You can always ask for more or bring your own. Some folks have suggested giving away bath towels that you bring as gifts.
Stopper
If you want to use the tub as a bath or wash clothes in the sink. Since you can't know what size in advance, bring a flat stopper that will cover the top of the drain.
Zip lock bags
To hold things, keep sippy cups from leaking all over the place, store clothes that get poop on them.
If you will be traveling on an overnight train
Bring sheets to put on the mattress, toilet paper, soap and food.
Gifts
This varies a lot, depending on the facilitator. Some facilitators give detailed instructions on what to bring. Some facilitators take care of the gifts themselves and you won't be encouraged to bring anything. Some people recommend buying orphanage gifts in Russia. But, it is a good idea to bring some gifts for the facilitator, driver and hotel staff. The facilitators seem to be women and the drivers men. We have given cosmetics, and money. A suggestion for homestays is to bring bath towels.
A volunteer to Adopting from Russia put it very well: "Everything in Russia is done not only by who you know, but by what he/she has done for you lately. This often takes the form of "gifts" which look suspiciously like bribes to us, but are just part of the Russian way of life. When you go to Russia and see how the people live, you begin to realize that the gifts you bring may not have a great dollar value, especially to those of us who have so much stuff, but they mean a great deal to the recipients who lead fairly meager lives compared to ours. In retrospect, I wish that we had taken more gifts, especially for the people who were really helpful to us, and for the people at the orphanages who took care of our children."
You may hear suggestions to bring medicines or clothes. The problems with buying these items are: the labels are in the wrong languages. The medications may be unfamiliar to the staff. The clothes may be completely out of style or otherwise deemed inappropriate. If you want to or are instructed to give medicines or clothes, plan on buying them in Russia.
Not candles. Nothing made in China.
Post cards of where you're from
To give away as gifts.
Pictures of any kids you have
Especially any adopted from Russia, again to give away as gifts. Your Education Ministry and hospital officials may be especially appreciative.
Evacuation Insurance
This supposedly gets you out of the country in case of an accident or other emergency. We used International SOS Assistance and don't have any idea how well their service works, because we never used it.