EDITOR’S NOTE: We are very excited to share the travels of Simi Hamilton’s family to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing dispatches from Ruthie Brown and family as they give you a first-hand, “behind-the-scenes” look at the Olympics.
OK...it's taken us 5-6 months to prepare for what could be a trip of a lifetime...Black Sea here we come!! Applying for visas (daughter Jenny and partner James and husband Al , so x 4 because I drew the short straw as trip organizer), spectators passes, sponsorships (yes, you need a sponsor to get into the country), down loading apps for travel in Sochi and Russian translation, figuring out phones, adapters for 220, etc...were ready! Dog thinks she is going but her visa still has not arrived. For the last few years that Simi has been skiing World Cup, we have a map posted with colored pins that we follow Simi’s races, the silver pin pins him to the next race. Silver on Sochi!! Let’s hope it’s an omen for the US Team. Just received a USSA 60 page travel guide to The Olympics, reading material for the 16 hour flight. We fly direct Aspen to Houston, Houston to Istanbul via Frankfurt (world’s most confusing airport) where we spend a night with one of Al’s old college professors. Packing list complete (including climbing gear- figured as long as we are in Turkey, stop for a week after the Olympics and go climbing on the coast), bags stuffed full of way more then we'll need and a few extras to take to Simi. Knowing he'll be glad to see us, visits will be short but definitely a highlight. We’re proud and excited beyond belief!
