And . . . they’re OFF!!

On Tuesday, the Feenstras left the farm with their eight children, one stroller, and a massive amount of luggage, to head to the train station in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

They survived the long train ride into Moscow.

Once in Moscow, they had to find the right Metro train to the airport (they didn’t say which airport), but said that people were so very helpful in offering directions.

Next they schlepped everything onto the Moscow Metro, and arrived at the airport in plenty of time to navigate passport control, check their big bags, and get a bite to eat before departure to Istanbul.

No problems at passport control.

Throughout the day and evening, the camera was being manned by eldest daughter Cora. She took a break from filming while the clan had dinner in an airport restaurant, and finally gave us this view of the walk to their boarding gate.

And that is the last we’ve heard from them as they wing their way to Istanbul, Turkiye, where they connect to a flight to Detroit, Michigan, and cross the border by car into Canada.

In a previous video, Arend Feenstra had expressed concern as to who would be meeting them in Detroit. Their original driver had backed out for reasons Arend didn’t explain, and he said that their eldest son — who did not move to Russia with them — was hesitant to cross the border into the U.S. . . . again, for some unknown reason. With eight exhausted, jet-lagged children and a boatload of baggage, I hope they get it worked out and don’t have to resort to another train or bus ride.

But we shall see, as we follow the adventures of the peripatetic Feenstra family back in their western homeland.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/11/25