Larisa Kaftan
On December 21, nine-year-old Dasha Varfolomeyeva, who had phoned Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during the December 4 live question-and-answer session and asked him to give her a Cinderella-style dress for the New Year, arrived in Moscow at his invitation.
Dasha, her 14-year-old sister Anya and their mother Natalia from Buryatia landed at about 12 p.m. at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport. Government staff officials were waiting for them, brandishing a sign "Darya Varfolomeyeva".
Another woman from Buryatia, who was meeting her relatives and who noticed the surname of the now famous girl, shouted: "Dasha, it's great that you phoned Putin!"
The girl received a big bouquet of pink roses for the first time in her life. "They are so beautiful. There must be about fifteen flowers here," she said.
"That's right, fifteen roses," Government House officials replied.
"I would like to visit a water park, a circus and a skating rink," Dasha said at the airport.
Actually, the Varfolomeyevs' itinerary was coordinated over the phone in advance. After consulting her mother and sister, Dasha also asked to be taken to a New Year performance at the Bolshoi Theatre and the Moscow Zoo. Government staff officials said there was a real Christmas carol with miracles and surprises in store for the little girl from Buryatia.
The Varfolomeyevs were taken to one of the most beautiful hotels in Moscow boasting a breath-taking view of the Russian capital. A large two-room suite was booked there in the name of Dasha Varfolomeyeva. Dasha entered the hotel lobby and stopped in amazement before a beautiful Christmas tree with glittering lights. She had never seen such a wonderful tree before.
"Such a beautiful tree," the girl whispered.
The ladies were given three electronic keys at the reception desk. On entering the suite, the two sisters were surprised to see two identical plush animals sitting on their beds. The girls immediately grabbed and hugged them. Dasha and Anya lunched at the hotel and were delighted with the delicious and beautiful desserts. After lunch, the whole family went out for a walk.
Dasha told Government staff officials that she was looking forward to meeting Mr Putin. "I have drawn a postcard for Uncle Volodya," she said.
