Growing up during the Cold War really established some old tapes about Russia - the evil empire. I never wanted to come to Russia and now, that I'm here, I don't know why. It's an interesting city, not that I've seen much yet.
I didn't sleep well at all last night. I was anxious about coming here. Jenia and Kate were supposed to pick me up at 8:45 but really arrived at 9:20. My flight was 11:25. They got there, all happy and newly-married. We got to the airport (Boryspil) at around 10 and by 10:15, I was all checked in, had gone through security/passport control and was at the gate. I never flew Aeroflot before.
The plane was an Airbus A 321, kind of old, the seat cushions had gotten thin. It was kind of a full flight. As we were waiting for take-off, they piped in music. I almost fell out of my seat. All of a sudden I was listening to a very country-western version of the old hymn "How Great Thou Art." Oy!
Lunch was a sandwich, a box of apple juice and coffee with milk. The sandwich was on a roll and the filling was not tuna fish but salmon. I've never had a salmon salad sandwich before. It wasn't bad at all. It wasn't great either.
The flight only took a bit over an hour and landing was really soft. I made it off the plane, through passport control, through baggage claim in less than 15 minutes. When I exited customs, I saw my name on a card held by Olga, who was kind enough to meet me. We didn't communicate easily but first we took the train into the city, then two different metro lines and then walked to my hotel - Hotel Matreshka. My room is the size of a closet, with no windows. It's really small but clean. I chose this hotel because Moscow is really expensive and I'm only going to be in this hotel one night. I'm trying to find someone to have dinner with. I will meet the crew tomorrow at 2 so have this evening and tomorrow morning to sight-see on my own. I'm quite centrally located so the usual Moscow sights are only about a 10 minute walk. I hope to get some pictures to post tomorrow morning.
It's quite a bit gloomier and colder than it was in Kiev but no big deal.
So, that's my travel day.
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