Arrival in Russia

Jan. 14, 2010
I have arrived in Moscow!
Kathy took me to the airport in Minneapolis and had breakfast with me after I checked in. I consolidated my luggage as much as possible but still ended up with two checked bags and two carry on’s--it’s a lot to lug around.
All the flights went well and were on time. My longest leg was from Chicago to Frankfurt and I was lucky because the two seats next to me were empty so I got to stretch out and sleep.
The Moscow airport was a zoo when I arrived--it was a half hour wait to get through passport control and for those who have been here, you know that Russia doesn’t form nice lines but the waiting line is more like a mob that just pushes to the front and it is very hot. That was the least enjoyable part of the trip but I got through. Then getting my bags and getting through customs was a breeze. My agency rep was waiting there for me with a sign once I got out of customs. It was nice to see someone there.
I got to the hotel about 4pm Moscow time--which was 7am at home--24 hours after I left Kathy’s house.
The weather here is very similar to home right now so it felt normal to me. I ventured out of the hotel for a few blocks and found a place to exchange money. Now is when I wish I had a travel companion because I think it would be fun to explore Moscow a little more but I am not brave enough to do it all by myself.
Tomorrow is my 8 Doctor medical exam which takes about 4 hours and then off to the airport to fly to Krasnoyarsk. I don't know when my first visit with my daughter is but of course, that is what I am looking the most forward to.