My first experience of Russia (outside, of course, of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in DC) occurred in the check-in line at JFK airport, during my layover. I was surrounded by Russian businessmen and families, all trying to discontentedly shove their way through check-in and security. It then started to get real when the gate agents asked passengers to form a line, where an old Russian lady decided I looked pathetic, tired, and hungry enough to feed me. She gave me a pear and some Russian toffee-like candy. And as we all know, never say no to a babushka.
On the plane, I was sitting next to another babushka – this one decided I was cold, and so donated her own blanket to the effort and practically tucked me into my air plane seat, despite my vehement protests. Babushki never change. I was also pleasantly surprised by Aeroflot – despite Sofechka’s warnings, the landing was actually pretty good. A bit rougher than in an American flight, but it wasn’t much to complain about. And I got free tea. Twice. After the meals. The surprisingly good meals – a notch up from American airline food, I think.
I then miraculously met up with Virginia at customs, getting there at the exact same time, though we were on separate flights scheduled to arrive an hour and a half apart. Once we both got waved through customs (do we really look that unthreatening?), another person in our group happened to be in the waiting area for our TA and found us.
After some currency exchange, taxi negotiation, and a cab ride during which I spent half the time expecting to crash, half expecting the driver to pull over and rob all of us, and 5% of the time (yes, that is 105%) ogling the gorgeous churches we passed, we got to the hotel for the night, before we move into the dorm tomorrow. And I feel like a human being again.
Moscow, from the little I’ve seen so far, is a healthy mix of really sketch and really gorgeous. Like, really gorgeous. I’ve got the feeling I’m going to like this city.
And so, in conclusion, this has so far been exhausting, interesting, amusing, slightly terrifying, and has all turned out well – слава Богу.
How long of a flight was it?
ReplyDeleteI have yet to meet a babushka in my OCA parish...I guess it's too Americanized or, maybe when I go to Divine Liturgies, instead of just Vespers, I might meet one. Although, I am 50 years old, I have a rather boyish quality to me and I can just imagine Babushka's feeling the need to take care of me....Oh, well....