"If you can jump out of an airplane..."

….no, that isn’t me retreating from an out of control airplane.  That is me skydiving in the Outer Banks last summer.  Whenever I feel nervous about anything I have to do, I always think: “If I can jump out of an airplane, I can (insert scary thing)."  So I thought that Thursday morning before I picked up and moved across the globe.  Guess what? I wasn’t nervous! Not on the plane, or during my 6 hour layover at JFK.  That may not be the only reason why I was not nervous at JFK.  Other possible reasons for being an unnerved gal may be:

….because of my wildly witty choice in airport/plane reading material.

Here is an excerpt that I could relate to:

...because I made a friend and we bonded over trying to find the international terminal.

…because of the song by Lana Del Rey I listened to over and over again. (Thanks for the playlist Meghan!)

...the lyrics do not reflect my life, however I think the song is pretty and calming.

Click here to hear the song via YouTube

…because my arms got a workout wheeling around my carry-on and personal item. ( I swear they are heavier than they appear.)

...because I finally set up camp,

…because I had cocoa almonds,

…because I had Poland Spring water,

...because I had Dasani water,

…because all that water probably prevented my feet from swelling on the 9 hour flight to Moscow,

…because I have toes...

…OK, now I’m just getting silly.  But really. Perhaps I was not nervous because moving to another country is something I’ve wanted to do since my parents took me to Canada when I was 7 years old.  I was too excited to be nervous!

     ANYWAY. There really was not a reason to be nervous. When I arrived I was warmly welcomed by my contact person from the school where I will work, and a returning American teacher. Just before I met them, I somehow got a porter (who only knew these words in English: " 1 bag, 10 American dollar") to haul all 200lbs plus of luggage I had through the airport for me.  At first I thought that just MAYBE he would speak English so I politely asked "Can you help me with my luggage?"  He responded with a bunch of consonants thrown together that I didn't understand.  So I said "помогите...болшой luggage".  (poma-gee-tyeh...ball-shoy luggage) Meaning: Help...big luggage.  He understood, and did help. After a while as we were waiting at the baggage claim, I must've forgotten that he did not speak much English (it was a long sleepless flight...cut me a break) , and I began to (in English) explain to him what my oversized boulders looked like.  He just laughed, said something in Russian and gave me a cough drop.  

    I spent yesterday and today getting settled in here. (I'm almost all done).  The cell phone I have in Moscow is so very old school.  It has the good old fashion dial pad, no camera or internet! It is a pay as you go phone, only works to make calls in Russia, and there are machines around the city where I will add more money to my sim card (to get more minutes). While running errands today, I noticed that many other people around me had similar phones to mine. Much different sight than in the U.S.

     I went to a small grocery store a couple blocks from my apartment today, and this is what I found: 

(Please take special note of the toilet paper color)

     There you have it friends and fam! I am finally in Moscow! I have been enjoying these past couple jet lagged days of Russia's first impressions on me.  Check back soon for a post and pictures on my unique apartment!

-Gina

Just before leaving for the Pittsburgh airport.  I won't post a picture of me from after the flights. I think I might have had that outfit on for two-ish days...