My Trans-Atlantic Journey

Cradling my souvenirs that were about to be wrapped into my jacket as cushioning

After two short hours of sleep, I woke up ready to jump to my feet.  I have always been an amazing morning person, but today was especially important.  I had some errands to run before heading to the airport at noon.  After the bed bug incident, I had to throw away my backpack so I was in dire need of purchasing a new suitcase.  I had already packed all of my belonging, duct taped my souvenirs, and shoved everything into a double bagged trash bags. I idly considered just getting the Ukrainian airport workers to plastic wrap my trash bag, check it in as is and cal it a day, but I was afraid of everything falling out so I decided against it.  I woke up sleepy James and got him to come shopping with me, because having his company in the morning was one of the conditions of staying out late the night before.  I managed to find a mesh-like colorful bag that reminded me of my Mexican relative and a suitcase which perfectly fit my trash bag bundle.  I was way too tired for painful good-byes so I said, "Until next time," and called my cab.

I made it to the airport, bought some bread and one Russian Cosmo magazine.  After all that, I had a whole 4 grivnas left (50 cents).  I was so happy not to run out of the country with pockets full of cash.  I believe James accidentaly took out a ridiculous amount of money while in Estonia and was unable to get any other country to change his money back.  I was so excited to sleep on the plane!

I got onto my plane with minimal problems and was ready for my nap.  After getting on my flight from Warsaw to Chicago, I decided that I should try my hardest not to sleep too much or else my overnight lay over in Chicago would be incredibly difficult.  I arrived in Chicago and made it straight through customs without a problem.  The airport security didn't want to let me back into the airport because my flight wasn't until the following day, but eventually they let me in.

My overnight layover was harsh.  I was the only one in the terminal besides the airport employees who were on their way home.  I went to the bathroom to wash up and was happy to remember that I had a long shirt in my carry on.  I took my jeans off and managed to remain decent because I also had thick nylons.  I wrapped myself in all the warm clothes which included my fur hat.  I woke up quite a few times to the melodic voice of the lady telling me not to leave bags unattended only to realize I was freezing.  I readjusted my jackets and managed to make it through the night.  Why have there been so many times along this trip for me to feel homeless??  Let's reminisce.

Exhibit A: A story I have yet to tell on my blog out of respect for the dignity of someone who used to be my best friend.  Well, guess what?  She no longer has dignity or my respect.  Come to think of it, she might not even have a soul.  Too much?  Well, while I was in Hamburg my "best friend" kicked me out of her apartment for no seemingly good reason.  So below is a picture of me looking homeless with all my belongs gathered together.  Luckily, James had come to visit me in Hamburg so he was there to help me move out and drink wine with me in my lowest of times.  My recently new best friend, Katryna who went to Santa Rosa High with Nat, took me into her apartment, so later that day I had a home yet again.  Thank God for real friends.

Hamburg, Germany

Exhibit B: Or remember that time I got bed bugs and had to throw away, boil or DDT all of my belongings - including my coat and shoes?  I had no choice than to resort to wearing Men's clothing until my clothes was dry, and I bought a new warm coat, and a pair of snow proof boots.

Odessa, Ukraine

Chicago airport was not quite as bad, but I definitely had bad flashbacks.  I just kept counting the hours until I got to run into Nat's arms.  The following morning, I was excited to make the phone call where I could state, "Hey babe, remember when it was 'I will see you in 3 months?' Well, I will see you in 3 hours."

I was so excited to get off the plane, I wanted to just run away without my carry on that was forced to be checked-in.  I was at the very end of a long line of passengers that were in a similar situation because we were in a plane so small that we had to walk through the Chicago snow to the stairs leading to our vessel.  I jumped around, waiting anxiously to bolt out of the terminal towards my love.  I saw my Ukrainian Mexican carry on from the back of the line and ran forward to claim it.  I used my winning smile to nonchalantly and jokingly state, "I can see my ugly bag from a mile away!"  I got a few laughs.  "Phew, safe."  The last thing I wanted is some big Texan upset at me for cutting in line, but I was desperate to get out of the airport.

Ukrainian Mexican Bag

I literally ran, then walked like a little kid being watched by the side of the swimming pool, then ran, careful not to break into a sweat - after all, I already slept in a airport, it was the least I could do to retain some semblance of attractive after my 28 hour voyage home.  I looked around and there I saw him, Nat dressed in his best suit holding a dozen roses.  Crying because you are so happy is a miraculous thing.  I have told Nat before he shouldn't be embarrassed if I start crying in public during times like this.  He still thinks it makes him look like a bad boyfriend that made his pathetic little girlfriend cry in public.  So, I cried a little, just enough to make the point that I am happy to be home clear.  Then dried them up and waited for my bags.  One of the wheels on my new Ukrainian suitcase broke, after I got out of the taxi at Odessa's airport.  Minor damages when looking at the big picture.  In the end, I am home, in one piece.

My roses live in a pitcher in my apartment, and I love them for it

My Trans-Siberian Journey may have ended, but my adventures are long from over.  So I encourage you to keep reading, because rest assured, I will keep writing.

Can I see your passport?

I guess the hair cut really does make me look a little less American because today at the airport, I was asked for my passport by an undercover cop.  It was a little scary, since no one has ever picked me out of a crowd like that.  It wasn't a problem, as soon as I was on the plane to Odessa, everyone had crazy looking bangs, so I now feel right at home!  As we were preparing for landing, I got really excited that I was going to see my boyfriend, Nat.  I must have been really tired, because that is six weeks from now.  For some reason, my mind was totally ready to be on a plane back to Austin, Texas.  I had to pull it together for a minute and remember that before I know it I will be jetting through the terminals and leaping into Nat's arms!  Until then, I need to focus on what I came here to do: make a small difference in the world, learn as much as possible, and have the adventure of a lifetime.  What do you guys think?  Am I getting there?

After getting off the plane and successfully fending off the taxi drivers, I hoped on a 25 cent bus that would lead me to the center of Odessa.  I found my way back to the hostel I had orginally stayed in and guess what, it's my new home away from home!  It is now under new management, the owners are clean and efficient, devoted to safety and they offered me a place to stay for under $4 a night.  I couldn't really argue with that!  That just means more travel money for Erica!  I am thinking of visiting Katryna and the rest of her program in Bosnia in a couple of weekends if I can find a cheap enough flight.  They are going for some seminars, but said that we would have a great time running around together at night.  I would love to see as much as I can over my last few weeks here.  From hearing about the experience of my friends who studied abroad for a semester, one of the most rewarding parts was the weekend trips to different cities and foreign countries.

Tomorrow I am meeting my program's volunteer coordinator and will be debriefed on what exactly I will be doing here with The Way Home.  I am excited to finally be able to help the homeless kids here.  This might be the most emotionally stressful and rewarding part of my journey this far.  I will keep you all updated on what happens!

My Funny Finnish Friends

Finnish Crew

Turns out Riga, Latvia is a very popular transfer airport because the Finnish crew that was staying with Claudia and me at the hostel were also flying there, on the same day, at the same time.  They kindly offered me a ride to the airport in their prepaid taxi van.  I was ecstatic to have company and a free ride so I took them up on their generous offer.  We made it to the airport and spend the rest of the day making many laughs (I mean, telling jokes and laughing).  I got a lot of exposure to their rarely spoken language; only six million people worldwide speak this Nordic language.  

They kept telling me that since so few people speak Finnish, it is kind of a useless language; it's finest purpose is that it allows them to talk to each other without worrying who is listening.  They were full of funny travel stories like this one: they were laughing about the time they were in Mongolia trying to get stamps at the post office.  They were having an impossible time acquiring a specific type of stamp, because none of them spoke Mongolian.  A woman passed them, said three words and got exactly what they had been trying to painstakingly obtain for five minutes.  As a force of habit, they spoke Finnish to each other and blatantly uttered profanities at the woman.  After all, it's not like anyone speaks Finish.  She turned around and retorted with an equally vulgar insult in perfect Finish.  They were dumbfounded; they met the only other person in the country that spoke their unique language.

Another guy told me about the time he woke up because some man in his hostel was holding his leg a foot in the air.  He was so confused that he didn't even know what to do, and failed to inform the hostel of the creepy inhabitant.  At least he wasn't thrown into a meat bag, I told him.

We went through airport security and I thought this sign was hysterical.  Please do not bring your guns, poisons, acids, ninja stars, maces, and other Medieval torture devices with you on this flight.  Thank you for your cooperation!

We arrived in Riga and I quickly staked a place out to sleep for the night.  I had an overnight layover.  I am so glad I made a second trip over to the transfer kiosk, because it turns out that AirBaltic would set me up with a free meal and hotel room!!  I got a room all to myself...did you hear me?  A room.  All to my self.  For the first time in over a month, I did not have to fall asleep to the sounds of someone's snoring.  It was heavenly.  After a night in that hotel room, as Claudia would have said, "I feel like a new woman."

My hotel had wireless internet, a private bathroom, towels, lotion, shampoo, conditioner.  Everything a Motel 6 in the USA would have had, but for some reason, this stay made me incredibly happy.

Hotel Mini Bar

International Airports

We got dropped off at the airport by our overly proud of American culture Russian taxist.  We had some Roubles to kill before heading to Ukraine so Claudia and I enjoyed an amazing American breakfast at the airports TGIF.  I was so enthralled with our waiter’s collection of soviet pins all over his TGIF overalls, that I didn’t even realize that the orange juice Claudia and I ordered were close to ten dollars each!  Not to self: Do not drink fresh squeezed orange juice in Russia.  I have read that during the Soviet Times, one was unable to obtain oranges; I thought that times had changed by apparently oranges are still a commodity not to be taken lightly.   

Claudia: “Erica, we have made the poorest beverage decisions on this trip.” 

Erica: “Never thought I would say this, but from now on we are moving to Vodka, pure and straight- with an occasion splurge on bottled water.”

After enjoying our breakfast, we leisurely walked to the Aeroflot flight departures.  Turns out, our ticket had failed to state that we needed to fly out of a totally different terminal than the one we were currently at.  I managed to figure out where to go using my knowledge of the Russian language; I found out we needed to run.  Running with a 40 pound back pack is not fun; I am slightly regretting having purchased Atlas Shrugged in Moscow.  Even though we were highly mistaken as to where our plane was flying from, we made it to our flight on time – further proving my point that you most definitely do not need to be at an airport three hours prior to take off.  

Our dates have arrived!

James and I wanted to have a chill night last night because both of us had friends who were flying into Moscow today to meet up.  Last night we went to dinner with an old friend who we met on the epic train ride to Yekaterinburg.  Not the crazy one who attempted to prove his love for me via dull switch blade, but the other more relaxed and coherent one.  He and I started to dance floor initially by doing what he calls the Shuffle, to me it just looks like 20's Charleston.  He was visiting his childhood best friend who really wanted to meet me and James.  They were so nice to take us out to dinner, buy us a couple of drinks and even drive us around the city to give us a night tour.  I am so taken back by how kind people can be to complete strangers.  They all had to work the next day, but still we were out until 2AM, seeing the sights and chatting about Russian and American life.  It was definitely great to be in a car, even if we were going over 10MPH on the surface streets.  

Claudia with a Пирожок

This morning, I heard my alarm and was excited to get ready to head off to the airport to meet my best friend, Claudia.  I wanted to make sure she made it to the hostel alright, so I decided to brave the Moscow Metro to find her.  I speak Russian, how hard can it be?  Well, to make a long story short, I made it through the Metro without any issues, but as soon as I had to find the bus to take me to the airport, I was completely lost.  I asked people, looked around, and even had to yell at a cab driver for trying to rip me off by offering an extremely over priced cab ride.  I finally found my way, feeling like I was about to cry.  Sadly, I was not the composed friend, waiting patiently at the international arrivals area with a smile adorning my face.  It didn't matter, because as soon as I saw Claudia, all my frustrations slipped away!   I now have a female accomplice to romp about Russia with.  James has been great, but I don't think he understands my fascination with women wearing jackets that match their stiletto heels, and leopard print nylons.  Claudia and I already have great plans to obtain metallic colored leggings to wear instead of jeans.

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that Swing!

We got all dressed up and walked to the Red Square to take pictures.  This picture up top reminds me our old times swing dancing with The Movement at UC Berkeley!  Ever girl's dream: dress up, photo shots, and strong men that treat us like ladies.  Grand old times.  

James and Johnna

My date is cuter: FACT

 We have both been eagerly anticipating the day our dates arrive in Moscow.


James' date, Johnna, is super nice and very fashionable.  I am really glad that we both have friends who came all they way around the world to hang out with us and join the adventure. 

 

Marx, where have you been all my life!?

Lenin was found in every city we have visited so far, but strangely, Marx was no where to be found!  

ООО Канада! : Ohhh Canada!

Смотрите моя фотка!  Я уже не спала!  Я только спала два часа утром субботы и вечера вечером была свадьба все день.  После свадьбе мы с семьей поехали в ресторан, чтобы пожаловать мой день рождения.  Мои друзья, Ашли и Абрей, приходили.  Я была так рада!  


У меня были фотки, но я потеряли они к сожалению.  Не хочу расковыриваться об этом.  Мы с семьей ездили в аэропорт очень рано а, поэтому нам нужны надо были ложиться на полу.  Это фотки из ейФона. 

Я так устала!!  Надо спать.  Следующий самолёт отдаёт!  В Пекин!  

Look at this picture!  I still haven’t had a real night’s sleep.  I only slept 2 hours on Friday night before I went to the airport and yesterday was the wedding.  After the wedding I went with my family to a restaurant in Los Angeles to celebrate my birthday before going to the airport.  My two best friends, Ashley and Aubrey, came as well.  I was so excited to actually get to have company because I was under the impression that they only birthday celebrating I would do would be scoring free drinks on the flight to China.  I had a lot of awesome sleep deprived pictures from this early morning rendezvous at Canter’s Restaurant but I lot them all, unfortunately.  I don’t really want to talk about it. 

Anyways, my family and I all arrived at the airport super early because my mom was worried about it being an international flight.  She insisted 3 hours prior to take off was the minimum (though you all know how I feel about showing up 5 minutes before my flight leaves).  We ended up sleeping on the floor waiting for the counter to open so we could check in our bags.  This picture was spared because it was taken on the iPhone.

I am so tired!!  I need to sleep.  Next flight waits!  Next stop, Beijing!

Самолет на Лос Анжелес: Flight to Los Angeles

Сегодня я поеду домой из Техаса, чтобы походить на свадьбу Шона (моя двоюродная братья).  Ребята, мне очень нравится аэропорты!  Я знаю, что это странно, но всегда я познакомилась интересный люди.  Аэропорты – портал мира.

 

Я много летала c тех пор я маленькая девушка.  Моя семья живет в Мексике, и я часто посещала их.  Мы с родителями путешествовали там, но когда мне восемь лет я самая поехала на самолете.  Опасно, вы думаете?  Нет, это было до терроризма!

Когда я должна быть в аэропорту?  Как поздно как можно! Утром, я проходила в терминал и просто вошла самолет.  Прекрасно!  До Лос Анжелеса! 

Today I am going home from Texas in order to attend Sean’s (my cousin) wedding.  Guys, I really love airports!  I know it’s a little strange but I always meet such interesting people.  Airports are portals to the world.   

I have been flying a lot since I was a little girl.  My family lives in Mexico so we would often go visit them.  My parents and I would go together, but when I was about eight years old I flew all alone to Mexico for the first time.  Dangerous, right?  No, this was pre-terrorism!

When should I be at the airport?  As late as possible!  I just wanted up to the terminal this morning and simply walked onto the plane.  Prefect!  Onward to Los Angeles!