The Trip

Well, it's 3 a.m. and I am wide awake -- thanks jetlag. 

First, two observations, which technically have nothing to do with Russia or the adoption.

1.  I congratulated myself in bringing only carry-on luggage on this trip, despite the fact that I brought a laptop, a lot of paperwork for myself, and other families and a bunch of presents for the orphanage workers.  I just felt it was better practice considering that I was changing planes and airlines.  So, I put my bag through the X ray machine in St. Louis -- forgot to take my laptop out of the bag.  TSA freaks out, runs explosives test on my bag, the computer, the computer case..... runs through the bag again.... only to freak out again, b/c one of the presents I thoughtfully chosen to bring was a winestopper/winekey set -- with a knife in the winekey.  I WAS one of those passengers who holds up the line and acts like an idiot.  I apologized profusely, the TSA guy smiled and said in a long suffering tone:  "It's OK, ma'am.  Clearly you don't travel much".

2. My layover was at JFK, and as I flew Aeroflot to Moscow, I was leaving out of Terminal 1, where most of the smaller international carriers operate out of.  That is truly one of my favorite places in the world.  I just loved sitting around, checking out flight crews in their different and unique uniforms -- some exotic, some very different colors -- guessing which airline they must belong to.  Love seeing the departure/arrival boards -- with cities and places I've never been to, and sometimes only have a vague idea where they are -- yet hundreds of people going there.  It's just a neat experience.

So Aeroflot.   I chose to fly them because they were so much cheaper than Delta, the only other alternative to Moscow.  After I bought the ticket, I read up on them online and grew a little concerned-  people posted horrific stories and comments about uncomfortable planes, rude flight attendants, terrible food etc.  Of course, I would make most of the same complaints about Delta or American as well.  But, the flight was fine.  The plane was a brand new Airbus -- there was an interesting choice of 1970s style decor -- with orange seats etc.  That was echoed in the flight attendants' uniforms as well, who  also wore those absurd little "stewardess hats" bobby pinned to the tops of their head.

The food was airplane food -- probably more than on most airlines.  No alcohol was offered, even for sale.  And they did have less beverage service, and of course all the drinks were served warm.  No option for ice -- which is typical for Europe of course, but surprised me for a flight originating from the US.  We had the individual video players in our seats, with good and recent movies, and an impressive selection of not only Russian but international films and documentaries as well.  (I watched Avatar).

The only real complaint I had was that it was impossible to understand the announcements -- their English was completely incomprehensible.

Oh, and as soon as the plane landed -- literally still breaking, and clearly on the runway, a bunch of people jumped up,  grabbed their bags, and swarmed up front.  Which is weird, but even more weird is the fact that no one, including the flight attendants thought it was a big deal.  One guy, after he realized that we were taxiing for a long time, just perched himself on the armrest of a random seat, and pushed the stuff of whoever was sitting there out of his way...

Oh, and the Aeroflot emblem still is a hammer and sickle with wings around it.