I love Ukraine.
We had such a wonderful trip. There is so, so, so much to share. So many stories, friends, experiences, and pictures. My next few blog posts will be highlights from our trip to Ukraine.
There will be ten posts in this series starting with this one....
"You Can't Get There From Here"
One of the most interesting changes I've noticed in myself since being married to Misha is the fact that I don't worry about things much anymore. Everything really will work out. Don't sweat the small stuff - roll with it. It's what makes life life. Of course, you still have to plan and prepare for things, but worrying (the stressful part) just isn't there anymore. I know everything will be taken care of. If not, it makes things that much more interesting and memorable.
When I went on this trip three years ago, I began packing my suitcase about one month before we left. This time around? The night before. It also helps to know what to expect when you are going overseas. I didn't have that luxury on the previous trip.
Let the packing begin!
Did you know we were only allowed ONE check-in per person? The previous trip, the airlines allowed each person to check in TWO suitcases at no charge for international flights. This time we had waaay more things to take - camp supplies, gifts, two computers, inventory for a business deal we're working on...and....oh yeah...don't forget about clothes and personal things for each of us for three weeks!
By the way, I do not pack light. I try - really I do. It just doesn't work.
How in the world would we be able to do this? Could we do this? and don't forget about the 50 lb. weight limit!
That's right. 50 pounds baby! One the first try! For both suitcases.
Somehow we managed to fit everything (including food & snacks). We had one check-in and one carry-on each. I think God pulled some strings on that one. :-)
Remember? Everything will work out!
So for our trip this was the travel plan:
Birmingham → Atlanta
Atlanta → Paris
Paris → Kiev
17-hour train ride to Debaltzava
(longer this time around due to most rails being closed b/c they are getting ready for the Euro cup 2012 that will be in our Donetsk region)
Bus to Dzerzhinsk!
*The only form of transportation we did not use was a camel (okay...and a boat). Everything else was fair game.*
Our prayer was that we would make all our connections and that we would have safe & uneventful travel.
Well, for our first flight we remained grounded for 1 1/2 hours due to bad weather. We took off from Birmingham at the time we were supposed to arrive in Atlanta. If we missed the international flight, we missed the flight to Kiev, the train...everything.
We were at the very back of a full plane.
We landed in Atlanta twelve minutes before our international flight was scheduled to take off.
We landed at gate A and our flight was at gate D.
We SPRINTED through the Atlanta airport.
They were closing the gate.
They had already called our names for last call to board.
We were the last ones.
God worked another miracle on this one.
We made it on our flight!!!
Two flights and many time zones later, here we are in Kiev!
(Stay tuned - Kiev post to come next!)
After some time in the city of Kiev, we get ready to board our train. This is the best part of all the travel!
You have to find your train line and what car you will be on. Keep in mind that car #4 doesn't necessarily come behind car #3 and before car #5. It could be by car #20. Yes, that's right.
You have 3 minutes to board the train. That is a major adrenaline rush when you have twenty-something Americans and 60+ pieces of luggage.
Whew! Everyone made it on the train! It takes a little while to calm down and cool off after the rush of boarding the train.
This trip we had an entire train car dedicated to our team! Each car has several cabins with four bunks. The train ride is my favorite part.
You get to hang out with friends, talk, laugh, play games, and have interesting travel snacks.
You get to hang out with friends, talk, laugh, play games, and have interesting travel snacks.
You see such beautiful country-side, the sound of the train is a lullaby, and you get the best sleep as the movement of the train rocks you to sleep.
Just remember to lock your cabin door!
After a much-needed overnight rest on the train, we arrive at our destination the next afternoon!
Next form of transportation: bus.
Finally! We arrive in Dzerzhinsk and are greeted by familiar faces of friends and family. Misha gets to see his dad for the first time in three years. It's going to be a great three weeks.
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