Look Ma....No hands!

Well today started out like any other....except that I got up a bit early so I would make it to the airport on time. I ate some fruit and then left to catch the metro. I had no trouble finding the shuttle from the metro to the airport and was able to get my bag through no problem. Security was a breeze and I even managed to spend every single last penny of my Hungarian money. How lucky is that!?! I waited at the gate and since it's a discount airline there's no assigned seating. You get on the plane and pick a seat! I can't even tell you what that looked like! I thought "how great is this, I'm the fourth person on so I'll get first dibs on a seat!" Ya except we were corralled onto a waiting bus where we sat waiting for it to fill. And then, finally, we started moving towards the plane. Pulling up to the doors people began shifting their weight, ready to pounce out the doors. We sat, idling, for a few minutes before circling back over towards the terminal. Ohhhhhhkay........we stopped for a moment and then drove back over to the plane. After barely even a full 4 second stop we were back circling to the terminal. Okay seriously, this was getting annoying. We pulled up to the terminal where we were told there was a technical problem that they just found. F-A-N-tastic. I mean, I wasn't in a hurry but touring around a foreign airport's tarmac in a wide open bus without supports to lean on wasn't my idea of a good time. While waiting I met Katia. A Ukrainian who is studying in Vienna. She was fascinated by my story of travelling and we chatted until we finally made it to the plane and were let off the bus.

We sat together and the time to Kiev flew by. After landing, the line ups for passports control were as slow as molasses and I figured I'd lost her as she went through the faster Ukrainian passport line. Just as I was taking out the local currency from the ATM she came up and declared she thought I'd be longer. She offered to help me find the metro station I needed to go to, which required a bus as well. And thank goodness for her. We got on the oldest bus I have ever seen and basically threw our money at the driver, while he was driving, and he passed us change, while driving. Did I mention he had to reach way behind him to access the money or pass the change? The doors were almost rusted through and the seats in the short bus were covered in tiger print seat covers. It was like no other bus ride I've taken! We finally arrived at our destination and waded through the piles of snow to get to the train station. We found the metro station next door and Katia explained exactly how to get to my stop and then took me as far as she could. She fretted about me and offered her cell number in case I got lost. She was so worried when she discovered I had no phone. She told me she would be checking on me later today through Facebook!

I made it to the metro to discover there is nothing to hang on to. So as the train gunned it away from the platform and slammed on the brakes at the next line, the only thing I had were my feet. It was so awkward. With my heavy backpack already throwing off my balance I was like one of those clown balloons that you can hit and they just bounce back at you. But then again, very good practice for India.

I got lost looking for my hostel. Seeing as no one speaks English I was feeling very alone. I managed to get some directions and did find the hostel. The staff have been so amazing and directed me to have dinner at a self serve restaurant with many options. And it was delicious. For about 6$, I had a Greek salad, perogies, and chicken over apples with cranbrry sauce! I may eat there every day. You have your choice of food and you can't beat the price! I can't wait to see Kiev tomorrow, though I could do without the snow. I caught a glimpse and it is beautiful!

Stay tuned!