Day 1

I arrived in Moscow last night after 24 hours of travel!  Yep got up to leave for the airport at 0430 and was on the plane by 0705.  First stop Atlanta Georgia. Can't remember if I got a 30 minute or so cat nap on that flight it was only a 5 hour flight.  I Was there just long enough to exchange my chosen seat for an exit row.  It was awesome had leg room for the 9 1/2 hour flight to Venice, Italy.  We got delayed on the Tarmac for around an hour give or take, but not to bad due to weather (rain).  Pretty much a smooth flight though.

I enjoyed the 2 1/2 of the 3 movies shown. (Journey to the Mysterious Island, We bought a zoo, and Stupid Crazy Love)  At the very end of Journey to Mysterious Island my earphones broke. I got a new pair but missed the audio.  I fell asleep about an hour in to We bought a zoo but caught the end, the good movie.  Then we arrived in Venice, Italy.  Small airport, and very crowded.  I had to check in on this part of my journey.  I had done so ahead of time for the Lax to Georgia and the Georgia to Italy legs.  I wasn't sure if I had to claim my luggage first as the flight information I had printed (mind you not my itinerary which I though it was...oops so I didn't know the airline)  Anyway I waited at baggage claim but nope no bags.  So I ventured into the airport.  You actually went through passport check and then basically left the airport to have to go through security again.  I was told I couldn't check in until 2 hours before my flight.  It was a little after 9 am and my flight didn't leave until a little after 1pm.  So I wondered the airport trying to determine which airline I was on.  Turns out it was Aeroflot (Russian airline).  It was on the board but without a check in booth number so I continued to wander the very crowded small airport.  I went outside where many sat and waited and smoked.  I forgot how many Europeans smoke.  I have gotten so spoiled living in California where smoking is still around but doesn't seem so prevalent.   It was a light rain.  I found it kind of cool.  :)  I would like to go back someday and really see Venice.

*Let me just say as a side note there is something sexy about European men.  LOL

Ok back to the trip.  So finally it is a two hours before my flight and the ticket booth number gets posted. Talk about a mad house a crowd of people no real formal line just everyone crowding everyone.  And the booth number they post is marked "Business Class"  I was not flying business class...  So I crowd with all the other economy flayers.  I get up to the window and hour later and I am told they have a crowded flight and my carry-on is too big.  Mind you its a carry-on size and fit on the two full flights I had on the way over.  50 Euros later (I haven't converted yet but I'm guessing on what a 2nd bag on an American flight is it is about $80)  they check my bag.  Much to my dismay and a little protest (It had my hand carried documents that I had to get last minute.  You all know what those are worth and they want to check the bag in as luggage!  AUGH.  Ok what am I going to do but sit and pray.  This was only going to be about a 3 hour flight. So I get my seat (noted preference when booking aisle) Yep I got....a window seat next to 2 gentlemen.  They were quiet which was fine with me  I was still pouting about my bag especially after seeing multiple bags the size of mine and people with more then the two allowed carry-on items.  There bags could easily have gone under the seat like a purse.  Oh well it is done.  Thank you for listening to me vent.  I'm sure it didn't help that I had been travelling all day and night and was probably tired oh yeah and hungry after wanting pizza in Venice but the pizza place was closed.  :(

I slept on that flight for about an hour.  We arrived I had started to fill out the migration form on the plane but then saw it said "Foreign National"  is that me??  So I only filled out 1/2 put it in my purse and well quite honestly played dumb.  Got up to Passport control and was asked for the form I pulled the 1/2 filled out form from my purse and gave it to the nice officer he said both sides needed to be done. Ok.  I got out of line and finished it.  (note for others travelling fill out both sides they are the same)  Got my luggage mad a pit stop and went praying my ride would be waiting.  I come out the doors and there like in the movies is someone holding a sign that says "Ms. Megan Meier"  Woo Hoo what a sight for sore eyes.  Also as I had imagined I was picked up in a Mercedes Benz.  I don't know why but even a co-worker envisioned me being picked up in a (he thought old but it was  newer model) Mercedes Benz.
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First stop the "mall" or Costco like store for food supplies, a  sim card for my phone and money  exchange.  I finally got Pizza but in Moscow not Venice and it was Sbarro just like home!