greetings from the "other" washington

I made it to Aunt Rebecca's house just outside DC no problem. Got here last night and spent today sleeping, doing touristy things, and eating mexican food! Good times for sure.

I'm afraid I'm using up any good airplane karma I may still have. See, on the second flight I'm in 11F, a window seat (I always get window seats). Turns out something silly called "economy plus" ends at row 10, which is an exit row. And then I realize, wait a second, there is no seat in front of my seat!! So for some unknown reason, I had a cheap ticket and more legroom than I could possibly use while the people in front of me had more expensive tickets and less legroom. hehehe. The only bad part was that some poor guy's seat was supposed to be 10F...which didn't exist. But he found some other seat and all was well.

Today I slept till noon (which was only *really* 9am, so give me a break), got some $20 bills turned into larger bills so I don't have to carry a wad of cash, and then Rebecca and I went out to the new Air & Space museum at Dullus airport. It was really cool!! To start, hardly anyone else was there. That is the only way to do museums or other attractions like that - when it's virtually empty. They have the space shuttle Enterprise as well as a bunch of snazzy airplanes and other random space things. (two things of note - the Enola Gay and an air france supersonic jet.) There's also an observation tower that gives you a great panorama of the area, and since it's right by the airport you get a fantastic view of all these planes taking off and landing. The only things we didn't do was see an IMAX film (the mars rover one was only at 1pm and we got there around 3) or ride in a simulator (it cost $7 and no one was manning the station when we wandered over there). But it was a great way to spend an afternoon.

This evening we went out to dinner in DC with a couple Rebecca knows through her Quaker meeting. They've both been to Moscow several times and had all kinds of great stories! (we'll pretend that many of these stories didn't involve getting sick or being ousted from an apartment or almost being arrested.) :) But it turns one or both of them will be in Moscow towards the end of March, and I got their contact info. I really do love random connections like that.

that's all for now. time for me to get some sleep because I've got a 10:25 flight to New York, a meeting with Alex from KEI to get my passport and visa (for real this time) at the JFK airport, and a flight to Russia at 5:45. did I ever mention how odd this is?? but part of me will be glad to just GET THERE already. I think. I don't know. right, bedtime. :)

headed out

there isn't much to say, aside from this:

this weekend has been fun, I still have a few pounds to shed from my suitcases, and tomorrow morning begins an adventure of unparalleled magnitude.

(also, with regards to my visa, everything got sorted out and I should be receiving it in DC on Tuesday via FedEx.)

here's to the journey ---

it's already begun

So, I got an email last night saying that we're sorry, but Russia just decided that all student visa applicants need to have an HIV test to get a visa. So, would you please go to a local clinic and get a same-day result HIV test and fax it to us no later than Friday, ok thanks, bye.

sounds easy enough until you call the health district place in Pasco and they tell you "oh, usually it takes two weeks to get a result!" um. not okay. called the lab that processes the test: "oh, we have a 48 hour turnaround time, but we send all the samples to Spokane to actually be processed." LOVELY.

I suppose it's always something. I'm off to play "run around in circles and make people get stuff done"...

contact info

Now that you know when I'll be gone, here's how you can reach me! The best way is going to be via this journal or via email. If you really want to talk to me, though, you should get skype. My skype name is Janewaypi110. And for the really daring, I can be reached via snail mail at:

Meredith Rawls
Russia
117192 Moscow
Lomonosovsky prospect, 31 building 5
Moscow State University
Faculty for Fundamental Medicine
International Department

A word to the wise: it takes about forever and a half for mail to arrive plus everything has to go through customs. So, as much as I would love to receive cash or avocados, please don't send anything valueable or perishable. :)

Dad just walked by: "do you want to try to smuggle Alex over there?"
me: "where? to Russia?"
Dad: "yeah."
oy.

welcome

Welcome to the first installment in my new online journal! I'll be writing in here as regularly as possible once I get to Russia. So, this is a place where you can read about my adventures. I'd also love to hear your responses via the "# comments" link below each entry!

PLEASE NOTE - what I say is not necessarily a reflection of anyone else's beliefs. I'm going to write about people, places, events, opinions, and feelings. As well as whatever else I want to. Please take nothing personally. Do feel free to share this journal with anyone who you think might enjoy it.

That aside, here is some preliminary info about my trip...

depart for Washington DC on 1/29/07
depart for Moscow, Russia on 1/31
arrive in Moscow on 2/1

depart Moscow on 5/21
depart Washington DC on 5/23
arrive home late on 5/23

Welcome to the adventure!! I hope you enjoy the ride.