Here I am (1)

Yep. When you read the title, you are right. I am in Russia, right now. It has been almost two months. The journey is kind of fast. And now, I dont know where to start. Maybe it would be easier if i divide into several important dates or weeks.

14 March, 2014

I arrived in Domodedovo Airport at 3pm. The captain says it was 10 outside. I started to wear my thick jacket and prepare to got off from the plane. I knew that there would be an immigration checking. Since i am a foreigner, I have to go to foreigner line. But, there was no such a thing. all foreigner and local people are in the same line. The worst thing was the awful line. Lots of people cut the line and nobody protested about it. I met another foreigner. He said that this aweful line is nothing compare to Bombay, India. I was like what the ...

Then the security lady said something in Russian and her gesture showed to go to the second floor. And some people suddenly went up including me. Ofcourse the line was not much different but this one was faster.

I saw people just stood like 2 or 3 minutes in the immigration gate. It was the time for me to go to immigration gate. The officer asked what the purpose of my visit was. I said I joined social project for AIESEC. She checked over and over again. I was asked to take off my glasses since the picture in my passport is without glasses. I stood there more than 15 minutes. I was thinking that whether I would go home directly from the airport.

Alhamdulillah, she finally let me go. I was so relief. The next thing was I need to find my suitcase, ups, I mean mbak Mima's, hehe. There is no English letters in the suitcase place. I had to guess and take a look very close where it was.

Afterwards, I needed to inform my arrival to mas Aries, the president of PPI Rusia. I was so lucky coz there is an internet connection there. The next thing was I needed to change my dolar into ruble. Based on mas Aries instruction, I needed to take aeroexpress to go to moscow. He waited there.

I found an exit and there was a suitcase checking. After that, I asked a security guy to show me where the aeroexpress is. The sad thing about people who work in Domodedovo Airport is hard to find somebody who can speak English.

To take aeroexpress I need to buy the ticket from the ticket machine. I was so blessed. I met a kind hearted man. Though he couldnt speak English, he was willing to help me to find somebody to help me to buy the ticket. He talked to a girl and the girl said yes. Alhamdulillah, I was so happy. We tried 2 different machines before finally we got the ticket. I thanked her so much. She was going to go Buenos Aires. I wished her a good time and a safe flight. 

At night,

After I met with mas Aries, he took me to the Indonesia Embassy, met the people who work or having internship there. Then he took me to the hostel and had dinner in a japanese restaurant. I went back to the hostel. I cleaned myself and met the people who live in hostel. Then I met two great friends, Denise and Alex. Denis is from Belarussia and Alex is from Rostov-no-Donu. Denis speaks English well but not Alex. I dont mind with that coz they treated me good. I like them. especially Denise, ups. Alex gave me a psychological test and i had fun with it. Then they decided to take me to the red square. Denise said not to be worried. He and Alex would protect me. #blushing.

We really had  a great time. Along the road we laughed and Denise said he likes my open smile. We took lots of pictures with Alex's camera. We decided to go to a cafe coz I was freezing to death. They were so considerate. We ordered two different teas. I love the taste. 

I was lil bit sad. I just sayed at the hostel only a night. The next day, I checked out from the hostel, left note for Denise, and went to the embassy. I had a walk alone. Mas aries had something to to before we went to the station.

We went to the station in the very last minute. We took a taxi to go there. I forgot to change all my dollars in ruble, we didnt have much time to buy the ticket. We ended up with missing the train.

Idk whether i would be happy or sad. Happy coz i will meet Denise again and sad because i missed the train.

I went back to the hostel and i saw Denise, he smiled widely. I was glad to meet him again. I wish he felt it too.

At night, Alex wanted to take me to somewhere. But I was so tired. I was so sorry to reject his invitation. My feet were so sore. And I still had a long journey tomorrow.

The next morning, I asked the owner to wake Denise up. I wanted to say a proper goodbye to him. I was so speechless that he wanted to take me to the train station too. he wanted to make sure that I wont miss the train again. 

I checked out around 11am. I said goodbye to Alex too. It was the last day he was there. He would go home to Rostov.

After we went to my embassy, we had a walk, ate breakfast and visited museum. It was snowing. I still remembered Denise said the change of snowing was 30%. Thats why he didnt bring an umbrella with him. The snow was beautiful. Along the time, we took some pictures. 

Then, we went back to the embassy coz i needed to pray. it was half to 4. I had an appointment with mas Gery. He was the one who would take me to the station. 

subway, yep, subway.

I was stucked in the machine there twice. I was so surprised that Denise went back just to make sure I did the right thing. I was so flattered.

Okay, we need to say good bye. I said thanks to mas Gery who had taken me there. I gave my passport and the train ticket to the conductors. They couldnt find my picture. I showed them where my picture is. Denise took me inside to the train and we had a warm hug. Then, I walked him out from the train.

The conductor lady asked Denise to explain about food and the toliet things to me.

When er were outside, he asked me to inform my arrival asap when I arrived in Izhevsk. He even said that if I had a problem he could help me coz he knows some people. OMG, I was so speechless and so flattered. We hug for the last time.

Oh, I hate good bye. I was heard a knock on my window then I saw him waving his hand. And I smiled openly to him.