FIRST IMPRESSIONS

So, we live in the actual agency. Let me clarify. The agency is about two buildings for business and one building for residences. It's a compound with a nice little hanging out area in the middle. Think of it as a Melrose Place layout -sans pool. It's really nice. But then again, Munich is a very good looking city.

So, our commute is like, two minutes. Unfortunately, Alex and I are not rooming together. I am on the 2nd floor, and she is on the ground floor. Each "unit" has a kitchen, a bathroom, a laundry room (minus washing machine) and it has three bedrooms. Basically it's kind of like a dorm. It's actually genius. The people who are new and have no place to stay live in the dorm, until they can find a place. I've heard that finding a place here is really hard. So it's pretty great to have a place like this. PLUS, you get to know your fellow co-workers (you wouldn't other wise, since there's about 800 people working here -we hear).

The work day starts between 8-9, not later. There are meetings that go on at 9. Once you go inside, you actually gauge the sheer massiveness of the agency. It is HUGE and really awesome. With so many people, it's gotta be. We waited and were greeted by our contact and she got us to where we were supposed to be. The agency is divided into units, because it is just so HUGE -did I mention it was huge? cos IT IS.

So far it's been freaking' awesome. We've gone on a small tour, and met everyone in the unit. So far It's been loud, it's been funny, it's been friendly, and, we've been given ideas of actual work stuff to do when we find ourselves with "nothing to do". It's been a really great first impression. Lets see what the rest of the quarter brings.

We managed to go out and take some pictures last night (it was raining on Monday). We didnt take a lot, we were mostly getting our bearings..

THE IN-BETWEEN

For some reason, this trip was way worse for me. I don't know why. I think I was just sad I had to say goodbye and I was tired. Bad mix.

All I've got to say is, American Airlines sucks. My flight was delayed, and disturbingly uncomfortable. If you can, use British Airways on trans-atlantic flights. When I finally got to Barajas in Madrid (AKA one of the coolest airports) I was a little late, but I managed to do some damage at Zara. Man, I loved it.

I'll have you know that haven't smelled an airport like Barajas before. That's right, SMELLED. I don't know if it was the city seeping in, or the actual air fresheners there (they'd have to be massive), but all I could smell was incense, like the one you smell at church. It was amazing, truly awesome. It actually made me super sad that my layover was not long enough to get out and explore. This was a first.

Then! horror of horrors, my IBERIA flight to Munich was EVEN MORE DELAYED (not enough to warrant an outing, but just enough to annoy me). I tell you, whoever comes up with a teleportation device will be heralded as a real traveler's saint, forget about St. Christopher.

I got to the Munich airport later than expected. I walked around a bit and had some lunch/dinner. I had some time to kill before I could actually show up at the flat (no one would be there until like 7), and I was not about to walk around the city with my luggage. When the time rolled around, I got myself a cab and barreled down the autobahn towards the city.

My cab driver was awesome. Pricey, but awesome. He showed me as much as he could on my way and was a major help with my luggage. I spent the rest of my evening arranging my stuff and watching some German television. I actually have a TV! I never wanted to watch the new Hawaii Five O before, but now I totally do.

So far (one day) I've had a great time. Lets hope the rest of the 11 weeks live up to this first impression.

Travel break? What travel break?

My week home was not a break in the least. My errands and arrangements really took precedent during the few days I spent at home. I was barely there, and I still didn't get everything done. I know I was supposed to meet with some of you guys during this interim, but it was truly impossible. I was really only able to hang out with those I refer to as "my home" (Juan and my family). But hey, I will be back in July for 3 months! While it was amazing to see them again, it kind of made me miss them a lot while I was there, it doesn't make sense, but I did. It was also a lot harder to say goodbye this time. But, such is life.

This trip, I'm not taking much stuff. One suitcase and that's it. Thank goodness for dresses. Also, I cut my hair off. All of it. It's in its bob incarnation.

The Bitter End

I think I left off at St. Petersburg? Yes, I did. I have to say, that after you've been in Moscow for a long time, a visit to St. Petersburg is a very refreshing change of pace. To many Europeans, it's not a big deal. St. Petersburg looks just like any other European city. I totally understand. However, just that fact. The fact that it is JUST LIKE any European city, is WHY it's so refreshing, and why everyone makes a big deal about it. It was wonderful. Truly.

Anyway, when we returned to Moscow we were greeted by the usual rush of the city and it's inhabitants. We missed St. Pete -a lot. In fact our first contact with Moscow after our vacation was not a pleasant one. General rudeness was all over the place, perhaps it was the hour? It was so late, that it was early. Or, had it become just much more evident because of St. Petersburg? Regardless, by then we were not in the mood for any of it and made up our minds then and there that we were done. Done with the whole lot of it. St. Petersburg had spoiled us, and now it was over. We were eagerly awaiting our departure.

Don't mess with cranky, travel weary women.

We made our way to the Kremlin and Red Square one last time on our last weekend. We wanted to take pictures and buy souvenirs. I'll say it again, St. Basil is not as big as everyone thinks it is. Check it out (but the rest are on flickr)...



We spent the week working on posters and projects and then, just like that -it was over. We had our One on One's and then, we all exited the city.

*Word to the wise, the Kiev airport is gheettooooo and a logistical nightmare, BEWARE. *

Two of us decided to travel together to the U.S. (I had to come back and arrange some things). By the time we got to Kennedy airport we were exhausted of lugging our gigantic coats and all the other accouterments of the Siberian cold. Then, it happened.

People actually started to notice us. People started to actually TALK to us, SMILE at us. We began overhearing conversations that we understood. We found ourselves actually listening in on things, however trivial and retarded they might have been, just for the simple pleasure of understanding. My tiny outburst of "WHAT! ANOTHER SET OF GODAMMED FUCKING STAIRS?!" actually drew smirks and looks, I was not used to this. Being understood. We actually had to filter what came out of our mouths now. Until then, since no one understood, there was really no need. You should have heard our conversations. Fun times.

Once I was home, I was the chattiest customer at every store. Why NOT talk to the clerks?!?!

Looking back now, it was an experience. I learned so much from it, chief among them: "Don't be an asshole" , "Don't be a little bitch." and "Pay attention to people". Other people haven't gotten to that lesson yet, lets hope they get it before they die. Also, creative departments ARE supposed to be loud. Just in case anyone was wondering.

IF I had to do it over again, I would. But, I would go about things very differently. Still, I don't regret anything. I also met a lot of cool people, people that hopefully I will stay in touch with. So yeah, over all, it was something you had to live through to understand, and I am very glad I did. :)

Next on my stop: München, The capital of Bavaria in Deutschland -in the spring. THIS is going to be fan-fucking-tasctic!

Stay tuned...