Orientation Day

My first task today during orientation in Washington, D.C. was to pick out my first name - Jeffrey - in the Cyrillic alphabet. More about the alphabet later when I understand it better. Trust me though, it sounds like Jeffrey, except there is no J or Y.

Orientation went over the basics for saftey in Moscow, more about the dorms I will be staying in, the course schedules, the cultural excursions, my Russian tutor, etc. I will detail these as I encounter each in Moscow.

After a group dinner several of us took a walking tour of downtown D.C., called on the White House, passed the Treasury and enjoyed a quite muggy evening. Below is a great shot of the Washington Monument I took around 8:30 p.m. (The Jefferson Memorial can be seen in the distance.)

The flight for Moscow departs from Dulles Wednesday at 4:50 p.m. EST. I'll arrive in Moscow at 10:55 a.m. Thursday. It is a ten-hour flight. I'll be 8 hours ahead of EST until July 28.

I'll post more from Moscow!

Пока (Bye)

Departure Day!

It is 8:30 p.m. Monday night and I am sitting at the Union Station in Providence waiting for the 10:16 p.m. train to Washington, D.C. Upon my arrival in Washington tomorrow morning I am to meet with my 11 classmates for a two-day orientation meeting prior to departing for Moscow on Wednesday.

While I feel well-prepared for the trip I am not quite sure what to expect the day we arrive in Moscow, which is making me somewhat anxious. (That and not speaking one word of Russian!) Of course I will learn much more about our itinerary in the new two days.

It was a picture-perfect first day of summer on Cape Cod today, which made it very difficult to leave. Denise took me to the train station. It was hard to watch her drive away. I will miss her greatly these next five weeks. (We are going to Maui for two weeks upon my return, so that will serve as therapy.)