We really really did it!

Я, нарешті, в Україні!

We finally made it!! I never thought this day would come but I am finally in Ukraine!!

I have never spent so long traveling in my life, but it will all be worth it!

We started off our journey at Phoenix Sky Harbor leaving at 7:05. 

We flew to JFK Airport in New York City followed by a 4 hour layover.

We met up with 2 other girls in our ILP group here.

Next stop was the Charles DeGaulle Airport in Paris, France; accompanied by a 5 hour layover, and met up with three more girls from the group.

And Paris just isn't Paris without Ladurée macaroons. 

By this point we were all dead tired, but we only had one leg of the journey left!

After 22 1/2 hours of traveling, we made it to Kiev!

We went through customs and were picking up our luggage at baggage claim when a male airport worker comes up to Toree and starts speaking Russian super quickly and all she does is look at him with a big wide eyed stare. Once he realized she has no idea what he is talking about, he shakes his head and mutters "English" and walks away in disgust.

It was hilarious!! He was so upset that she was American, but we all sure got a kick out of it!

Afterwards we walk out of baggage claim to find our ILP coordinators and all we see are tons of Ukrainian men standing around just staring at us, the "fresh american" girls. We were all pretty terrified...but thankfully our native coordinators, head teachers, and host mom found us shortly after! 

Great news....Toree and I are in the same host family!! Hallelujah! Prayers answered!!

Also, our host Mom is so wonderful!!

Afterwards we just headed to the apartment, unpacked our stuff and our host Mom made us probably the best salad we have ever eaten in our lives for dinner. I was so scared that I was going to be anorexic for the next three months because I wouldn't like the food. Now I am just terrified of gaining 50 pounds in the next three months...

Toree and I were laying on our beds just talking, when I look down at my feet and say, 

"What the heck?! Why are my feet swollen?!"

Toree and I died laughing!!! 

I have no idea why, but my feet were randomly super swollen! 

I'm accrediting it with having traveled for so dang long. 

I was able to Skype home and let them know I arrived safely, and got a surprise Skype from Bryant!! You're the best!! Sorry I was so out of it.. :)

I am so excited for this new adventure!

Stay tuned to hear more!