Everyone on the plane was wide awake now as we flew over Europe heading for Germany. People were getting their belongings organized and put back in their bags. There were even some children who were in a bad mood after being restricted to one area for so long.

This was the time when I regretted getting an aisle seat. Details of cities and roads were coming into view as the plane began its descent to Frankfurt Airport. I stretched up to see out the window, but struggled because the other two people were doing the same.

Finally, the plane banked to the right to line up with the runway, and we got a good view of the streets and houses that surrounded the airport, and the first views of the airport itself.

I am not afraid to fly, but my heart was pounding at the thought of being in this strange place so far from home. What was I going to do there? I don’t speak German, so how will I find my way? I sent up a quick prayer to God in heaven to help me.

Before I knew it, the wheels were impacting the asphalt, then the air brakes, and the back thrust. I watched in awe as the pilot maneuvered the plane to its parking spot just outside the main concourse. The door opened, letting in a blast of fresh air, and the near panic to deplane.

I tried to be polite and wait for the others to get luggage from the overhead storage, and when the line had thinned out, I took my carry-on bag and followed the herd.

As I was slowly walking along, I heard some passengers speaking English and made it a point to catch up with them once we got inside. Thankfully, they were more than willing to help me get through customs and find the right gate for the next part of my flight. Sadly, they were not going to Russia, so they went their way with my hearty thanks.

The best part of this waiting area was the view out my window. I couldn’t have planned it better to have the plane we had just arrived on and the airport sign outside the seating area window. I had one of those old 110 film cameras with me and 3 extra rolls of film, so I got photos of this and the common area with the different food vendors.

The couple I had been talking to warned me not to leave my luggage for even a minute, but I had to pee. I saw the big WC to my right and 3 rows of strangers across from me. Being the novice I was, I brought way too many clothes and things I thought were important.

I gathered the two suitcases up and headed to the bathroom. When I entered, I stopped cold. The floor was sticking to the bottom of my shoes. Then I smelled urine and started a debate with myself if I really had to go that badly. I did, so I headed for a stall making that sticky sound with each step.

Inside the stall, there was no place on the floor that wasn’t wet, but there was an 18” chrome pipe coming out of the wall to the flush handle. I gently balanced the smaller bag on that, and then the other one on my left foot against the stall wall. Oh what a relief it was!!!!!!

On the way back to my chair, I still squeaked and hoped no one else noticed. When no one even looked at me, I sat down and started reading a book. My cellphone was useless because there was no signal, so reading would help pass the time.

There was a message over the speakers that my flight was delayed, meaning that I would have been there for a total of 8 hours instead of 6. Taking my luggage with me, I looked for a place to buy some food and some water.

I managed to find a place selling hot dogs and fries. They looked at my $20 bill and scrunched their noses at me, but they managed to give me change. At the water vendor, I showed him the $10 bill I had, and in broken English, he said he had some special water for an American. I paid and went back to my seat.

The hot dog was good, and so were the fries, but when I opened the water, I almost gagged at the stench. The water was rancid!!! I ran back over to the stall, and it was conveniently closed. I threw the water in the trash and bought a bottle of soda instead.

Finally, they called us to board. It was already 6 pm, and I was kind of worried about what time I would get to Kazan. At the last moment, I checked my phone, and there were 3 bars. I sent Liliya a message that I was about to leave Frankfurt. She messaged back that she would be waiting for me.

I had a big smile on my face as I boarded the next plane and the next leg of the adventure. I looked at my itinerary, and my next stop was Samara. I had no idea where that was, and I didn’t have my Russian map handy, so I left it in God’s hands.

At 5 am the next morning, we landed at Samara. We only had a 20-minute layover, but I was very surprised when I heard chickens clucking. Several passengers looked around to see what was going on, and then I saw them loading crates of chickens onto the conveyor into the plane.

Like clockwork, they were all loaded, and the plane was fueled. With that, we started a bumpy ride down the runway and were in the air again. It would be another 3 hours before we got to the Kazan airport. Liliya had described it a little, but I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The skies were overcast as the airport came into view. It seems like every big airport covered a lot of ground, and this one was no different. The many runways could be seen from the window on my right, but I barely had time to get myself together before we were coming in for a landing.

The first images of the airport were not impressive, but I was no expert on airports. When the door opened again, the rush of fresh air filled the cabin and kind of revitalized everyone. I made it down the stairs and followed the line inside, hoping to find some help getting my luggage.

To my surprise, there were some signs in English as well as a young woman greeting the passengers, telling them where to go in English, Russian, German, and one more I didn’t recognize. In just a few moments, I was at the customs area opening my luggage for inspection, taking off my shoes and belt, and dumping the contents of my pockets in the containers provided.

When I was cleared, I followed the signs toward the luggage claims area. A woman was walking toward me with a big smile on her face. It clicked then!!! Liliya, I yelled and ran into her arms. On impulse, I put my hand behind her head and pulled her into a kiss that was like a drowning man needing air. The kiss was deep and held meaning, but she pulled away a little.

She looked to her left and pointed her chin at a security guard who was laughing behind his hand. I told her, “Let him get his own girl. I have mine.” She blushed and took my hand, and one of my bags, then we made our way to the luggage claims area.

The next few hours took my breath away. Liliya took me on a taxi ride downtown, where we found some people who exchange money, dollars for Rubles. I had no idea where to get Rubles before I left, so I came with $200 cash and $200 in money orders. The men were happy to exchange $100, which gave us money to use to get to Chelny.

Next time, we get to our rented apartment.