Yaroslavl

I finally got my host family today! They are Inna and Dinara, a mother and daughter (who is twenty--I don't know if she lives at home or not). They have a cat (koshka) and they are Russian Orthodox. Beyond that, I know just about nothing. I don't know what their email is, or even if they have emails, so I'm super nervous! I think I'm going to have to call them, which is nerve-wracking since I speak next to zero Russian!!! Gahh!

Anyways. I'm soo excited, because Yaroslavl looks like a beautiful city. It is about 155 miles (249kilometers) from Moscow (Moskva) and it is right on the Volga River. It was established in 1010 and it is rather famous for being a historical city. (I just found out about it today...)

Oh, and I realize that I have not written in a long time, so now I will mention my travel plans. I am leaving LA on the 16th of August, getting to New York on the 17th and then leaving for Russia on the 19th. I will fly from LAX to La Guardia, then the Orientation. Then I will fly from JFK to Dulles to Moskva!!! I'm not sure how I am then getting to my new home... Or is there another orientation then...? Haha. I don't really know the specifics. Right now, I have a list of things I need to do and I'll stick to those: 1) Learn as much Russian as possible, 2) figure out what I should pack in my 44 lbs limited bag and my 22 lbs limited carry on, 3) call my host family (Oh jeez), 4) get them gifts (Any ideas??) and 5) see everyone I haven't already seen and enjoy the rest of my summer!

Wish me luck!

So. I will write again when I know more!

Bye!