Unpremeditated Encounter with New York

As our transatlantic flight was delayed for 6 hours, we missed our connection to Washington, DC and had to spend a night in New York. Two helpful Department of State officials collected us at the JFK and took us to the Ramada Hotel, the hotel for “Airline Distress Passengers”, as the sign at the reception read. Judging by the number of guests and largeness of the rooms (by NY standards), the hotel does not live on airline distress passengers, but thrives on them.

We were given 4 rooms - 1 room for the two men, and 3 rooms for the ten women. The catch is: there were 2 beds in each room. We, men, were quite happy, but our female colleagues had to consent to 0.6 beds per capita, or sleep on the floor. That's one privilege of being a male teacher in Russia!

The Department of State paid $200 for the four rooms. At the US Embassy in Moscow we were told, among other things, that American taxpayers pay a hefty sum of money – about 60,000 dollars – to cover each IV program participant’s trip to the US. (IV stands for the Department of State’s International Visitor Program). It’s an excellent chance for people all around the globe, who otherwise might never find time or money for it, to take in everyday American culture. 60,000 dollars per person, can you believe it? And we are 12 in the group. What a great country! I only wish Russia’s government would launch a similar program!

In the morning, I listened to the radio. Boy, do I love commersials! Let me give you just 2 examples (they are not fictional but real examples, mind you!).

1. Granddaughter: Wow! Granny! Now when I embrace you, my hands meet around your waist!

Granny:That’s right! I decided to put off some weight <…>

2. Sexy voice: Yoohoo! My name is IRS. (I nearly choked over my morning coffee.) I’m here to give you a hint at how you can save some money. Wanna know more? Visit me! My site is irs.com. See you there!

We took two vans to the Laguardia airport. Our African-American driver Henry showed us as much of NY as he possibly could.

At the airport, one our friend could not find her ticket. The ticket number wasn't at the database, and the only thing we could do was to chip in and but a new ticket for her.

First, my cap, then a 6-hour delay and a missed connection, and now a lost ticket! 3 is a company, don't you think? On the bright side, that's what I call a real-life experience. More adventures are coming, I'm sure of that! Stay tuned!