The Soviet Russia rule had just come down. The Former Soviet Union was falling apart. Our friend Edwin (aka Rita Rags) called and said he had found an incredible cheap trip 18 day package to Russia did we want to go with him. YES!!! We flew to JFK Airport in New York City then continued onto Kiev, Ukraine  by Aeroflight ( the official airline of Russia). Our first clue should have been that when we went to re-ticket in the Aeroflight sign had been pulled out and reversed. Hum… As we were walking down the loading jet ramp Mark said to Carrie “There’s no plane???” Instead we were put on a mobile transport and taken to a remote corner of the JFK airport. As we were walking up to the huge Russian made plane we noticed that somebody had whitewashed over the name Areoflight. The hand painted sign on the outside of the planes had been painted “Air Ukraine “  Strange…

We then walked onto the huge cargo air vessel through a maze of containers, luggage, steam lockers, huge cargo boxes packed inside the netted sides of the plane. Once in our sling style netted plastic covered seats the attendant came by and gave us each a brown paper bag. Inside was some cheese, bread & a bottle of vodka. In a strong authorative vice she said, “You go toilet NOW!!! Limited toilet time during fight!”

We did what she said and were settling into our never ever seen before type seats when they started to bring in more cargo into the cabin and stacked it in the so called isle! OK, this all just became a nightmare in air and an adventure with unknown results!!! The plane took off for a 12 hour flight and flew over the north pole to our destination of Kiev in the Ukraine.

The last 3 hours we were flying over land and couldn’t help but notice how very close to the ground we were flying. Maybe 2 or 3,000 feet at most????? The plane finally landed we walked down the jet stair case to the tarmak.The crew opened the lower plane doors like a bus and tossed the luggage out on the ground. Farm tractors pulling hay wagon came out to the plane to pick up the luggage and passengers. Then a Polka Band came out on another tractor pulled wagon playing music. The crew started to cheer, dance & shout.

We asked the fight attendant what was going on???? She replied, “We are celebrating. This airplane is now Air Ukraine. No more Russian plane!!!” They had just stolen & comadeared the plane from the former Soviet Union from NYC!!!!! Shocked? Yes…We know we were on it!

Next week part 2 The trip to Moscow