LOTS OF CONFUSION

KIEV AIRPORT

We arrived in Kiev, Ukraine at Zhulyany Airport after a transfer from Frankfurt, Germany. In Kiev there was little instruction as we worked our way through the chaos. We were a bit nervous as we reluctantly surrendered our passports, as instructed, at immigration before passing on to claim our baggage. Luggage arrived in a timely fashion, but ours was close to the end and just about the time I was beginning to think we’d be doing without it, down the ramp it came! I always assume whenever I check a bag that that is the last time I’ll ever see it.

After getting out luggage we found all our passports thrown in a heap on a table. However, we were glad to see them again and to know that they were all there. En masse, full speed ahead we followed some fellow outside the airport. We never did hand in immigration forms and were told to hold on to them as we’d need them to exit the country. We never did hand in the forms!  What a mess! I’m sure getting through this airport could be a real nightmare on your own. Even with help as a group it was a hassle.

When leaving Kiev for Moscow we again experienced total chaos. Luggage was scanned three times before we could even check it. We left our Kiev hotel at 9:30 AM for an hour and a half flight to Moscow. But it was 5:00 PM before we checked into our Moscow hotel. We lost one hour enroute, but still, follow that time line.

The plane actually landed about 3 o’clock. We were shuttled into the terminal where  Russian immigration forms awaited. After getting through the long line we made our way to the baggage claim area where we encountered a long wait for the baggage to arrive. Travel hassles are getting worse all the time, and this was in 2005.