June 29, 2010 (12:00 in Paris)

Today I arrived in Paris. I haven't seen the city yet, but I did notice a couple of small 'villages'. Very charming, two-story houses with little gardens, smooth roads – a dream.

The weather is cloudy – doesn't feel like France yet:) But Charles de Gaulle Airport... If you compare it to Pulkovo, or even Domodedovo – it's like Uglich vs. New York. Just huge. I couldn't find a place to sit down and write this note because in my terminal, 2E, the distance from wing to wing takes about 20 minutes on foot. I just found out the exact number of my gate and am writing now.

There are different nations, languages, and behaviors everywhere. Everything is delightful and surprising. So far, I barely understand English. It started on the plane; a French steward began speaking quickly with a French accent about what to do in case of an emergency – I understood with the help of gestures:) Then a man started asking about the terminal at the airport – had to use hand signals again. Damn, the French talk so fast.

Many Americans were traveling with us from St. Petersburg – I realized it from their passports. They are all so different, carefree; they really differ externally from other nations with some kind of 'aura', perhaps. Although, when I first saw them, I thought they were either Germans or Spaniards) Yeah. I guess I admire them a lot.

Now I'm waiting for my flight to JFK at 16:35. Today I will be in New York. I'm very tired. I wanted to eat on the plane, but I fell asleep and the food 'left'. Oh well. As Steve Jobs said, 'Stay hungry. Stay foolish.'