The airport terminal was pretty industrial. That is to say, no effort was made to sell you fast food, booze, ice cream, “Khabarovsk Hard Rock Café” shirts or duty-free crap you really didn’t need. Frankly, it was a relief.

Russian customs worked pretty much same way as customs at any airport. You grabbed your bags, bummed pens off of strangers to fill out forms and stood in long line with other tired travelers. Eventually, you got to front of line and tried to see how person standing eight feet in front of you did it.

Unfortunately, my turn was also my first chance to experience Russian language. I passed my passport, custom forms and visa through little window. I also tried an innocent smile, which worked about as well as smiling at an IRS agent. Everything went smoothly until customs agent started speaking rapidly and pointing at my customs form. Something was wrong, but I hadn’t a clue as to what. I turned to Grae with a quizzical look and he came forward to interpret.

All international travelers quickly learn a fundamental rule. The “wait here” line at customs is sacred. To prematurely cross line is to commit an act of war. Russian customs was no different. Grae was loudly instructed to get behind line and wait his turn. The customs agent then gave me a stern lecture. To this day, I can’t tell you if he was discussing my forms or weather, but tone was definitely stern. The lecture was capped by universal customs agent expression known as “stupid foreigner…why did I take this job…I really wanted to be a painter…”

Eventually, issue with form was resolved. I would like to tell you that I took an active role in this, but I basically stood there while agent grumbled and aggressively stamped documents. I did actively pray that stamp wouldn’t explode, but that was about it. Grae moved through customs without incident and we walked out into cool, wet air of Khabarovsk, Russia.

To be continued…

YOUR HOME - Think about what you want to do with your current home (e.g. sell it, lease it, leave it empty) and what kind of accommodation will be most suitable in your new country. If you don't know anyone in new country who can help find accommodation, consider services of a relocation agent.

EMPLOYMENT - Will you be looking for work in your new country? If so, consider starting your job hunt before you go (use Internet!) Will you be able to use your existing qualifications or will a period of retraining be necessary? If you're moving somewhere where they don't speak same language as you then you should...

LEARN THE LANGUAGE - Few skills will have such a positive impact on your relocation experience as being able to speak, or at least understand, local language. Getting to grips with local lingo before you go is a great idea!

PAPERWORK - No matter how insignificant that old document at back of bottom drawer may seem now, take it with you, chances are at some stage you'll have to show it to someone. Moving countries can be a bureaucratic nightmare at best of times but if you come prepared with necessary paperwork you stand best chance of a stress free relocation. Things to think about include birth certificates, wedding certificates, educational certificates, medical certificates (including those for your pets!), etc.

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