Such Different People

By Nikita Nesynov
This book is dedicated to my American host families and Rotary
International.
It is based on actual events.

Siberia
I was born in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. When I was one year old, my parents
moved to Irkutsk city (Eastern Siberia). At first, we lived in a hostel.
Looking from the window, I could see a prison. By seeing the prisoners
walking in circles, I learnt how hard life was in that place. Then we lived
in our friend's studio. After a few years, the local government gave to
my dad a two-bedroom apartment for his hard work at the union of
artists. That's how we started living in the neighborhood named
Pervomayskiy. Almost 18 years of my life passed in that "wonderful"
district.
The whole new world took me into its dreadful arms; it was the world
of fear, grey 9-storey buildings, street gangs, guns and fights. I couldn't
escape from this system; I became a part of it.
Crimes in that area were all over the place: there were fights,
robberies, even murders. Up to a hundred people came to massive
fights, which always resulted in people getting fractures, bruises and
other wounds. For such actions lots of young people were sent into
jails. My parents started to worry about me, because they often noticed
me smoking with my friends and sometimes saw me dealing with illegal
affairs. If it hadn't been for my music school, where I had been going to
since I was six years old, I wouldn't have been different from the
others.
Because of the fact that my parents were members of the local Rotary
Club, which dealt with international programs, there was a wonderful
opportunity for me to live in the United States for a year as an
exchange student, so that I could experience a different lifestyle, meet
new people and change my outlook on life.
At the age of sixteen I left my country. I knew little English, that's why,
when I came to America, I had some difficulties understanding people.
I'll start my story with the arrival in Vladivostok city (Far-Eastern
Russia), as I got my visa there. I flew from that city to Chicago, changing
planes in South Korea. My mom accompanied me till I left Russia, and
my father said, Keep a diary!
I made his wish come true. Hearing the roar of huge engines of a 2-
storey Boing 747 heading to Chicago, I started taking down all
memories from my Siberian childhood.

1.FROM MY DIARY

The City of Vladivostok
When the train arrived in Vladivostok, no one met us and my mother
ran to call someone, leaving me with all the suitcases. She got back and
said, Let's go and look where we can rent a room for some time here.
One bus stop later, we were in the city center. We entered a huge
building. My mother ran to look for accommodation for newcomers,
and I was waiting for her on the first floor. After about an hour, she
came and said, Let's go Nick! They'll show us apartments where we
can stay.
Having come out of the building, we got into a black car and drove
away from the center. We came to an old apartment building; an
elderly woman opened the door and let us in.
We came inside. The smell was disgusting. The woman showed us our
new room. There were an old sofa, a bed and a TV. We paid her 10
dollars a day. She introduced herself as Tamara Ivanovna. Tamara was
65 years old.
The same day we went to see the city. It was beautiful, the fountains
with colorful lights created a special spirit of the city, the spirit of the
far-east. We waited for my visa for almost a month, so we had a lot of
time to spare and we used it for walking along the seashore. It was my
first time when I saw the sea. The view of it was magnificent: the never-
ending horizon made me think about my future. Every day we left our
room at 9.00 am and returned at 7.00-8.00 pm. At first glance, the old
lady Tamara was fine, but after a while she became pretty annoying.
She violated our privacy quite often by turning on her favorite TV series
very loud, despite the fact that we asked her not to do that. Finally one
day she said, I've got high blood pressure, could you please go and buy
some tomatoes and a watermelon for me?
We bought her what she had asked for: ten kilos of tomatoes and a big
watermelon. After that, my mother and I thought that Tamara would
leave us. But we were entirely wrong. It reached the point where
Tamara asked my mom to wash her old mother. My mom refused to
wash the person she had never met.
The whole time we spent on the beach, we saw many weird people.
There was one with a hole in his shorts. Before jumping into the sea, he
prayed, then threw his rubber slippers into the water and dived to get
them. There was another guy, whose name was Shurik. From early
morning till evening he spent his time on the beach with a book in one
hand, but he did not read it. In the other hand he was holding a long
stick and was drawing some words on the sand.

He did all this to give girls an impression of being a smart guy. Then
Shurik put on his swimming goggles and did pull-ups on the bar.
One day my mom and I were sitting on the beach. Our two-liter bottle
of Coca-Cola was lying nearby. Shurik came up and said, Hey man, can
I drink your Cola?
I looked at him, he was well physically developed. He reminded me of
Arnold Schwarzenegger. How could I say no to him? Sure! I replied.
He started drinking greedily from the bottle. Then he said, Thank you,
now, go and play chess!
I looked around and no one near me was playing chess. Then I thought,
What a weird dude.
The next day we went to the cinema called "The Ocean". We watched
the "Bruce Almighty". We really liked it. After that we decided to have a
walk along the sea. It was 6.30 pm and my mom said that it was time to
get back to Tamara. On our way we met Shurik. It was the first time we
saw him without the book. We were very much intrigued by it, and my
mom asked him, Well, Shurik? Where is your book?
Shurik turned and replied, I hear that you are asking with sarcasm! You
shouldn't treat me like that!
Okay, but can you drink my Coca-Cola without asking me
permission?
Shurik frowned, Your son allowed me!
But the Coca-Cola was mine! my Mom joked.
After this ridiculous conversation we went back to our room.
The time passed and I had to talk with the Consul. The official interview
was on the sixth of July, at 10.50. The meeting went fine. He gave me
the visa and wished me good luck. At the time I couldn't imagine how
this trip would change my entire life, but first I would like to tell you a
few stories from my life before I got to America.
The Terminator
I was about 12 years old. My friends and I constantly played war games
with pistols, which fired with plastic bullets. I remember it was quite
painful when such bullets hit the body, but that's where the fun was.
We always played in places where big buildings where being built, in
the construction areas.
Now, in our district there were two big age groups: the seniors and the
juniors. The seniors were the people who were more experienced and
who gave us, the juniors, advice on criminal things.
So, one day, when we were playing there, we saw the senior guys. They
were standing near the building crane. I approached them and asked
why they were hanging around there and whether they were waiting
for someone or something. Vampire (that was the name of the guy,
whose face was very much like one of a vampire) replied to me, We
are going to check, whether Ivan is a real man or not. Ivan's nickname is
Terminator.
We stayed to see how Ivan would prove it. He was a true daredevil. The
terminator began climbing the ladder which led to the top of the crane.
At first I thought he was going to climb into the crane cabin, but when
he reached the top, he turned to the crane arm. It was frightening to
watch what he was doing. When Terminator was at the very end of the
arm, he hung on the crane arm with his legs and turned over! He was
hanging upside down at the height of 25 meters (82 feet)! He shouted,
Look at me! I am a real man!

He waved his hands at us. Any wrong move could kill him! Then the
seniors shouted to him, Okay Ivan that's enough. Get out of there!
Twenty minutes later, Ivan was on the ground. Our seniors began to
shake his hand, saying, Good for you! Now you're a real man!
Terminator turned to us, And you, young people, watch and learn!
After such lesson, we threw away our pistols and began to check "who
was a real man among us. We started doing crazy and dangerous
things like jumping from one garage to another.
Three years later, my friends and I were sitting on a roof of the house
which was built by that crane. It was sunset and from the roof we could
see the lights of the whole district and the dense smoke from the pipes
of the plant which occasionally made a terrible noise much like an
engine of a huge plane. We were drinking some beer (although we
were only 15), playing the guitar and sang some songs. Suddenly,
feeling a little dizzy from the alcohol, I looked at the house nearby and
said, I bet you guys I will jump from this house to the one over there!
Between the houses there was a hole, which was one and a half meters
(about 5 feet). The building on the roof of which we were was twelve
floors, and the one I wanted to jump on was ten.
For a moment I thought, Maybe it is a bad idea.
But my friends insisted, Come on, Nikita, jump once you said!
My task was to jump over that hole between the houses. I didn't think
about anything. My heart started beating fast, I felt the adrenaline rush
in my blood, I could see only the objective: to jump over it and stay
alive. I took my courage in both hands, ran as fast as I could and
jumped. The last thing I heard was the sound of the broken roofing
slate under my legs. I lost my conscience and then, 5 minutes later, I
found myself in the attic. I was lying for a minute or two and heard the
guys laughed, Are you alive, Batman? Come on, get out!
I climbed onto the roof and when I saw the hole that I had made in the
roof, I began laughing with my friends.
By that time we were only 15 years old, but we knew all the attics,
roofs and basements of all 9-storey buildings in our neighborhood.
We constantly put our lives at risk and didn't think about the
consequences of our actions.

The Next "Real Man"
There was a huge construction area in front of the house where I lived:
a new 9-storey house was being built. The working crane was like a
sculptor, finalizing its work on its another "masterpiece" in our
neighborhood. That day was a day-off for the workers, and the guys
from my district used this moment to check which one of them was a
"real man".
The next "candidate" was Gosha, the Terminator's brother. You will not
believe what he did! He got to the top of an unfinished house, tied the
"sausage" (that's how builders call a pipe-shaped heat-insulating
material, which is put in the open spaces between the blocks and is
flimsy) to a piece of metal, threw the other end of the rope out of the
window and started descending down from the 9th floor! Everybody
was watching this frightening and exciting show of a guy, whose life
depended on that rope. As he got to the 6th floor, the guys started
shouting, Come on man! There's not much left!

Suddenly, something happened and he started falling down! Everybody
thought that it was the end of his life, but, gladly, that wasn't the case!
He flew for about two floors and, thanks to his strong hands, he
managed to clutch back to the rope and successfully get down!
Everybody breathed a sigh of relief that everything went fine. That's
how Gosha proved that he was deserved to be called the Terminators
brother.
The Lift
One day, my friends and I were hanging out in the streets. The sky was
filled with grey clouds and some-time later it started raining. That's why
we got to one of the 9-storey buildings and had a "brilliant" idea.
We did not want to fall behind our seniors and we decided to prove
that we were "real men". There were ten of us and we all huddled up in
the elevator on the eighth floor. We were actually packed like sardines.
It was so inconvenient that we could hardly push the button of the first
floor. When the elevator started moving, we started jumping actively
and all together.

The elevator was designed for four people max, not for ten guys
jumping crazily. So, after several seconds there was an emergency stop.
The light turned off. The darkness was all around us, we heard a
strange noise from the upstairs. It sounded like the metal rope which
was holding us was cracking and it seemed that we could fall down the
elevator shaft any second possible. Everyone stood still not knowing
whether we would stay alive. Suddenly, the cabin started shaking and
we thought that the lift was to become our coffin in a few seconds. The
grinding sound of the elevator was the final accord of our life. But,
luckily, the light turned on, the lift started working properly and we got
to the first floor. When the elevator doors opened, we saw people
waiting for us. We pushed each other out of the cabin. They started
yelling at us, saying, Because of people like you, we had to walk up to
the ninth floor, idiots! We were laughing, got out of the elevator and
ran into the street. We were happy that we stayed alive and started
enjoying every single moment of our precious lives
Friendly Sparing
As the time went on, we were growing up. In our neighborhood we had
a lot of young people. The district was like a machine, creating more
and more small and large criminal groups from twenty to one hundred
young men. Their parents were ordinary people. The children, seeing
their parents work hard for a small salary, wanted to find a better way
of life. So, it was easier to steal a pager or to beat up somebody and
take the money than to find a job.
There were only twenty-five people in my group. At that time, most of
our senior guys were in the army and some of them started drinking
and using drugs. By the way, those people who were drug addicts had
always been punished to the fullest extent of the "street law" in our
neighborhood.
There was a guy in the senior group, whose nickname was Bugs Bunny.
He got such a nickname because of his teeth. They looked like ones of
the famous American cartoon character. The guys got the information
that his friend Bunny was taking drugs. The whole gang (about 10
people) caught him in the streets the very next day. The guys started
beating up Bugs Banny so furiously, that they knocked out his cartoon
teeth. He screamed, I won't do this anymore, please, forgive me!

But they did not listen and went on kicking him. They stopped only
when he lost his consciousness.
I asked Ivan (the Terminator), Why did you beat him up so severely?
For being hooked on heroine, he replied.
I remember that we always tried to lead a healthy lifestyle. Quite often
we took our boxing gloves and went to a place, where there were no
people. We had real sparring over there. The rules were: as soon as the
first blood appeared, the fight was over. Usually the fighting did not last
long, because everyone was trying to hit in the nose, so that it would
start bleeding. Such way we prepared ourselves for more serious fights.


The Kind Policeman
You may be asking yourself why there was so much crime in our
society, but the answer is quite simple. It was after the collapse of the
Soviet Union, the 90s. The system of law-enforcement agencies
stopped working properly and corruption was all over the country.
Russia was actually divided into 2 groups: the law-abiding workers and
the criminals. In our dangerous district there were only 3 patrol militia
cars and there were hundreds of criminals against them. So, they hardly
could do anything to make the situation better. That day my friend
Dima had a birthday party which I went to, but had to return back
home at 22.00 p.m. Our guys continued celebrating his birthday all
night long. The next day they told me what happened that night.
They all went to buy some beer, Dima stood outside the store and
waited for the other guys. Suddenly, he saw three huge figures coming
towards him. Dima knew that something bad was going to happen.
Apparently, they liked his leather coat and they wanted to steal it. He
hit the huge guy as hard as he could, but that guy only smiled thinking
that Dima was alone, grabbed Dima's arm and said, Well, you are dead
now!
He hit Dima right in the face! Somehow, my friend managed to whistle
really loud and in about 10 seconds they could see the running crowd
of twenty people with bottles and sticks in their hands. As a result: the
big guys were lying on the ground getting beaten by the crowd of our
guys. Two minutes later the patrol car arrived, and two policemen got
out of it. Having seen them, the guys immediately stopped fighting. The
cops greeted the guys and one of them said, Hey guys, could you take
those three away from these apartment buildings and beat them up
somewhere in place far from these buildings? The people are already
sleeping and you are making a lot of noise.

Our guys and the birthday boy followed the advice of a kind policeman.
They dragged them to a deserted place, where there were no people,
and continued what they were doing. They also took off their jackets as
a punishment. After that they merely continued celebrating the Dima's
birthday and their glorious victory in the fight.
Our Neighbor
I would like to tell you about my apartment. It was in a usual 9-story
building, it had 3 rooms (+ a kitchen and a small bathroom). The worst
thing about this place was that we had really noisy neighbors: some
were listening to loud music at nights, the others had scandals quite
often. People were packed like rabbits in a warren in those 9-storey
buildings, there was hardly any privacy. The walls between the
apartments were thin, therefore it was almost impossible for me to
play the piano and get prepared for school. Sometimes, it was hard to
sleep. My apartment was on the 4th floor, so I usually took the stairs,
although we had an elevator. One morning, my mom asked me to buy
some bread from the store outside. When I got out of my apartment to
the stairs, a terrible scene appeared in front of my eyes. The walls, the
ceiling, and stairs: everything was covered in blood! I suddenly saw
some blood was still dripping from the ceiling.
In the middle of the day, I learnt, that last night our neighbor, who was
a bartender in a restaurant, was returning home. He was said to owe
someone a large amount of money. When he reached his apartment on
the fifth floor, he got attacked by Afro-American men who started
hitting him with their axes!

He ran down the stairs, splashing his blood all over the place and barely
got outside. Some people saw him and immediately called the
ambulance. The killers were afraid of getting caught and they ran away.
Our neighbor was taken to the hospital. After a while he returned home
feeling all right.
My parents and I knew him very well. He had a wife, a daughter and a
son. After that incident he started drinking a lot and then became a
drug addict. Sometimes he asked me to buy vodka for him. They could
sell alcohol without any problems, although I was only 7 years old!
After I brought "the treasure" to my neighbor, he gave me some money
to buy some candy. Sometimes from the upper floor I heard him
screaming and I knew that he needed a dose. A year later, he died after
he got an overdose. His wife was alone with kids. Anyway, I was sorry
for her loss.
Go Over the Swamp!
The sun was shining bight and I was hanging out with my gang in our
neighborhood. There was a guy, whose name was Vadik. He was the
leader of our street gang, everybody listened to what he said and
treated him with respect. We were really bored at that time, we had
nothing to do. Suddenly, Vadik said, Follow me! Our district was set
on a mountain and there were basically 3 parts of the neighborhood:
the top (the part where we lived in, was called Nagorno-Karabakh), the
middle (The Sicily) and the bottom (The Pentagon). So, all five of us
followed our leader down the hill not knowing what was going to
happen next. The air started smelling awful and it only got worse. We
are almost there! said Vadik. A few moments later we could see a
huge swamp (about 300 meters (1000 feet) to the other side. It was
disgusting! Dirt was all around us! We were wondering what we could
possibly be doing in that horrible place. What I want you to do is to
cross this swamp, said Vadik.
You guys go first, I will follow you and don't you dare stop or refuse to
do that!
There was nothing we could do but cross the swamp as our "Boss" said.
Apparently, he really enjoyed yelling at us and watching us fall down
right in the mud. The quarter of our dirty journey was done. I was in the
middle of the line, behind me was my friend Ruslan and Vadik. Vadik
was always hurrying Ruslan and suddenly Ruslan lost his balance and
accidentally dove with his head first, so, as a result, he got stuck with
his legs dangling in the air.

I was afraid that he would start choking, so, I immediately started
pulling him out of the mud with the help of the other guys. When we
succeeded in that, his face was dirty and all we could see was the fear
in his eyes. We looked at him and started laughing. We decided to turn
back, because it was dangerous to continue. We were glad that
everything ended up fine. When we got back to our neighborhood we
started telling the story about our walk through the swamp and about
Ruslan, who nearly got stuck in the mud, to all our friends.


Bottles for Sale
At that time there were lots of poor people in Russia, they barely had
enough money to survive in the streets of Irkutsk. The main source of
money for them was collecting empty glass bottles and giving them to
the recycling stalls. A bottle cost about one Russian ruble, so the more
bottles there were to give, the more money they were to receive. I was
ten years old when this story happened. We had a recycling stall in the
basement of my house, so after the major holidays, I always took the
empty bottles there and got some money to buy candy and gum in the
grocery store nearby. One day, I heard something cracking really loud. I
looked out of the window and saw the store being on fire!

My friends and I immediately ran there to see what happened. We
could see the shop assistants running like ants to save the goods. They
simply threw all the products outside the building. Having realized what
a great chance we had, we immediately started putting the candy,
chocolate and gum into our pockets and ran away. Although, the
chocolate was a little melted and the gum smelled like fire, we were
still very pleased and ate everything we took. It was like a child's dream
come true.
Michael
I had lots of friends in my neighborhood and some were really weird.
Michael was one of them. Our guys called him "the intelligent". He was
very kind to everybody, although I noticed that he behaved strangely,
when he was close to animals. One day, I saw a huge stain of blood on
his shirt. I couldn't help but wonder where he had got that stain.
He said, Oh, that's because of the experiment that I recently
conducted. You see, I was always wondering whether the organs of
different breeds of cats look the same, so I merely caught a couple, cut
them open with my axe and checked.
Isn't that a little crazy?? I asked.
Not at all, he said. It's mere science. I have also found out how
many lives a cat has!
What did you do?
Well, I caught a cat, which was lying on the corner of a street, got to
the roof of a 9-storey building and dropped it on the ground. It was
pretty cool! I realized that the fact that cats have 9 lives is a myth! Isn't
that awesome?
He spoke with such excitement, that I thought that he could easily
conduct such experiments on people.

Everyone from my neighborhood knew that he had mental disorders
because of the constant scandals between his parents. That's why
everybody tried to be more polite and delicate with him, we tried not
to annoy him. Looking at his appearance, he seemed to be a normal
teenager. He wore glasses and looked like a smart person. But it was
only his appearance. From the inside he was totally different. When he
was eighteen years old, he was sentenced to 6 years in prison! I still
don't understand why he got to prison, but I think, definitely not
because of experiments on cats, there must be something more than
cats, something serious.
The Phantom
If you go inside of any house entrance in my neighborhood, you can
immediately feel the strong smell of different food that comes from
flats, especially, when someone cooks fish. Such smell is much stronger
than other ones. In each stairwell there is a garbage chute, which is
often clogged up and the stench spread all over the floors. Every single
day, when I got back home, I could see dirty walls and broken windows.
Barely working elevators made horrible sounds, it was impossible to
use them because of the awful smell of dog's urine. Almost all the
buttons were burned and you had to use some force to push the button
to the floor you needed.
The elevators in these houses got stuck quite often and I was once in a
situation like that. I had to sit for three hours in the cab without any
light until the lift operator came and opened the doors. If the elevator
was out of order, you had to walk the stairs. Going upstairs, you
immediately heard a crunchy sound of seed shells being broken under
your feet. A large number of smoked cigarettes and beer bottles under
the stairs didn't surprise anyone. Occasionally, some tenants got tired
of this garbage and cleaned the whole staircase. There was twice much
dirt in the stairs when winter came. In many entrances there was no
glass in the windows and the temperature was pretty much the same
as in the street, -30 degrees Celsius or even lower. But in some of the
stairwells all the windows were saved. In such staircases it was much
warmer than in the others, but there was twice as much trash as in the
cold ones, because when winter came, all the young people went inside
of the warm buildings. We sat on the stairs between the first and the
second floors, because the heating radiators were there. We drank
beer and smoked there. When we were smoking, the floors got
immediately covered in a fog of tobacco smoke. The tenants, entering
the house and knowing that the first and the second floors were filled
with young people smoking and drinking, covered their mouth with
scarves and mittens and waited impatiently for the elevator, in which it
was also hard to breathe.
It was always dark in the staircase of my building. When I was ten years
old, I went for a walk and came home late quite often, when it was
already dark. I was always scared to go into the building. It was too dark
and the staircase reminded me of an ominous cave. In winter, the
entrance door was always covered in snow, and clouds of steam were
pouring out of the building to the street. I didn't know what would
happen to me on my way to the fourth floor where I lived.
I always waited for someone who would accompany me to my
apartment. But sometimes no one appeared and I had to go there
myself. With my heart beating fast, I jumped into this cloud and ran up
to the fourth floor as fast as I could. I was really scared, because at the
age of ten, I knew that there were people who caught children in the
dark hallways and kidnapped them, then rape them or sell into slavery.
But there was one scary thing than every other: there was a drug
addict, who lived directly opposite our door.

His name was Yasha and his nickname was the Phantom, he was two
meters high. Phantom often sat next to my door, feeling high. I was
afraid of him, but I was always polite to him said hello, Hi, Yasha, how
are you?
He barely moved his lips, pronouncing, H-e-ll-o...
His eyes were like glass and it was scary to me than ever. In 20-30
seconds my mother opened the door and I quickly ran inside, locking all
the door locks.
The Funeral March
There was a tradition in our neighborhood. When someone died, the
funeral began with the bringing of the coffin in the staircase, where the
dead person lived. His family gathered around the coffin and mourned
the loss of him. I saw this ceremony every single time when somebody
died.

The invited musicians always played the funeral march. I could see all
this from my window. It was hard for me to see the dead and the
weeping people near the coffin. When his relatives and friends went
away to the cemetery, they always left a lot of flowers lying in the yard.
Those flowers lay for weeks in our neighborhood roads. They didn't
allow everyone to forget the funerals of people, who most of the
tenants didn't know. I still cant understand why the relatives of the
deceased could not start and finish the funerals in special places in the
cemetery. But this tradition was accepted in our society.
Icy Roads
Siberia is known for its severe winters and every single year there is a
lot of snow on the roads. At that time there were pretty much no
services to clean it, so eventually all this snow turned into ice. All the
guys from my neighborhood took that opportunity to go sledding.

We often raced on our sleds with each other, not being afraid that
there was a risk of being hit by a car. The main thing was to reach the
finish line first at the end of road, which was in the form of a long ice
hill. When I was 10, I got a cool sled, which was really fast and I won the
races quite often. Before the start of our race, we waited until there
would be no cars on the road. We sped up our sleds, jumped on them
and flew on the road. Sometimes there were cars that appeared on our
way. So, we had to react quickly and turn away from cars to avoid
getting hit. After such dangerous and cold competitions my hands and
feet were totally frozen. My eyes often got stuck together because of
the ice on my eyelashes. On my returning home, my arms and legs
began to warm up causing pain and tears. It was a wonderful time of
the year, but it was insanely cold.
The Hairdresser
I decided to have my hair cut. I took my father's car and drove to the
barber shop nearby. The hairdresser who invited me to the chair was
very tall and was always smiling. He put an apron on me and asked
what kind of haircut I wanted. I said that I didn't want a short haircut.
The barber, shaking his head said, Okay. Could you please wait a
minute? I'll be back shortly.
I thought to myself, Well, I can wait for a minute, there is no problem.
The barber went somewhere. I waited for five minutes. Then another
five minutes passed, and I started thinking, It's Okay, maybe the guy is
sick. Even fifteen minutes later my hairdresser did not show up.
So, here I was, sitting on the chair with an apron tied around my neck. I
continued waiting for my barber, looking at myself in the mirror like a
complete idiot. Half an hour had already passed when I began to get
angry. I asked myself. Maybe it's a TV joke and I am being taped on a
candid camera that had been put directly in the mirror, which I look at
for thirty minutes. Maybe they were checking my patience, watching
and laughing at me behind the door with that hairdresser? But, finally,
my hairdresser got back. I looked at him and said, Oh, you're quick!
And he asked me quietly, What kind of haircut would you like?
I answered, Oh, you have already forgotten what kind of haircut I want
after you hung out somewhere for 30 minutes, haven't you?
He did not respond to my rudeness, as if he had not gone out. I
immediately noticed that his movements were not adequate. His eyes
were big and shiny. So, I thought that he was drunk, although I did not
smell the alcohol.
The barber took the electric cutting machine and started trying to plug
it in. It was unforgettably spectacular. His moves were really funny and,
as I learned later, all that time he spent outside he was taking drugs!
After about a minute he finally managed to plug the machine in. His
coordination was horrible and, consequently, he almost entirely shaved
the right side of my head.

After that, I exploded with anger. I stood up, pulled off the apron and
screamed on every single person in that barber shop and went away
smashing the door behind me. I got into the car with my half cut head
and went to a different hairdresser's.
When I walked into the new salon, all the girls looked at me and
laughed loud, then asked, Oh, my god?! Who ate the half of your
hair?
I told them what had just happened to me. They laughed and listened
to my story till the very end. They felt sorry for me and fixed my
haircut. While they were working, they told me that the guy who
wanted to shave me was a drug addict and that the barber shop where
he worked, belonged to his mother.
The School
My school was quite usual. Some people called it "The Prison" or the
"Jail". There were criminal leaders all over the school and we lived by
criminal rules. Even some schoolboys were friends with criminals and
ex-prisoners. Because of my illness, I missed a year of school. So, I had
lessons at home. Then, when I came back to school, I got into
correctional class for weak students. That year was the most vivid and
unforgettable for me. There were bullies, smokers, drunkards in my
new class. I can remember one of my Physics classes. That day we had a
new physics teacher, who was 70 years old. She could difficulty seeing
and hearing. I was sitting in the middle of the class, and at the back of
the class I could see the guys smoking something, apparently it was
marijuana. They slightly opened the window, crawled under the desk
and started smoking the cigarette. The whole class realized what was
going on there except for our new teacher. At the end of the lesson she
asked, Who was playing with matches the whole lesson?
The bell rang and our "stars" got out of the class laughing a lot.
One day there was a new student in our class. His name was Kostya.
Unfortunately, our "stars" hated him from the very first minute. Every
day they beat Kostya so much, that sometimes he could not even get
up on his feet and he was always late for lessons. I was very sorry for
Kostya, but I couldn't do anything to help him.
Soon, Kostya couldn't bear such beatings he called his dad for help.
They were standing at the main entrance of our school. Kostya's father
wanted to give a lesson to my classmates, who had beaten his son.
When the bell rang, our class went out of the school. I was behind
everyone, shaking hands and saying goodbye to classmates. At the
main entrance, I noticed Kostya and his father saying bad words to our
guys. The classmates didn't like it and reacted very quickly. They came
down to Kostya's father and started beating him. When he fell down,
they turned their attention to Kostya and beat him up too. Seeing that
the father and the son were lying on the ground, they stopped kicking
them and went home.
All that happened right in front of the windows of the principal's office.
The very next day, Kostya took the documents and moved to a different
school, and I never saw him again.
Our teachers were not very kind either. It was Geography, and the
teacher got angry at the student, who did not know something; she
came up to him and hit his head with a wooden school pointer, so that
it turned into chips. He stood up, yelled at the teacher and smashed the
door behind him. We gave him a nickname "The Priest". I remember
that he loved clairs.
One day we were sitting at class, and the teacher went to have lunch.
The Priest made a bet that he would break the desk with his head. If he
won, he would get two clairs. Everybody, who was in the class,
stopped and watched the show. The first hit on the desk did not give
the wanted result. The second one was a little more powerful and the
desk cracked slightly. The third hit was the most powerful and he finally
broke that desk and won his bet. Everyone applauded him. They
shouted.

Hey Priest! You're the desk breaker! Good for you!
Three minutes later the teacher came back, and immediately paid
attention to the bruises on the priest's forehead and then to the broken
desk. She asked, What happened?
The whole class was silent, some people were giggling. The Priest
thought for a little bit and replied,
I was running and accidentally hit the door in the cafeteria!
And how many times did you hit the door?
Everybody started laughing.
Okay, now what happened to your desk?
That had been broken before we got to class!
Everybody started nodding to convince the teacher that the desk had
already been broken.
You're savages! the teacher concluded.
It was impossible to go to school toilet. There were clouds of tobacco
smoke. Because it was winter, the students did not want to run outside
to smoke in -30C. So, everybody smoked in school toilets.
The School Break
I was a first-grader when that happened. The kids were playing catch-
up. I was sitting on a branch and saw my friend Sergey run into another
boy's head. The hit was really bad and Sergey's tooth got stuck in the
forehead of the other boy. They both fell and started crying. The
teachers called the ambulance.

The School Dentist
One day, I had a toothache and went to the dentist's, who worked
in my school. The dentist's office was located on the third floor. I
knocked on the door and entered the room. Once I got inside, the
doctor told me to sit on the chair to be examined. When she found the
bad tooth, she said, Unfortunately, we'll have to remove the nerve.
It was the first time I had ever gone to the dentist's. I was very nervous,
but my tooth hurt very much and I was tired of the pain. Will it be
painful? I asked.
It'll be pretty painful. Unfortunately, I don't have any anesthetization,
so, you'll have to bear the pain or I will have to remove the tooth later.
I nodded and the doctor began.

It was unforgettably painful! Doctor started winding the nerve on the
needle. The pain was pretty bad, but I didn't know what was going to
happen next. Suddenly she pulled out the nerve so hard, that I hardly
managed to stay on the chair! Just imagine how horrible and painful it
is to pull out a nerve without any anesthetization! After that sweat
appeared on my face. Every time the doctor pulled the nerve, my hands
clutched to the handles of the chair, and I prayed for it to be done as
soon as possible. This terrible process last for about an hour! At the end
I almost lost my consciousness. I felt relieved when the "surgery" was
finished, but my tooth was bleeding for two days! I can still remember
the doctor's face and her dreadful instruments that caused so much
pain!
The Stolen Blood
At the age of ten I was going to a medical checkup at the hospital,
which looked much like a post-war military hospital. There I could see
spring beds in my room, dilapidated walls, creaking doors and people
were coughing everywhere. The food over there was disgusting. It was
absolutely forbidden to go out of this terrible place. So, I had to spend
two weeks there like a prisoner.
My room was on the third floor, and mentally ill people were placed
one floor higher. Almost every night, I could hear horrible screams from
the upstairs and I couldn't sleep.
I had a lot of different health tests and treatments. That day they
tested my blood. I came into the doctor's office; she put the needle into
my vein and began to pull out the blood. For such analysis doctors
usually take no more than one full test-tube of blood from the patient. I
didn't know that, so when I saw the doctor take out the full box of
these test-tubes (about 12 of them in the box) I wasn't surprised, I
thought it was supposed to be done like that. So, the doctor filled up
the second, the third and fourth one and so on. When she was filling up
the seventh one she asked me, How are you feeling, my dear?
Dizzy pretty much.
She brought the cotton wool soaked in ammonia to my nose and asked
me to smell it. By that time I almost lost my consciousness, but after
that I felt a little better and she continued stealing my blood. Finally,
she managed to take twelve test-tubes of my blood.

I was returning back to my room like a drunkard and immediately fell
asleep. The very next day my room neighbor had to go through that
blood test. Before went to the doctor, he said, I'm a little worried.
How did that procedure go? How did you feel at the end? I explained
him what had happened to me in that room. He got scared, but he had
no choice and left the room. I decided to wait for him. One hour had
passed, but my room neighbor still didn't show up. Then I thought to
myself, How much blood they have taken from him after such a long
period of time? It's been two hours and he still hasn't returned from
that terrible procedure! Finally, I saw the doctor, who was checking
the medical condition of all the patients and asked her, Did you see my
friend Alex? He went to the blood test two hours ago and still hasn't
come back.
The doctor answered, Your neighbor lost his consciousness during the
test. He is lying on the first floor and we are waiting for him to come
round.
Then I thought that they must have stolen Alex's blood too!
The Robbery of the School Cafeteria
One day, my crazy classmates got a "brilliant" idea: to rob our school
cafeteria. They broke the windows and entered the building at night: it
was as simple as that! They started looking for money, but didn't find
any. Although they did find something: it was just a bag of flour! So, our
"heroes" decided to take it home to make some pancakes. They
dragged the bag all the way to their house, but they didn't realize that
there was quite a big hole in it and the flour was pouring out of the bag,
indicating their direction.

The school security guard noticed the broken window and immediately
called the police. They arrived soon and found the trail of white flour.
The policemen followed it and found where the robbers lived. Then
police entered the apartment of my classmates.
At the end of the ninth grade, the half of my classmates had already
been convicted of various crimes. I tried my best not to be like them.
Sometimes it worked, but I immediately began to feel that I was falling
into contempt from all the people in my neighborhood. So, I had to
become just like my friends again: I had to dress like them, speak with
swear words and break school windows. I couldn't change anything.
There was a special mechanism working like a watch. If something was
broken, everyone noticed it immediately. The guy who did not want to
live like the others was put in his place, or was thrown away as a
broken detail of the watch, leaving him with no choice but to leave the
group and become alone, which means putting his life at risk in those
dangerous streets of Irkutsk city.
The Blood Brothers
As our life in the neighborhood went on, we were growing up fast.
When that happened, we were 15 years old. It was quite a usual day:
many dead drunk people were lying on the benches and fights took
place in the streets of our city.
It was getting dark and my mom and I were drinking tea on the balcony
of our apartment, when we saw a very frightening "show": a burglar
professionally climbed to the balcony on the 4th floor of the opposite
building and got inside the apartment! "The acrobat" was doing that at
an altitude of approximately 17 meters!
My mom said, Im calling the police!
Hey, why dont we wait for a little bit and see what will happen next?
But, in spite of my suggestions, she still did what she wanted.
While they were coming, we watched him commit the crime. The very
next minute the burglar opened the window and pulled out the bag of
stolen things, tied it to the rope and lowered it to the ground. Suddenly
we heard the police siren, so the thief was in haste.
The very next second the rope snapped, and the heavy bag fell on the
ground, breaking stolen equipment and expensive things. He must have
been very upset by that fact, because he immediately started swearing
loudly. A few minutes later the thief got out of the building, took the
bag and ran out of there as fast as he could.
The police was late, as usual.
The next day I wanted to spend some time with my friends Kostya and
Gleb and tell them about the acrobatic thief. When I walked into the
apartment building, I heard them speaking very loudly, which was quite
unusual. So, I was pretty intrigued. But what I saw next was a shock to
me. The guys were discussing something and I noticed a big kitchen
knife in Kostya's hand! They did not pay any attention to me. I waited
for a minute and asked, Hey guys What you're up to? Kostya, why
are you holding a knife?
Hmmm, youll see Well, we are going to have a blood relationship!
They answered.
I wondered how they were going to do that and they showed me the
whole process.
Firstly, they swore, that they would never leave each other in any
trouble. Then, to prove the oath, Kostya cut his palm with the knife.
The wound was pretty deep, so the blood appeared immediately and
started dripping on the floor. After that, Gleb took the knife and did the
same thing!
I quietly watched that show.
Kostya put his palm into his friends palm, cut to cut, so that Gleb's
blood got through the wound into Kostyas blood and mix. That way
they became the blood brothers.

As a result of this ritual, the whole floor was covered in their blood.
Then the problem appeared: they couldn't stop the blood! The wounds
were too deep! I ran down to the first floor and asked people for help.
We found some bandages and used them.
They were satisfied with the ritual being finished; they thanked for
helping them and went home.
Anyway, they were happy to be the blood brothers.
By the way, their friendship lasted for a long period of time, until Gleb
got into jail.
The Old Zaporozhets
At the end of autumn, the yellow leaves were falling from trees, it was
getting colder and colder, the wind began to blow more furiously. Over
and over again, I could hear that terrible noise from the pipes of the
plant nearby, so even the windows started vibrating. One day, I god
tired of that and put on my coat and went outside for a walk.
The streets were grey; the dilapidated nine-storey buildings were
making me melancholic. Not having walked even 200 yards, I noticed a
group of about thirty guys breaking into a garage in the middle of the
day. It was pretty funny and seemed as if the ants swarmed all around a
sugar cube. They were doing it in front of all people in the street. I kept
thinking, In how many minutes will the police come? The people
were shouting from the opposite houses,
Stop it! Im calling the police! It's outrageous!
Those guys didn't pay any attention to the angry people.
They drove out Russian car "Zaporozhets" from that garage and put one
of their friends behind the steering wheel. Then, all the rest began to
push the car down a small hill.

Suddenly, when they were in the middle of the hill, they heard the
sirens and saw police cars. Everyone fled leaving the poor driver in
trouble. The door in the car got stuck, he couldn't open it and the
brakes didn't work.
As a result, he was convicted of car theft and was sent to prison.
The Ice Floe
It was spring. My friend Ruslan and I were walking along the Angara
River. White snow had just begun to melt. A meter away from the coast
there were some islands of ice and a brilliant idea appeared in our
minds. We made a bet that the person, who jumped on an ice floe and
returned back to the land without falling in the cold water, would get
5 rubles.
A minute later, Ruslan found a suitable ice floe, and said, Now, Im
going to jump on it!
He jumped and landed the floe, he stood a minute on it with a smile on
his face. Then jumped back to the beach and asked me to give him five
rubles. I gave him the money and began to search for my floe, on which
I could jump without the risk of being in the water.
I found such one pretty soon it was a meter away from the beach. I ran,
jumped and landed on the ice, which immediately broke off! I grabbed
the other side of the floe with my hands, but my legs were already in
the cold water. I made a big effort to pull the legs out. Then I stood up
on the ice and looked at myself. The half of my body was covered in ice.
Ruslan was standing on the shore and tried not to laugh.
Suddenly, I noticed that the ice started going with the flow of the river!
I got panicked and began to shout, Ruslan, help me! Tell me where to
jump!
Running along the shore, Ruslan started checking where I could jump
without any risk of getting into the water. The ice was soft in all the
places that were convenient for me to jump. A gap of several meters
appeared between me and Ruslan!
At that point we both realized that I would never jump that far to the
shore and it was not funny at all. I started to draw pictures in my head,
imagining the ice floe starting to melt, the distance to the shore getting
longer and longer and me getting frozen in the water.

Luckily, some people were working in the construction area not far
away from where we were. Ruslan realized that I was about to have a
long trip on that piece of ice and ran to ask the builders for help. After a
few minutes I saw him running back with people and holding a long
stick in his hands. He shouted, Nikita! Catch it man!
I managed to grab the stick only at the third attempt and they started
to pull me. When I finally got to the shore, I did not know how to thank
my friend and the builders. I remember how my feet got cold and pants
got covered in ice.
We came home; I immediately ran to the radiator to get warm. My
mom asked me, Where did you get your pants soaked?
Unfortunately, I lied to her and said that I had fallen in a puddle. I didn't
want her to know what had just happened to me.
A Moment of Life
It was getting late when that happened. I was on my way home with my
friend Kolya, and we noticed two people screaming at each other: A
guy barely standing on his feet and a woman, who was holding him.
Suddenly after drunk one had noticed me and my friend he quickly
pulled out a gun and aimed it at us saying, What are you looking at?
I'm going to shoot you now!

We literally got scared to death! We couldnt move at all. My heart
started beating rapidly. There were 2 outcomes: either getting shot by
that man or staying alive just because of a lucky occurrence. I didnt
know what would happen with me in those seconds, which seemed to
me like hours. I could imagine the man pulling the trigger and
everything instantly becoming dark.
The woman (apparently his wife) begged him not to do stupid things
and to lower the gun. The distance of five meters separated us. Any
wrong move could be fatal. In another long ten seconds his wife
managed to make him drop the pistol and persuaded him to let us go.
He shouted, Get out of here, or Ill kill you!
I dont remember running as fast as I did that night! We ran from them
to our neighborhood, sat on a bench and took a deep breath. My friend
and I began to laugh hysterically, because just two minutes ago we
were almost dead.
The next day we were told that the crazy man was a former military
officer, who was fired from his job because of mental disorders. He
lived in a 9-storey building which was really close to mine.
A month had passed from the day when that happened and I almost
forgot about it. I was hanging out with my guys in the streets when we
suddenly saw that guy again. He was heading in our direction. We
noticed a huge rifle in his hands! Seeing us from a long distance, he
started screaming something and aiming the gun at us! Everybody had
already known about my story of this madman almost killing me and
my friend. So, we ran away from him to a safe place and waited to see
what would happen next. In a couple of minutes we saw his wife get
out of a car, put his husband into it and drive away. So, that was the
second time that woman saved us!
After that incident, I saw the man several times and he was in a
completely normal condition. Then, a few weeks later he disappeared.
Apparently, because of his threats holding weapons he got into a
psychiatric hospital. I never saw him again, but I still remember the gun
being aimed at me and his screams, then, the strong tension in the
nerves throughout the body, the adrenaline and the joy of being alive.
At that time I was only thirteen years old.
Last Day in my Neighborhood Before I Left
I did not believe that I was going to America for a whole year until the
day of my departure, but my parents and I were still getting prepared
for the trip: I studied English a lot in order not to get lost in
international airports and my parents did some shopping. That was
when I asked my mother to buy me a blazer with the word "RUSSIA"
written on it, which was bought at the Chinese market for four hundred
rubles.

I had never been abroad before. So, I was really excited to see the
world, meet other people and experience new things, but it was sad at
the same time, because I knew that I wouldnt see my friends for a
whole year. The guys from my neighborhood made a special going
away party for me. It was a historic moment for my friends and their
parents. I was just like all the guys: I lived a usual life in the
neighborhood, and now I was going to America, the country which we
had seen only in movies and on television. Before I left, their parents
asked me lots of questions, How are you going to live there? How will
you get there alone?
My friends asked me to buy them blocks of "Marlboro" cigarettes.
When I was saying goodbyes to every person in the neighborhood, I
knew that the life around guns, drugs and fights was over; it was a new
start of my life. I left my good and bad moments in that neighborhood,
but lets go back to Tamaras house in Vladivostok.
Leaving Russia
My mother and I called a taxi to the airport and drove away from that
old woman Tamara. She even went out of her apartment to accompany
us to the car with tears in her eyes and wished us good luck.
The day before our departure, Tamara asked me to paint her front
door. It was pretty weird, but I didn't refuse to do it. The taxi took us to
the airport. I got registered and it was time for me to say goodbye to
my mom. She hugged me and started crying.

There was a woman next to us, who saw that scene and asked my
mom, Why are you crying?
He is going to America and I wont see him for a whole year!
Well, don't worry! Look how people live in America! It's a good
country! If he needs help, he'll get it from people over there.
I didnt cry, but it was hard for me to say goodbye to my mom: she is
the person, who brought me up, taught me how to live; she had never
left me alone in a difficult situation, and now, here I was: all alone in a
big world. I passed the luggage control and got registered to my flight
to Seoul. Then I bought a can of Cola and started waiting for my
departure. In a minute two girls came up to me and asked, Hey, where
are you going?
I am going to Chicago.
Wow, thats great! Are you an exchange student?
In fact, I am!
I got a little happy, thinking that if they went to Chicago, it would be
easier to get there. I asked them, What about you?
We are going to Japan, said the girl whose name was Sasha.
To dance, added Natasha (the other girl).
I got scared: I was the only one, who was going so far away from home,
but a few seconds later I heard the operator's voice saying, Flight
number 982. The passengers are to board the plane.
When we came inside the plane, we got the seats 41, 42, 43! I sat in
between Sasha and Natasha.
The plane took off to our destination, Seoul, South Korea. Our flight
was for about two hours. We were served a delicious Korean meal and
various beverages. I had some meat and a beer. The flight attendants
did their job very professionally. I talked with the girls the whole flight.
So, the time went fast for me. They said that the airport in Seoul was
huge. So, I began to worry again.
I was wearing a blue jacket with Rotary badges and there was a picture
of a polar bear, which was sewn on the jacket and also there were
letters around the image ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 5010
SIBERIA.
I was not supposed to take it off until I arrived to my American parents.
I couldnt speak English well. So, in case I got some problems, people
would see my jacket and understand that Im an exchange student and
help.
It wasnt a usual flight: the mayor of Vladivostok was on our plane in
business class. When he saw my jacket with the logo, he asked me,
Hey boy, where are you going?
I am an exchange student. Im going to the U.S. to study.
Good for you! Study well and don't disgrace Russia!
In the middle of the flight the girls asked him to give an autograph, and
he didnt refuse. Sasha and Natasha were really happy about it.
Dear passengers, fasten your seatbelts, we are going to land soon.
We landed and went inside the airport through a boarding bridge. The
airport was not just big, it was huge. I had never seen something that
large before. Everything sparkled with cleanliness. There were huge
plasma TV's on the walls. I came up to a Korean woman and showed
her a piece of paper on which it was written where I could spend the
night. She pointed her finger towards the stairs, which were leading
down. When I got there, an interpreter came up to me and tried to
explain to me in a bad Russian accent that I had to get on a bus to get
to the hotel and it would take me about two hours from the airport.
That was all that I could understand, so I decided to stay at the airport
for the whole night and wait for my next plane to Chicago. I went
outside the airport to see what South Korea looks like. It was almost
dark. There were lots of buses, beautiful cars and richly dressed men
and women. People were everywhere. I breathed in Korean air and
went back to the airport.
At the Korean Airport
The airport had 3 floors: there were different cafes on the first one,
there was a car store which sold the newest cars on the second one,
and the highest floor was where the passengers got registered for their
flights. I couldnt sleep the whole night. I was afraid to miss my early
morning flight to Chicago. I felt a little hungry. So, I bought a can of
Pepsi and a bag of chips, which cost me two dollars. I spent the whole
night flipping channels on the plasma TV.

The next morning I went through the luggage control and got on a
plane that was twice as big as the one I had flown to Korea! Suddenly I
saw little plasma TV's appear from above each seat. I got so surprised,
thinking to my-self, What nice technology now exists!
It was a two-story Boeing 747. Ive only seen such plane in American
movies. I thought, I wish my friends from my neighborhood were
here.
My flight from Korea to Chicago lasted for sixteen hours. I had a little
nap, woke up and began to think about my life in the neighborhood. So,
I took my diary out of the bag and started writing stories from my past
life.
The Arrival in the United States
I arrived in Chicago in the morning. The airport was five times bigger
than the Korean one, and there were several terminals. So, thats when
I got some problems. I came out of the plane and appeared in the fifth
terminal. There I handed my suitcase to the airport of Saginaw. I did not
receive any papers on my luggage, and because of this, they didn't
want to let me get on the plane, and I almost missed my flight.
When I passed the luggage, I asked woman at the desk, showing her my
ticket, Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to this plane? The
woman looked at the ticket and said that I had to get on a special train
to the second terminal. Millions of questions appeared in my head,
What train? Where can I find it?
I began to blame myself that I had not learned English well enough
before going on such journey to a different world.
I did not panic much and just got concentrated. I went to the train stop
and found a train without wheels! I had previously seen such only in
science fiction films. To my surprise, I immediately got to the second
terminal. When I got out of the train, I showed my ticket to a policeman
and asked him, How can I get to the gate "E15"?
He was kind and explained to me how to get there. In fact, it was not
very difficult. There were signs with arrows to the gates almost
everywhere. So, it was impossible to get lost.
On my way there, I saw American people, who were sitting on the floor,
eating burgers and talking loudly to each other in the language I knew
poorly.
Approaching the registration gate, I looked at the time. It was already
9:50 am and the registration was to be over at exactly 10:00 am. I ran
to the desk at the gate, showed the woman over there my ticket and
gave my passport. She asked me, Where is your check-in form for your
luggage?
I wasnt given any check-in forms.
She looked at me, then at her partner standing nearby. They started
discussing something. I stood nervously and watched the last minutes
disappearing until my plane left. Then I said again, that nobody had
given me anything concerning my luggage. Her partner said, He is
probably a Russian exchange student.
She looked at the clock and again at me. Five seconds later she said,
Okay, you may go!
I went through security checks and got on my last plane that was flying
to a small American town called Midland, which was not far from
Detroit.
This last flight was the most difficult for me. The plane was not new; it
looked like a military plane. I got a seat close to the engine, which was
roaring really loudly. After all my flights and sleepless nights I
apparently had high blood pressure and when we gained altitude, my
ears began to have ache, my eyes got filled with tears. An hour later the
plane began to descend and we landed in Detroit. I did not know about
that stop and thought that the plane would fly directly to my town,
where my new family was waiting for me. All the passengers got out
and I stayed on the plane all alone. I didnt understand what was going
on; I called a stewardess and asked her when we were going from
Detroit to Saginaw.
She replied to me that we would take off as soon as the new
passengers were seated.
I calmed down, the new passengers came, and we were in the sky
again. It was dark. My ears did not hurt anymore. I looked down at the
shining lights of America's cities.
Finally, we landed in Saginaw airport. I was very pleased to have
achieved that goal. I came out of the plane without being late. Just as I
came inside the airport, I saw the local Rotarians. They were holding a
large banner on which was written "It's nice NIKITA ROTARY!"

Seeing me, they cheered loudly, shouting, Welcome to the United
States!
I took the luggage and started saying hello to everybody. According to
my Rotary program, during the school year I was supposed to live in
three different families for about 3 months in each one.
I met my first family and a few people from the Rotary club of that city.
I was smiling. Our meeting didnt last long, as everyone understood
that I was very tired. I was introduced to my first American mom and
dad, Grag and Robin. I felt that I could rely on them right from the first
sight.
Leaving the airport, I immediately noticed the cleanliness around. Greg
pressed the button, and the trunk of the black Chevrolet Blazer got
automatically opened. I carefully put my suitcase there and sat in the
back seat. Robin and Greg sat in the front. Greg turned on the engine
and said to me, Nick, fasten your seatbelt, please.
Since I was very tired and barely knew English, I did not respond and
continued to sit without any moves. Then Robin said with a smile,
Nick, put your seat belt on, will you?
I continued to sit and didn't understand what they wanted from me. I
just smiled and said, Let's go sleep!
The car didnt move. Then Greg began to gesticulate with his hands,
explaining to me that I had to fasten the seatbelt. Only then, I got what
they wanted and put it on.
The car started moving. We left the airport and drove to the highway,
which, in comparison with the Siberian roads, was ideal. I looked out of
the car and saw small American houses and stores with nice lights. It
was getting dark. Greg asked me something, but I did not say anything
again, because I didn't understand what he was asking me. It turned
out that he wanted to ask me whether I wanted to eat. Fifteen minutes
later we arrived at their house. My first host family showed me my
room, which was downstairs. So, right now I'm sitting in this room
writing stories in this diary, but I came yesterday. My room has a small
window, a TV and a Sony Play-station 2. I have my own toilet and a
shower!
Yesterday, after showing me my room, my parents went back to the
second floor and told me that in ten minutes I should come upstairs. I
got so tired that I fell on the bed. Then I realized that I had to live in this
new world for a whole year. I started crying quietly. Tears were running
from my eyes. I cried for about five minutes and then heard the
doorbell of my new house. Robin shouted to me, Nick, could you open
the door, please!
I understood that I was asked to open the door to someone and got
upstairs. When I opened the door, a pizza guy looked at me. It was
already two in the morning and he looked very tired.
This guy handed me a box of pizza. I took it and immediately shut the
door. I was invited to the table and just five minutes later they realized,
that we did not pay to that pizza guy!
Robin ran to the door, opened it and gave him ten dollars. I had enough
to eat and said, Good night everybody.
I fell asleep immediately.
American School
On the second day my host parents showed me how to get to my
school. It was not too far away, about ten minutes of walking.
Sometimes Greg drove me there. When we came to the school
grounds, there were many young people in their own cars. I was
surprised. In Siberia people at such a young age rarely drove cars. On
my right I saw a big football field. We entered the first floor of the
school building. There I saw different machines with soft drinks and
chocolate bars. I met the headmaster and a Russian guy Zakhar, but
they called him Zag. He was an immigrant from St-Petersburg. I was
happy when he said Hello in Russian!
All the people there were very kind, and I liked it. They smiled and tried
to help me some-how. I was asked to choose the subjects that I would
like to study. I chose American history, economics, drawing, literature,
geology, and French. That was my first acquaintance with an American
school.
The next day I woke up at six in the morning because my first lesson
started at seven forty. Greg drove me to school, and I went to meet
with the new teachers and classmates. Every teacher introduced me to
the class personally with the words.
Dear guys! We have an exchange student from Siberia. His name is
Nikita. At our school he will study for a year. I hope many of you will
become his good friends.
After these words I sat down at my desk and listened to individual
lectures. After lessons my classmates tried to get to know me better,
asking many questions.
They always said, Nice to meet you!
And I replied, Nice to meet you too!
At the first lesson of Economics guys were given some tests to write.
The teacher saw that I did not understand and he asked one of his
students to give me some help writing this test. His name was Nixon, he
was an Afro-American. Nixon sat next to me, took my paper and did the
whole test. After that, he gave me my paper back and told to give it to
the teacher.
The teacher reviewed the test and gave me an A, which, as I
understand, means excellent. I was glad to have my first good mark
and after the lesson I came to Nixon and said to him,
Thank you!
He replied, You are welcome.
I thought he said, Welcome to the U.S. I didnt see the difference
between you are welcome and welcome.
Then I said to him again, Thank you!
But he replied again, You are welcome!
I was confused and just said to him, Goodbye!
Now I know this difference. That's how I learn my English.
At the history lesson I met the teacher. His name was Mr. Mulveney. He
even spoke a little Russian and told me that he lived in Moscow for six
years; he studied there at a university. He met a Russian girl who was
his group mate and eventually became his wife, and they came to live
in America. Mr. Mulveney strongly advised me to learn English, and
said, If you have any problems, please, contact me!
I shook my head in agreement, and the teacher introduced me to the
class and began his lesson.
The school was very cozy and comfortable; there even was a lift in
there. All WCs were clean. Pupils also smoked, not in the toilets, but
strictly out of the school territory.
After school Greg rented a game for Play Station 2. I was very happy!
The Russian immigrant Zag invited me to walk around Midland
tomorrow. I didnt refuse. I miss my home a lot, but am still okay, I like
this country. Yesterday I bought a CD player with good headphones and
a remote control for 49$.
My host familys fridge is always full of Coca-Cola cans and all sorts of
delicious food! Also, I am very pleased that this house has a very good
piano, I can practice every day and will not lose my skills. I am happy! I
am fine! I finish writing.
My Second Day at American School
In the morning I woke up at six again. It was cold and I put on my jeans,
my favorite black shoes and a blazer with the writing Russia on it. As I
used to do in Russia, I put my books in a black plastic bag. Because at
my Russian school pupils didnt like it if you came to school with a
proper bag, and so, everybody went to school with ordinary plastic
bags.
Greg, before I left, gave me two dollars to buy some food at school. On
entering the school, I was stopped by a security guard who began to
observe me with suspicion. At first I did not understand what he
wanted from me, but then he asked to open my black plastic bag. I
opened, and he looked inside it, then there was a real surprise on his
face when he saw six big books inside my plastic bag. Then security
guard looked at me and asked,
Where is your school bag?

I told him that I do not like school bags and pointed to the writing
Russia on my blazer and added,
Exchange students!
He smiled and said, Okay, you may go study! Welcome to America!
I threw the plastic bag with books on my back and banging with heels of
my black shoes went to have a lesson. When I walked down the school
hallway, I noticed that many Americans were looking at me and
discussing me. May be they liked my blazer and the shoes?!
The next day Greg noticed that I went to school with a black plastic bag.
He stopped me at the door exit and said that it was not accepted in
America to carry books in a plastic bag. Then he went inside the house
and returned with a new school bag in his hand. He handed it over to
me and said, Okay, now put your books in here. This will be your own
school bag.
I smiled and said Okay, thank you, Dad.
When I came to school, I noticed that all the students indeed had
school bags. And then I thought It's a different life style.
Walking Around the Midland City
After school Zag invited me to eat some pizza. It was delicious. I met his
friends and his girlfriend. Then Zag decided to show me the city. He
took his girlfriend's car and we went to the shops and parks, where
they usually come to relax. We came to a large store called "The Mall".
Zag said to me, Look how we spend our free time!
He and his friend pretended that they played tags. They were running
around an elderly couple. Zag fell right in front of this two old people.
The old lady started to worry and asked if he got hurt. Zag got up,
stepped aside, and started giggling.

It's easy for me to be with him. He has a strong accent but he speaks
my own language. I realized that I would have a lot of new
acquaintances, and people will ask me lots of questions that will be
difficult to answer. Every day I am forcing myself to learn new words
and some of them I hear and memorize immediately.
Weekends
Weekends started. On Saturday I did not go anywhere but on Sunday
(today) we took Greg's mother and went to the city. In the car I spoke
with his mom, she was a host grandmother to me. She looked very
young for her age. Grand mom asked me what I was interested in and
what I liked. I told her that I was fond of music and played the piano.
She was surprised and asked me to play for her when we get back. I
said, Okay!
We arrived at the place, got out of the car and went into the building.
There I saw the American bar restaurant for the first time. There sat a
lot of older people and musicians sang guitar songs. We sat down and
Greg said,
Go ahead, pick a meal!
It was a buffet. I went to the bar, took the potatoes, rolls with meat and
a drink. I was told that I can put as much food as I can eat. Greg's mom
explained to me that at American restaurants there is a special system
where you pay four dollars and eat as much as you want.
I liked this system but I was already full and couldnt eat a second plate.
Then we just sat and talked. I began to understand more and more
English. I could already answer some questions I was given.
Then we came back to Greg's parents place. There I met Gregs father.
When entering the house, I saw a piano. Grand mom asked me to play
something for her. I sat down and started to play. The instrument was
okay but when I finished playing, I saw tears on her face. She thanked
for the music and kissed me. Then I realized that my mother was right
when she forced me to learn how to play the piano the since childhood.
Mom told me that people would enjoy listening to me.

Seeing grandmother weeping, I discovered that I like to play for people.
This morning we went to see a friend of my host mom Robin. There
were three children. One was twelve years old, others were six. We
went riding bikes in the forest, and everybody went somewhere in their
own directions.
I got a cool bike, could even switch speed on it. Ive never ridden such a
bike before. In front of me, I noticed a springboard, I decided to jump
on it and fly over a small ditch.
Since I didnt estimate my speed well enough, my front wheel got
caught on a log. I flew over the wheel, striking my face against the
ground. I cut my lip and my nose. I was lying without any movement for
five seconds. Then I got up. My face was all covered in dirt. I looked at
the bike, it wasn't broken. My face got numb, my lip got swollen, and
my nose was bleeding. Fortunately, I had nothing broken. I sat on the
bike and went back to the place from where I heard familiar voices.
No one saw me falling, and when I approached, they did not notice my
bruised and swollen lip witch I incidentally closed with my hand. I didnt
want them to worry about me.
When we returned home, I took a cold can of cola, pretending to have
a drink, and went to my room; then I put the cold can against my lip.
The swelling disappeared, everything was fine.
Today I finish writing at 20.44 p.m. Monday will be tomorrow. I'll go to
school.
Ordinary American Day
A Trip to Kalamazoo City
Today I started to learn the French language. Days are flying fast. It has
become colder but it is still nothing like Siberia. Every Friday Greg and I
go to watch the school football (rugby). Some of my classmates play in
our team, including that Afro-American guy Nixon who helped me to
write the Government test. He plays under the number 31.
Before the game starts, I see a lot of friends from my school, especially
the girls. When they see me, they shout, Hi, Nick!

It has already been more than a month since I came to the U.S. We
went to a small town called Kalamazoo. It was three hours from
Midland. Kalamazoo seemed a good town, situated not far from the big
cities such as Chicago and not far from Detroit. Greg's elder brother
lived there.
On Saturday night we settled in a nice hotel, swam in the pool and
went to the local theater to watch the play, I liked it. The main role of
Cinderella was performed by a girl named Sarah, a daughter of my host
dad's brother. She was seventeen and she was born on the same day
with me, the second of January.
Her father is a famous writer and a Minister at the church that we
attended after the play.

Then we went to see the city. In Kalamazoo we stayed for one night
and returned home to Midland. Everything was good.
Every Sunday I go to Volleyball, a sports center where Greg is a director.
By the way, my host mom Robin works at a dental clinic. Every day I
study the language and learn more and more.
The Rotary organized a meeting of the exchange students who live in a
nearby location. Yesterday we had a private home party where there
was a lot of delicious food and a beautiful pool. I went there and met
with all the students: a girl from Japan, a guy from Denmark and some
other good guys. We became friends and perfectly spent the time
together.
I cant write any longer, because I am ill.
Christmas Vacation
I recovered a week ago and now I know that it was flu. Twenty people
died from this disease. I had hallucinations and I could not feel my
body, did not understand the time in which I was.
In those days, when I was sick, Greg tried to cheer me up and we went
to the store to take some CD movies. When we came to the store, I
almost stopped feeling my legs and thought, Now I will fall. I felt as if
my brain turned off.
It was a very difficult time and I strongly wanted to return home to my
native parents.
We took the film and went home. On the way back, Greg saw that I was
feeling awful and he stopped near the pharmacy. When we returned
home, I had a strong fever. Greg asked me to drink the medicine, but I
was afraid to take any pills because I could be allergic to some of them.
Greg took a Coke and poured it into a glass, and then he threw some
pills into the glass. He handed it over to me and said,
Have a drink, you will feel better.
I listened to him and drank the Cola with a dissolved pill in it. In ten
minutes I really felt much-much better.

I thanked Greg and stayed with him in the room to watch some films.
Then I fell asleep and next morning was in good health. What a
wonderful tablet it was, I thought.
Now I feel good. Three days ago Greg took me to a youth hockey. It was
cool. Christmas vacation started, which will last for two weeks. I have a
break from school and learn each day more and more of the English
language.
A friend of Gregs recently arrived from Cuba, he asked me to try to
translate an old-Russian writing.
It was his business, translation into all languages of the world, including
Russian. My task was to read and try to convey the meaning of this old
letter. Greg tried to help me.
I translated all the words but could not convey the meaning of it. Only
after two days I began to understand this meaning then I was able to
explain. Greg's friend thanked me and gave twenty-five dollars. I was
very happy!
Yesterday a sister of my host mom Robin arrived. She came from a
village with the population of only five hundred people. At about six in
the evening her husband came and rang the door- bell, I heard the
voices of their children and thought, That's it! Quiet evening it would
not be.
They knocked on my door. I opened and in front of me there were
standing two boys. They loudly shouted to me.
Hi Nick! We want to play a game called Real Fantasy on your Play
Station 2!
Well, you may play.
Then they started to jump on my bed, it lasted for three hours. After
that their parents took them away home. That day I was very tired.
Two days ago Greg gave me a ride in his car from his work to the main
road; it was a Honda. When we drove up to the main road, he asked
me to change seats.
I stopped and thanked him because for me to drive a car in America
was against the rules of my Rotary contract. At the end of the trip he
told me,
Just do not let anyone know about it.

Christmas
Today in my pocket I had 40 dollars. I spent the money on Christmas
presents for my host family. I bought a massager for 19$ for Greg,
because he had pain in his back. For Robin I got an artificial aquarium
for 12$.

Christmas will be in two days. Relatives and friends of my host family
will come to our house. Greg has three brothers. One lives in
Kalamazoo; he is known to be a good writer. Another lives in Texas; he
is a professional musician. The third brother lives in Midland; he is also
a musician.
Robin has two sisters. One lives somewhere in the country and has
those two little boys, who not so long ago came to play in my room. Her
other sister lives in this city and has a young daughter.
Today I was composing music for Christmas. I learned some jazz. Now
I'm tired and I hear the voices coming from the other room. Greg is
playing poker with his friends. Now I finish writing, because my host
mom Robyn brought me clothes and asked,
Would you like some tea?
I agreed and said that I would be ready in a few minutes.
Finish writing at 22.29, Tuesday, 2003 before Christmas.

I start to write after Christmas on a Friday evening at 20.06.
Yesterday morning we went out for lunch with the friends of my host
family, their surname was Loves. They had three sons: the youngest,
elder and the eldest. I like this people. We had a good lunch. The eldest
son left, and the middle and junior invited me to watch the movies.
Then Robin came and said to me, Nick! It's time to go home.
I said goodbye to this nice family and we went home.
The evening before Christmas was good. There came all friends and
relatives to our house. The house wasnt small but it seemed to be tight
because of so many people. Then Greg said to me,
Nick! Can you play the piano for us? Please!
I sat at the instrument and started my favorite Christmas composition.
Everyone was listening and looking at my hands. When I finished
playing, I heard a loud applause. I already wanted to leave, when
suddenly they all shouted to me, Play something else!
I went back to the piano and played the whole of my program. The last
one was jazz that I composed by myself. Everyone liked it. After playing
I started to meet new people, friends of Greg and Robin.
In the middle of the day one of the younger brothers came into my
room; his name was Cooper, the one that jumped on my bed and
played Play Station 2 some time ago. He gave me a wrapped gift and
said, Merry Christmas, Nick!
I took the box and began to open it. I didnt know what was inside but I
noticed the price tag on the outside, it said 29$ dollars. When I opened
the box, I saw a floppy disk for a new hand console "Gameboy" with the
game Mario. I did not understand why I needed this one because I
didn't have a Gameboy. At this moment, the senior brother came into
the room. I remember how he was jumping on my bed two months
ago; that day I didnt like them. Now he handed me the second box. I
started to open it, thinking to myself, "Is there a "Gameboy"? When
opened, I saw a red brand new just released Gameboy! I stared at the
brothers.
They used to be a little annoying to me, but now, when they gave me
such a gift, I hugged them and said,
Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
That day people seemed good to me, and I started to love America for
its educated and friendly people.
Then there was the Christmas morning. My host parents called me to
the second floor to open Christmas gifts. I opened all boxes.
I was given a pair of sneakers, a photo album, a pair of good jeans and a
beautiful book with photos of our town. I said,
Thanks, I will be back.
A minute later I came back with a massager for Greg and the aquarium
for Robin. They thanked for my presents. Then we gave each other a
hug. Later we went to their friends, the Loves. The Loves gave me a
good jacket with the writing "Kalamazoo". I am wearing it at the
moment. Then we went to Robyns parents. There I greeted her two
sisters and grandparents.
It was time to open other Christmas gifts again. First I got a gift from
Robyn's sister. It was a good shirt. Another sister gave me a credit card
for 10 dollars. The third gift was from grandparents, a credit card for 25
dollars. They even gave me a flag with the emblem of our state
Michigan.
I thanked to everyone. When we returned home, I went to sleep with
the memories of a pleasant Christmas time!
I think my first host family, their relatives and friends liked me for
playing the piano and my good character.
The next day a daughter of my host parents flew from Japan. She was
also a Rotary exchange student. Her name was Hope. Mom and me
went to meet her at the airport but Greg was left lying at home with a
sick stomach.
We and some friends were waiting for Hope at the airport. She arrived
and they all started hugging her. I just said to her, Nice to meet you!
And we went home. Now she is watching TV.
I am finish writing after Christmas at 21.04. By the way, now I have a
two-week vacation and will have a very good time!


Moving to My Second Host Family
After a three-day holiday exams have started. Government I passed
with an A, for my French exam I got a B, for the rest I got nothing.
The exams lasted from Monday until Wednesday and then again came
the small weekends. By the way, at exams there was a delicious cake
and a jar of juice on each students desk.
Thursday night I should move to another host family. This will be a
difficult moment. Some days ago Greg took me to a real NBA basketball
game. We were there for the Detroit Pistons. This great show cant be
forgotten ever! During the commercial break Greg, his brother with his
wife and I saw ourselves on the big screen, which is centered in the
arena under the roof. I even recorded it on my photo-camera. Detroit
won!

Once we got home, I bought a small basketball hoop with a ball and
fixed it in the basement. It was convenient to throw the ball in that
small ring. I turned on American rap and began to throw the ball. Greg
came downstairs and said, Hey, Nick! Let me show you how to do it
right!
I threw him that small ball. He expertly caught it and began to make
funny feints, imagining himself a real basketball player, he decided to
jump and put the ball into the ring and make it nice and professionally.
But there was one problem: Greg forgot that the ceiling was very low.
He got up some speed, jumped like an NBA player and hit the ceiling
with his head, and then Greg fell down on the floor.



It was very funny but at the same time I felt sorry for my host dad. He
was writhing in pain. In a little while Greg recovered consciousness. I
helped him to get on his feet, and we started to laugh together.

It was time to leave this wonderful family, they taught me how to live
properly in America. It is very sad and scary. But I continued to grow
and want get to meet new people.
The second family was also very good. I got a little nine year old sister
and a fifteen year old brother. Mom's name was Mary. She works at a
chemical factory. My host dad's name was Dave; he has his own jewelry
store and serves in the church. I moved to them on Friday and started
living in a new family in a new room. The house was big but there was
no piano.
I told Mary that I needed to practice playing the piano not to forget
everything I've already learnt. She said it to her husband Dave, and he
immediately brought an electric piano from somewhere. I was
overjoyed and thanked my second parents.
The next day we drove out of town to an indoor water park. It was cool
in there, and I was very pleased! One of the buildings of that water park
had a lot of slot machines and hotel rooms. We stayed there for about
three days. We rode the water slides, played slot machines; we were
just getting to know each other. I like them very much. Having spent
three days at the water park, we drove to their grand moms. I met her
and we went to a cafe and then back home. In the morning I went to
school by bus and when I was returning home, I got out at the wrong
bus stop a little earlier, so I got lost. I was confused because the houses
seemed almost the same to me. There was snow falling down, and it
was cold. I walked searching for my new home and could not find it.
Soon enough I got cold. After twenty minutes of walking, I saw a car
coming out of the corner of street; it was my new host dad Dave. When
he saw me, he asked with a smile on his face, Hey, Nick, are you lost?
I was happy to open the car door and jumped into the warmth.
Actually, the car had special heated seats. Then I said to him, Let's go
home, I am freezing (I am cold).
When we got home, I sat near the fireplace and it was good. At school
everything is fine. There I took other subjects: Business class and
Writing. Mr. Mulveney, our history teacher, baked some pancakes right
in the classroom and brought us cook-Cola. We ate the pancakes
together in class and watched a historical film on a projector. I liked this
lesson very much. I am finish writing in my second family. Today I did
not go to school because of a lot of snow. Besides, the buses did not go.
I finish writing on Tuesday, 13.28.p.m.

The Happiest Day in America
Weeks are passing. I go to school every morning and arrive back home
at three o'clock. A month had passed already. I start to miss my home
in Russia.
At school we always had a half-hour break; during which I went to have
a meal. There was such a system: you take a tray, choose food and
stand there, waiting in line to be served by a cashier. That day I wore
my favorite Russia blazer; I put a cheeseburger and Coke on my tray
and lined up. One girl standing behind me accidentally knocked over
her tray with food and ketchup onto my favorite blazer. I felt the
ketchup running down my back. I got very angry inside. I felt that girl
didnt know what to say, she was nervous and felt sorry. I stood there
for about ten seconds without any movement. All the students there
saw what happened and waited to see what the reaction of Russian
exchange student would be. Of course, if it happened at a Russian
school, I would probably say some bad worlds to that girl, because I
was standing doused with ketchup from head to feet. But then I
thought, This is not Russia.
I turned to her, made a gesture with my fingers meaning okay and
said, No problem. I felt how her tension went away. She apologized,
gave me a napkin and I wiped the ketchup from my blazer and pants.
During those six months in America my character became much softer
and kinder. After all, I was surrounded with good people.
A week ago mother Mary forgot to leave me two dollars for my school
lunch. So, I lost my lunch at school, came home angry and hungry.
There was nobody home. To make sure I shouted, Is anybody home?
In response there was silence. Then I opened the refrigerator and found
three apples, which I eagerly ate. To avoid anyone noticing that I have
eaten the apples I threw the bits into the toilet instead of the trash. In
about a day the toilet got clogged. Dave could not figure out what was
wrong. The size of the apples was big. I came home from school and felt
a strong smell of sewage. I went downstairs and opened the door to the
room leading to the toilet where I saw Dave's angry face. He cleaned
the toilet and took out bits of my eaten apples.

Plus the floor was completely flooded with waste, the smell was
disgusting. I quickly shut the door, so he did not ask me how the apples
got in there. The next day Dave picked me up from school and on the
way home started asking. Was it me who threw the apples into the
toilet? I started to deny it saying, No, what are you talking about? I
have no idea who did it!? In the end he still didnt believe me. But he
was no longer as angry as yesterday, when he cleaned that toilet. Our
relations did not get worse. Every day I play with Jason, my beloved
brother and his sister Jenifer. I have great relationships with them.
Today is Saturday, my happiest day in America. Morning was boring but
after a few hours everything just changed in a very good way. A month
ago Rotarians asked me whether I want to go on a bus tour to major
cities in the end of the year. That trip cost 1000 dollars. I said that
unfortunately my Russian parents do not have such money, and I cant
afford it. About nine in the morning, I received a call from the people of
the Rotary Club Midland morning; they said they found a sponsor for
me who can pay for my trip to New York. I couldnt believe and was
very happy.
I was told that for this I will have to work two days to help the Rotary. I
agreed with pleasure and thanked the man who called me.
My trip will last for two weeks in a big bus with the other exchange
students from different countries. It will be very interesting. Ten
minutes later came even more happy news for me. Mom Mary opened
my door and said that she bought me a ticket to the Bahamas, and I'm
flying with them. I was just dumbfounded; my mood got up to one
hundred percentage and more! My mom and dad will be very happy
for me, I thought to myself, And my Russian friends will go crazy
when I come back and show my pictures! Missis Shifer, my English
tutor, gave me her video camera. So, I will have a video recording from
the Bahamas, I am so happy!
An hour later we went to the store to buy summer clothes. My brother
was at someone's birthday. So, we went without him. Mary bought me
two cool basketball costumes. Before we came to the store I said to
Dave and Mary that when I have the money, I'll buy a leather jacket.
We walked in the store. Mary bought a great sweater, and suddenly
Dave went to the store where they sold leather jackets. Prices were
high, ranging from 200 dollars. We went inside and looked around, I
tried on several jackets and then we went away. When we were already
in the car, Dave says, We have to buy something else.
We went into the already familiar to me shop, where they sold leather
jackets. Dave said to me.
Choose what you like the best!
I showed him a jacket for two hundred dollars and he pulled out a
credit card and bought it for me! Then I thought to myself, What a nice
and real people! I really loved that jacket. I thanked him, and we went
to dinner.
I am writing in my room and I look forward to our future trip to
Bahamas. In three or four hours, I'll call home to Russia and tell
everything to my parents.
Finish writing a 17.39.p.m. on Saturday. Everything is great!!!
Help from Rotary
Today is Sunday, 13.17.p.m. I just came home from lunch at a
restaurant and am writing about last night.
Yesterday from 18.00 to 22.30 I was working for the people who
sponsored my bus trip. I was answering calls on television for those
who wanted to buy CDs.
When we arrived at the TV studio in Delta College, it was about 17.30.
So, there were people who were supposed to help me do my work. In
fact, it was a simple and interesting job. On the channel named Q.TV
there sang a famous singer and, when the advertisement started, me
and some other exchange students responded to the calls of concerned
people who wanted to buy a CD of this singer. The idea was that at the
beginning of the advertisement a television anchorman said, Dear
audience! For you there just sang this wonderful voice. If you have an
opportunity to buy a music CD, you'll have a chance to chat with
exchange students from Russia and Zimbabwe, who'll explain to you
how to get this wonderful CD. We are waiting for your calls with no
passion. So, in such a way we responded to phone calls, and people
were buying CDs. I remember a bright light in the studio and three large
cameras. It was really very interesting to work on American television.
When we completed our mission, they earned $ 13,000.
The next day I helped to serve disabled people who came in the dining
room. I worked the whole day. Then the Rotary thanked me and said
that they booked a seat on the bus for me, which will go to New York
through large cities after my school year. I also thanked the guys, and
then they drove me home. Now I am waiting for a video tape with the
recording of us selling CDs. It was great. Want to take it home to Russia
and show to my parents.
Everything is well, the weather is warm and I'm happy!
I am finish writing at 13.50 day time.
Saturday Morning
I feel good. Today is a sunny morning, and I'm very happy! It was
snowing in the last days, but today the sun suddenly appeared. This
sunny day will melt the snow, and the streets will be clean. At school I
have many friends but I havent talked to Zag, that Russian immigrant,
for about seven months already. He left our school because of his bad
grades, and so, I did not see him anymore. I start to forget my Russian
language because I rarely speak it. When I made some calls to my
Russian friends only and sometimes spoke at school with Mr.
Mulveney. He is a cool guy but he tries to speak Russian to me as little
as possible. He wants me speak more English. Last week was a long one
for me. Today is Saturday, and I rest at home. Yesterday I called my first
host family. I want to ask Greg if I may go and play basketball at the
sports center where he works as director. Mom Robyn answered and
said that he will call me at ten in the morning. But now is 11.20, and
Greg still hasn't called me. I want to play basketball because I got
bored. All this summer days I have been studying the language.
Sometimes I look at occasionally flying aircraft in the sky and want
return to my home in Russia. Miss my parents and friends there. There
are still two weeks left before I go to the Bahamas. I am really looking
forward to that. Yesterday I told Mary about the problems in my family
in Russia. Told her about father's friends who later became our
enemies, about me, my mother and sister Zlata, I miss her a lot.
I have not received the video tape, but expect it every day. Everything
is well.
I am finish writing at 11.38 in the morning.
Bahamas!!!
Today I am writing from the Bahamas sitting in a luxury hotel on the
beach. It took us about four hours of flying by plane to get here from
America. The flight went well. When I got off the plane I breathed the
fresh ocean air filled with smells of fruits. When we received the
luggage, Dave went to rent the car. He quickly picked it. Mary, Jennifer
and her grandmother were waiting for us at the airport and we went to
choose a hotel. Here there are many palm trees, beautiful houses and
villas. The picture is completed by the sand and the blue sky. The roads
are nice. I feel luxury dizzy.




After Bahamas
I am writing at home in America. We returned from Bahamas two
weeks ago. We lived in a luxury hotel on the first floor near the beach
and a big swimming pool.
Now Mary called me for lunch. I have just eaten two slices of pizza and I
am writing again. Let's go back to the Bahamas.
Next to our hotel there was a huge swimming pool with a slide, a hot
whirlpool and an underwater cave, there were special water seats and
alcoholic drinks. On the other side in ten meters from hotel there was
located a nice long beach.
How great it would be, if my Russian friends were here with me! I
thought. One day Dave offered me and his son Jason to fly a parachute,
which pulls the boat along the sea coast. We agreed. The boat took us
from the shore. Jason was first. Then I followed. Two Afro-American
guys showed me how to hold on correctly, I took a run on the platform
and took off.
The feeling was cool. Soon the boat rotated, the cable was not
stretched and I began to slowly lose altitude. It was only half a meter
above the water surface. I was already scared to drop into the water
with the parachute but the next second the motor of the boat roared
again, pulled the rope and lifted me up into the sky. Five minutes later I
landed on the platform and thanked Dave. He paid 50 dollars for each
of us but he did not fly himself.
Every day my brother Jason and I took the ferry to another island.
There were located nice big hotels, houses, swimming pools and the
central market. Once we arrived at the island, found a hot tub, got in
there and started talking. Next to us about five yards away, I saw five
people sitting. I heard Russian speech. They were Russian millionaires.
They were drinking vodka.
I got out of the Jacuzzi, went to them and said in Russian,
Hey, guys!
They looked at me with surprise, and one of them asked with a smile,
Where are you from, boy?
I am from Siberia.
How did you get here, then?
I am studying in America as an exchange student. My host family paid
for my trip to Bahamas. That's how I'm here.
Well, let's drink to your arrival! We could rarely see a Siberian guy on
Bahamas.
Then they poured me some vodka in a glass.
I cant. My contract says I can't drink any alcohol because I can be
deported back to Siberia.
The men shook their heads with understanding and one says,
It is better not to drink than being back to Siberia!

All of them started laughing. I said goodbye and returned to the hot tub
to Jason. He asked me,
Who are these guys?
They are Russian Mafia.
He looked again at them, then turned to me and said,
Nick, let's go back to the hotel.
It was wonderful time. Every day we ate at expensive restaurants. Once
I was snorkeling in the sea ten meters from the shore. Suddenly under
water I heard some noise. It was not like an engine noise and, when I
turned my head to the left, I saw a huge stingray with a long tail. It
swam just a meter away from me. I knew that stingrays were
poisonous; I was frightened and quickly swam to the shore.
In the recent days, I've bought three shirts for my family in Russia and a
necklace of black and pink stone for my sister. On the last day we had
dinner at a luxurious restaurant named Sharks.
It was located on a large rock from there we could see the skyline and
watch the big red sun go down the ocean. At 19.00 there was a special
show with sharks for visitors of this restaurant. We came to the special
platform to see it. A man above us threw pieces of meat into the sea. A
few seconds later a small flock of sharks came to eat the meat and tore
it to shreds so that the pieces of meat flew out onto the water surface.
It was a great show! So, that was the end of wonderful weekends on
the Bahamas! We returned to a cold climate.
When we were flying over the Bermuda Triangle, the engines of our
plane stopped working. Then its came the silence. We could hear the
rustle of the plane. Passengers were nervous. Everyone was strongly
holding each other's hands and praying. I was also praying. The plane
was abruptly descending, but in five minutes everything started
working again, and the aircraft flew straight. We came home at 22.00
p.m., got the luggage and drove home to Midland.
Upon arrival, I immediately called home to Russia. Mom picked up the
phone. I told her everything! And she replied, I wish you'll have a
dream about Bahamas.
I was glad that the trip went excellent! Thanks to my host family it was
a great time!
Moving to my Third Host Family
Today is Monday. In a week I am moving to my third family. I am glad
that it's little time left, only eight weeks of school. Then there will be
that trip to New York, Philadelphia, Washington and other cities!
I am very grateful to this second family for their beautiful gifts and for
what they have done for me. I am finish writing at 18.25.p.m. in my
room in the second family.

I am writing on Sunday. It got cold again. One good thing is that it is still
six weeks of school left. When the school year ends, I'll go on a trip
organized by the Rotary International and then go back to Russia. I very
much look forward to it! The day before yesterday I had a conference
with the Rotary Club Midland. I just said my name and where I came
from.
The third family was already familiar people to me. They were friends
of my lovely first host family. Their surname was Loves. Before
Christmas they gave me a good shirt with the words Kalamazoo. Their
house is good. They have a nice piano. I am glad that I can continue to
play this instrument. I was given a room with a waterbed and a small
TV. Mom's name is Susan, the father name is Dirk, and the three
brothers names are Daniel, the junior, the middle is Nathan, and the
eldest one, who gave me his room, is Matthew. I like this family. Plus,
they have a pretty good dog by the name Kynzy. Tomorrow or in two
days, I'll reserve my plane tickets to Russia because in two months
there can be no free seats left on the plane. Yesterday I met with the
relatives of my third family, a grandmother and grandpa, I also like
them. At school teachers and all the people I know became my good
friends. School ends in six weeks and so, almost a year has passed in
America. On the weekends my host parents took me to sand dunes on
Lake Michigan. When we arrived, the lake was really beautiful with lots
of sand. The water was cold but I swam. We have also visited the
beautiful island. There were no cars and people rode bicycles on the
roads of the island. On the mountain there was a beautiful hotel. I liked
it much.

I am finish writing at 19.10.p.m. on Sunday, the second of May. Two
days ago I was talking to my Russian mother and she told me that they
would go to have a holiday on Lake Baikal. I think at the moment they
should be there.
My Memories
Today is Wednesday, 17.49.
I just got back from playing basketball. I played with friends from
another school. Days go quickly, one after another. I often dream about
my Russian parents and friends, which means I'll see them soon!
Lately it has started to seem to me like I have lived here in America
since I was born. This is a very strange feeling as if my real parents were
somewhere in my mind in another world. Maybe it's how it is. America
and Russia are two countries which have nothing in common.
Two days ago I received a 75$ scholarship from the Rotary club. I get
this money every month. With this 75$ I'm going to buy a new doll Baby
Born for my sister Zlata. It is still five weeks before school ends.
Yesterday I asked Susan to find me a bike, so, I could go to school or
shops. She gave me a bike of her son; she said she would not let me go
without a helmet. I did not want to wear it, but she insisted on it and
said that it was for my safety. Finally I agreed, put the helmet on and
went to a shop. Forty meters from home, I took off the helmet from my
head and threw it on the lawn. I was back in an hour, took a helmet
that was still lying on the lawn, put it on and went back home,
pretending that I wore the helmet all the way.

At school everything is fine. Now I have many acquaintances and
friends. Teachers treat me well. Today it was hot, about twenty degrees
Celsius. I remember the time when I first arrived in America. I could not
speak English. It was somehow scary. I did not believe that I was in
America, that I got there alone. I saw other people and a different
perception of life. I've counted how many days it took me to get from
Russia to Midland. It was about three days. At first I felt as if I was in
another world where no one understands me because I cant speak
their language. But now I am glad that I can and understand these good
people. Today I will prepare for the fifteenth of May. I'll tell the
difference between America and Russia to the Rotary Club of Midland.
My discussion should last for twenty-five minutes. Everything is well. I
am finish writing on May, 12 at 18.27 in the evening on Wednesday.
A Call from America to Russia
Yesterday I called Russia to my friend Ruslan, I told him a little about
America, how peaceful it is to live here, everyone is bound by the rules,
good people, etc. Then Ruslan began to tell me the story which recently
happened to him and the fellows. One guy lives in our nine-storey
apartment house on the ninth floor. His name is Max and he is
nicknamed Mammoth for his shaggy hair. He is totally different from
Michael who mocked the cats. Max is kind to everybody and he likes
cats. But unfortunately he annoys our street guys. His mother divorced
her husband and works till late evening every day leaving her son alone
in the apartment. When I lived in Russia before my departure to
America, Ruslan and I used to come to his house to play Sony
PlayStation. At first it was Okay, Max would let us into his home every
day. But then he probably got tired of our visits, he stopped to open the
door, he didn't want us to be in his flat referring to the fact that we
create a mess and make his house untidy.
So, then it became a kind of competition to get to the mammoth's
apartment (the cave). We came up with various tricks; our aim was to
get into Maxs flat. Sometimes we did it, and then my friends filled his
apartment up and locked him in the bathroom. We went to the kitchen,
ate some food from his fridge, watched his TV and played Sony
PlayStation while he was locked in the bathroom. When we were
leaving his flat, there was a big mess. The same evening his mother
went to our apartments and complained to our parents. After that we
hated Mammoth more than ever.
In a while Max stopped opening the door to everyone except his mom.
By that time I already left for America, and now ten minutes ago Ruslan
told me on the phone how he and nine others got into the Mammoths
apartment and made a real mess. They even called an ambulance. So, it
was like this.
There were ten of us, says Ruslan, It was raining outside and we
decided to get into the Mammoths cave. All the guys knew that he
would not open the door to us, and the boys had hidden so that Max
could not see them through the peephole, and then I knocked on the
door. In ten seconds I heard Maxs voice:
Who is it?
It is me, Ruslan.
I cant open the door. Mom went to work and took the keys with her.
I knew that Max will try to lie and prepared for this beforehand.
The boys stood and waited with bated breath for the door lock to click
and the door to open. The lift in this block was not working, and I said
to Mammoth:
Listen Max, your mother is on the second floor with heavy bags. She
asked me to reach you and tell you to help her. She needs your help.
I was standing. It was a minute of silence. He might not believe me.
Suddenly the door started clicking and opened. Then I and nine of our
guys pushed the door. Max tried to close it but could not stand the
pressure of nine people, he was knocked down, and our guys got into
the cave. As always, we took Max and locked him in the bathroom.
Then we started to create chaos in a three-room flat. Tomatoes were
flying, the recorder was playing loud. In the kitchen several people took
places at the table and cut the bread and cheese, they ate everything
they could find in the refrigerator. Max, locked in the bathroom, was
shouting something but, because of this chaos, nobody heard him and
didn't want to hear. We have one mutual friend Vladimir, his face is
similar with our President and thats why Vladimir was given the
nickname "Putin". So he ran into the gazebo. Vladimir abruptly opened
the window. It bounced off the wall, and a piece of glass fell on his
hand and cut the vein.

Screaming for help, Vladimir ran into the hall with a cut hand. He
started to splotch the carpet with his blood. Seeing it, our guys didn't
know what to do. They took him by the arm and led him to your
mother on the fourth floor. Marina (my mothers name) opened the
door. We shouted to her, Help! "Putin" is dying!
Your mom just called an ambulance and dragged his hand above the
vein. Vladimir had already become pale from the loss of blood. In ten
minutes the ambulance came and rescued his life.
Ruslan finished telling this story. I laughed, my American parents were
sitting nearby and they smiled knowing that I was told something very
funny. Then I asked Ruslan,
What about the Mammoth? Did anybody let him out of the
bathroom?
All the guys have forgotten about him! He is probably still sitting
there!
The Long-Awaited Trip to New York
I began writing on Friday, June, 11 at 12.45.
Yesterday I watched the movie Troy with my best friends Anna and
Lisa. They came for me to my place. I played them several songs on the
piano, and we went to the cinema. I really liked it.
Everything was great. Happy that the school will be over in 37 days and
then I will leave for Russia, go back home!
I am finish writing at 12.58.
I start writing on June 30 at 21.15.p.m.
Two days ago I returned from a bus trip to American cities.
The trip was great I didn't think that all the 48 exchange students will
become good friends with me. Mister Grant, one of Rotary members,
helped organize the trip. I am grateful to him.
It was an early morning. We were taken to a place where the bus
waited for us. Then we drove to a hotel where all the exchange
students were meeting. All of the exchange students spent one night at
this hotel. There were one hundred of exchange students. One group
went to Las Vegas, and mine to New York. The next morning the bus
took us to the airport where we sat on the plane flying to another city.
Almost every seat of that plane was taken by an exchange student. It
seemed like it was a plane special for Rotary exchange students. So,
we were flying and taking photos, I was recording everything on a
video-camera. So, I still have three hours of video of our bus trip.
We landed and got out of the airport, there we boarded a big, beautiful
bus and began our journey through cities such as Boston, Philadelphia,
New York and all the way to Washington. People, who accompanied us
during the trip, were well prepared. There were five of them: two man
and three women. One was our security. Other two women were
telling us about the cities in which we stopped. A husband of one of the
women was our driver. He became a good friend to us. Another man
helped his wife to keep order on the bus. During these two weeks
everything was grate. We all enjoyed our trip. I never thought that in
such a short period of time I'll become friends with all the exchange
students.
The first city was Boston. At first I saw the great house of fifty or even
more floors. Our leaders divided us into groups to walk independently
in Boston for two hours and told us to return to the bus at four o'clock.
I was in a group with my good friend Pana from Zimbabwe. I asked him
to record me on the camera with large buildings at the background. I
like Boston, but I would not like to live in there. I could see a big
difference between rich and poor areas of the city. It was like
somebody had divided it in half. We walked in the center of the town,
returned to the bus and drove on.
We traveled for about four days. Stayed at luxury hotels and met with
the Rotary clubs of different cities. It was excellent! In Maine I saw
beautiful mountains, flowers and the sea. At the same city, we were
sent to live with a host family for two days. I and a student from
Slovakia, who did not seem very pleasant to me, were accommodated
to a woman who was a director of a local college. She told me that once
she was an exchange student to Russia and therefore speaks good
Russian. But unfortunately we did not speak my native language
because there was always a student from Slovakia around.
When I told her about the ongoing political and economic problems in
Russia, she listened to me with interest, suddenly broke down and said
a bad word in Russian Blyad. Then we laughed. The next day she
made a small tour showing the city and the interior, where there were
retro automobiles. I really liked this so much.
On Thursday we went to New York, which was not so far. When we
began to drive to the border of the city, there opened a magnificent
architectural view! I had a video-camera in my hand and recorded that
moment. When the all students saw the first sight of long-long New-
York buildings and I shouted, Guys!!! It is New-York!!! The Rotarians
supported me with the shouts of joy, New York!!! I am finish writing
at 22.12 on June, 30.
I continue to write on July, 1 at 22.17.
I still remember the first picture in my head when I saw New-York. We
crossed a control line and continued to move at low speed. In five
minutes in front of us there grew beautiful glass-lined buildings that
went into the clouds!
People were hurrying to work. I sat in the front seat of the bus and
recorded it on my camera.
With the first step onto the ground, I felt a huge energy released in this
city. They divided us into groups of five people. Everyone was dressed
in a red t-shirt not to lose each other.
At a first glance, the streets of New York were small but when we got
downtown, I could not believe my eyes: many thousands of people
crowded the central street. I heard singing of a street musician coming
from somewhere. Everywhere there were cars passing by with sirens.
Our group left the main street and mingled with the crowd. Passing by
singing musicians, we stopped for five minutes. There were four-black
people performing jazz. We liked their music and even danced a little.
So, in my group there were students from Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica,
France and Belgium. Everything was great! We found a cafe and had a
snack. I bought a coke and a hamburger, sat on the step of a fountain
that was next to the Plaza hotel and enjoyed my meal. Then I chose t-
shirts for my parents and my little sister; went to an electronics store
and bought a camera with the screen for two megapixels. In the center
of New-York I took a photo with a famous cowboy. New-York was an
expensive city.
I finish writing on July, 1 at 22.50.
I am writing on July, 2 at 17.50.
In New York we spent two days. We accommodated in New Jersey
hotel near Manhattan. We visited many museums, climbed the tallest
building in New York, the Empire State Building. It was 102 floors high.
There were two levels of lifts. The first went up to the fiftieth floor.
When passing another security check, we took the second elevator that
took us to the last floor. There we went out onto a special platform.
The view was super-duper! New York spread out in front of us! But it
was scary because of the height.
One moment of my life in Russia came back to memory. One day, when
I was with my friends running across the roofs of our nine-storey
buildings, we began to play tags. We were pounding our feet loudly on
the roofing slate. In a few minutes out of the attic door there came a
man with a rifle in his hand. He aimed at us and shouted,
I am sick of you running on my roof! I'll drop you from this roof!
We froze and did not move. This crazy man glanced at me, walked
toward and grabbed me by the collar, dragged to the fence and almost
bent me over. It was very scary! Down there I saw passers-by, they
seemed small points to me. The height was big. The man tried to push
me out the roof and keep shouting, I'll kill you; you'll no longer disturb
me!
I was grabbing the fence - it was difficult to hold on and not fly out
there! Half of my body was already in the air! My head started
spinning! My boys were not taken aback and began grabbing this
abnormal and shouted at him,
Let him go! He will fall!

A man was distracted, and I took advantage of this moment and
jumped out of his hands. We ran away. This madman with a gun was
shouting at us,
I'll catch and punish you, my time will come!
One hundred and two floors! It's about ten 9-storey buildings! High,
and plus the platform on which we were standing and enjoying the
beauty of New York was well-fenced.
After these bad memories I wanted to go down to the ground. Then we
went to conference rooms, which brought together the most influential
politicians, including presidents of various countries. I saw the Statue of
Liberty but not that close. They didnt let us in there because near was
a terrorist attack three years ago. We even visited the place where
there used to be the two twin towers. There was a big hole, and the
buildings standing next to it were all damaged. This place is now called
Ground Ziro. There I bought a photo card with the pictures of the
terrorist attack for five dollars and a book for six. Prior to that, we saw a
monument with the figure of a submarine sailor. My Russian dad saw it
when he was in New-York and photographed this monument in 1993.
New-York was a clean city. There were no drug addicts or bombs on the
streets. Maybe somewhere they might have been but at least I couldn't
see them, except for one homeless man. The city was amazingly
beautiful, especially at night. There were many bright lights, signals of
cars, different vehicles and wailing police sirens passing by. You feel
that life is seething! One negative aspect: people are not very friendly
as in all large cities. I would like to have visited New-York in the thirties
because I love everything associated with the time: people in black suits
and hats, chrome-plated cars with leather interiors and music
performed by jazz bands.
I am finish writing at 18.23 on the second of July.
Washington
White House
I started writing at 22.53 p.m. on July, 6.
I just talked to Russian mom on the phone. Told her about school and
the sunglasses which I bought for her today.
After New York we went to Washington. The trip lasted for about four
hours. We left New-York early in the morning and arrived at 11.00 a.m.
Washington seemed an entirely different city to me compared to New
York. We were going by bus at a low speed. Sitting at the front and
looking at the clean streets, where the locals were engaged in jogging
and riding bicycles.
This city is filled with monuments and historical museums. Many
flowers are planted around the city. There are no big buildings. The first
buildings I saw were the White House and the World War II Memorial.

We were placed in a luxury hotel in the suburbs of Washington. It was
an 8-storey building. On the first floor, there was a restaurant,
swimming pool, bar and gym. We were given excellent rooms the doors
to which could be opened with a plastic card instead of a key. That was
cool. In Washington we visited a factory where they print money. So,
we were looking at how they make real dollars through an armored
glass. We also saw Pentagon, visited the grave of President Nixon.
Planes flew low in this city - apparently, there was an airport nearby.
The next day the Rotary organized a trip to roller coasters. The rating of
these slides was 5 or 6 stars. Unfortunately I could not take a video
camera there. At the end of the trip they took us to some town. Do not
remember for sure but Rotary gathered a huge number of exchange
students from all States. It was cool. I met with the new guys. We
played football with guys from Brazil! They won us but it was fun. It was
time to say goodbye. Exchange students, with sadness on their faces,
hugged each other tightly saying goodbye, because maybe they will not
see each other ever. My lovely first host dad took me back to our
Midland. His daughter Hope was with us. She also came to this city, in
which I spent the last day with my friends. On the way back to Midland
I could not believe that soon I'll see my native mother, sister and father.
Inside I was happy that the Rotary gave me this remarkable year of life
in America, a country where now I have a lot of friends! I gained great
experience with good, kind and decent people.
I am finish writing at 23.20 p.m.


Last Days in America

I began to write in Russia at home at 12.47 on Wednesday.
My memories from America
A few days remain before my departure back to Russia. I have been
invited to a Rotary meeting (meeting of the club) in Midland. Rotarians
wanted to hear how I spent that year in America.
I told them about my great host families, in which I lived, the wonderful
trips I had and the friends whom I did not want to say goodbye to. But I
basically talked about the difference between the two countries, Russia
and the United States. My speech lasted for approximately thirty
minutes. When I finished, all the fifty of those Rotarians, who were
present, were happy with my English and speech.

I thanked everyone once again and said goodbye to the wonderful
Midland Rotary Club.
Three days before my departure to Chicago my host families organized
a farewell dinner at the house of the second family. The dinner started
at 18.30 in the evening. We remembered how they first met me and
the ridiculous situations I got into when I did not know the language
and the culture. The first and the third family decided to go with me to
Chicago for three days and put me on the plane. So, they showed me all
the places in the super-duper Chicago. This city became my favorite in
America.
The family rented rooms at the Hilton Hotel under the name Palmer
House. It was located in the center of the city. The hotel was nice. On
the last day we went for an evening walk. There was some celebration,
and, when we came to seafront, I saw the most beautiful fireworks in
my life that lasted over thirty minutes. It was magnificent. The next
morning my families accompanied me to the airport of Chicago and we
parted with tears in our eyes. I boarded Boing737 and went to South
Korea. There my American family booked a room for me at the airport
transit hotel, because I had to spend one night and then fly to
Vladivostok.
The Long-Awaited Meeting with my Mom
The Russian plane was approaching Vladivostok city. I sat by the
window and noticed native birches and a Russian lorry named Ural. In
my heart I was glad that finally I had done it. We successfully landed, I
went to the airport and there I saw my mom! She was waiting for me
with tears in her eyes! Seeing me, she cried even more, I give her a
strong embrace and was happy to see her. We kissed each other. She
looked good as always! In general, everything was great! Mom said she
did not sleep for two days, because she was waiting for me, and I did
not sleep for two days either because of the emotional stress. My
mother rented an apartment near the train station. For a couple of days
we relaxed, went to the place where we used to go one year ago. There
were the same people. Nothing changed that much. Even Shurik still
came to the beach with a book and pretended to be clever drawing
some words with a stick on the sand. I looked at him and thought, The
Dukes do not change. Five minutes later I saw the same diver but
there was no hole in his underpants as one year ago. He was diving in
the same way: went to the parapet, threw his rubber slippers, prayed
and dived in water to get them back. Nothing has changed.
I finish writing at 13.20 a.m. I'm feeling pretty good!


Irkutsk City

We took off late at night. The flight Vladivostok-Irkutsk lasted for about
four hours on Russian plane named TU-154. Some call this plane "The
Seagull". If you fly on this and get a place next to the front wing,
probably you will notice how the wing sharply goes up and down, very
similar to a wing beat of a bird. This is an unpleasant sight. When we
left the ground, there was a strong wind and lightning. My mom was
scared and she looked out of the window. I closed the window not to
see this lightning. The plane was shaking because of a big turbulence
and I thought, "It would have been be better if we had taken a three
day journey by train".
The landing was tough. The plane was shaking so strongly that a plate
with the inscription "fasten seat belts" came off and flew away, hitting
one passenger right in the forehead. He started swearing. In the next
five seconds of our landing, the wires tumbled from under the plane
skin, and in the other five seconds the plane finally stopped. All
passengers had the happiest faces and made a loud applause to pilots
who landed this old bird. The happiest people on that plane were my
mom and me.
When we left the airport, I saw my father and sister, she grew up. We
hugged each other, threw the suitcases in the trunk of our car and went
home to our neighborhood "Pervomayskiy", which actually means "the
first day of May".
It takes about twenty minutes to get from the airport to our apartment.
I was looking out of the car window. It was dark and about one a.m.,
but I still noticed that the city had not changed. We came to the
apartment and unpacked the suitcases. Suddenly, someone rang the
doorbell. It was already about two hours in the morning. I opened the
door and saw my friends and other guys, about twenty people,
Wow, an American! You promised a block of Malboro. Have you
brought it? Get dressed. We will go to celebrate your arrival on the roof
of this house!
I gave a hug to everyone. They started asking a bunch of questions.
They made so much noise in the block, that some neighbors woke up
and began to shout,
Stop making so much noise or I'll call the militia!
I gave a block of American cigarettes and said:
We shall celebrate my arrival tomorrow, because now I am very tired
and had not seen my parents and sister for a year.
The boys said to me,
Man, you almost totally forgot Russian! You speak with a great
American accent! Then, without arguing, they took the block of
Marlboro and ran on the street to try what American tobacco tastes
like.

Time has passed since I came back to Irkutsk. At first I could barely
speak Russian. Everybody laughed at me. I really forgot a lot of Russian
words and had to think for a moment before I could construct a
sentence.
When I went to visit my guys in their flats, on the shelves among other
souvenirs in their rooms I saw an empty packet from American
cigarettes that I presented. I smiled and asked,
Why do you keep it?
They always say,
Nick, why do you ask? This pack was lying at a Chicago store! This is
more than any souvenir to me!
A Year has Passed
Returning from my lessons at the Linguistic University, in the courtyard
I saw my friend "Terminator" (Ivan) and his dead drunken brother
Gosha next to him, who was just demobilized from the army. To come
to his senses, brother asked Terminator to hit him in the face.
Terminator swung and his fist came right in the brother's face. Brother
shook his head and said, Man! No, it was not enough. You hit me like a
girl! Hit me like a real man!

Terminator became angry and punched him, so that his older brother
turned on 180 degrees and fell to the ground, losing consciousness.
Happy "Terminator" Ivan said, Now you don't have to sober up. You
got what you wanted.
I said hello and commented, A good punch, Ivan!
He smiled, Hey, American!, and dragged his brother home.
Two Years Later
One cold January morning I came by tram to the stop which was near
the University and decided to cut my way, because I was late for the
lecture.
I was wearing a leather jacket, that gift from my second American host
family. When I walked into the unfamiliar neighborhood, I was
surrounded by five people; they asked me to give my leather jacket. I
began to talk,
What is the problem? We can organize a meeting, and then we'll talk.

The longest guy pulled out a knife and pressed it to my throat, then
said, I am a bomber! I have nothing to lose! You either take off your
jacket or I'll strip your throat!
Another one of them was standing behind me, he also had knife and
put it against my back. Being in this situation, I got lost. The longest
pressed his knife firmly to my throat. When I saw his crazy eyes I
realized that it makes no sense to fight. I took off my American leather
jacket and give it to them.
In the evening my father sadly smiled and said,
You see, son! In America people try to dress you, but in Siberia they
undress.

2.MAKIKO


The Exchange Student from Japan
It was my familys turn to accept an exchange student from Japan. Her
name was Makiko. When I told my fellows that soon a girl from Japan
would come to our neighborhood, the news spread throughout the
district in a few hours. Everyone was looking forward to this
outstanding meeting.
Two weeks before her arrival, every day on the streets guys were
discussing how and who would introduce Makiko to the youth
traditions of our "Pervomayskiy" district. When they saw me walking on
the streets, they would always ask, Is she cute? Does she smoke or
drink? How old is she?
It gave me an impression of our criminal neighborhood expecting an
arrival of the world-famous star! My family decorated her room with
specially designated Chinese style wallpaper with hieroglyph print. It
turned out beautiful!
There approached that day when the Japanese student arrived. The
Rotarians took her to our neighbor. They helped unload the bags and
lift them up to our fourth floor. The elevator was broken.
Hello, Makiko! I am your brother Nick!
She smiled kindly and said in English, Hi, Nick! Let's be friends!
At first we talked to her in English. She knew that language pretty well,
but in a few days Makiko began to focus her efforts on learning Russian.
It was a pleasure to watch her eagerness to study our culture and learn
to speak Russian. The most interesting was to see how she sniffed
vegetables and different products before she tasted them.
A few days later, in the evening, we went out to the balcony with her.
Seeing a crowd of young people on the street, Makiko asked, Are they
your friends? Why there are so many of them?
There were about fifty people outside. They were going to a criminal
meeting. At the time the guys noticed Makiko standing next to me on
the balcony. They immediately started to whistle and began to shout.
Hello to the Japanese girl!
Come out and let's get acquainted!
Welcome to our neighborhood!
Makiko just smiled in response and waved her hand in greeting. I said,
See, Makiko. How many young guys are paying attention to you! She
smiled again.
Here one of the folks in the crowd shouted, Hey Guys! It's time to go
and break some bones! The whole crowd rushed down to our
neighborhood for their crime huddle.
See you later, Makiko! Keep learning Russian. We do not understand
any other language! These phrases I translated into English for her.
She smiled and said, Why are there so many of them and where to
they heading?
This is our local football team and they are having a match with the
guys from another district, I replied with a smile.
Makiko smiled again, I wish them victory!
Mom called us for dinner. There were vegetables, buckwheat and some
lamb on the table, which smelled good. When Makiko saw such a large
piece of meat, she asked, How much did it cost?
Mom said the price per kilogram. Makiko was very surprised saying, In
Japan a piece of such meat would cost much more!
Then we talked about Japan. My mom said that she has some Japanese
blood running in her body as her great grandmother was a Japanese
woman from the southern Sakhalin islands of the Far East. Makiko was
surprised, saying that she really wanted to know the Russian language
and our culture. We promised to help her.
It was already midnight. Thanking and wishing us good night, she went
to her room to sleep.
The next day she met my friends. It was already evening, and, when we
came out of the building, we heard screams right away, Makiko, hello!
Come on, come closer! Let's get acquainted!
We walked up to the crowd. Makiko began to shake hands with all the
fellows. She tried to say correctly in Russian, Hey! My name is Makiko.
I'm from Japan!
The boys began to give her the once-over. The clubs of cigarette smoke
rose around us and our exchange student started coughing. The guys
were cracking sunflower seeds, and we could feel husks of the seeds
crunching under our feet. Makiko was making mistakes in her
pronunciation, and the guys were laughing.
Anyway, because of my request, the guys tried to be polite with her to
show our culture at the highest level. Luckily, they succeeded, though
the whole neighborhood could hear the guys laughing.
Makiko got tired of such attention, and said goodbye to her fans in
Russian.
The fellows were excited to hear it in Russian; everyone shook her hand
and wished her to learn the Russian language as fast as she can,
because they have a lot of questions about Japan!
As the time went on, Makiko was studying Russian. Here the winter
came. We decided to go skiing in the fabulous Siberian forest. She loved
that trip. In the middle of our way her hair got covered in hoarfrost
similar to the one on tree branches. Her eyelashes were shrouded in
snow-flakes. Steam was evaporating from her head. She fell a few
times, but a smile never left her face.

We made our way up to the tiny brook and the most beautiful places in
Taiga forest. Then we boiled some tea on a camp fire, warmed up and
started to move back home. All the way Makiko could not stop
marveling the beauty of the surrounding nature and the freshness of
frosty air. She said that here you breath much easier than in Japan, as
there are a lot of plants.
Every day I noticed that she liked our country. It called up my vivid
memories of the first days in America. Everything was fun and new, but
at some point I began to get very bored and missed my parents. I
recalled how happy I was when I returned back home and saw our
Siberian birch trees!
My memories were interrupted by the doorbell. There stood the
plumber Oleg. It was a man with golden teeth, who had worked half of
his life in the severe Northern part of Russia.
Hello, Uncle Oleg! How can I help you?
Hello, American boy! They say that you are taking care of some
Chinese girl whose face is like Jackie Chans. I came to marry her!
Meanwhile, I will check your pipes!
Oh, she is not Chinese but Japanese.
I don't care about that. I like movies with that guy!
He smiled showing his golden teeth, and his laugh, mixed with the smell
of alcohol, echoed throughout the whole stairwell.
Please come in! She's in her room.
Oleg the plumber came to the apartment and, after greeting my
mother, pulled a liter of vodka from his pocket, saying, Call your
Chinese girl. I am going to teach her normal Russian language! Hearing
a loud laugh, Makiko cautiously peeked from the corner of her room
and, seeing the plumber Oleg, backed away. But Oleg had time to
notice it. Why are you hiding like a monkey around that corner? Come
out here! Today, I'll be your teacher of the Russian language! It was
evident that Makiko was surprised to see his teeth. They were all
golden. Then Oleg kept asking her and always confused her name, Tell
me, Makako! How many hieroglyphs your language has? I stood next
to her and helped to translate the question.
She smiled and thought for a moment then answered already in
Russian, Three thousands
The plumber took a step back and, stretching his hand artistically,
shouted, Oh my Chinese god! Does not you head crack of such amount
of hieroglyphs? Makiko didn't understand the plumbers question and
just shook with her head positively. After that Oleg invited her to the
table, Come and sit down. Now we'll have a drink and get to know you
closer.
Mother put Ukraine lard on the table and invited our student to try it.
Makiko seeing that whole white piece of meat got really surprised. At
this moment, the plumber poured vodka in her small liqueur glass, then
he asked me for a teacup and filled it to the top with the fiery liquid
(Vodka). After drinking half of it, Oleg began tutoring her the Russian
language.
Okay, Makako, now repeat what I say, I came home with my diarrhea,
took a laxative pill but the hot water didn't work and my pants got all
covered in crap!
Makiko tried to repeat all the words. Then dead-drunk plumber said.
Ah, well done! Then he poured himself a glass of vodka, saying a
toast.
We will drink to our wedding, Makako!
He drank off a glass of vodka, then closed his eyes and fell from his
chair down to the floor. The plumber Oleg instantly fell asleep and
began to snore.
Makiko got scared, What happened to him?
Don't worry. He is already asleep!

She was very surprised and ran for her camera to take some photos of
him. Oleg was covered in tattoos. On his right eyelid he had an
inscription "The Evil", and on his left one - "The God."
In half an hour his wife Tamara came to take him home. She hit him in
the face several times; when he woke up, she apologized to my mother
and dragged him home. Then the noise from the pipes and vibration of
our windows really scared our Japanese girl. But I explained to her, that
such noise comes from a plant nearby, which produces vegetable oil
and mayonnaise!
The New Year was coming. I offered Makiko to have the New Year party
on the street with our street fellows. Makiko agreed, she dressed
warmly and stood with the boys near the entrance, waiting for the
celebration. One guy snuck up behind Makikos feet and threw
firecrackers. A few seconds later the toy bomb went off and scared the
Japanese girl.
It was twelve o'clock and fireworks started exploding all over the place.
Some of them fell on the balconies of houses and the cars. Makiko hid
behind the entrance door and watched for a while. It was cold outside,
about -30, but people ran out of their flats in light clothes, holding
champagne and congratulating each other right on the street. Makiko
did not refuse champagne and also had a liqueur glass of Russian
vodka. At the end of the celebration she started demanding to give the
Kurile Islands back to Japan; then my father replied, Makiko! It's too
late. Please, go to sleep!
It's been a long time since she came to our country. Makiko pretty
much liked school and she already spoke really good Russian. As soon
as she started to understand our language, I began to tell her different
stories about my life from being an exchange student. They surprised
her, but helped her understand our Russia much better.
I decided to begin my story from first days being already in Russia after
my rotary trip to America.
Sony Erikson
One day I decided to give away my gifts from America. Especially I
wanted to show to my fellows an American mobile phone. I bought it
when I received my first Rotary scholarship of 75 dollars. The phone
was silver with a small beam antenna and had a screen of green color. I
bought it for 70 dollars and called to my American families if I was going
to be late from school or had walks with my classmates. All this time
the phone was lying at home as a souvenir, because I couldn't call to
anyone. Almost no one had mobiles at that time. I went on the street;
my friends saw me and noticed my Sony Erikson with a beautiful green
flashing screen.
Nikita! Let us make a call to America!
They began to examine it and press the buttons; there were even
those who tried to call my old American numbers. The programmed
phone operator was saying in English in reply, Sorry, this type of calling
is not available at the moment. Please, try to dial later! The folks were
getting excited from the fact that an American female voice was
speaking personally to each of them! The guys did not understand any
English, except "Sorry" and "Moment", but, anyway, some could
politely reply, "Thank you very much!"
It gave them an impression of having just spoken to America! I gave
away my last souvenirs with the symbols of the United States. There
still remained the last pin shaped as an American flag, but there were
three candidates for this last gift.
We were standing at the entrance of a 9-storey building, near the
mailboxes. Before I could even pull that last pin out of my packet,
Sergey snatched it away from my hands. The other two guys also
wanted to have such a souvenir and began to pull it out from Sergey's
hands.
Sergey did not want to give them the flag of the United States. He
pulled it out from their hands, but hit his head on the iron mailbox. He
was holding his head with one hand and with his other hand he threw
the last pin into the mailboxes. In such a way, nobody got that
American flag. The boys swore Sergey in three letter Russian words,
kicked him a couple of times and went away in different directions.
The next morning I came out of my flat to buy some milk. When I was
passing by those mailboxes, I noticed the box by number 23, in which
Sergey threw my pin, was not on its place. There were only two screws
sticking out of the wall!

A week later, I saw an American flag pinned on Sergey's shirt. He
proudly showed it to all our folks. No one found that lost mailbox,
instead of it there was a bright sign on the wall: "This mailbox has been
stolen, bring the letters in the flat number 23, please."
Makiko listened my story till the end, then said,
Oh, now I understand why that one mailbox is missing on the wall.
She went to her room and brought me a gift, a pin from Japan. I smiled,
Thank you, my sister!
Do you have any drug addicts in your neighborhood? - she asked
than.
Yes.
Can you tell me about them?
Okay, now listen ...
Mario
It was a sunny day. The plant nearby was hooting. In the courtyard,
sitting on the bench, I showed to my folks how to play the Nintendo
(hand-held computer), which I had brought from the United States. The
guys had never seen such a video game until I showed them. They
could not help looking at the small screen and kept playing Mario.
There were ten of us! Passers-by gazed at our crowd with astonishment
one elderly man walked up to us then said, Hello, young people! What
is buzzing in your hands? Is it a new radio or something?
Guys, laughing, pressed the pause, showed the Nintendo to the old
man and offered him to play the Mario game. He just waved goodbye
and added, No, thanks, I'm afraid of this thing!
Oh, I see you have nothing else to do! But I tell youd better go and
watch television or listen to the radio. Otherwise, you will lose your life
if you are always playing these games!
Muttering into his beard, the old man walked to his porch at 9-storey
building. As soon as he got inside, we could hear the sound of breaking
glass. Pieces of glass fell from the ninth floor onto the entrance roof,
breaking into small pieces. We looked up at the last ninth floor. The
screams reached our ears. We saw a young man's head out from the
broken window; then he disappeared.
It was difficult to see what was going on. And the screams were getting
louder, Don't hold me! Let me go! I'm leaving this world!
A minute later a man appeared in the window. He sat on the window
sill, swung his legs down and held with his hands onto the broken
window frame. Is he going to jump? whispered a voice out of our
crowd.
The guy sitting on the window sill shouted something, raised his hands,
leaned forward, and his body slipped from the height of 25 meters. He
flew like a sack of potatoes. Then there was a clap, and clouds of dust
went up in the air from the roof of the porch, which he fell onto.
Everybody forgot about the Mario game - the boys were standing
rooted to the spot. Another guy, a friend of that dead man, ran out of
the building and disappeared around the corner. Someone called an
ambulance, which flew with sirens blaring in our yard.

The blood started dripping from that roof on the asphalt. The doctors
pulled off the body and put him in the ambulance car.
He is dead, sadly said the doctor. Then he looked at his bend of elbow
and added, He was a drug addict.
Then Makiko asked me.
- What do you think, why people use drugs?
- Probably because they could not find a time to fell in love with some-
one... As for me, I think it's better to go play piano and get pleasure and
joy from music.

My Canadian Ice-Skates
Skating rink in Siberia has always been a favorite place for young
people. I offered our Japanese exchange student to learn how to skate,
and she happily replied, Yes, of course, I would love to do that!
It was frosty. The rink reflected sunlight. There was not much crowd on
the ice. Just what we needed for the first start! She liked cutting the ice
with skate blades and falling. Because of the frosty air, her face went
numb with cold. It scared her, and she said that she had such sensation
for the first time. I suggested that we went home immediately and
drank some hot tea. When we got inside our warm flat, Makiko slowly
moved her lips, My face hurts.
It means that the cold is leaving you! Hold on!
She smiled and continued, I want to try to get my hair wet, then go
out to the balcony and shake my hair. My Japanese friends asked me to
do this trick. They want me to check if it is true that after this my hair
will get covered in ice just in a few seconds.
I think youd better try that when the weather is colder. I think your
trick will work out in minus 40 degrees. I will even take some pictures!
A pleasant aroma from green Japanese tea kept us warm inside - it was
her gift. The bright sun rays lit up our room. I looked out of the window.
On snowy paths and sidewalks, people hurrying on their business. The
clouds of steam were rising from the roofs of 9-storey buildings.
Another car got stuck when going uphill. A layer of ice has already
formed on the roads. We were drinking tea and I decided to tell her
about our Russian hockey games, Some of the players smoke.

It is ridiculous to see sportsmen running around with a cigarette in their
mouths. The Canadian ice-skates, in which I play now, were given for
my birthday by my first American host family on the second of January.
Usually about thirty people come to play the game. There are no rules.
The main objective is to score the orange ball in the goal cage.
Almost every player has no protection. And sometimes the ball hits our
legs, and also any time it can fly right in the face. At the end of the
games our hockey sticks turn into chips. We play with great enthusiasm
and run fast, especially when it is minus twenty-five outside. When the
temperature drops to minus thirty, then we cancel our game.
My skates were the most firm and rapid, but by the mid-season they
became ragged. Of course, with such games you couldn't manage to
play with no injuries. Sometimes my father and I were hit right in face
with a hockey stick. Once, the ball flew above my head. My friend Max
swung with his hockey stick, he wanted to get the ball, but hit me right
in the eyebrow. That punch was sudden for me, but not very painful. In
some seconds I had my eyes flooded with blood. Our players noticed
me lying on the ice and stopped the match. My blood was already
dripping on the ice. Father tried to stop the bleeding and put some cold
snow to the wound. Then my head began spinning, I could not see
anything. Anyway, in 10 minutes the blood almost stopped running
from that cut and we hurried home.
Makiko listened to the story with interest. Sometimes she would raise
her eyebrows in surprise. Then she smiled and said, In Japan, we have
indoor skating rinks, and all people should wear special protection. But
the most popular sport in my country is Karate.
I interrupted her and began to count in Japanese to ten, Ichi, Ni, San,
Shi, Go, Roku, Shichi, Hachi, Ku, Ju. She was pleasantly surprised and
asked me to tell her where I learned to count in their native language.
Wushu
When I was six years old, my parents sent me to school of Wushu. I
went three times per week. The building, where the classes were held,
was situated down the hill of our neighborhood. At the beginning we
did some exercise, after the teacher showed us how to strike the
enemy counting to ten in Japanese with every hand move.
The discipline was strict. One guy (even remember his name so far -
Ustin), asked our teacher to let him go to toilet during class time. Our
Sensei did not let him go, saying that Ustin must learn to train his will
power.
Ustin couldn't stand such training any longer and a horrible smell
wrapped up our room in some minutes. Everyone began to turn
around, searching for the initiator of that stench. Since all the students
wore white kimonos, it was not difficult to define. So, soon everybody
noticed crap on Ustin's kimono. He couldn't manage the task of training
his will power! Only after that incident our Sensei let him go to the
toilet.
Each student was wearing a belt. A white belt meant that the guy was
training here for the first year. A white belt with yellow stripes meant
the second year of these classes. I got a white with green stripes. It
meant that I went through some grading tests and moved on to the
third level of Wushu.
It was not easy to get that belt. They put me in sparring with a boy who
was older than me. Everyone watched the scene. I began to try to grab
him or hit in the stomach, but in the next three seconds I received a
crushing blow right in my nose! I fell on the wooden floor. I couldn't
feel my face but managed not to let my tears go. Sensei stopped our
sparring and solemnly handed me the belt with green stripes. I was
very proud of myself.
One of my friends Murat took classes of Wushu too. We lived in the
neighboring houses. One summer evening after class he said to me,
Nikita, today we may not walk to our homes, my father will take us
home. He is already waiting for us in his car at the entrance!
After the classes of Wushu, I was tired and also was happy that we did
not have to walk back home. We changed clothes and went out of the
building. The whole court was blocked by the huge yellow Russian
excavator "Belaz". The wheels of that machine were at the same level
with the second floor of that building. His engine was roaring and
pushing the clouds of black smoke out of the pipes. Murat's father,
opened the door and yelled, Son, jump into the bucket!
This huge machine lowered its excavator bucket, and we jumped inside.
It was great, but not very comfortable. In the bucket there was strong
vibration. We were jumping like plastic bottles. The wind blew the
smell of diesel fuel inside. All the car drivers were afraid of our tank!

The speed was low but it felt like being on a ship in storm. At the end of
that unforgettable trip the excavator bucket lowered us on the ground
near my house. I thanked Murat's father, looked once again at this
incredibly huge vehicle, and ran home with a big smile on my face.
You have such fun life in Russia! I would also like to ride in this big
machine! Makiko commented the end of my story.
We finished drinking our tea, and she went to her room to learn the
Russian language and cope with pronouncing that difficult word
"Excavator".

The Gifts
That winter was very cold as always. Every morning Siberian people had
minus thirty degrees. The long-awaited winter vacation had come. For
Orthodox Christmas on January 7 Makiko gave us different gifts such as
cards with Christmas wishes and a wooden Japanese toy house piggy
bank. My mom gave her golden earrings, engraved with the legend "To
Makiko from Russian Mom", as a keepsake. She was very happy.
Makiko preferred to spend the weekend at home and learn the Russian
language.
My friend Max and I decided to see an ice sculpture in the center of our
city. We got there by bus. Walking along the cold streets I saw a
familiar face with a scar. It was Igor. We had not met for more than five
years. When he saw me, we hugged each other. I introduced him to my
friend Max. I invite you and your friend to a restaurant, Igor
announced.
We agreed and a few minutes later came to a warm Chinese
restaurant. In the lobby we hung our frozen jackets, found a suitable
table and Igor asked, What will we drink? I suggest you take two
bottles of vodka "Putinka" and two large salads.
All right.
The administrator, bartender and waiters were all Chinese citizens.
They were very polite with Russian clients. We began to recall various
stories from our childhood. Max was sitting at the table and helped to
empty this first bottle of vodka. All the tables at the restaurant were
reserved. Igor opened the second bottle of "Putinka." Thirty minutes
later Max got food poisoning and went to the toilet. Igor continued to
tell me about his new life, which did not differ from his childhood -
fights and criminal meetings. He recalled the story of his returning back
home to the "Sicily"- so, that's how we called the middle of our
Pervomaisky neighborhood. There he was attacked by a stranger who
stabbed him into his stomach with a knife. Then he lost his
consciousness and was lying in dirt bleeding, but he was saved by one
passerby.
While speaking, Igor occasionally fell asleep with his head on the table.
A minute later he woke up and started to tell his other stories about
the criminal life. I listened to him with attention. Then he started
remembering how my dad tried to get our neighborhood going on
running in the morning and playing hockey. At that time, he lived with
his mother and didn't have a father, so Igor always had great respect to
my dad. Now he has his own wife and a child.
In front of our table was an artificial New Year's tree, which was
preventing us from watching TV. On finishing our second bottle of
vodka, Igor again fell asleep. Then woke up in the next ten minutes and
suddenly asked me, Listen, Nikita! Doesn't that Christmas tree prevent
you from watching TV?
Actually, I didn't pay any attention to it but replied, Oh, it really
does!
Igor slowly got up from the table, saying, Wait a minute, my friend. I
am going to solve this problem!
He went to the bar and called the manager. I stayed in my place. I
already felt sleepy, and my friend Max was still in that toilet. The next
five minutes I could hear that Igor could not manage to arrange moving
aside that Christmas tree from the TV set.
He came back, took the chair, which he was sitting on, swung and
threw the chair right at the bar and the administrator. That flying chair
hit the dishes and glasses. The sound of broken dishes thundered. The
gala dinner was over for all visitors. They immediately started to get out
of the restaurant. The broken glass, spilled bottles and the broken chair
were lying on the floor. Then Igor shouted, Happy holiday season,
Chinese people!

Igor took a new chair and sat at our table. He went to sleep again and
so did I. We were awakened by the noise of the guards breaking into
the restaurant. Poking me in the shoulder with an Ak-47 gun, one of
them said in a rough tone, Please, stand up, go and pay for the
property damage you made and get out of this restaurant!
At this moment, my friend Max went out of that toilet. He could not
understand what was going on. He could see the chaos: broken dishes,
the chair on the floor in the middle of the hall and the empty
restaurant. Then he saw these people with guns wearing helmets and
bullet-proof jackets. The security guards noticed my friend appear in
the doorway of the toilet and asked, Is this guy from your company?
Yes, his is our friend.
So, anyway, all of you, fellows, get up and move away from this
restaurant!
Falling from his feet, Igor put his arm around one of the guards, and
said, Relax man! Sit at our table and drink some "Putinka".
The guard smiled and replied, I am under orders now. And you,
fellows, have big problems at this moment! Get out of here!
Igor paid for everything and we went out on the frozen street. I took a
key chain, symbolizing the city of Chicago, out of my pocket and handed
it to one of the guards.
It's a souvenir from Chicago. We have nothing else to pay with.
The guard twisted it in hands and said, This key chain is really from
Chicago city?
I shook my head positively.
And how did you get it from there?
He studied there as an exchange student on the Rotaru program
(Rotaru is a famous Russian singer), Igor answered before I could.
It's not Rotaru but Rotary, I corrected him.
The guards started laughing.
Okay, artists. We don't have a time to ask about Rotaru or Rotary. We
hope that this is your last restaurant for today. If you start giving
another concert on your way, we will arrest you. This is not Chicago!
The guard put my last souvenir into his pocket, after they sat in their
car and drove away.
Well, my friends, now we go to another restaurant, Igor suggested.
No wait! We had enough for today. We better go home!
All right! Good luck to you and say hello to Makiko!
He turned away and headed to another restaurant.
Our Dreams
The next morning I told my Japanese sister about the adventures that
we had yesterday. In Japan all of you would have had big problems.
We have strict laws, commented Makiko. And continued, I already
miss my country and dream of that day when I see my parents.
Well, Valera, a friend of mine, has a dream to go to America, I began.
In fact, I had a friend named Valera, who constantly asked me about life
in America. Getting there was his cherished dream! Valera constantly
watched American movies and even tried to learn English. When he
saw me, Valera always said, If I get a chance to go there, I am sure I
will do it. Nikita, you are very lucky to have spent a year in America. It's
great! Now you can see the difference between our big countries.
Nikita! Tell me about Chicago!
I told him about the beautiful promenade where you can see lots of
white yachts, about interesting sculptures, drawn bridges and tall
buildings, which reach up to the sky with their roofs drowning in the
clouds. It is in this city I spent my last day in America, and, most of all, I
remember the half-hour fireworks over the city's main harbor. Valera
listened in silence, trying to imagine it all in its full splendor and
suddenly said, Oh, I watched Brother 2, our Russian movie. There the
central character of the movie went to Chicago. Still remember those
drawn bridges from that movie!
We laughed together, and he continued, I'm tired of looking at these
old 9-storey buildings and seeing those blood thirsty gangs of
teenagers. Where is our safe future? Such a life eats my soul. Will my
future children all survive here? Please, can you give me a couple of
photos of Chicago city? At least, I will look at them and dream about
seeing that part of our globe!
Looking into his dreamy eyes, I went into my apartment house, pulled a
couple of pictures with the tall buildings out of my American album and
presented them to Valera, I hope you get a chance to visit this city.
You know, in America they also had a period of similar problems in
history. I mean all these gangs and violence. So, we still have a chance
to see the good future here!
He raised his eyebrows in surprise, When was it?
I know that you love American movies. See the movie called The
Warriors. They recorded that movie in the beginning of the eighties, in
1979, but, anyway, that will show you a different America, much like
Russia today. All of these events occurred so quickly and with the same
speed disappeared.
Valera again looked at the photos and added, It's a tempting offer! I
must find that movie.
Sniper
The long-awaited spring had come; streams began to flow on the
streets of our neighborhood. Our Japanese student and her school
friends went to the center of the city for a walk. She left her diary open
in which it was written "Vanya and Sasha = vodka (Sunday at 15:00)."
Last night at 01.00 a.m. our neighbors behind the wall were in a really
spring mood. Half the night they listened to the music so loud. As usual,
they finally started a fight involving the plumber Oleg, who was their
close relative. At about 3 a.m. Makiko asked, What's going on
there? When I reminded her about the plumber she had met before,
she smiled and went back to her room trying to fall asleep.
Early in the morning Oleg's wife Tamara came and made them calm
down. By the way, our neighbors last name was Balabanov, just the
same as the last name of our famous Russian film director, the author
of the famous Russian movies Brother 1 and Brother 2, which they
filmed in Chicago. They have similar last names, but they are such
different people.
This morning, I really wanted to go out and bask in the first rays of the
sun. I called my friend Kolya and invited him to make me a company.
We were standing near the garages, next to us there were little boys
throwing stones at each other. Some children were crying; others went
on laughing. Kolya was telling me about studying at university, then
suddenly his hands wrapped around his face and he groaned with pain!
I did not understand what happened. I immediately thought that one of
the children, who were throwing stones, accidentally hit my friend in
the face.
I tried to take his hands off the face to see how seriously my friend was
injured, but he resisted me. The blood started running through his
fingers. Kolya started to shout, Who did it? What happened to me? I
cant open my right eye, I can't feel it!
I grabbed his hands and forced them off his face. All our clothing got
soiled with blood. 4.5 millimeter lead bullet was hanging on a piece of
his skin. Noticing that the bullet hit the bone just a few millimeters
beneath his eye, I tried to calm him, Kolya! The bullet hit the bone!
You're a lucky man!

One woman ran up and gave her napkin to wipe our blood-stained
hands.
Later we found out that two days ago one guy on the ninth floor got a
traumatic gun, which he decided to test. This day, unfortunate for my
friend, that shooter was sitting on his balcony. The sniper took his aim
and pulled the trigger. And, really, it was a sniper shot!
The next morning I met Kolya. He stood in the stairwell and puffed a
cigarette, watching the clouds of smoke. His face was swollen, and a
blue-black shiner glowed under his right eye. I smiled, Hey, my lucky
friend! If he hit your eye just a millimeter lower, you would not be
smoking here today!
Oh yes my friend! I was actually born under a lucky star!
We saw that sniper at the entrance of his nine floors building two days
later. His mother worked as a judge and she was buying to her son
everything he asked for. When the drugs appeared on the streets, he
satisfied his requirements in small doses. We decided to punish the
"sniper". We rang his doorbell. As soon as that guy came out to the
stairwell, our guys grabbed him, then charged the gun with a bullet in
front of him and asked the "sniper" to lift up his right palm. He began to
fight back, but fellows made two punches in his stomach and finally
forced him to do it.
When he raised his hand, our guy pulled the trigger. The shot sounded
all over the stairwell. The bullet slammed into the middle of sniper's
raised hand and broke through it. Blood splattered on the door. The
guy fell down and began to writhe in pain on the dirty floor like a snake.
Kolya spat at him and said, Here we go, skunk! This will be your drug!
Enjoy!
I did not tell this story to Makiko. The less she knows, the better she
will sleep.
Terminator's Brother
Makiko came home from school and announced with a smile, Mom! I
have just lost my milk tooth! I have to put it in a flower pot!
Oh my god, how did it happen? You are already 18 years old! We need
go to a dental clinic! I guess it happened because of Russian food, as in
Japan you eat seafood, but here we always have meat on our table!
No, Mom! We do not need to go to hospital. This is a milk-tooth! She
opened her palm. There was a large tooth.
Milk tooth can't be that size!
No, sometimes it happens! Here it is. I told you that we are an ancient
people. We have baby teeth grow until we are 45 years old. Some
people may also have two dentitions of teeth!
Makiko, I need to call the dentist. Hello! Ludmila Ivanovna? Our
Japanese girl lost her tooth; she says that it is a milk tooth.
Don't worry, it can happen! Calm down. Let her put it in the flower-
pot!
Oh god, thank you....
Sunny days cheered up our mood. Makiko and I were drinking tea on
the balcony.

I noticed my friend Dima. He appeared from the corner of the building.
Then Dima passed right under my balcony. On his way he met Gosha,
Terminators brother. We had already finished drinking tea and
watched them shaking their hands. They never liked each other. My
friend said something to him, and then within a few seconds Gosha
punched my friend in his jaw. It was no use fighting against Gosha, and
Dima ran home to call for his friends. As soon as I walked into the room,
the phone rang.
My friend said in a sad voice, Nikita! Come out on the street! Gosha
has just hit me I in my face! Now my fellows will come and punish him.
Of course, I will be there after five minutes!
Makiko already guessed that the story had to be continued. She only
asked me, Are you going for a walk?
Yes, I'll be right back pretty soon. And you better be home and learn
the Russian language.
All right, I will wait for you at home.
I laced up my white sneakers, which I got for Christmas from my first
host American family. Ran out on the street and went to the place
where Dima was expecting his help. Fifteen minutes later, five big guys
came out the corner; they were in good shape. We friendly shook
hands and everybody started looking for Terminator's brother Gosha.
He appeared within a few minutes.
The guys asked him, Are you Gosha?
Well, yes I am.
Please, come closer.
As soon as he approached them, one of the guys gave him a slap in the
face. Another one struck his left ear with a baseball bat. Gosha fell on
the ground, and the fellows started kicking him. The clouds of dust
came up to the air. I and my friend were keeping the distance of about
five meters from that fight. People were looking out the windows and
balconies; they shouted, Somebody! Stop this mess! They are going to
kill him! But the sportsmen did not stop kicking until Gosha lost his
conscience. Then they quietly said goodbye to Dima and went back
home. I stood and looked at the unconscious body of Terminator's
brother.
It was good that the windows of our apartment did not go into this yard
and our Japanese exchange student could not see what happened. My
friend Dima was pleased with joy that he took vengeance on his enemy
and invited me to play at a computer club. He bought a ticket and sat at
the machine. I stood behind and watched him playing. It was seven
o'clock. Suddenly a boy gang of twenty people came into this computer
club. They came together with their injured leader Gosha. He wanted to
beat us in revenge.
I began to shake my friend's shoulder saying, Look who's here!
Dima did not want to turn around because he was busy with that racing
game.
Then Gosha and his friend Vampire came to us and said, Hello boys!
Come out to the street. We need to talk.
I will not go! I did not do anything to you!
Really? Now, tell me then why I don't feel my left ear?
I looked at Dima and we decided not to move. Then Gosha and his
friend Vimpire grasped us by the hands and tried to pull out of the club.
Here came the security guards and showed Gosha the exit to the street.
So we were still inside and save. Then Dima asked the guards a
permission to make a phone call. Those sportsmen, who already had
beaten Gosha, came and rescued us in half an hour. We could already
hear the screams outside that computer club. When we got outside, we
could see them lying on the ground. Others were spitting their blood.
Frightened passers-by ran away from that place. No one tried to stop
this big fight. Dima and I took this advantage and ran away to our
neighborhood.
A lot of young people came to the entrance of our nine-storey building.
It was another band from "Sicily". They were speaking with our leader
about an alliance between the local gangs. When they saw us out of
breath one of them asked: Where are you running from, athletes?
Catching his breath, Dima replied, We were punishing Terminator's
brother all day!
Well, how was it? Did you succeed?
I guess now he cant feel both of his ears!
I noticed Makiko on the balcony. She was drinking tea and watching the
big crowd of young fellows with interest. One guy caught sight of her,
then whistled and called her out, Hey Makiko! Come out on the street!
You will help make the situation clear!
The Japanese was only smiling, but did not want to go out, because too
many young people gathered that evening.
Gosha and his Dogs
In Japan you have to follow all the rules. There you do not feel that you
are living, and life seems very boring. In Russia something happens all
the time, and there are no rules, but its a lot of fun. That's how Makiko
began thinking after five months of living in Siberia.
At this moment, a gang of fifteen people was going to a crime meeting
under our balcony. Their leader was Terminator's brother. One week
passed since when our sport fellows punished him. But now he was on
his feet again.
Putting my hand on her shoulder, I said, Well, Makiko. There is
something happening. We can watch it from here!
Our balcony was ideally located to watch the scene - like at the
stadium. Two gangs met on the hill. They seemed equal in number.
From the center of each gang a few headed to the front to find out who
was right and who was wrong. As it often happens, no good could come
out of it, so the show had begun!
They pulled cudgels as well as other traumatic items out of their
clothes. Then two big gang-groups joined each other in a fight. A cloud
of dust went up at that hill. We could hear screams and yells. Their
forces were equal until another group of about thirty people appeared
out the hill. And they were all against Terminator's brother!
In another ten minutes Gosha and his crippled dogs were passing under
our balcony. One of the neighbors shouted to them, Oh my god! When
will you all stop fighting? Where is our militia?
Our frightened Japanese exchange student was staring at me.

See, Makiko! Every day in motion, no rest! Here you may feel that
people live and fight for their existence since their early childhood!
Only in such places you can learn to see through people and feel danger
approaching. Here, just in a few years, you may get the experience
similar to that of a good psychologist. Other people live and do not
understand that they better never come to some parts of our planet.
Makiko just summed up with her smiling eyes saying, I like living here.
Anyway, Japan is a little boring.
The Forward Player
Indeed, we didn't have time to get bored. Every week we played
football. At the end of this week there were about twenty people,
gathering to play football. I laced up my white American sneakers. They
were certainly already badly worn out and could only do for playing
football. I put on my Russia blazer, in which I went to school in the
U.S. It looked new, only the zip was broken. When we got on the field,
we divided in groups.
My friend Ruslan played in our team. The game started with great
enthusiasm. Everyone tried to score the goal to the opponent. Ruslan
took a run and was about to hit the ball, but his foot didn't hit the ball
and he fell to the ground right on his back.
The players noticed him fall and stopped the game. Two of our guys
came up to him to help get off the ground, but Ruslan started waving
with his arms and behave quite inadequately. We were surprised to see
Ruslan gazing furiously. He suddenly dropped his head to the ground
and started biting dirt with his teeth like an ostrich. Then, he began to
dig holes with his bare hands, just like a dog. None of us could
understand what was happening to him.
We were not trying to calm him down, just grabbed his hands and led
him home by force. He was twitching like a snake. His mother opened
the door. She immediately called an ambulance. We decided to wait at
the entrance and find out what would happen next. But just a few
minutes later Ruslan ran out from his apartment with a huge kitchen
knife and began to inflict brutal blows on his wooden door, tearing it to
pieces. He shouted, Goal, goal!
It was horrible. His mother, having a panic attack, looked at our
direction and asked, Hey, sportsmen, did you take any drugs there?
We looked at each other and said, No, of course we did not.
Meanwhile, the ambulance arrived. Ruslan didn't stop hitting the door
with the knife. His hands were torn and bleeding.

The doctors asked us to help them and bind our forward player. We
sneaked up to him and grabbed Ruslans hands. He immediately
dropped the knife. At this moment, the doctor made an injection of a
sedative in a swollen vein on Ruslan's neck; then his body became soft.
Our football player had been neutralized.
We were asked to wait for the news on the street. They carried Ruslan
in a stretcher and pushed inside the ambulance car. In a week he was
discharged from the hospital. His madness was caused by a nerve
clamped when he fell back. Ruslan could remember nothing from that
day.
He just asked me, Does Makiko still live in our neighborhood?
Don't worry, man. I told her about you, and she was very scared!
The Heat
My father got two cinema tickets to the premiere of the Russian film
"The Heat", and he gave them to me. I did not offer Makiko to go with
me, as she had already made some friends at school and they called her
to their home party. Therefore, I invited Ruslan to join me. We didn't
have much money, only for the bus tickets.
We jumped on the bus that took us to the center of the city. The
premiere was supposed to start at 19.00.
Entering the building, we saw a wardrobe, a shop and the cinema hall.
We hung our jackets and were already on our way to the cinema hall,
but in front of our eyes there appeared a stand with chocolate bars.
We had money only to pay for the bus back. I looked at Ruslan. He just
smiled. So, we decided to spend all the money on this little pleasure.
We took our seats and began to eat our "Snickers" and "Mars".
We loved that movie! The film was great, and at the end of the
premiere one of the actors from that film came on stage. We were
impressed by this wonderful evening, but didn't have the money for
our way back home.
What will we do? They will not let us on the bus with no money.
I do not know. It's such a long way to "Pervomayskiy" - about three
hours of walking! I think we don't have a choice, anyway.
We chose to go on foot. When we went over the bridge, I saw that
someone wanted to jump in the cold river, and the other guy was
holding him and shouted, Help me! He wants to die!
Passing the railway station we saw the police disperse the homeless,
forcing them to get away. Then these crazy drunk and half-naked girls
ran out of the bushes. They shouted to us, Now, wait a minute, our
guys will show you where you should walk!
Having left that area of barracks, we found ourselves on the tram stop. I
offered Ruslan to try to drive a couple of stops for free. Of course, he
agreed. It was dark, and there was not a living soul. Waiting for the
tram, we cursed the moment when we decided to spend our money on
chocolate bars.
In a minute I noticed silhouettes of a large number of young men in
sports clothes. They were headed in our direction. Here we had our
hearts in our mouths. They were approaching closer and closer, but the
tram did not come!
Oh my god, when they see us, we are dead! This is not our
neighborhood.
You are right! Ruslan whispered.
At this moment we saw lights of a tram coming from behind the house.
It slowly pulled to our stop.

The doors opened with noise. We jumped inside and looked out the
back window. The crowd of the gang was already quite close. The tram
doors closed and it slowly began to move away from the tram-stop.
Some awful old music began to play through the speakers. Our wagon
swayed and began rattling away so loudly that we could hardly hear
each other. The silhouettes of athletes disappeared in the darkness.
Then a conductor with her golden teeth came up to us and asked, So,
boys, pay for the tickets!
Can we ride two more stops for free? I asked.
Then she yelled to her tram driver, Victor! Stop the tram. Here these
boys will have the last stop!
She turned to us, Now, you, young people, get out of here and go on
your feet for free!
The door of the tram opened plodding along. It was dark and quiet on
the streets. The tram was our last hope to get home quickly. Then we
walked along the rails and in ten minutes we found ourselves on the
main road. We had to go to the other side of the road and pass another
dangerous neighborhood, after that we had to cross the cemetery, then
the railroad lines and finally would get to the first stop of our district,
"The botanical garden", or "The Pentagon" as the local fellows call it.
We crossed the road and began to walk over that area. There were
nine-storey buildings standing all around. Then we noticed a group of
fifteen people. They stood near the entrance, smoking and drinking. I
looked at Ruslan.
Well, what will we do? It is necessary to pass through this area - there
is no other way.
Ok, let's try to pass this fellows unheeded!
Anyway, five people noticed us and one of them yelled, Hey you, stop
right there! Where are you from?
We are going from the center of city and heading to the
Pervomaisky.
Whom do you know from the gang's authorities?
Djhangir and Svetozar.
Okay! But you better not walk over here. Anyway, the buses are still
running, and the weather is getting worse!
We went down the path through the cemetery. The silhouettes of
headstones and crosses appeared in the dark. Branches of bushes were
scratching our faces. It was difficult to walk because of the rough
ground and we were afraid to fall into some grave. Ruslan accidentally
hit an old bucket, and the thunder sounded over the cemetery. Some
cats were jumping all over the graves. Black crows flew into the sky.
This is not Japan, I cheered up my friend and we laughed.
Finally, we got through these bushes and at a distance of ten meters we
could see the moon reflecting on the rails. After crossing that railroad,
we went down the stairs, crossed another road to the other side and
finally came to our home area, "Pervomayskiy" neighborhood.
What a joy we had to be where you know everyone! My mother was
standing on the balcony and waiting for my return. I waved to her.
We were super tired, but The Heat movie premiere was
unforgettable!
Tasty Barbecue
It was a sunny day. I looked at the street: a boy was trying to push his
friend on the swings to make him turn around the axis and make a spin
like the first astronaut Yuriy Gagarin. Uncle Misha sat on a bench and
watched the boys playing. Homeless people were walking around
refuse bins in search of bread and warm clothes.
It was still one month remaining till Makikos return back to Japan. She
could already speak Russian pretty well. Makiko liked our food,
especially the Siberian "Pelmeny" (a Siberian dish of small pockets of
dough filled with seasoned, minced beef, lamb, or pork and served
boiled, fried, or in a soup). Her mission of "goodwill Ambassador" was
coming to an end. This sunny day I decided to show Makiko what a
Russian picnic was like.
Our company was great - it was my friends and students studying
English and Japanese at the Linguistic University. We all met at the city
railway station.
Hey, guys, please, get acquainted! This is our exchange student from
Japan. Her name is Makiko. She will help us make barbecue!
My friends smiled. All of us were in a wonderful mood. At first, the
Buryat brothers (the representative of the people living in Siberia and
Mongolia) introduced themselves, My name is Bulad. It is nice to meet
you!
It is also nice to meet you. I am Makiko from Japan.
And I'm Aldar! You will help me to make our barbecue!
No problem, said Makiko with a smile.
Well, I'm the Dalai! You will play soccer in my team!
Then the girls introduced themselves. Makiko turned to me and said,
Hey Nik, that's great that you invited me to come with you. I think we
will have a wonderful day!
Our train started moving. Twenty minutes later we were passing the
"Botanical Garden" or "Pentagon" train stop in our neighborhood
"Pervomayskiy".
The Buryat brothers were playing cards, and the girls were discussing
our university teachers. The train picked up in speed and the cars
started swinging. Here the conductor came in our car,
Show me your tickets, please! Somebody smoked on the platform
again.
Each of us showed the tickets. Then the car door opened and there
came Gypsy musicians, a little boy and his older sister. The girl sang a
song, her brother knocked on the tambourine and they both danced. By
that time the speed of the train was high and our car was rocking, but
the Gypsies made a great show! At the end of his little presentation,
they went to collect money for bread.
Guys, there is only five minutes before our arrival. Prepare to exit,
shouted one of our girls.
Operator's voice announced, Attention, The blue spruce station".
The train had stopped and opened the doors. Everybody got out to the
train station. We looked around, picked up our heavy bags of food and
walked along a narrow path, which ten minutes later led us to an
amazing green meadow with a beautiful river. Everyone was amazed by
the nature. The girls found a suitable spot, settled and started to
prepare salads and meet.
Makiko and I went to see the river. The Buryat brothers began kicking a
ball. I took off my shirt and swam downstream that clear river. The
water was very cold, but the weather was wonderful! The smell of fried
meet made us feel happy and smile! Bulat, Aldar and Dalai, began to
help prepare the meat and slowly began to sip alcohol.
We had a great day! The meat was amazing. The Buryatia against
Russia football game had ended in a tie. Makiko played for "Buryatia"
as a goalkeeper.
We collected the garbage, took our things and went to the train station.
Makiko became friends with my classmates from the university.
The train arrived. The cars were crowded with people going from the
countryside to the city. We had to ride standing. Our group got inside,
the train doors closed and the train started picking up in speed. Already
drunk Bulat began to discuss something and swear on the cell phone.
Next to him there was standing one old man, who said, Hey you,
Buryat! Shut your dirty mouth! There are children on the train!
Bulat stopped talking on the cell phone, looked up at that old man and
said, Hey, old man! You dont like Buryats? Are you a Nazi or what?
The old man, without hesitation, turned around and hit Bulat's face
with his big fist.

He fell and his nose started bleeding. Girls screamed. I tried to stop this
man but the Buryat brothers already attacked him from different sides.
The old man pushed me aside and began to defend himself from the
blows of Dalai and Aldar. Here the most terrible thing happened, all the
young guys who were on this ill-fated train come to the defense of that
old man. Then Bulat drew his knife, and stabbed one of those guys in
the hand. We could hear screams of women and children. Some of the
elderly people tried to press the alarm button, but it did not work. The
fight involved more and more people with broken bottles, forks, even
with corkscrews. Women were fighting with their heavy bags. It was a
real mess. The situation became critical. I covered Makiko with my
body. Because of her Japanese appearance people could think that she
was Buryat.
Running out of the cursed car a girl with her mother opened the door
to the platform and I could see a bloody stream mixed with mud, beer
and water from broken bottles. The train raced at full speed! The faces
covered in blood were appearing in front of us. The train operator
announced, Attention, this is the Botanical Garden train station!
Passengers, please, prepare to exit!
Then we could hear clanking of the train brakes, it finally made stop.
The doors opened. I took Makikos hand and we barely got out of that
hell of a train. Back from us we heard the people calling the police and
doctors.
I looked at frightened Makiko and said, Alcohol must not be allowed to
Buryat people!
Nik, you shirt is all in blood!
I looked at myself, indeed the Michigan State" letters were all in
blood.
Nikita, take a taxi! They will not let us on the bus, she whispered.
We jumped in the back seat of a taxi. The driver turned around and
asked, I hope you did not kill somebody?
I told him briefly about the train, and the taxi driver shook his head and
said, What a mess you just had! Is the girl all right?
Oh yes, she's doing fine!
God saved you!
Back Home
My younger sister Zlata opened the door. Seeing frightened Makiko
and my clothes soaked in blood she tried to make a joke, Oh, man!
You probably were fighting for the Kuril Islands to fish there, werent
you?! Then you should have taken Sasha and Slava with you! They love
to fish more than others even in winter. Last winter their parents
bought them new warm clothes. The guys took their fishing rods and a
drill and decided to go to a frozen river to fish there.
Before they left, a mother of one of the guys asked them to put on the
old clothes, but the guys got their own way, they just wanted to check
how this new clothes would retain the heat. It took half an hour to walk
to the place. Sasha and Slava already started batting on who would
catch more fish. But when they were passing an unfamiliar area they
got themselves on the hook. Local gang fellows, seeing two fishermen
in new clothes, decided to take away everything they were wearing.
Unfortunately, I don't have the full description of how it happened, but
the fact is that the young fishermen got back home naked, wearing only
shorts and poly bags on their feet!
Makiko and I were not in the mood for joking. We just went through a
stressful situation on that train.
Your faces look like you just survived an earthquake, Zlata
continued trying to make a conversation with us.
We often have earthquakes in Japan. Therefore, our military service
constantly teaches us how to survive this danger. They even turn on
special sirens to warn people. In Russia no one will warn you like on the
train today, said Makiko and told about the mad Russian old man and
her new friends the Buryat brothers.


A Cold Night
Then I wanted to share my memories of an earthquake that happened
in the middle of a winter night.
See, Makiko, Baikal, our deepest lake in the world, was formed
because of the crack in the lake bed. Most often, the earthquake
epicenter is in its depth and, as you know, the lake is only sixty five
kilometers from our city!
I want to tell you about that terrible night and an earthquake
measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale. Back then I was only seven years
old. It was three in the morning. Everybody was already asleep. Then
suddenly there was a strong buzz. Our 9-storey house began to rumble
and shake. I was thrown from my bed to the floor. Not realizing what
had happened, I ran to my parents bedroom. Mom just screamed,
Take a blanket! We need to run out of this building as quickly as
possible! Covered in blankets and wearing only shorts and boots, we
got away from our apartment to an empty lot on the hill.

That night was particularly cold, minus thirty degrees. There were all
the people who lived in these buildings. Parents, holding their crying
children, stood silently and looked at the windows of their warm
apartments.
They could only stand an hour of waiting in the icy darkness; then
everyone started to return back home. You know, there was no choice:
either freeze on the street or be buried under the rubble of your
apartment blocks.
I hardly felt my hands and feet. I was freezing to the toes. When we
returned home to the warmth, I started to feel strong pain in the whole
of my body. I will never forget that cold night!
Forest
Makiko fell in love with the Russian nature and was amazed by the
great spaces of our country. As the weather was pretty warm, we
decided to take a rubber boat and paddle along shore of Siberian
forest. Her last wish before going back to Japan was to go fishing, sit by
a campfire at night like cave men of our civilization. We paddled for
about two hours to find the place we liked.
Well, this place is more suitable for fishing and tenting.
Yes, it is a great place, Makiko said smiling.
I pushed our boat to that shore. When we landed, the place turned out
really beautiful. We could see tall trees with green leaves, different
butterflies on the bushes, the birds were chirping in harmony. The
beach was sandy. We put up a tent, gathered some fire wood, lit a fire
and cooked our dinner. Makiko was full of joy. I turned our boat upside-
down and it served us as a good seat. The weather was sunny. Not far
from our camp, we could see other vacationers who arrived by motor
boats.
When it started to get dark, sitting on the shore, we noticed that
almost all the campers went home. It was a Saturday.
Don't you think it's strange that all went home? Makiko asked.
Yes, it's weird. Maybe the weather will get worse.
I looked at the sky.
It seems the sky is clear.
Soon it got dark and there was no one on the shore except us. We
started to feel uncomfortable. Until then, I heard stories about
prisoners who hid in the forests, killed and ate campers! Even my father
told me that he saw them for a couple of times when he went fishing.
It started getting cold and strong off-shore wind appeared. The tree
branches swayed from side to side, the bushes bent down. The full
moon shone like a nightlight. I could see some clouds flying fast like
birds. One could hear the noise of the beach because of the heavy
waves. We were inside the tent, trying to fall asleep. Suddenly, I heard
footsteps near our tent and saw a human figure. Here the moon just
went behind the clouds and lit him.
Makiko, somebody is here!
What happened?
I saw a man standing right next to our tent! Take an ax, we will ask him
what he wants.
Makiko grabbed the ax, lying nearby, and I pulled out my barker.
Stop right there! I cried.
The figure of the man turned towards us. He was holding something
metallic, which looked like a knife blade in his hands. The moon lit up
his head - smallpox disfigured his face. He didn't say any word, but took
another step in my direction. Realizing his intention, I fired at his legs.
He did not expect such defense and jumped right into the bushes.
There were no more bullets in my gun. The wind made trees go sway.
There were a lot of shadows; it gave an impression of being surrounded
by a lot of people. The waves, coming from the dark shore, added more
noise. We could not figure out our location and they could attack us
from any direction - so we just stood in one place and looked around.
Then I was able to make a campfire, and now we could see what
surrounded us: the boat, our tent and the bushes. We stood until the
dawn. That maniac disappeared in the dense Siberian forest.

The morning came three hours later. Now we could see the shores and
the waves with whitecaps, quite large. At this moment our place
seemed to be threatening. We still expected another surprise attack
from this dark forest.
We must hurry to pack our things! Makiko said.
Yeah, let's pack your things and the tent, I will prepare the boat, I
replied.
It was cold, but we did not pay attention to it. We just wanted to get
away from this damned shore as fast as it was possible.
What the hell? I swore.
What's happened? Makiko asked.
We cant get out of this damned place! We will probably have to get
home on foot through the forest.
What??? Makiko asked in surprise.
Our boat, the only salvation, is blowing off. It got damaged because
we were sitting on it. It is dangerous to swim on such heavy waves; it
would take us about three hours at least to get home. By that time our
boat will go to the bottom!
Oh no, crap! swore the Japanese in Russian, she still remembered the
lessons of our plumber Oleg.
We have no choice! Now I will pump up the boat, pack our things and
paddle away from here! It will be much safer to go by boat than
through this forest! I reassured her.
I pumped up the boat; we got inside and tried to paddle off the shore.
The waves were too heavy and it made our boat turn back to that dark
bay. But then I made every effort and we got away from the shore to
the middle of the river.
Makiko began to inspect the boat and found some water bubbles. The
air was coming out of our boat. Five minutes after our departure, the
boat got much lower and the waves started to splash the water inside.
Without any hesitation, I said, Makiko! Open the inflatable hole!
Immediately insert the pump there and pump up the air or we'll go to
the bottom in another five minutes!
I got it!
Makiko was actively pumping. By this time we were far away from the
shore and the water was not warm. I do not know what would have
happened if the holes in the boat were a little bigger. Soon I noticed
that Makiko still managed to keep a sufficient amount of air. At this
point, I realized that we could get to our home shore and we calmed
down a little. I looked back. In the distance I could see that dark dense
forest and the shore from which we departed an hour ago.
Then we noticed a motor-boat; it was heading straight to us. I thought
if they came closer, the people on the boat would see us being in a sad
state and help us reach the shore. After all, if it wouldn't happen, we'd
still have to paddle and inflate the boat for at least two more hours.
That motor-boat approached at full speed and passed us without
stopping. The driver just cried to us with a smile on his face, Keep
rowing, the rower boy!
Thanks God, after two more hours of our water journey we got to the
city shore. We were all wet but felt a sense of relief.
The Basement
On Sunday, having courageously survived another stress, Makiko went
to say goodbye to her friends from school. After dinner, I put on my
white American sneakers and went on the street. A couple of new glass
buildings reflected the gray clouds. Around the house near the
entrance, I noticed people talking with fright on their faces. One lady
almost fainted. I said hello to a neighbor and asked, Hi Galya! What's
going on here? Whats the panic?
We've got a maniac in this area, he just kidnapped a girl from these
parents. Here you can see her mother, she is feeling very bad and there
is her husband standing next to her. We are waiting for the militia, but
they still havent come.
A few minutes later, people have lost patience and went in search of
the missing girl. I followed them. We walked all the yards in the
neighborhood. The rain started drizzling down and it made everybody
feel more nervous. Then I thought, "Well, now the grown will get wet,
and my white sneakers will become dirty"
Suddenly a boy jumped around the corner. Running to our crowd, he
shouted, I saw some man drag the girl into the basement!
Show us where! Let's go, hurry!
The father took the boy's hand and everybody followed them. The girl's
mother almost lost her consciousness. I walked behind everyone. The
boy immediately pointed to the yellow door, which led to a basement
in a 9-storey house. The father ran there first. Approaching the door, he
tried to open it, but the maniac closed it from inside!
Everyone had fear in the eyes. Different pictures were in people's
imagination - what was happening in this moment there inside, behind
that door, with a defenseless child? Someone shouted, He'll kill her!
We must break the door!
But everyone stood on the sidelines because they were afraid to hold
off the girl's father, who was not giving up. He finally kicked out that
door - behind it there was only gloom and darkness. Despite this, he
ran inside with the hope to find his daughter alive and rescue her.
Meanwhile, everybody fell into even greater tension. A woman cursed,
Well, where is the freaking militia!?
Over five minutes there was no sound from that creepy basement. The
next moment, we heard some terrible screams from inside and high-
pitch cry of the little girl. Suddenly that maniac ran out, his eyes were
wild and we could see a blood-stained knife in his hand. He scared the
people and disappeared around the corner of the 9-storey building.
A minute later the wounded father came out there, holding his
daughter in his arms. He was barely standing on his feet, leaned against
the wall. At this point, several women came running and giving him first
aid. Here we heard sirens of approaching ambulances. The militia did
not come.


The arrived doctors gave a mild sedative to the mother and several
other women who started to feel worse after this scene. They put the
father in an ambulance, he apparently was stabbed. They tried to make
the girl calm down but her tears continued to roll from her terrified
eyes. After these scenes, I turned around and went back home.
The Residence
A day before Makikos departure our guys decided to make a
celebration in her honor. She put on her makeup, attached huge
eyelashes, put on her gold earrings that were given to her for Orthodox
Christmas and said, I'm ready to go to the celebration, Nick!
We headed to the basement of a 9-storey building. There was the
residence of our guys. Before entering I hurried to explain to Makiko
that the house management gave this basement to our fellows in order
if they will keep it clean. Here they could do sports and play billiard. We
opened the door and heard the "Underground" rap song. It was Danya
Beliy (Danniel White) singing about our neighborhood,


Smoke,
Smoke over our neighborhood.
Smoke in the lungs,
Faces are under the hoods.
Power,
Power is between 9-storey buildings.
This system is producing the clones.
We got inside. The floor was wet, but there were wooden boards over
which you could get to any of the rooms of the basement. Several guys
were exercising at their self-made gym. Seeing us, they raised the
whistle, Hey, Makiko, you are good looking today! Please, sit down at
the table!
I led her to the place. Next to us, Ruslan and Dima played homemade
billiard. The light was dimmed; a couple of mosquitoes flew around the
room. On the table there were several bottles of beer and vodka, as
well as various snacks.
Makiko, we are very pleased that you understand our Russian
language. We hope that you will not forget us and will always
remember our Pervomaisky neighborhood!
As a gift our boys decided to show you a few tricks. Dima lit up a
cigarette, then lifted up his left arm and crushed the hot cigarette on
his palm, and his skin began to sizzle!
Ruslan, who was standing next to Dima, took an empty glass bottle and
said, Hey, Makiko, look and learn. Swinging that bottle, he smashed it
on his head in a way that the pieces of a glass flew in all directions.
The door to our residence was opened. There was Oleg the plumber
standing at the main entrance.
So, folks, step aside and let me come through, somebody was flooded
on the third floor. I need to block the water in those pipes!
Passing by us the plumber noticed our Makiko sitting at the table. He
stopped and asked, Hey, Makako! What are you doing here? My
Japanese wife should not be in such seamy dark places!
In response, she just politely stood up and said smiling, Hello, Oleg!

Then Olegs eye found vodka. Ruslan explained that the guys arranged a
little party for our exchange student to say her goodbye. Then Dima
added, We are showing her different tricks as a gift!
The plumber, without any hesitation, took the bottle of vodka from the
table and said solemnly, Makako! This trick I'll show you personally
from my whole heart! Be sure to tell your Japanese mommy and
Japanese daddy about it! Oleg opened the bottle and, in one breath
without a pause, drank it to the bottom. His golden teeth flashed in our
foggy basement in a satisfied smile. Having forgotten to stop that water
flood, he turned to the exit and said, Say hello to Jackie Chan!
The Broken Dreams
Before Makiko left our country, my family prepared a dinner with her
favorite meat dishes. We watched a presentation about the Northeast
coast of Japan and somehow started talking about the Kuril Islands.
Japan has very little land, but Russia has a lot. That is why our country
is poor, and yours is rich. We need to be sure to return the Kuril
Islands!
Tell me, what you know about the history of the Kuril Islands, my dad
politely asked her.
At first they were inhabited by the Japanese, Chinese and Russian
people. They were engaged in commerce and free trade. Then, the
Chinese chased away the Japanese and the Russian. They sacked the
land and desecrated our ancient cemetery. There are a lot of fish in the
waters surrounding these islands. For my country, it is an important line
of business.
Then, we defeated the Chinese in the war, and got the islands back.
After the World War II, you took them away and now we are very poor
people. Dad, please, ask your government, let us return the Kuril
Islands back to Japan!
Well done, Makiko. You speak very good Russian. Congratulations! But
the islands will have to stand over. I cant promise you anything. I know
that Japanese people are patient.
Saying goodbye to our Japanese girl at the airport with tears in my
eyes, I met my old friend at the lobby. We always played hockey in
winter together.
Hello, Sergey!
He saw me and smiled, ran up and began to tell the latest news,
Remember Tanya from the fifth floor, who had constant problems
with her parents?
Oh yes, I remember.
She recently gave birth to a boy. She called him Sasha! And have you
heard about your friend Valera? He died just yesterday.
How did it happen? Was it an accident?

Valera inherited a garage from his father. Every evening he would park
his car there. Late at night, as usual, he closed the garage and headed
back home through the wasteland. In the darkness he was attacked by
two drug addicts.
One of them threw Valera on the ground; another took out a
screwdriver and began to hit Valera right in the face. Then they took his
keys to the garage and stole Valera's car from there. Later, the militia
released the results of the examination of that shocking crime. They
had counted ninety two hits in the frontal region of his head and his
neck. His relatives were able to identify him only by his clothes and
your American photos of Chicago city, which he always wore inside his
pocket.
His dream to see America was not fulfilled, I said with a deep sigh.
The Message from Japan
On March 11, 2011 there was a tsunami in the North-Eastern coast of
Japan. The height of waives in the port city of Sendai reached 10
meters. There was an emergency situation at the nuclear power plant
of "Fukushima".
Rikudzentakata city was flooded. Five thousand houses went under
water. The Minaminsanriku city was missing 9500 inhabitants. In the
town of Yamada over 7000 homes disappeared under the water.
The Japanese officials of Miyaga Prefecture reported disappearance of
a passenger train. A few minutes before the tsunami that train was
supposed to arrive at Nobiru train station, but it didn't appear there. It
was known that the train had been traveling from the city of Sendai to
Ishinomaki settlement, but there was no information of how many
passengers were on it and where they were now. When removing the
ruins in the areas of Japan hit by the tsunami, the police and self-
defense forces of Japan had collected more than 970 million yen ($ 12
million).
Most of it was found in the home safes containing documents, and it
made it easy to identify the owners. They were unable to identify the
owners of 15 per cent of the found money and jewelry, which are now
kept in special lock boxes of the self-defense forces of Japan. The gold
earrings engraved with the legend "To Makiko from Russian Mom"
were among those.









The Letter from President of One World Rotary Club
Nikita Nesynov (Nik), or in his language, , was born and
raised in Siberia, Russia. The crime-filled streets of his neighborhood
were filled with gangs, beatings, drugs, robberies. Nik was becoming a
part of this when his parents arranged for him to become an exchange
student in Michigan. Nik wrote of his activities before becoming an
exchange student and experience of being an exchange student. He
hopes to publish the book and donate the proceeds to charity.
Reading Nik's account of his Youth Exchange experience is enthralling.
Reading how he moved from a potential gang thug to an ambassador of
goodwill is exciting and rewarding. It shows how The Rotary
Foundation's youth exchange program promotes: The advancement of
international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world
fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of
service. We are very pleased that Nik has joined our E-club of One World
as he is the epitome of our club's motto--the Fourth Object of Rotary.
Thanks to TRF and Nik.
Nik is also a talented classical pianist. He now lives on the shores of the
Black Sea. We are very proud of this young member.
Dick, President. 23 February, 2013.