How cliche? I know. Well, as you may know, I went with my mother to Ukraine to bring my sister Bellie home. Not only did I fall in love with the country, but also the people. But whatever that isn't the story. Hold on tight, its a long one.
The Movie Like Story
ONCE UPON A TIME, ((you have to start somewhere)) in a city called Simferopol, Ukraine, I was sitting in a window. Being that it was a bit chilly outside I thought it best to read my book inside, as close to the window as possible. Thankfully, the window offered a thick enough ledge and it was just begging to be sat on.
Being the easily distracted individual that I am, I was easily swayed to look where the lulling harmonica music was coming from. At first I could find no culprit, so I continued to read my little book. Gradually the music became louder and I was forced to scope my surroundings for a second look. Perhaps it was fate, perhaps it was coincidence, but right in front of my window, about three stories below, were four boys.
As it turned out, two of the boys were facing my apartment building, as the other two were facing the other direction. The two boys facing opposite were putting on a rather humerus display... one was playing the harmonica and the other was dancing. The boys facing my direction were laughing at the small act as one was recording it with his cell phone and the other was simply observing.
Naturally, I laughed as the two boys performed, which invited a look from the boy who was recording from his cell phone. I was so embarrassed I returned to my book and dared not to look back up. After a few moments I heard singing, in Russian of course, which again caught my attention. When I looked up all the boys were facing me, serenading me with a silly Russian song. I was so embarrassed I returned to my book again and told myself not to make any sudden moves, maybe they would think I wasn't interested.
The truth was I was more than interested! I wanted more than anything to communicate with Ukrainian people, even though my only communication method would be through my silly tourist guide.
Then I heard them speaking, not singing. I took a peak and they were speaking towards me! I felt awful because I didn't know any Russian. I returned back with "YA NIYET PARUSKI" which translates to "I NO RUSSIAN". As you can guess, this wasn't the most intelligent phrase to throw out there but it was all I had to offer. I quickly grabbed my tourist guide and was able to spit out that I only spoke English.
The boys grew very excited and yelled out with their Russian accents "WE TOO SPEAK THIS" and from their we began to talk. At one point the tallest boy ((I later discovered was Dima)) ran to a nearby building and returned with writing all over his arms. He was very silly and made me laugh! He recited sentences such as "How old are you" "How long are you here" and so on... After much confusion I left my window and joined the boys outside, in the same place they were dancing. Initially they were shocked at my small height and noted that I did not look "American" ... I do not know exactly what that entails since everyone in America looks different, but whatever.
I discovered that the boy with the cell phone, the most handsome of the bunch, was named Constantine. Such an unusual name I thought and I was embarrassed to share with the boys my plain name. I think I was in a trance because the only person I listened to was this Constantine... and he seemed to have the least English. After many laughs and flips through the tourist guide book the boys admitted they had to attend a lesson at their University which was conveniently across the courtyard from my apartment building. They promised they would return later and I was very excited! Right as they were leaving the tall boy, Dima, got down on one knee, took my hand, and kissed it. I laughed as he ran away and waved goodbye to the others.
Later, only two of the boys returned.
((Constantine left, Dima right))
I was only slightly sad that the other boys didn't come but I didn't really care because the two boys I wanted to see did come. So, the boys were both holding pieces of paper with English all over them. They asked many silly questions and often asked me to help read the phrases. At one point I noticed a question later on that made me blush a deep red "Can I kiss you on the cheek". A lump grew in my throat and the boys wondered why I was hesitant to answer their present question.
I quickly recovered and continued on with the conversation. Finally, the question came. I giggled and said "okay". The two boys high fived each other and ran over to me, planting a kiss on each cheek. Initially I only expected Constantine, since he asked the question, but I laughed when both boys came at me.
Being as we were in Europe, the boys eventually offered to buy me tea. Even though I refused, they insisted. Dima left Constantine and I to sit on the curb ((we were sitting on clothes of course since they would NEVER sit on the ground)) and we talked among ourselves. At that point, to be honest, I was head over heels for this boy ((also known as Kostya)) and I was having a heart attack at being left alone with him.
I have to admit, while I was waiting for the boys return I was scribbling in a notebook I had brought to Ukraine with me. The pages quickly filled with "Constantine" and hundreds of little hearts. What a juvenile, love at first sight, huge crush I had.
Again, Kostya's English was like my Spanish: lacking. He eventually sighed, turned to me and said "Can I kiss you". I was absolutely in utter shock. For what seemed like hours, days, years, I just stared at him. I finally spitted out "On the cheek?" He laughed and shook his head. He turned back to me and pressed into my lips. WOW! If I didn't look dazed before, I definitely checked out of the real world then.
Dima happened to return at the same time and was sad to see where Kostya and I had progressed. He muttered something and began talking with a security guard of the nearby bank.
After it became dark, rather late, and with my mother's permission of course, I invited the boys back into my apartment. We went straight to the kitchen and sat at the rather small table.
So, we talked for HOURS and the boys finally returned home. I was dazed, in love. I ran the promise from Kostya over and over again in my mind "I will come back tomorrow at 8". The whole next day I was tuned out of reality. FINALLY, 8 had come! I ran to the front of the apartment building and was greeted by Kostya. He enchanted me with a rose and I almost melted.
Kostya and I spent many hours together that night in my kitchen! Oh it was wonderful! He even helped my mom text our landlord ((the power went out)) and he was such a gentleman. I fell in love with his witty remarks and his complete innocence. Even though he was only one year old than me, I felt like he had the right amount of maturity to match my own! Kostya brought a camera with him and we spent majority of the time taking pictures.
The next day was my final day in Simferopol. Such a sad, desolate, gloomy day. Kostya and Dima returned for a final goodbye two hours before I had to go.
I WAS A MESS! Not only did I not want to leave Kostya and my new friend Dima, but I didn't want to leave Simferopol. I grew to love that city and everything it was composed of. The crazy buses, the markets, the selling of pig on the streets. I was distraught.
Eventually, I had to go and say goodbye. When my taxi arrived to the train station I was greeted by Kostya, Dima, and another boy that I had previously seen. I just cried and cried. The boys kept saying "There is still time! Do not be sad!" but every second the time lessened.
And then the final bell ring and I had to go into the train and join my mother and new sister. Here came the waterworks. I was toast. Kostya and the boys waved to me from outside the window and tried to make me laugh, to little avail. Then the train started to pull away. As in any love story, the boys walked along side the train. This gradually turned into a full out sprint where they had to give up. I just sat there and cried and cried and cried some more. I was toast.
So, when my mother and I arrived in Kiev I was a mess. I was so crazy that I even threatened to run away to be with Kostya. How immature, I know.
For three months my only contact with Kostya was through skype and facebook. We promised to be dedicated to each other and be officially "boyfriend and girlfriend". It sounds silly now, but at the time it made me happy. In April I returned to Ukraine by myself for spring break to be with Kostya. I can honestly say I had the time of my life and I wish I could have stayed longer than two weeks. I miss it more than anything.
Now, Kostya and I are striving for him to come to America for the summer. The impossible task of getting a visa in Ukraine to come to America is stressing me out. He has an appointment scheduled August 8 but that is so long away and only promises a short stay in America :( To be honest, I want to live in Ukraine and be an English teacher for Russian speaking children. Who knows where life will take me next...
