About NY during my last week in America!

Of course, I don't remember everything so clearly and vividly now... But I was looking through photos and suddenly wanted to describe that very week (or even a slightly longer period).

Anyway, if anyone read my blog, I wrote about the Kazakhs I lived with from the very beginning. The girls stayed in Virginia, and the boys left to conquer NY (but ended up living in a small town 100 km from the Big Apple). So. I became very close friends with one of them (Misha) back in Virginia, and there was even some romance... it was to him that I went to NY in early July. But a couple of hours before my arrival, he calls and says that plans have changed, he is leaving for Monticello (100 km from the city), and in general, no one is waiting for me here, and I can spend the night in their apartment in Queens, because there are still 2 roommates left here. I was in shock. He just took and ditched me for the second time! (the first was on his birthday, when he left). Offended and upset, I went to New York anyway. I am strong! And I don't need anyone at all! In the end, I met and became friends with a guy who lived in Misha's apartment. It was with him (Seryoga!!) that we went for a walk around the city and explored this "capital of capitals." But one shouldn't forget that I am still a girl... And it was just incredibly hurtful when Misha just took and dumped me like that. Hurtful, painful, and disappointing. So walking around the city distracted me a little from my thoughts, but everything was not right. Not the way I wanted and imagined it. Therefore, the next day I packed up and left back to Virginia Beach. It already feels like home... Misha and I haven't spoken since that time at all. I was offended and therefore didn't call, he showed male pride and didn't call either... or maybe he just forgot. Who knows. But Seryoga and I became very good friends and kept in touch via texts and calls.

And then at the end of August, the phone rings. Who is it? Misha! He asks in his drawling, meowing voice how I am, where I am, how things are going, etc... and I just melt! He invites me to come to NY again, because he will come there himself and already knows where to live... I have some doubts: if he already ditched me twice, why wouldn't it happen a third time? But the butterflies in my stomach drown out the reasonable arguments of my brain, and I agree to come. I call Seryoga and, just in case, find out if it will be possible to spend the night at his place... if anything. You never know.

I arrived on the same China bus to this city that was no longer so alien and unfamiliar. While waiting for Misha (who didn't seem to be planning to ditch me this time and was just a little late), I helped students from the same bus get oriented in the city, gave them the numbers I knew of people who could help with housing, gave them my phone with internet to call their parents on Skype... In general, I was satisfied with my social activity. Misha arrived... kisses, hugs, empty talk, unfulfilled dreams... We went to some hostel where he is living now. Oh my! Not only is it located in Brooklyn, a 30-minute bus ride from some subway station... But it's just laughter and tears in one bottle. 1. It's a house... one-story. Like many houses in that area. 2. 98% of the people living there are Kazakhs! ))) Apparently, this summer is firmly connected for me with Kazakhstan... 3. Paying $40 a night. 4. On the 1st floor there is a kitchen, a small sofa, a computer... and a little further away there are 5-6 bunk beds! You go downstairs... and there are a couple of centimeters of water on the floor and also about 8 bunk beds!! A barracks, in short! I was a little shocked. Then I argued with Misha again, met a guy living in the same hostel, and we went wandering around the city together. I bought all sorts of souvenirs... By the way! Buy souvenirs in Chinatown))) Because I was a little shocked by the prices in the central districts of Manhattan: a mug for $15 and a magnet for $23 is a little more than I want to spend on it. I didn't go up to the top floors and didn't look at the city roofs... Because I was a little scared by a group of 300 Chinese tourists in front of me in the queue. But I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge 3 times back and forth... I really like the view there... After the walk, I had to return somewhere. But where? I had argued with Misha and didn't want to see him, so I called Seryoga and asked to "spend the night" at his place. He arrived, picked me up, took me there, let me stay... In general, a miracle guy! He also lived in Brooklyn but on a different subway line. In an apartment building with several... Kazakhs!)))) Oh, how much we laughed there, until we cried... it seemed that everyone had known each other for an eternity. I don't know why, but it's so easy to find common ground with people in the States. Probably because we are all in the same position, the same age, and know that it is unlikely we will see each other again.

I left my suitcase at home in Virginia. So I had to go get it... and at the same time swim and have fun saying goodbye to all my friends and acquaintances.

I arrived in NY again... I still hadn't spoken to Misha. Seryoga met me and... it turned out that he had moved out of the apartment and agreed to live somewhere 50 km from New York in some small town.

And what about me, Baby? Did you forget about me completely? (c) Carlson

No! Not only did he not forget, but he also made a surprise. He put me up in a Holiday Inn right in the center of Manhattan!!! A gorgeous room with breakfast included, a perfectly clean shower, a huge bed, a plasma TV, and internet! My gratitude knew no bounds! Living in the city center and not thinking about the costs of this accommodation... what could be better on my last day in America?!

I settled in and, after seeing Seryoga off to work, started thinking about what to do. I feel like sleeping, and watching TV... but oh my! I'm in New York! Of course, go for a walk! I put on my unreal shoes, my handbag, a bright blue scarf, and went out to conquer the city... alone. And it was at that moment that I felt that I was in THAT New York that I dreamed of, that I saw in the movie, that I liked. Waving my hand (as the heroine of the SATC series did), I caught a yellow taxi and asked to take me to "Little Italy." For some reason, this Manhattan district seemed interesting to me... if only for its name. There was some kind of carnival-festival-fair going on there. People were singing songs on the streets, there were stalls with food and drinks, everyone was having fun... I was so imbued with this spirit that I walked for several more hours humming Italian melodies to myself. Then I went to 42nd St. and just wandered among the skyscrapers, catching the glances of passersby. Not rushing anywhere (no wonder... you try rushing in such heels, damn it), I just walked. I stumbled upon the Museum of Sex! =)) Of course! What else would I stumble upon... not a drama theater, right))) It turned out that almost ALL the visitors were Russian))) And not only students, but also adults speaking Russian. Apparently, our people are drawn to such things)

I went to look at Times Square one more time. I admired these screens, billboards, people... And headed home. It was so strange to spend the night alone in a large room with a TV and not wait for the guys to come and start joking about everything and nothing... Or for Maga to crash to sleep after work... Or for the toilet to explode again and the whole floor to be in water... Or for someone to come and say why we are still here when there is a Euro-party in Shakas and everyone is already there... It was strange. Memories flooded in, and in the morning I woke up with red eyes. Apparently, a piece of me remained in Virginia Beach. Not noticeable from the outside at all, but so important to me.

Taxi, airport, New York - Moscow - Minsk... home, parents, chatter... Minsk - Saint Petersburg... and photos of the summer, people, the ocean, and the States.

I started and finished my journey alone... But how many interesting people I met this summer! Everything is ONLY new! If I had been with someone, the sensations would not have been the same... Maybe they would not have been worse, but not THE SAME! Therefore, I do not regret a single step I took before and during this trip.

Don't be afraid of independence.

The road will be mastered by the walking.

I wish you an unforgettable summer and an ocean of positive emotions.

Thanks to those who read this blog... Even though there aren't many of you, I'm pleased)