Do you often feel the urge to call someone, share news, or just chat? You pick up your phone, open your contacts, and scroll... there are hundreds of numbers (some have up to 500), but there's no one to call. I hope it's not often... because, as they say here, it sucks. By the way, do you know why Americans smile? Because it's impolite to show people your depression. See the paradox? Everyone is so polite and sweet, asking how you are, but at the same time, they drown out loneliness and depression with pills and visits to a psychotherapist. A psychotherapist, not friends... because burdening friends with your problems is also considered impolite. And that's how it is with everything. A superficial attitude toward everything, sweet smiles, questions left unanswered... and depression.

I was in New York for a couple of days... and you know what? No one smiles there. Apparently, they don't even bother about being impolite anymore... no one sees anyone at all. Is that an exaggeration? No, no one really sees anyone there: you could have a tail, a green head, and three legs, and no one would care. Is this what American life is? Or is it the polite and smiling Virginia Beach?

I've gotten used to the sight of black, fat, ugly, and unkempt people. I've gotten used to hearing American greetings and questions, answering with template phrases on the go, and walking past. I drink coffee and sleep little. The smell of cigarettes doesn't irritate me anymore. Kazakh faces have become "ours, Russian," and Dagestan is practically my second home.

Clubs. How can I not talk about clubs!)) In general, the clubs in Virginia Beach are clearly not the ones you can judge all of America by. But I can only compare them to the ones in St. Petersburg... so hold on, Americans!)) The clubs here are more like bars... or rather, they are bars during the day that close their doors at night and put security at the entrance. It's cramped, loud, but fun. To get into a club, you need to have an ID with you (a passport, a driver's license... something with your photo, birth year, and something else). Some clubs have an entrance fee, others are free... almost nowhere lets you in under 21 (how cool that I'm an old lady). Does everyone remember the movie Dirty Dancing? Forget it! So... now I know WHAT dirty dancing is! They literally have sex on the dance floor!! In the most perverted forms, the only thing missing is a herd of goats or sheep for bestiality. Everyone rubs every part of their body against each other in poses that are shameful to even look at in pictures. And I, mind you, am not a snob or a nun. In short, debauchery and everything goes according to plan... In clubs that let in people under 21 (there are some), they put huge black crosses on both hands. So the bartender doesn't have to ask for an ID again.