I don't remember anything else. Apparently, there was work in the morning, then we went to Walmart for groceries. We bought so much food, where did it all go so quickly?
Anyway, let's go!
On the bus ride back, we ran into Kolya. He's one of the people who visited us recently. We got the news from the restaurant where the guys work. The conflict ended with Kolya quitting and Dima getting fired (though he was hired back later). Kolya still hasn't found a second job, so he's working overtime at the supermarket (which means extra hours, and the rate increases). By the way, that's a good option! If the employer allows you to work more than 40 hours, you don't need to look for a second job! Why rush if you're in a good company, at a permanent place that pays a decent salary and gives you plenty of hours? In general, it's great to work in a non-seasonal place. All the cafes and shops on the boardwalk depend on the season, the number of tourists, and the weather. Earnings and hours there are oh so unstable. And almost all the work is off the books. Try proving later that the employer owes you money! Kolya got off a stop before us to go to the bank. And then he promised to drop by later to tell us how things are going.
So, unexpectedly, the guests started arriving! Right now, I don't even remember what I had planned for that evening! But it was cool!
Kolya arrived around 7 PM, we had tea and ate. We talked, got into a flow, and chatted until 10 o'clock or even later! Neighbors left and came back, the group changed, as did the topics. We talked about everything! The expression "Russian kitchen" is becoming proverbial; it's not just a place where people eat or cook. That's where they become closer, more intimate, friendlier. In the kitchen, people solve problems, distribute household chores, and everyone gathers at the table. It's the hearth of life. I realized how much I missed those soulful Russian conversations, where it's so interesting and time flies so fast! After all, I really love Russian people, and I miss them, their way of communicating, their thoughts, their mentality, their behavior, their upbringing. Here, with my roommates, we rarely go deep into conversations. Everything revolves around problems: work, rest, new acquaintances, why you came here, what you did for it – America is in everything.
I realize now that I won't be able to live here permanently. I don't understand the guys who stay or want to stay. I'm not judging them at all, I just can't share their feelings. Kolya left, and we (now with Anya) returned to the reality of existence.
10-minute break. Recess. A knock on the door, like a school bell. Some voices. We ask in Russian who's there. We get the answer: it's me, Max.
Another guy from the same group. He came with 3 Turks. He said they were good guys. They came for Dima, but there's no one upstairs yet. Well, the water is boiling in the pot again, and we offer coffee once more. Only this time, everything is in English. The guys work as Fresh Fruits vendors. These are pickups with beds packed with juicy and attractive fruits. They drive through the city streets, between hotels, stop, ring a bell, and then shout loudly: "Freeeesh Fruuuuuits!!!". Soooo tempting, especially while cleaning toilets.
Everyone was silent, probably shy. I had to take the initiative. And the English experience won't hurt! In the end, I talked, and talked, and talked. I love to talk, my loved ones know that for sure. Now my new loved ones (roommates) have also noted this trait in me. Right now, I think only one Utsku understood me (well, and Anya and Max, of course). We sat for about an hour. Natasha and Nastya came (by the way, they used to live in the house with these guys). Max complimented my English, said I speak quickly and fluently. I overwhelmed the guys. Oh, if only they were native! It's so easy to communicate with those whose English is also a foreign language. And how hard it is to understand Americans! One of the guys delivers fruit in the area where our hotel is. He has a blue cab, maybe we'll get lucky and snack on some watermelon tomorrow?
10-minute break.
A knock on the door. We open it. Artem, Alik, and Dima. That's it, the circle is closed, our whole recent group decided to return today. The guys just stopped by on their way from work. It's nice that everyone who visited us wants to come back! Coffee again, how are you again, only now we're sitting in the living room. The boys brought beer, we sat and talked together. Although, fatigue was already setting in. Sonya arrived. Everyone except me worked this evening, and I was tired, probably from all the chatting! We shared our impressions for an hour or two and parted ways. After all, everyone has work in the morning.
I remember that until the end of the evening, the feeling of unreality didn't leave me. How is this happening to me??? Even though I live in a student dorm, I don't often host so many different people in one evening! Especially not friends, but just acquaintances! And not from the apartment next door, but from who knows where! It turned out to be a very interesting evening!
We also finally convinced ourselves that we want to go to Niagara Falls! There is an American, Tom, who takes students to Niagara and Washington throughout the summer. Dima and Kolya went last year, and they liked it a lot! It's a two-day trip, with a night in a hotel, a pool party, and a night light show! We called Tom and agreed to meet tomorrow.
