After returning to Russia from 4 months in America, the first thing I heard was... well, of course... a quarrel between passport control officers. How lovely! I walk out into the airport, what’s the hell going on? Everyone is so gloomy and angry. Every passerby has an expression on their face as if they just ate half a lemon and washed it down with fish oil. Not a single smile, not a single “Hi, how are you doing!” It’s true: if strangers in America make eye contact, they smile at each other and say hello. Russians will look away and frown. A very unfriendly nation. Anyway, moving on. In the subway, it’s crowded as usual. Of course, no, help is absolutely not needed! Who cares about some 30 kg of weight, I’ve dealt with worse! Some nervous girl, turning around and seeing my bags, exclaimed: “Great, just what I needed!” and with a twisted face, rushed to another carriage. You need therapy, dear. My bags aren’t even that big) One man, though (apparently seeing my luggage-burdened state), took a bag and, without saying a word, helped me pull it out of the carriage) Though, that was likely because the bag was blocking his own exit))

With great difficulty, having reached Kursky Station, it turned out that the next train to Nizhny was only tomorrow. We headed to the bus station... tickets were sold out. We headed back to Kursky... tickets were already sold out. For about 2 hours we wandered back and forth like crazy people, calling, looking for any way to get home. Nothing. The harpy at the ticket counter, as usual, is arguing with every client. Hello, Russia! My phone died. I asked at the information desk where I could charge it. “Right here!” was the answer. Wow! What luck! I smile and my eyes land on a sign:

Charging phone:

30 min – 40 rub

1 hour – 70 rub

Ha-ha... (Somewhere around midnight I went to the restroom. Guess what? It’s closed! A closed restroom at a train station... Are you still surprised why train stations in Russia are so dirty? An hour later I tried my luck at the restroom again. Guess what? It’s open! Admission is paid – 20 rub. Are you still surprised why train stations in Russia are so dirty? I spent 18 unforgettable hours at Kursky Station waiting for the train. Next to me sat an old woman, she was talking to a person only she could see. It seems she lived at the station... It seems she was cheated and evicted from her apartment... It seems someone was killed... Her daughter... Around 6 AM, a cleaning lady came and, shooing us from our seats for a while, started mopping the floor. As soon as boarding was announced, I immediately trudged to the carriage. I’m walking calmly, laptop on my shoulder, my precious bags on my back. 2 men approach:

• Miss, do you need help?
• For free? – I asked hopefully.
• What do you mean for free? We’re working!
• No, thanks.
  One of them, undeterred, followed me. He just walks along, watching me drag my luggage.
• Which platform are you going to?
• To the 6th...
• Well, let me help you for 200 rubles!
• Are you kidding me?
• Why would I be kidding? – the man seemed offended. And then, mockingly, - there are stairs there, you won’t be able to carry it yourself!
• Are you sure?
  It was fine, actually. First I lifted one bag, then the other) On the platform, I wasn’t left without help either. Some old lady!! helped me drag my luggage to the carriage) In short, once on the train, I sat down and finally relaxed. But all the way, one thought wouldn’t leave me: Is America a country of fools? Is Russia a country of cool and smart people? I don’t think so...