Crimea… I will miss you!
Editor’s note- This “Dispatches from Ukraine” blog entry comes from a freelance interpreter in Crimea who has decided to leave due to the turmoil there.
I am writing these lines on a train, “Simferopol-Lviv,” observing Crimean steppes that are gradually turning green and spring-like. During the last three and a half years, these places have become so dear to my heart.
Of course, I visited Simferopol before, but like most tourists “from the continent,” this city was mostly a transit one for me. And, of course, as a native born Western Ukrainian, I never planned to live there. But God had a different plan and it was wonderful. It was in this city that I learned I was pregnant with my son Mark, and this is a place where he made his first steps and pronounced his first words. Because of this, the Crimean land has become so special for me.
The events of recent weeks have not been very pleasant for me, but as I look back I will remember my Simferopol not because of green men with guns who suddenly appeared on it’s streets, but primarily because of other, much nicer people whom I met there. I talked in Ukrainian, Russian, English and even in German and Polish (just a little bit). Language has never been a problem, and it seems to me I found a common ground with all of you pretty well. After all, the language of human heart and soul sounds the same for everyone and everywhere.
What will I miss in particular? Here are some of the things that come to my mind right away:
– Botanical garden, especially rosary and a small pine forest where we enjoyed walking at any time of year
– Russian drama theatre, where I watched so many great performances
– Conversational clubs, where I met a lot of interesting people and wonderful friends
– My work that gave me the opportunity to develop professionally
– My church congregation that has really become my second family
I will also miss shurpa (rich soup of lamb with vegetables and spices), laghman, my morning walks along the Sthealgir River, and even bumpy roads of the Old City where the wheels of my son’s carriages broke down.
:-)
I am so grateful to all my friends and acquaintances who made our stay in Crimea so enjoyable. And I want to wish all of you to have peace – outside on your streets and inside your precious hearts.
I really hope that “hot spots” in Crimea will be found only in summer on the beaches under the sun. I am not saying goodbye, and I promise to return – at least in my memories.