All the same it is dangerous to make a long pause in writing a blog. Some kind of vacuum in the brains. Having been in the homeland, I understood that I have two lives. In the homeland one has to recall the most elementary everyday moments: again adapt to a gas stove, to the absence of hot water, to “native” money which is catastrophically losing value, to people…

I lived in the centre of the city of Kyiv. Round the clock noisy, dusty, hot. And at 6 in the morning, on top of that, one can hear how the first metro train passes “under my bed.” What can one say? — The central district of the capital — Pechersk! I beheld a clear advantage over other districts: every evening a virtuoso rubbish truck squeezed through cars parked every which way and with a light movement of the lift quickly threw the rubbish into its body. As they say: “The work fears the master!” Once again one wants to repeat “virtuoso rubbish truck.” I admire their work! The poetry of Labour! Without them we are nowhere!

I also greatly respect plumbers. Imagine, if it were not for them, in what interesting place would we all be? And of course, marshrutka drivers! They manage to talk on the mobile, count money and give change, and also hear shouting passengers ordering a stop “somewhere here”! Every time I thank the driver. After all, our life is in their hands! Thank you for getting me there! ….with a breeze-draught.

And so my stay in native places came to an end. “Farewell, kyiany!” The airport “Boryspil” with correct border guards. Of things — hand luggage! They checked thoroughly and “let me go.”

I landed in Riga. 55 minutes in reserve for the transfer. They’re not hurrying to bring up the steps! Well, nothing, Ira, (I calm myself) you’ll run, the main thing is not to think how old you are, all the same you are younger than mama, who is 91! So run, Ira!

Stop! Again control by vigilant Latvian customs officers. Good that there is no queue. But more thorough than in Boryspil. I quietly repeat only one word “please….., yes, yes, ….please,” and I myself think “what are they looking for then?” I have only hand luggage, weighing 7 kg. They let me go, now the main thing is to run to the gate! I make the boarding! I fly, and from my window I see a propeller! Spin, propeller, spin! And don’t stop!

There will be a continuation….