R
Like members
of a big family,
we spent
pleasant times
together and
were happiest
when everyone
was happy.
ussia was my childhood.
I remember as a boy,
embarrassingly nestling
close to the protection of
my mother when taking
a photo in Red Square.
Fifteen years since our last
encounter, I was eager to
return, to see how my Russia had changed after
those brief but active years. The 11-day journey
brought me back to the serene Volga River,
picturesque villages and small wooden houses.
Those 11 days offered me a gentle dream I’ve
had difficulty putting into words, a unique love
whose shape only I can know.
Right from the very first moments when we
landed at St Petersburg Airport, I realized that
it was going to be the journey of a lifetime. The
air was fresh and cool, the trees were adorning
their autumnal dress and the locals granted
us genuine and heartfelt smiles. Getting on a
Esenin Cruise, taking a set of Matryoshka dolls
as a welcome gift, I began a most delicious
itinerary.
On the first day, I wandered around to take
in the gorgeous and splendid beauty of the
palaces, contemplated the sophisticated
patterns on the churches’ ceilings, and enjoyed
scrumptious cuisines at the Russian-styled
restaurants. Each destination had its own
distinctions, each one bringing a new flavor of
excitement. However, what most impressed
my palette in St. Petersburg was the legendary
134
TRAVELLIVE
ballet “Swan Lake” performed at the Hermitage
Theatre. Nothing else can compare with the
captivating sounds of its orchestra paired with
amazing performances by professional dancers.
That night, I stayed awake with the city, strolled
down the narrow streets leading to our ship
and enjoyed the white night before the cruise
took off down the river from St. Petersburg to
Moscow. On the Volga, nights can be so utterly
quiet that at times I could only hear the sounds
of the ship’s engine, the gentle song of waves
and the romantic melodies of love songs. All
worries and sadness seemed to blow away, and
I felt lost in a tranquil world.
On sunny days, when the ship’s deck was