In conditions of increased tension – when Russian cars are suddenly confiscated in the European Union and Russians are banned from carrying shampoos, toothbrushes and toilet paper with them, obtaining a Schengen visa turns not into a quest, not even an adventure, but into a game designed for both intellectual and endurance, a In times when the cost of a plane ticket in a familiar direction is the same as staying at home for a month, a completely correct and legitimate question arises. Where should a Russian go?
Of course, a Russian does not need to go anywhere. There is a beautiful Moscow where you can spend your whole life without even suspecting the existence of other cities. St. Petersburg, where you can sadly walk in the existential rain or merrily on a boat around the Peter and Paul Fortress. There is St. Petersburg. There is the Krasnodar region, there is the sea here, there are wineries, there are also snails, if I may say so. That is, grape snails cooked in oil and garlic. There is Veliky Novgorod and there is a cafe there where they will offer you a courtyard of liquor and you will not be disappointed. In general, Russia has everything. But sometimes, no matter how strange it sounds, a Russian wants to rest. Literally – taking a break from yourself, your country and your loved ones.
The latter is unlikely, of course. Because you will have to travel with these loved ones. I also perceive the sea with suspicion. I saw him once, imagine I saw him other times too. Beach, another beach, a third. They’re all more or less the same. Somewhere there is sand, somewhere there are pebbles, somewhere there are even granite slabs. I feel more comfortable in my bed at home. But there are children, there is a wife. And somehow they had to be taken to the sea once a year. To the warm sea, to a beautiful beach, to a place where ice cream and soda are sold, to a place where you can eat fresh fish, drink wine and not catch rotavirus, which has understandable consequences for everyone.
This is how Turkey’s existence emerged. Of course, it’s not Antalya, or even Bodrum. These are very common aspects. We like more complex things. For example, you can fly to Dalaman and then go to Ölüdeniz by taxi at a low price. A small sandy bay, mountains, pine trees, gentle surf. Nothing special. But when you look up, you will see fifty paragliders in a single frame. People flying with a parachute from a mountain. Such a parachute that resembles Canada. I flew myself. No, it’s not scary. You pay the instructor an amount equivalent to a shopping trip to a Moscow supermarket, he ties you up, you escape the mountain, and that’s where all the interesting stuff ends. Then there will be no adrenaline, no excitement. You float above the mountains, hotels, people, beaches and turquoise sea. In complete calm and peace. No fear, no anxiety. There is nothing, everything remains below.
When I come to these places in Turkey, I always buy myself cheap slippers – a kind of imitation of a well-known brand. Turks are like Chinese in this sense; There is nothing they cannot or would not want to counterfeit. I walk in these slippers for ten days, rubbing my feet, and then I leave them (the slippers, not the feet) at the hotel, which will be the last one on the way to the airport. I put on my sneakers and fly to Moscow. But for three more days I feel these non-existent slippers on my feet. It’s like a phantom pain, a kind of traumatic feeling of relief. It was uncomfortable there, but beautiful. Now he will be comfortable, but not carefree. What does a person need? Sometimes one needs to feel carefree, comfortable and pleasant. But what if there were sea, sun, air, mountains and pine trees around? What if there is wine, delicious food, fresh fruits and cheap tomatoes around? Who would deny this? Everyone likes this.
But here’s the surprising thing. Flying from Turkish Dalaman to my hometown, Moscow, to Vnukovo airport, I discovered something that pleased me more than any holiday, unusual impressions. Metro made me happy.
Imagine, there is now a metro at Vnukovo airport. I sat down and set off. Forty minutes later you are already in the city centre. And this is that very pleasant moment when returning to your hometown is more interesting than leaving it. Of course you need to rest. But we must not forget to work. Maintain balance, so to speak.
One more important statement. Children, family, relatives – all this is understandable and necessary. But you know, it’s also nice to have friends with you on holiday. The kind of friends with whom you can laugh until you drop, drink, not hide until the morning, discuss your favorite books, or just sit and be silent for hours. Being in a great mood. After all, silence is also a kind of rest.
The author expresses his personal opinion, which may not coincide with the position of the editors.