15 MAY - Thursday

Thursday, May 15, = = (St Petersburg City - Maps)

Tip at 8 are at the bar, the woman is to expect, we do breakfast. I realize that I am watching and realize that my physical condition is not the best, I am still tired of the day yesterday.
What strange, smiling asks me if I'm good, lie to my statement in saying yes, I announced that today it is better to go by car and we will do the tour in areas where there is no need to walk. We begin to see the port, a major maritime crossroads of goods and people in the Baltic Sea, the statues in the many parks glimpsed from the car windows, the fortress of St. Peter and Paul and much more.
We stop and get off the machine, we sit on the benches of the park.
The woman has since changed its attitude, now I see it more human, perhaps due to his sense of guilt for sfacchinata that I was doing yesterday, and asked me why of my trip.
One pulls the other word and taking the confidence to ask her and her life.
"My life flows monotoma, my husband was killed in Afghanistan ...



I left with two children to maintain.
Life since then has been hard but we Russian women are..
strong, we know the sacrifice that involves being alone with children, post-communist state has abandoned us to ourselves, not only us but also many Russian people have suffered the abandonment of the state. Although we did not have much freedom as citizens, but we had a security assistance given by all of our primary needs: food, schools, medical care, pension etc.
We are hurled into a system of competitive life, where the weaker had to succumb to unscrupulous profiteers, both private and public, from various local mafias, from commercial and political interests, national and international legal or not.
Today, fortunately, thank God I can be successful with many sacrifices, to study my children, making them exempt from hazardous events and involvement, you are married and have given me the happiness of being grandmother to two wonderful grandchildren. "

His eyes were damp and her face relaxes the features hardwoods, which until now exhibited with pride. The hand on his arm back, not moving, like my sign of understanding.
From this moment the total is mutual confidence, speaks continuously, but not historic dates or the names of works of art, speaks as if a weight was lifted dall'anima speaks of the time, of food, his dreams are nothing but small things compared to what we Westerners calling us "civilians" bramito the expensive car, the terraced house, wealth, power, ultimately the "ephemeral happiness, envy his tenderness with the simplicity his dreams.
It would be a good think about what the fate has granted us, even if it is good to continue to fight for things but not stupid and needs suprflui but for a more just and humane for all.
It was made the lunch, the forces to go into a restaurant, eat Borsh: soup with meat and rape followed by salmon and caviar and drinking a bottle of good wine.
Spend more than two hours cheerfully dinner was magnificent. We go out and wander wearily, we continue to talk throughout the afternoon.
The sun is still high and the time has come to the end of his task as a guide for this lonely old tourist, mutual sympathy that comes between us, however, hampers the posting, I have no courage, despite his temperament loyal to duty, not from space to reports that are not only working and ask if he pleased to spend the evening with me, outside of his task of Cicero.
I was expecting a rejection, but instead likes and welcomes my invitation, proposing to go to the theater to see the famous Russian ballet, I accept with enthusiasm.
Enter and open-mouthed admiration, a show of exceptional skill and beauty, the exhibition ended, it is not considered paid until the evening spent here, leads me into a room where the speakers are dancing folk dances of Russia.
Dance into the night with her divinely and skill I clumsily but fun crazy.
These are the 3 in the morning when I accompany the home, at the front door greets me but to come late and approaching me I caress the cheek, smiling and thanking you close the door behind him.
I head out to me, I return to my apartment, I take a shower and relaxes me in bed.
Late to sleep for the day full of emotions and pleasant company but unfortunately I inevitably fall asleep.

> (DIARY DAY FOLLOWING MAY 16 )