We arrive at Zaporozhye, Ukraine
This is Anna Romanovna and her little dog "Chapa". Anna had come to see the boat arrive. I noticed that her little dog didn't have a collar or leash. When I travel I usually carry a collar and some rope with me in case I find a lost animal or one who needs help. I gave her the yellow collar and fussed over Chapa. Anna was so surprised and and thrilled. I tried to explain in my few words of Russian "Ya loobloo sahbahka... etah potarok sahbahka" "I love dogs... this is a gift for your dog".
"Spaseeba, spaseeba" she answered "thank you, thank you" We tried to communicate a little more and then I had to leave. Never expecting to see her again.
A few days later, as our ship was about to leave, I noticed a familiar woman on the dock. It was Anna. I ran down the gangplank, we hugged each other and she gave me a porcelain figurine of a small white dog. It must have been one of her prize possessions. I had to hurry to get back aboard. But I managed to give her my address.
As the ship pulled out I could see her waving and wiping the tears away from under her glasses. Then I realized I was crying too. I ran to the stern and we waved to each other until she was out of sight.
After I got home, a letter from Russia arrived. It was from Anna trying to use a Russian/American dictionary to write. She told me "The cries ran down my cheeks." Now, after 20 years we still write to each other and I love her.
We arrive at Zaporozhye, Ukraine
This is Anna Romanovna and her little dog "Chapa". Anna had come to see the boat arrive. I noticed that her little dog didn't have a collar or leash. When I travel I usually carry a collar and some rope with me in case I find a lost animal or one who needs help. I gave her the yellow collar and fussed over Chapa. Anna was so surprised and and thrilled. I tried to explain in my few words of Russian "Ya loobloo sahbahka... etah potarok sahbahka" "I love dogs... this is a gift for your dog".
"Spaseeba, spaseeba" she answered "thank you, thank you" We tried to communicate a little more and then I had to leave. Never expecting to see her again.
A few days later, as our ship was about to leave, I noticed a familiar woman on the dock. It was Anna. I ran down the gangplank, we hugged each other and she gave me a porcelain figurine of a small white dog. It must have been one of her prize possessions. I had to hurry to get back aboard. But I managed to give her my address.
As the ship pulled out I could see her waving and wiping the tears away from under her glasses. Then I realized I was crying too. I ran to the stern and we waved to each other until she was out of sight.
After I got home, a letter from Russia arrived. It was from Anna trying to use a Russian/American dictionary to write. She told me "The cries ran down my cheeks." Now, after 20 years we still write to each other and I love her.