The American apparition

Saturday, July 27, 2013

07:34

By Michael

            On Thursday morning, Yulia and I spotted a young man, about our age, riding a bicycle. He caught our eye because he did not look like a local. In fact, he looked very much like an American! He was wearing a hat very similar to one of mine from the “Hat People” in Talent, Oregon—tan, with a soft cover and short brim.

            His behavior was also very unlike a local. He rode by our house and then turned around to take a picture of our neighbor’s barn. I was consulting Yulia about a flower bed by our front gate when he did this. Yulia shouted to him, “ДОБРИЙ ДЕНЬ! [GOOD DAY!]” and asked what he was doing. He responded by saying that he was taking picture of a barn. We didn’t know what to say after that.

            We suspect he was a photographer or artist of some sort. Most locals would not stop to take a picture of something so mundane. Yulia also noted an accent when he spoke, though I did not pick up on it. If he were an American he would have been wandering very far away from the nearest tourist attraction. But that is beside the point.

We want to see more people like this—regardless if they are American, Ukrainian or whatever. Although our little village is better taken care of than others, Yulia and I think this place (and Ukraine in general) needs more young and creative energy. We would have loved to strike up a conversation and meet a new acquaintance. So if you are out there, American bicyclist, please come back!