 A
Raffle to Adventureby Henry Sakaida |
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 He
is a local high school teacher who is a friend of Valentina's and acted
as translator. While strolling along a dimly lit boulevard by their
apartment complex at 10pm, I saw young couples, teens, and women walking
their dogs. However, he did relate to me a funny incident. Once, he
was walking home on a darkened street when he was accosted by two teens
who demanded money. Then suddenly, one of them blurted, "$#@#&!!
It's Tumasyan!" The boys bolted. "Hey, where are you going?
Here's my wallet! Come back!" he yelled. As it turned out, the
boys were his students! It is now 2004 and I am still in contact with Valentina. The Brakalovs ceased corresponding after their granddaughter, then 17, died after she was severely beaten in a home robbery while her parents were at work. The two young men responsible were arrested and imprisoned; the loss of their only child totally destroyed the close knit family. Despite the tragedies which have visited the two families, I feel that it is much safer in Kiev compared to Los Angeles, New York, and any other major American city. I don't think they have the rampant drug problem there, simply because young people don't have enough money to buy them! However, they do have a chronic alcohol problem. But no one kills over booze because it is readily available and cheap. There are  no
drive-by shootings there because gun ownership is highly regulated and
very few young people have cars.I have now visited Kiev twice and plan to go back in a couple of years. "When you come to Kiev, your bed is always ready and I will cook for you!" Valentina told me. "Moi dom, tvoi dom! (my home is your home). Looks like we both won in this raffle! |
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