London had been a childhood dream of mine ever since we were told about its sights in English classes at school. I studied the same sights at the preparatory courses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then at the University. It seemed that even before visiting London, I already knew it better than any other city in the world. I had little chance of getting the UK visa, so I put off a trip to London to the last page of perhaps my last passport. Nobody knows what turn of fate has already got the very brick that will suddenly fall on your head, or what else would happen to prevent your vacation abroad.
Everywhere I traveled alone. Vitaly threw up his hands, as he always had some reasons not to join me. However, on Christmas Eve, he vowed that we would definitely go somewhere together within the coming year.
I worked as the head of the purchasing department, free of job for traveling three times a year: for May holidays, August and Christmas time; and there were just three pages left for visas in my passport.
Vitaly traditionally spent May and Christmas holidays with his wife (whom, like many husbands, he vowed to leave, but would have never done so, because he felt pity for her, since she wont survive, and you are strong!), therefore, for our joint trip only August remained.
Knowing my cherished childhood dream, Vitaly told me to go first to London, for May holidays, and suggested having a rest with him in August somewhere on paradise islands. Well, it made sense, didnt it?
I really enjoyed London! I walked it up and down and returned home with a feeling of complete satisfaction. By the way, the British had released me a multi-entry visa for six months, but I didnt see much point in going back with limited funds, it was much more pleasant to visit something yet unexplored!
There were clearly more wonders on Earth than the seven encyclopedic ones, and I was already dreaming of where I would go for Christmas after August in Paradise with Vitaly, as the boss urgently demanded to get me a German visa for a business trip to Munich. So, my travel bag was getting less for one wonder of the world! And more, I had already traveled all over Germany, including Munich, in vacation and not during a business trip. Anyhow, my negativity reached the ears of the Universe: as soon as the Germans granted me a single-entry visa for five days in July, the business trip was immediately canceled by the very same boss! However, since the stamp in the passport couldnt be canceled, the penultimate page turned out to be irretrievably damaged and wasted for nothing! My inner indignation from my own helplessness went off scale, but in the end, it never came out, because every day brought me closer to the cherished August islands with Vitaly!
I scoured the Internet, called all the travel agencies that dealt with islands to choose the best Paradise for us, and mentally I was already rather there than in my homeland. Having prepared a bunch of beautiful dresses and bought a couple of charming swimsuits, I signed an application for my vacation, which became more and more problematic every year, because the boss was mutating into a slave owner
And so, a couple of days before departure, Vitaly called for me, beaming with anticipation of Paradise, to discuss our plans in a restaurant. He listened carefully to all my dreams and wishes for the main course, and for dessert he suddenly said,
Lara, Im leaving for London.
What do you mean London?! I asked, still understanding nothing. And when are you leaving?!
Its a business trip to London for the whole of August.
Yesterday you said you had agreed your vacation! in August! with me! on the islands!
Yes, but today everything has changed Maybe in September
My boss wont let me go in September! I was about to die. As well as in October and in November!!!
Go alone to Paradise in August.
Whats to do alone in Paradise?! Its only for couples!
Then go somewhere else, Vitaly suggested calmly, which made me furious.
Somewhere else, where is that? I have no time to apply for a visa!
Go to visa-free Turkey.
Oh, I wished he hadnt even mentioned Turkey to me! I turned white with anger!
Turkey? Where you have been relaxing with your wife for so many years? So that, lying alone on the beach, I couldnt help imagining how sweet it was for you both there?!
Lara, darling! I could tell you to come and stay with me in London, but I will work from morning to night, and youll get bored. Youve just returned from London! Besides, I will live not in London, but in a town about forty minutes away from London by train. In a single room at a local hotel with English breakfasts only. I figured out how much your visit will cost. Its very expensive for you to travel to London every day instead of waiting for me in a bare field, to have lunch and dinner, plus the extra charge for a double room. You know how small are rooms in Britain, and the flight is not a penny! I can neither pay for you, nor to tell you to pay yourself, because its a throwing money away! By the way, theres an abnormal heat in London now. People are bathing in fountains! And you said you couldnt stand the heat. To come to London for a week just to stay with me for a weekend, bathing in fountains?! Remember, its bad luck to come back!