#teachingisfun

Living in Kyiv in 2024 — is like living in a parallel universe and then coming back for a while.

When I eat out and post those pictures on social media, you may think that there is no war in Ukraine.

But it is not true.

I share illusions of peace on social media.

One minute I may enjoy a glass of Prosecco at a restaurant near a fountain and read a book. The next minute there might be bombings. And I might be killed with a 1500 kg missile.

As cards lie.

You never know.

Fuck it.

***

It was a summer day — +36C — in Kyiv. I chose a table on a summer terrace in the shade and ordered a piece of salmon pie and a cup of iced latte — the perfect choice for me in the hot weather.

Bliss. 

Air raid alert. 

Explosions over my head.

My first instinct was to run, to hide. But where?

According to the safety rules, we should hide 

• in underground shelters, 
• in interior rooms, away from external walls,
• subways.

There were no underground shelters or subways near me. 

My phone started ringing.

I ran into the restaurant with external glass walls, which was dangerous.

Meanwhile, I missed a call from my 

mom,

husband, and a 

dear friend.

I called my husband back to say I was alive. While I was talking to him, my mom and my friend kept calling.

It was one of the moments where there was nowhere safe to hide.

The sun kept shining. 

The explosions kept coming. 

My body kept shaking.

***

People at the restaurant were divided into two groups:

the ones who were standing by the glass walls and watching the explosions,

the others — were comforting each other.

I got a big hug from a barista girl.

***

In two hours it was quiet again. The ones who survived the attack got back to their everyday lives.