First Hours
I was in the baggage claim terminal at the airport, I slept almost the entire transatlantic air route, but I was very tired, there was no luggage, everyone took their luggage, there were already several people in the terminal, and I was already thinking whether my luggage was lost, and those who have traveled such a long way will have more trouble, no, it would not be lost. Why is my luggage still lost? Now what would my father do if he was here, or someone else, my friend, I am very tired of troubles, I am 12,000 kilometers away from home and alone? What is America like? I hope I will know if the luggage arrives someday. Here the luggage appeared, it should be mine. No, it’s not mine, dammit. When will I return home? at home? You haven’t arrived here yet. Yes, but I’m just curious, I’m also interested in what America is like. The black man and I are standing in the terminal, the luggage is not visible, here is the luggage, it must be mine, God, let it be mine. it’s mine! God, it’s good.
Now I have to get ready to check everything, passport everything, I have to clear my mind. ok let’s go
I came out of the terminal and America appeared behind the big sliding glass doors, I walked slowly towards the doors, it was evening and there weren’t many people. The doors opened and the hot Atlantic breeze of August hit my face like a tsunami, the air was so heavy that it was hard to breathe. Is this America? Too hot, I thought. Surprised by the climate and full of euphoria, I went to the car park near the entrance, my relative Giorgi was waiting for me. I saw and thought that Giorgi looks different to me in the background of America, everything looks different here, even Giorgi. George was an older man of middle age, slightly short with a pleasant appearance. I went to hug him.
how did you travel? Giorgi asked me with a smile. After the flight, my ears were so pounded by the pressure fluctuations that I could barely hear.
I traveled normally Giorgi, thank you, my ears hurt a little, I told him.
Giorgi laughed, it’s nothing, it happens sometimes.
Soon we got into Giorgi’s car, the car was well-maintained and clean, and a Georgian cross was hanging on the mirror of the car. We drove off and it started to rain. We left the airport directly on the highway, it was 9 p.m., and large drops of rain were hitting the windshield of the car, it was very hot. And I was looking outside and wondering if America was like I imagined it to be. Giorgi looked at me, smiled, and asked –
How do you like America?
It’s good for now. I also answered with a smile.
America is a very big country with great opportunities. Giorgi said and looked at me.
I didn’t even look at him and nodded.
America is a good country, but I have to leave soon. I’ve been here for 8 years, I miss my family, Giorgi continued sadly.
8 years is a long time. I answered and started thinking about how difficult it is to live for 8 years without family and relatives, in a foreign environment, on the other side of the world. Thinking about it made me a little nervous.
It is very good if you go already, you are probably very happy. I said.
Well, my son was little when I left him, now he is a big man, do you know what a great man he is? He is studying in school with good marks, he has become a very handsome boy, and girls seem to like him. Giorgi said to me with a smile, but the smile soon changed to sad eyes, he sighed heavily and continued – does he know me? I hope he remembers who I am. Giorgi’s eyes watered, but he tried not to notice. I also tried to change the conversation to another topic. There was silence in the car for a while, I was still looking outside and looking at the famous fast-food brands that I have never seen in my country. There were too many cars and they were moving chaotically.
After a while, we turned off the highway and entered a small town, walked to the end of the town, and came to a wide house on the left side of the road. Giorgi parked his car in the parking lot in front of the house. This is the palace of the Georgians of New Jersey, he told me with a smile. We moved and rolled my heavy luggage to the door of the house, which was on the left side of the building. We entered the room, the room was a low ceiling, old renovation, and was not very spacious.
Here is your bed. Giorgi said to me and pointed to the corner of the room where there was a standard bed. He lay down on a smaller cot standing by the opposite wall.
You must be tired, let’s go to sleep. Giorgi told me. I nodded and undressed and put my clothes on the side chair. I was so tired, so tired that I couldn’t even think. I lay down and closed my eyes, it was very hot and humid. I hate dampness, I thought, that’s why I don’t like seaside resorts, wet salt on the table, and constant humidity. I don’t like it very much, although I will probably get used to it when I will come to Georgia, I have so many things to tell you, but I have just arrived. I should go to sleep. I closed my eyes and tried to think about nothing.
I woke up, I couldn’t rest, my heart was beating fast and my breathing was fast. what is happening? I thought. where am I? What am I doing here Yesterday I slept at home, in the house where I grew up and spent my whole life, where my parents slept in the side room, how did I end up here? On another continent, I don’t even know when I’ll be back home!
God, what have I done? why did I leave home I have not been out of the house for more than 2 weeks, and now I am with stranger people, in a strange country, for an indefinite period. what should I do? I thought. I got up and looked at the clock, it was exactly 5 a.m. I gathered strength and calmed down, everything will be fine, I thought. I put my head on the pillow and lay on my back. After a while, I fell asleep and dreamed of the birth of Venus all night.