MOM, TAKE ME BACK TO ARTEK!
BY ANNA RAZINKOVA | APRIL 29, 2020
It was very noisy at airport N. The alarmed passengers quickly fled somewhere, knocking everyone and everything in their path. They were probably afraid of being late for the flight or not arriving alive to a specific destination. The reasons for their experiences are unknown to me, and it was not interesting. I was worried about something completely different.
Having sat down in my seat and fastened my seat belt, I thought about what was going on. The first trip to the camp, parting with loved ones for a long time. What if I can not cope with it or if I let someone down? What if I don’t make friends with the kids from the squad? What if I get removed from the team and must stay alone?
These questions drove me crazy, and I did not know the answers to them. That scared me even more.
I really wanted to stand up and run off the plane, because I was afraid of the unknown. But it was too late. The aircraft flew high into the sky and hid behind the clouds. I had no choice but to turn on the music in the headphones and look at the night city from a bird’s eye view.
Exhaling heavily, I said to myself: “Everything will be fine. You can do it! ”
The first days at Artek were not easy. I got used to the rules and traditions of the camp, met interesting people, tried to make friends with the kids from the squad and counsellors. But the most difficult thing for me was to overcome the feeling of being lost in myself.
I am not a fan of big and noisy companies, because I am not comfortable being with unfamiliar people. I communicate openly only with those whom I know well for a long time or with those who I liked at the first meeting. Therefore, I had some problems in communicating with the kids from the squad.
However, Artek works a real miracle. At the end of the shift, I met wonderful people from other squads and camps to whom I am extremely grateful for everything. They always supported and believed in me, made me smile and turned an ordinary day into an unforgettable one.
Six months have passed since the end of the camp, but our friendship has not faded. On the contrary, it became stronger.
We constantly correspond in social networks, call up on video and send packages to each other. And sometimes we come to visit each other and have a great time together.
Artek is a magical place. It taught me to be myself and not to hide from the outside world. It gave me a large number of vivid memories and loyal friends who, despite the distance, will help me, listen to me, and understand me.
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