PART IV. Sun over the Beshtau

Once upon a time, in pure water,
Where on silicon Podkumok rushes,
Where for Mashukov day rises,
And she sits at the steep Besht,
Near the turn of someone else's land
Aula peace blossomed,
Proud of her friendship mutual;
There is every traveler found
Bed and fascinating feast;
Circassian and happy to be free.
Wonderful flaunts around the corner
Known were virgins them
And old men with white Vlas
Judged feuds young,
Fun songs they breathe!
They did not know then
Neither gold nor Russian steel!
 
M.Y Lermontov
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PARTING
 
In April 2008, I see off his beloved Elena Gennadievna in Pyatigorsk!
Or rather in the Beshtau and later in Zheleznovodsk relatives!
Train Novosibirsk - Kislovodsk. Her ticket to the station Beshtau. Departure from the city of Volgograd.
Station 17 00 departs from the train station I operate. The train is moving: a pretty, dark-eyed brunette, ie Elena G., waves at me from the window. Her place side. The fourth window of the vestibule. "Like, I went, come. Waiting in June. Meeting in Beshtau! "
It seemed to me a little sad parting? And then I remembered one of the instructions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs:
- If decided, act quickly and decisively. - And he thought flashed: "I laugh it now!" (As in any film, there was a moment at the train station).
I do leap and catch her train, and nearly jumped clenched fingers - a knock on the glass. Lena was startled by surprise (as she sat back on me when I accumulates) and smiled and waved at me.
Second time doing spurt and catch her train and, coming up to the window, waving her hand. Len affably waved his hand to me, "Like, I understand, as an athlete," and narrowed her eyes slightly.
The locomotive and the first cars have already gone past the platform plate and leave little to the right, reaching into a rut.
I do the third pull, but her car is almost in the middle of the platform and the train is already beginning to accelerate, gaining speed. I catch up with her car, her window and then she surprised, and then laughed merrily palm, waving quickly and mood.
An elderly man who was sitting across from her at the table, and I think something to eat, and remained with advanced and surprised eyes until he disappeared behind the flickering car windows.
"Now - I think - to make a breakthrough." But ahead of the exit in the middle of the platform. "No, I leave, and then suddenly someone will come to the platform."
This all occurred within 30-40 seconds, and maybe about 1-2 minutes. So everything happened quickly and spontaneously.
 
 
 
 
LETTER FROM Zheleznovodsk
 
"Hello my favorite Fedor !!!". As the village in the car was very nervous. Then he met a woman who rode with me to the Ming waters. I went one of Novosibirsk, very cultural, talkative. Girl 20 years old, too sociable.
But in Volgograd, which also sat it on the top shelf, I talked to us a little, sleeping mostly. Across the top shelf of the non-Russian military went, ate and went to bed.
But mostly we talked to her, which is to Novosibirsk. Her husband is military, she hails from Leningrad. He says, I never thought that she would go to Siberia.
Ming arrived with water alone. We were in the car had five people, they went to Kislovodsk. With Beshtau to Kislovodsk 36 km.
I met my brother Eugene and my godson Maxim. We got into the car and drove home in Zheleznovodsk. From Beshtau Zheleznovodsk to 5 km.
Well, so everyone was happy that I came. And his brother's wife Nelly and her mother Valentina Fyodorovna.
When arrived: it was cloudy and cold. Before Easter, went with his brother to church, put a candle dedicated to Easter.
Today, April 28, the weather is great. The sun. Very hot at once. Nature is excellent. The trees have faded already green apricot. Very beautiful mountains! Everything is bathed in the green! The air is very light, clean! I'm here for good, I feel great!
Brother gave your book "Sounder," he admired. Valentina Fyodorovna also presented. We transmit your gratitude.
I sit, I write you a letter in the street in the gazebo. Nightingales sing! Ah, what a pleasure to hear the trill of the nightingale and other birds! What is the time in paradise!
I wish very much that you're not around. I miss you. Who is going to work, detracting from the dumok in the head, and that I miss. But as soon as I look at the mountain, my mood rises.
It is very beautiful mountains! Watched, climbing Elbrus! Beauty shimmers all!
From his brother, where they live, to build a tunnel to the sea. 200 kilometers and the Black Sea! Here we begin to build under the mountain guesthouse. There will be even more tourists.
City Zheleznovodsk has existed since 1601. I still know and describe the details. My mood cheerful and good. At this writing finish. Now I go to work, take the goods. With all the holidays you congratulations. Kisses Lena.
 
P. S.
I go out on the store steps, when there is free time and admire the bull-hill. And from there on Iron Mountain. It is said that this will be for the mountain to build a sanatorium, and pave the way, a new. 28.04.2008g. "
Gathering in June 2008 on vacation in Zheleznovodsk, I opened the book first biographer M.Yu. Lermontov, PA Viskovatov "Mikhail Lermontov:" Life and Work "
And I read: Lermontov is two days before the duel, held in Zheleznovodsk. Where friends begged him to leave, hoping for a reconciliation.
And during the duel was facing the mountain Beshtau, Martynov face to Mount Mashuk.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATION Beshtau
 
Then comes June 1, 2008. Station Volgograd I. Train number 59 fast Novokuznetsk - Kislovodsk 7 car seat number 4. The 17 00 is suitable to package the son of Helen Gennadievna - Vitaly, his girlfriend with him. And then I see his friend Yevgeny Sergeyevich. He also goes to DND Volgograd, and with him we have been boxing 10 rounds each week.
Vitaly Woman go.
I am on the platform of the kiosk buy 1.5 liters of lemonade and two plastic cups, and according to tradition, pour and drink.
Nearby are two men from a train:
- What do you only lemonade? -
- Yes - we answer with a smile - a tradition -
- And we see and think, why only lemonade - friendly and they smile knowingly. In 17 45 the train starts to move.
With me in the coupe rides husband and wife for years and 35-40 years with their daughter 12. They Volgograd region of the city of Kalach-on-Don. They're coming to Kislovodsk.
June 2, 11, 00 train rides around town Min - water. Beautiful station. I call on the cell:
- Lena we Ming-waters -
- Yes, we are waiting already in Beshtau - she says.
In the distance one can see the mountains.
Our train goes around Mount Iron, beyond which is the city of Zheleznovodsk. There is a separate branch line from the station Beshtau.
A main road goes in Pyatigorsk, Yessentuki, Kislovodsk. And our train stopped at the station at the foot of a high mountain Beshtau. I came out of the vestibule, the door opened to the right of the car. Mainly cloudy. On the left hangs a high mountain with a romantic name Beshtau. "Why Beshtau? I do not know. And it is necessary to know "-I think I am. And immediately I remembered the autumn 1970, when we drove to Georgia through the North Caucasus and Dagestan, and our train approached the station in the evening, and we all recruits were surprised - after a plain and such a high mountain. The height of the mountain about 1,400 meters.
I came out of the car and immediately left to see her brother, her nephew and Lena. It is kind of cool. To hide the excitement of talking to his brother:
- The guard Lena, Fedor -
- Eugene - he smiles
I stoop that would take the bag. Then Lena strikes me, hugging the neck with two hands and gentle smack on the cheek.
- Oh, what am I so forgotten - it was necessary immediately to kiss you - as if she apologizes.
"Yes, I think, and at the train station in Volgograd was tender, amorous and his eyes seemed to say you're the favorite and the best, the native people."
"Yes! As the female sex change with relatives and friends. "
"And this catching up on cool affection! Involuntarily done on his face stern, "Greek" profile. "
"I so want to go somewhere: in Italy or Spain." Where are always cheerful Italian and Spanish women dancing. "
"Or maybe it's just a way of romance." "Yes! May God see these countries: Spain, Italy, France. Dreams. " "But dreams come true!"
"So I was distracted" - pulls myself. "We need to continue to write a diary."
We sit in the passenger car "Zhiguli" of the station. Nephew Lena called Vanya, his 10 years. Take out three keyring with views of Mamayev Kurgan and I give them two remote control, and then the third I give at home the second nephew Maxim.
Our car makes a turn to the left, drive to the city of Zheleznovodsk. Right-known city park, then left the station, built in 1847.
We drove Lenin Street. Two kilometers is Mount Bull and Bykogorka village. There was once mined ore. And now the entrance to the mine filled.
And why the name of the Bull Mountain? Yes, because the mountain forms a kind of a bull's head.
To the left of this mountain is a mountain snakefly. Because this mountain forms the two humps. Inside this mountain there is a lot of water. And at the foot of the mountain is the village of Port Arthur. Yes, a resounding name.
June 15th I'm in the lowlands between the mountains, I go down in the morning. If you stand at the bottom of the valley and begin to lead opinion in a clockwise direction is: the South Mountain Railroad, then Bayonet Mount, immediately rises Mount Beshtoev the West Mountain snakefly the East Bull Mountain.
In the valley I have not met one person. I go back and read it 3 times prayer. It took about 15 minutes I saw that from the village to meet me is a man of about 70 and with him three white goat.
- Good afternoon - I'm talking to this person.
- Hello - he says.
- Fedor - I.
- George - he said.
We are familiar. We talked. George arrived here in 1957. He worked on the farm tractor. At the Bull-mountain mined ore from the 30s. And during the war, the Germans also engaged in this mine. Then I asked him:
- Why Beshtau? Why this name? He smiled and said:
- Boesch - 5 is in Greek.
- A tau - a mountain.
- And, it is now clear - I gasped with pleasure.
When viewed from the Bull Mountain to the west, on the right is Mount snakefly, and slightly to the left is seen Elbrus. I heard from Lena, but not seen. We had climbed three times is not very high, but it was cloudy. Bykogorki height of about 1000 meters, the same mountains snakefly.
One of the first days of my arrival, the three of us: me, Lena and her nephew Ivan got to stop the bus station. Gone to their area. Lenin. Left city administration Zheleznovodsk. Right on the mountain is an alley at the foot of Mount Iron. Here, the central park begins. At the entrance of "duty" two bronze lion. We climbed the steps above. A cold mineral water spring called Smirnovsky hot Slavic. There is also a beautiful building - Pushkin Gallery, and the other is a copy of Pyatigorsk called Lermontov gallery.
He accumulated liter of Slavic and drank it sitting on the bench. Well, we're in the forest. There is a tarmac around Mount Iron on a plate at 100 meters, reached the mark of 2000 meters. We descended the stairs down. Beautiful building memorial plaque - it is the source from which drinking Lermontov. Go left, Lermontov monument. And then the entrance to the park at the top of the road. D.11 street Semashko. Memorial plaque - "Here in 1941 two days I lived Lermontov M.Yu. before the duel. 13/25 of July. "
June 17 I go to the library and Zheleznovodsk I give 2 copies of his book "Sounder." An employee called herself - Natalia.
Nephew Lena - Ivan cheerful guy with humor, he was ten years old. He says to me one day:
- Uncle Fed, how old are you? -
- 55 I say.
- Well, the truth! -
- 41 -
- And Aunt Lena? -
- 32 I 'replied.
- So - he says, thinking a little - say two or how old you are, or I'll make you sing -
The next time the conversation between us is much better to go: to the mountains of strawberries - this is, or mulberry - it's closer. He listened to us that thought, and then said:
- I have a sore on your foot. Already got -
He mentally thought in meters and kilometers.
 
 
TRIP Pyatigorsk
 
June 19 13 00 I went to the train station. Written off the schedule departure of trains to the station Beshtau. Near the station there are several minibuses "Gazel" Zheleznovodsk - Pyatigorsk. Minibus number 113. Behind the wheel sits a friendly, cultured driver. Man s 30.
- Good afternoon-
- And how to get to the museum of Lermontov in Pyatigorsk? - We asked him.
- And on this bus to the last stop "Upper Market", and there is 10 minutes and you are there - he says.
We go with Lena to stop, to which drive up rested drivers gazelles. We drink kvass here next. And we see that to us at this young, cultured man and buys a glass of kvass.
We looked at each other with Lena.
- Well, good driver drove, we decide. A thought to go tomorrow morning.
We're going down. Right out the road to the village Inozemtsev - the new name. But the old name Karras - the former German settlement or village.
Come on. Magistral Ming-water - Pyatigorsk. 10-15 minutes later on the left of the road and the beautiful columns written place duel Lermontov.
We came to a stop, the ultimate "upper market". This guy tells us:
- Who will rise up straight and after 10 minutes will Lermontov museum -
We climbed the stairs up to another street. They asked passers much further. Gone to the right, another right turn. Here Lermontov street. Time 15 30.
We are in a hurry. "And then suddenly closes, I do not have time today" - I'm worried. The box office purchase two tickets. Left the first building, rather small house. Known house Verzilenyh.
We entered, start to examine things that are dear to all people. It is our personal belongings of the poet Mikhail Lermontov. His paintings. He wrote about 5 7 paintings. Then I see us go: the guide nice woman 40 years old, the other a woman of 45 and a high representative man. And she begins to tell them. I can say, stuck to him. Grasping her every word. But at the entrance to another room I hinted to one of the attendants here. "They say that it is just for them. Not too much, they say, listen. " "Probably, some lump I thought about those two."
When leaving the house Verzilenyh one of the attendants, seeing, perhaps, my excitement and curiosity. I probably drove around in the room as a TV camera, trying to remember everything.
So she looked at me carefully several times.
- Now I'll open the door. Here I go here - looked at Lena. Again, he looks at me, look detained. Then she took, the cultural arm, and I said so easily respectfully pointing to the wooden steps when leaving a room.
- Here we faced Lermontov and Martynov. And here there was a call to duel-
- Thank you - I said to her quietly.
- Thank you - said Lena.
She almost got us, and continued:
- Here on this path and you are at home, where he lived Lermontov-
- Thank you - again thanked her.
Match to the house where he lived Lermontov. Entering. Go from room to room. Here is a small room where there is a leather armchair, desk. The door to the porch, where always been chess. MY Lermontov, is very much playing chess. And not everyone dared him to join the party.
That room Stolypin - Mongo his friends and relatives. On the table lies a large pipe. That room Lermontov. Very modest little kitchen. I am seized by the excitement.
Presented in a few seconds: how Lermontov sitting in a chair. Slopes, writing something. Then, looking at Stolypin - Mongo right into his room. He sits on the bed and seriously looking at Lermontov, like the works. Lermontov fun out on the veranda. Joking. It says something funny has withdrawn him Mongo.
I have the same feeling comes, in Moscow, in his house on Malaya Molchanovka, and exactly the same feeling in his homeland in Tarkhany. And now Pyatigorsk. And the same feeling came to me in 1968 in the 9th grade, when we studied the work of Lermontov. Revelation Pechorin in his diary.
This feeling: pride, respect, worship of our Russian poet.
This native and close person, each of us!
Exit the Lermontov house. One-story house left is written "Administration". I went up to the porch, I go into the corridor, on the left door to the director's office, no one there. On the right door, a large study. At the table he sits and writes a pleasant woman in her 50 minute. I ask:
- A director of the museum can be seen? -
- She leads the tour will be about 15 minutes - she says politely.
I come later. Look, in the hallway is, talking, the same guide,
who led a group of two people in the house Verzilin.
- Hello. The director came up? - I ask.
- Yes, it is already here - she smiles warmly, recognizing me.
- Come on - she invited me to his office.
- Pillars Fyodor - I'm worried.
- Safarova Svetlana Gavrilovna - she says affably.
- Allow me to give the museum his book "Sounder" - there are memories of a submarine navigator Ovsyannikov Boris Konstantinovich, who had studied in Leningrad, in the school and it was on Lermontov Prospekt. As they were proud of. His impressions of Kislovodsk. Statements MY Lermontov about Kislovodsk - I give me 2 copies and signed by one.
I sit to the right of the Director: pleasant, pretty, intelligent woman, and I think:
"Wow what a coincidence. But we went to a museum and saw Svetlana Gavrilovna for the tour. "
- And how you started writing? - He asks, quickly reading my book, Svetlana.
- At the age of 16 he joined the Komsomol Operational Squad vigilantes and wrote a diary about our raids on the protection of public order in our Krasnooktyabrsky area blocks of the plant "Barricades" and our "battles" with bullies. It was somewhere around 20-30 pages. And then I decided that this is not modest, and broke it. But I remember all cases.
Maybe in the future one day, and come back to these descriptions, I wanted a young guard in 2007. I said to him while on duty told several cases of our priklyucheniy.-
- Well, I started to be published in 1981. My articles were about the police work in the "Volgograd truth." "Barricades" was then a freelance reporter in the factory newspaper. And my first book, "Memories of Georgia" was published in 2005. And "Sounder" my fourth book - clearly says Svetlana Gavrilovna and gives me the book "Museum-Reserve MY Lermontov "and his card.
- How will the third edition of "Memoirs of Georgia," I will send you - goodbye I say.
We leave with Lena from the museum - Reserve. Go down the street Lermontov. Here at the end of the street a monument to Lenin. Go down the stairs to the prospectus.
So good on the heart and the soul! Calm down! Compassion embraces you all!
Fulfilled my dream! I'm in such a nice city like Pyatigorsk!
We sit down in a minibus. Going through the streets. Many trees. Small houses. The sun's rays in the lumen and on the walls. People seem to me happy, calm, confident in the future, in our future. "God forbid!"
We pass a stop Lermontov. Right large columns and the inscription: "MY Place duel Lermontov ". Return to top goes wide asphalt road. Flashes thought: "Next time, come here" and stops the heart.
Somewhere on the left was the village Inozemtsev (Karras). We drive in Zheleznovodsk. Time 18 30 .
 
Field visits DUEL
 
It comes on 21 June. Lifting 5 00 . At 7 30 we have a train station in Zheleznovodsk. Minibus number 113. After about 15 minutes stop Lermontov, at the foot of Mashuk Mountain, go to the opposite side. Standing tall columns. Above the inscription "MY Place duel Lermontov ".
We pass huge gate on the road asphalt road. On the left is a sidewalk, and the scheme, come closer. And then Lena has prepared me a surprise. She walks across the street to the right. And after a few seconds, he said to me:
- Fedor, but look what schematically
I turn to the right, turn the asphalt and stopped in astonishment and admiration: in front of me quite near Elbrus snow; and the left and right of him leaving a snowy ridge.
She looks at me, smiling and sschyu Reeve eyes.
- Well, as a species? -
- Yes, I am surprised - a fairy tale! So look! Such a surprise!-
We go on the road the road that goes slightly uphill to the right, and continue to enjoy Elbrus. Gone are the hill about a kilometer, we leave on the ground: the fence to the left and at the top you can see the TV tower Mount Mashuk. Right architectural structure in the form of a gate, a lot of bottles of champagne. We stand on the edge of the city of Pyatigorsk in front of us. Along leave small mountains and on the chain of snowy mountains and on this circuit rises white Elbrus.
Look, we have lifted us to a man 75 years old.
- Hello - we call him
- Tell me, where is the place of Lermontov's duel - we continue.
- And you went where you had to turn to the left - he explains to us.
- This facility is called the "Gate of love". Here come the newlyweds and walk all night.
Go back 300 meters. We turn to the right. We come to the place of duel. I am seized by the excitement in his eyes appear tears, I take myself in hand.
Before us is an obelisk. Left commemorative plate, here was the first burial Lermontov. And then his body was transported to Tarkhany.
Our stranger said goodbye to us, go down the path further.
On the contrary, three kilometers mountain Beshtau. He presented as Lermontov stood face to Beshtau and below Martynov with a gun in his hand. His eyes bored into the poet.
I calm my heart: and remembered Tarkhany Lermontov Museum in Moscow on Malaya Molchanovka.
I buy for his museum a bronze key chain: on one side of the obelisk and the other a portrait of Lermontov. And even acquire photos, where the whole family Lermontov. Very beautiful.
We go back. Elbrus has tightened haze and white clouds. They seem to hang over Elbrus. We leave from the central exit, past the columns. I rented a German backpack with a folding chair. I sit down and look at the mountain Beshtau, but for me the mountain Mashuk.
Do not believe it. For 55 years of my life I am here for the first time.
- Fedor get up our bus - Lena says.
The driver turns the guy with whom we went for the first time in Pyatigorsk. He saw us and pulled up.
Good at heart, when you meet a good man!
We go on the bus, I then I look at the mountain Beshtau, the Mount Mashuk, slightly recovering from the experience.
There was so much I read about Pyatigorsk and Lermontov's duel place and such my unexpected trip here.
 
 
FAREWELL TO Beshtau
 
   Is coming June 28. Today I leave Bykogorki. The train Kislovodsk-Samara from Beshtau station, 20 45 . In 16 of 30 coming off the bus in Zheleznovodsk. I kiss on the cheek Lena, as the saying goes "a last farewell."
I wave a hand over her glass. It stands on the steps of the store, where I helped in a month. After 20 minutes I was at the station. Apron with a canopy. The train is already in place with open doors. In 17 of 20 train starts to move. Very slow going, somehow unusual. I look left, right: a dense forest. Solar gaps.
After 25 minutes we are at the station Beshtau. After the repair is very beautiful and neat. playground front of the station. As if hanging over the tracks. I set its German chair. Right in front of me plain, and somewhere in the forest village Inozemtsevo (Karras). On the right hangs a mysterious Beshtau. Famous mountain of the world thanks to our poet.
I sit, I do write in my diary. 16, and then the guys about something were talking cheerfully left sitting five young girls from me.
An hour later, I look, youth remains. Suitable trains to Min-Vody, Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk and they are pretty run into them. In some wet head.
- Guys, here a lake? -
- Yes, about one kilometer - they answer.
- And what are you a taxi driver? -
- No, I answered - guard.
In the 20 10 come up to me a brother of Lena and her nephew Ivan. I buy 1.5 liters of lemonade and 3 cup, pour and toast to utter:
- Well, for us. For our tradition -
Nephew smiles: "They say, well done. Sober people. "
In 20 of 20 suitable train. Match to the car number 8. The ticket conductor checks, checks the name of the passport.
I bring things into the car and nuts in the package. Then, I go out onto the platform. I give my pen Van with the words:
- Learn to excellent -
- Yes - he says.
Here at the entrance to the guy 40 years, "tipsy" cheers conductor.
The train starts to move. Before that, I take a quick look at the Beshtau !!! Just like in a dream. What a beautiful mountain. I wave my hand to his brother and nephew, "Goodbye, Volgograd meeting."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LETTER FROM Zheleznovodsk
            
Hello favorite Fedor !!!
That's decided to write you a letter. When I went away from you the next day I had a toothache. I ran in the morning to pull out. I went to the toll, but the doctor did not come. I went to her clinic. There I pulled out a wisdom tooth.
In general, nothing was hurt. I came home and saw the whole day lying tablets. The next day began to gather in the street. With us gone Vitali in his car, mom and Katusha. We left in the evening in 20 00 . We drove all night. In the morning at 9 o'clock we were already in Bykogorske. Mama and Katyusha live with me. On August 14 we got tickets, go in the Volgograd. And Vitaly Maxim had left four days ago in Volgograd. Maxim should the same will soon come home. I work without weekends.
Lena very happy that I came back. Now they spend and will save money, I want all the same I the sea, and there do not know how it goes. How are you doing, work? I really miss you. Things your time, remind me of you.
Weather we nice, the sun, but at night is already cool. Tomorrow I take off - this August 11 will go to the park in Pyatigorsk: mom, Kate, I, Ivan and brother. Then you will describe what's Park. I've never been there.
Katyusha drove in Zheleznovodsk park, photographed with her there. The weather was cloudy so very well. Then we come home with her. Jack did the evening barbecue. That's it.
About you asking d.Zhora, how are you getting on. I said all right. To transfer you greetings. Well, if you want me to write, write, I will be pleased to receive a letter from you.
At this writing finish. Greetings from Wani.
I kiss you passionately.
Lena 10.08.08g.
 
 
 
 
 
 
DAWN in Sukhumi
 
Another vacation
 
   Today, 2:00 am November 30, 2008, our train Krasnoyarsk - Adler arrives at the city of Tuapse.
I once leave from work and I decided to go to Abkhazia continue to write about this fantastic country!
The long-awaited station - soon the sea!
We passed the bridge over the river, and on the right is black sea, and left the lights flicker settlements. We drove Lazarevskoye, where I was in that year.
Here Sochi Station. Let's go further. Approaching the Adler, and worried about the three times I read the prayer.
At 6 20 come out of the station. Taxis beautiful light green bus. I went into it. Opposite me sits a cheerful 40 years old Caucasian. He explains all included:
- Payment on exit -
- Yes, yes, it's your money at the exit -
I asked him:
- Where is the best to go. I'm going to Abkhazia assembly tangerine harvest in New Athos -
And then the bus comes by his friend, also 40 years old.
- You're in Sukhumi? -
- Yes -
- A tangerine all gathered? -
- No -
- Exactly? -
- Yes -
- That's him -
We pass Adler. Left takes the road to the airport and on to Rasna clearing.
We passed the bridge over the river and then the village of fun. It begins to dawn.
Ending station. We went out on the sidewalk, and here I take out my pocket calendar for 2009, and the reverse side of the photo Central embankment of Volgograd.
Meet:
- Fedor -
- Gregory - says my first acquaintance.
- And his call Yuri - continues to Gregory
And then with surprise and respect looking at me and says:
- And here you are, what kind of person -
- I liked you right away -
- Yes, the world is not without good people - I say understandingly.
He puts his eyes on the little departed friend.
- Hold on, Yuri, he was a good man.
We go with Yuri slightly to the left, we pass through the market. To the left and right storage. Are the people 5 police officers. Match to be placed there to check things Work stages.
Go ahead. Near the second checkpoint people with wheelbarrows: "It is clear, go for oranges to the wholesale market." Passport in the window. The border guard checks the computer database giving back.
We pass the bridge over the river Psou. Then, the mound left. Go to the parking lot. Yuri here is white "Gazel" minibus. For light, the sun came out from behind the mountains.
He was behind the wheel, I with things in the cabin on the seat, and drove off. I admire the beauty of Abkhazia. Left three rows of mountains as a fan reach for the sky. On the last row of snow. On the right the sea. At the coast it is light green, then green, and blue on the horizon dark blue.
We drove Gagra: Square, Central Park and then stretches embankment Colonnade. Left former City Committee of the CPSU. As well in Abkhazia!
I remember the trips to Lake Riza in Sukhumi, where the guides told different tales were.
- God gave to all nations of the earth.
And for himself he bought a fabulous place.
- Paradise on earth: Abkhazia!
To him came another people, future residents have nothing left. And he looked at them, gives them this land! "
Without ceasing to look to nature and loved the mountains and the sea say Yuri:
- I served in Georgia in Ma n Glees and there fell in love with the mountains. Here the mountains and the sea. Every year since 2000, after a 10 year break, I go in Lazarevskoye in September, October, and this year the holiday fell in December and I decided to go to New Athos, and combine relaxation with the harvest mandarin, apelsin-
- Clear - says Yuri. And he continues, quickly looked at me and smiled a little eye:
- And this is your one goal Fedor? -
After a moment of silence, I said to him:
- Well, what would have to be recognized -
- What do you want Fedor to confess? -
- You guessed. My second profession a journalist - I say it simply.
- And I'm writing the second year of the book "sounder" of Abkhazia, had come out second izdanie.-
And I give him the book "Sounder"
- In June, having gone their own expense on vacation in Zheleznovodsk 5 started writing a book about the memorial places, that is, place duel Lermontov and his visit to the Mikhail Lermontov Museum-Reserve in Pyatigorsk. And my trip to Abkhazia now go down in this book.
- And I have a friend of the writer Popov - says Yuri.
- I'll sign it, and then to the library Sukhumi "Sounder" - I am happy.
"Here! I think I am. God brought the three of us is no accident in the Afternoon ". We drive to the New Athos, at the height of the left you can see the monastery.
Yuri stops "Gazelle and says quietly, a little worrying:
- Here Fedor and New Athos, you your friend in Volgograd talking about it, "-
I decide after three seconds:
Well okay, let's go to Sukhumi again, fate brought us three in my priezdu-
Feel Yuri exhaled air from the lungs. He is seen not want to part with the journalist.
"Yes - I think - on his experiences working in the newspapers 10 years, I felt the statement that in Russia in a special way, with even greater love are journalists and writers. This I feel every day. "
As I once told a resident of Volgograd in 1993:
- And who else hope in Russia! -
- Who else to intercede for us, for the people, eh? -
We pass the bridge over the gorge 50 meters long.
To the sea about a kilometer. There are the first house.
- Now and Sukhumi - Yuri explains. That margin of Sukhumi, go to the city center. Right and left, something which can be seen by the war destroyed buildings.
Central Station - destroyed and burned, like Pavlov's House in Volgograd. "Shrink the heart and slightly delayed dyhanie- here consequences of imperialism with a" human "face as we drove on the ears" democrats "in 1991".
Turn left. Our "Gazelle" briskly humming, climbs the steep climbs. Left gorge, on the right tile of the fence on the slopes even small mountains.
 
HOUSE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ABKHAZIA
 
After three kilometers arrived at the house where Yuri lives.
The road goes on to the tops of mountains. To the right are two-storey houses along the street and to the left in the trees is a shopping kiosk, which sells products.
Go, open the gate, then the gate for the bus.
Seeking to his mother, calling Asya, her 80 years. Yuri youngest of three brothers. Through the fence next to the same two-storey house - a house of his older brother, Sergei. And his wife Karina trading in a stall. They have two grandsons: Senior Robic his 12 years - the first assistant to the parents and younger Senya 5 years - a very smart kid and have artistic details. "So I digress - this further."
Yuri with her mother two-storey house, garage roof made it a veranda with the transition to the second floor. Go through the door - is a large room 7 meters long with access to the veranda with views of the garden and the south-east, and in breadth meters 4. Right two separate rooms.
I went into the first room: there are two beds and window facing south-west with sea views. A room Asi mom and George and his wife on the 1st floor
We go down and go into the garden: it harvest mandarin neighbors Jury - Alexander and Angela. Here the neighbors from one street to help harvest each other.
I take the secateurs and a bucket with a hook that would cling to him for branches and put the oranges in it standing or hanging a bucket - if you stand on the ground and pulled out a hand oranges. And if you hang high mandarins, the stairs and the foot on the thick branch.
Orange box to collect costs 50 rubles. Meals and lodging free of charge.
There is the definition of a journalist getting used to the image, in life, in certain circumstances.
There is investigative journalism, but more about that some other time in some other time.
"It is better to write on - it myself." "The best reward for a journalist - it's a good memory of it his friends, acquaintances and just city dwellers and
countries". "So you will write more about the sea and the mountains. Philosopher - I straighten myself. "
Our flourishing garden slope goes into a ravine. I worked collecting mandarins - to pick up speed and skill. Next to me on a nearby bush works Cute Angela 35-40 years.
- Did you just harvested? So far? - She wonders.
- Yes - I say - one day make a second confession.
- Now it is clear - throws up Angela's eyes. And again, in the eyes I read the respect and seriousness.
"Lord, how like the journalists in our country!"
And immediately all the hardships and sorrows go away!
And again poured righteous force your heart and soul. And you calm in the chosen path! "
 
I WANT persimmon
 
It takes three days and my mother Asya tells me:
- Fedor want persimmon, I very much lyublyu-
I climb the stairs to a tall tree, which grows so inaccessible persimmon. Narwhal pan, with a little shaken staircase, and I almost dived down.
The next day I was again "happy" mother Asya:
- Fedor want hurmu-
- No. Only with Yuri and the very hazard
I climb for persimmon. He holds two hands the ladder. I plucked floor buckets. And he began to reach out to one another persimmon, at this time, Yuri holding the ladder with one hand and looking somewhere to the side.
And then ... I'm flying down the left with a ladder, Yuri tries to keep me and the ladder, and we fall for some glands and in the moment of impact with the left hand on a piece of metal I make a breakthrough in the direction of on-the-fly and pushes himself and Yuri from falling directly on a piece of iron.
I grabs his left arm, which hit a piece of metal.
- No, the third time I will not sustain a fracture of his left hand - I say.
bump grows on the impact spot. Bandage on a hand. A bandage on the little pour chacha. Smell good. And so I do in the morning and evening. Cone passes. And, thank God, the hand is not broken.
Now I act on a bush with one hand, but doing the norm. Suitable work hardening fitters - not to break away from work until the job is finished.
7 a.m. Climb. Dawn in Sukhumi! I am glad that I came to Abkhazia. I sit at the window every morning to watch the sunrise!
In the south, the red glow, and outlines of mountains. I think the top of their 17.
Before me the green fruit trees, or rather their tips go to the mountains. The red sun slowly appears from behind the mountains. Then it turns yellow and becomes light and bright.
 
 
Dawn over SUKHUMI
 
And this joy I watch and I wait every morning!
Then I go into the garden: I'm eating persimmons and tangerines - do cleansing the liver.
I remember a joke in the ranks of the police:
- Two mugs of beer substitute for a blow to the pecheni-
Then breakfast with my mother Asya and Yuri, and work. "Yes, it's more fun than bear the duty on two jobs." Type:
- Wait, who idet-
- Or your documents - I think. "
Approximately 17 00 begins sunset in the West Sea. Again, the red glow in the sky. It - it glow as it hangs over the sea. Somewhere around 18, 00 already dark.
On the second night, on arrival we sit down with Yuri in "Gazelle" and begin to scamper up the steep mountain streets. That is, a purely "not clean" gasoline. Before us lies lights night lights mountain Sukhumi fabulous!
And the morning sun begins to fun and colorful fish out from behind the mountains. As well, I in the capital of Abkhazia!
Every night my mother comes to Asa neighbor girl 12-13 years old Gayane and helps on the farm - cow, milk, food. Sometimes it comes to her younger brother Arthur 9-10 years.
I promised them before his departure, that on arrival in 2009, be sure to bring pictures of Volgograd. And I always used to its promises to fulfill.
 
 
JOY OF GRANDMA
 
During the day I hear the weeping young Cenis.
- W is a - Karina screams grandmother came out of the stall.
- Robic, who hurt Senya? -
- He pushed the ladder - explains Robic.
Senya makes tearful face and utters sounds very breast-baby crying:
- And I did not want to, I was going through and touched his shoulder. Do not hurt me, I'm a little -because of the century could be seen covered with a little cunning and wary eyes.
- Well, do not cry - calms him affectionately grandmother.
After some time, or in the evening again I hear "crying" Cenis.
- Robic, what happened, why crying Senya? -
- And he pushed the pot foot -
- I did not push - this accident, I did not want to - says Senja with mimicry sufferer because of this terrible "injustice" and "insult".
-I Told you, look at his feet -
- Well, come to me, my little one, do not cry, I do not need to cry my good - regrets his grandmother.
And he cried, and waited for the time when pangs come to an end, and "education".
In the morning we start bulkhead Mandarin with Yuri. Three buckets and net bag and knot. Then, when you need to, he pulled the string and opened.
"It turned in verses" - I thought. Although verses never wrote. From a fairy tale.
At about 9 am, the gate includes a modest, quiet, shy Senja.
Yuri guard. He wished us good health and am very affectionate culture and how, in general, should be wee!
Five minutes later, he started his action: so he went to the trailer and touched the side. Yuri, without turning his head and engaging with me bulkhead Mandarin, says his nephew:
- Senya not touch -
Senya walked trailer foot tapped the wheel - yeah in place, inflated.
Yuri again very calmly and respectfully said:
- What did I say -
Senya quietly climbs into the trailer and starts to shake.
Yuri again:
- Senya stop -
Senya stopped for three seconds. Then she begins to shake with the force of the trailer and the trailer fence. The crackling is heard all over the court, and probably on the road and in a stall at the grandmother.
Yuri gets up, takes cultural nephew by the hand, removes it from the trailer, leading to the gate, saying, with respect and understanding:
- Senja Come to grandma, you prevent us rabotat-
Senja crying insists :
- Yura let me go, I'll go through the courtyard home (he is referring to "lay low" for some time my mother Asi). But Yuri does not give in to the trick nephew:
- No, you go through the gate - and cultural displays it on the street and closes the door on the latch.
The gate heard a few strokes a little dissatisfied with this decision Cenis. Then he heard the voice of her grandmother, she distracts it from our yard.
In the afternoon hours of 15 comes Senja. He is very serious, and willing to help us. So he put on his white gloves, helps us to sort out tangerines and put in a bucket. Friendship, peace and understanding is in our team. As if it was not reciprocal "insults" and complaints.
Sometimes he is trying to box us. And it is no longer a small child crying and fighting able to stand up for yourself kid.
- Senja - I tell him - tomorrow, Uncle Fyodor leaves home, and in the year will bring you photos of the city of Volgograd -
- You live in Volgograd? - Serious and intelligent eyes looking straight at me. He is like a man shakes my hand. Appears older brother Robic. It always helps mom Asa, and when it is necessary to us.
"What I think are great guys, it is necessary to write about them. And Gayane and Arthur Robic and Senya how they love mother Asya, and she always says how close at hand and ready to help her! "
Comes on 9 December. In the morning the rain, but I was lucky with the weather for ten days was the day 25 30. And the sea 15. We went in the afternoon in light clothing. Load the "Gazelle" 100 bags. We are already helping his wife Marianna cute and cultural, and his mother-in-law.
I come to the car his daughter Asya 18 years old, is very sweet and loves to be seen of his parents and his grandmother Asya. Her husband call Artem is very cultured and educated man.
 
THANK YOU
 
December 10. In 3 00 rise. The three of Yuri, Marianne and I drink coffee. The rain stopped. The mountains tightened gray mist. 4 In 00 hours, Yuri gets "Gazelle" and we leave the yard. A little to the left and we are beginning to quietly move down the steep road down. Right Gorge, left the mountain slopes. Ahead of the capital of Abkhazia is lit at the bottom!
Turning to the left, a little to the right is now. Jury at the wheel, his wife Marianne in the middle of I near the village doors. I look to the left, then to the right, forward, then back. I light a joyful mood. I write everything as on film, knowing that then will describe a good, gambling mood and pan around. Glad at heart!
Thank God that he has found his calling on earth. 1981. I remember, my first article in "Volgogradskaya Pravda" about the sport club young paratroopers "Finder."
THANK YOU Chief Editor Alexander Ivanovich Afanasyev, who guessed the policeman in a simple protection of Party Committee of the journalist and gave me a way into literature.
THANK chief editor of "Barricades" daisy Alexander Mikhailovich, where I worked for ten years as a freelance reporter.
THANK Mishatkina writer Yuri Ivanovich! Who in 1989 I wrote my review of my stories in the newspapers. A rigorous, fair and such necessary for me.
Taken into account the wishes of all strict in this first review, and in 2003 received a second review, already perfectly on your blog about the Cossacks, I drove from 1991 to 1996, participating in the Cossack movement in the city of Volgograd.
THANK native people Yuri Ivanovich!
THANK chief editor of "Cossack Circle" homeland Nikolai Semenovich!
THANK reporters Murad Karryyeva, Golovchanskii Elena Eduardovna Sudakov Anatoly Viktorovich!
Our "Gazelle" makes a turn to the right, and we're already on the main avenue in Sukhumi. GAI post. Let's go further. On the left you can see the station has not yet recovered, again shrinks the heart, and hold your breath.
Outside the city passed the bridge. Rain drizzle outside. I look to the left, where the sea is black, I look forward to the bright lights and road corridor. Right where we hang over the mountains.
Look back, where is the city of Sukhumi, seeing we have few lights and light the road in this romantic night!
Again we drove traffic police post. Yuri carefully peers into the road, occasionally wiping the windshield. Marianne on time closed her beautiful black eyes.
"What a good pair. Give them happiness and good Lord "- I thank them silently for a thrilling night tour !!!
That silent drive up to New Athos. It's all in the beautiful lights. Bright and beautifully decorated the road goes up to the monastery.
Eden, on the traffic police post, costs: police car and traffic police check cars.
Again, the surroundings are dark. That shows the first lights of beautiful Gagra. That left KOLONADA illuminated, and then at the bottom of the sea. A little further central park with water streams.
The road goes up a little. Left on the beach white stripe from the oncoming waves. Worried sea storm. In front of the village Gantiadi eyes begin to close. Effort will throw off the nap.
Pro went Leselidze village. Time 7 00 . They came to a bridge over the river Psou. It's raining. I sign his book writer Popov and in Sukhumi city library and ask for the transfer of Yuri destination. Marianne bestow calendar for 2008. GA Zyuganov with photos I wish them all the best and thank you very much! And he went to the lighted bridge - the first checkpoint. After some time, a second checkpoint and I at the bus stop.
 
 
 
 
 
Winding road
 
Minibus to Sochi. I go out in front of the station Adler under the bridge. At the box office no tickets for the day, they go to Volgograd only on odd days. And I have a ticket for 25 December.
I came out of the station, pass under the bridge, and I was back at the same stop. Then, I go to the bridge, where more minibuses to Sochi. The road straight to Sochi. Sochi is already full of sunshine. I go out on the Railway Sochi Train Station. Bought two belyashi meat washed down with a cup of coffee. Good!
At 11 00 hours before boarding the bus Lazarevskoye.
Slowly going through the resort town. Going along the river Sochi. Bridge. Many vehicles. Bung. Way up. The road close to the sea from a height admire the Black Sea and the sun over it. The road is very twisty.
About two hours later arrived at his native village already Lazarevskoye where rest since 2000. Stop at the station. I find two-storey house. 150 rubles for two days. I go to the station to buy a ticket Volgograd December 11 B13 00 . And I hand over my ticket for 25 December. Then I go to the library and I give his book "Sounder."
Then I go to the chieftain Lazarevska Tomina Yuri Grigorievich and just give him the second edition of "sounder."
I went into the house. I shower and go to sleep. I got up at 7 00 . I go to the company store Krasnodar tea. Buy Gift tea packaging for most of my favorite niece and personal biography Efimov in th Anna Alekseevna. We were born in one month and a day in August. I 1952 and she in 1983. We look not only externally but also internally.
"I am calm for yourself when God calls me to him. There is a sense of man on earth. I have already the fifth book. May God let it go and move on, leaving a good mark on the ground. But these thoughts only for himself. "
I say goodbye with the host and hostess, they give me a business card
- In that year, in October, to rest you -
We will be very happy -
- One hundred grams of cognac? - They offer.
- No - I smile - just a sport!
Warmly say goodbye!
 
 
HOME Volgograd
 
In 12 00 I already at the station. I go out to the beach. Today is a sunny day. The sun is shining over the sea. Expanding its German chair-backpack. And doing a little swim in the sea at 3 meters not more. Water after two days of rain already 10 degrees. I rub the towel. I admire the sea. As is also well in Lazarevskoye, here I am used too. He looked at his watch. Already 13 20 . The sharp rise; a backpack, a bag of oranges and tangerines for my favorite niece and forth to the station. And here it is next to the station 50 m . Suitable train. My car parking №7 three minutes. Conductor pretty woman of about 35. Goodbye Lazarevskoye is a bright and cheerful place.
The train travels along the sea. And the sun's reflections on the sea waves play fun. "As well, light on the soul! I look forward to a vacation in that year. But the main issue for the year a collection of five of his books.
God forbid! Thank you and ask more strength and endurance! "
Train fast. And we are already in 16 00 in a cozy and cheerful, friendly city of Tuapse.
In the train with me vividly in the compartment, because we go to the second-class carriage, going home to Ufa sailor.
- Come on, tell me, my book "sounder" of the sea and moryakah-
And we start sometimes interrupted the conversation:
- I served on a mine boat - trawler "Valentin Pikul". CU Team - 5, where the mechanics and electricians. From Volgograd, we had only one sailor
- What about food? - I ask him
- Not really -
- It is clear - I'm talking about -
- Well, I was hiking? -
- Yes, PhD. When the cables undercuts minutes, they come up, and we shoot out of the mines pulemetov-
- And in overtime service back? - I ask.
- The climate in winter is not so. Frost, wind, storm -
In 22 00 arrived in Krasnodar. The 6 00 passed the fish place - Kotelnikovo.
 
 
 
A MEETING
 
 
11 00 native Volgograd!
Hello to all good men, and men!
"Lord! I pray you about another person of his beloved Elena Gennadevne in Pyatigorsk! Help dissolve and clouds hands. You can everything!!!"
"My muse you come back to me! Thank you !!! (Sleeping from 12 January to 13 January 2009). "
I look out the window, and the sun shines to meet me! And the warm light, the sunlight!
 
 
The sun
 
As winter sun well
When wandering among the gray clouds,
the white snow in vain
It throws a faint ray! ..
 
How exactly a young maiden,
Your image in front of me shine;
But your eyes, happiness is promising,
Does my soul will revive?
 
MY Lermontov
(1832)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pyatigorsk
 
Remembering Officer ATC Volgograd Pavlov Vyacheslav Vasilyevich.
April 12, 2009, we went together to paint the fence and put in order the graves of our parents.
Dear, I told him a lot about his journalistic activities, and "secret" prepared him to the remembrance of Pyatigorsk.
Then, at his home on April 18, we had coffee and I went to the "offensive".
- Paul I need your story about Pyatigorsk - I see that he was confused.
- You see, I am now very densely occupied the city of Pyatigorsk. And I understand, I do not write for themselves and not for you, but for the future generation-
- It is necessary - cheered him.
- Good. But that was a long time - it is questioned.
- Paul let's start a conversation, a dialogue -
He realized that I began seriously and not give up. Apply all methods of persuasion journalist.
And Paul began his story.
In 1994 I worked in the police department of Volgograd in the department of public order. The title I had - major.
And I started with PPP policeman in 1973. Then the criminal investigation department and police department here.
- Yes - he looked at me - we're geeks, I graduated from the Institute of Civil GORHOZ -
In 1994, our group or unit of about 40 people, the July 10 got on the bus "Ikarus" and went to the city of Pyatigorsk, Stavropol Territory. I was appointed the commander of this group. We were accompanied by three traffic police car, as in the group were PPP workers, Economic Crimes and Traffic.
But why in Pyatigorsk, but because there were police department of the Stavropol Territory.
In Pyatigorsk we lived in a hotel for a 9-storey building 3-4 people in the room. It brought together a group or division of the eight cities of Russia.
Each of us had a service weapon Makarov pistol in a holster. We did not hand over the duty of his.
First day. Building. From ATC supervisor, ie Deputy Chief.
Identified problem - protection of public order in the Stavropol region. Help the local police department in the cities and towns.
Employees traffic police Economic Crimes and immediately taken away from us in the corresponding structure. We have about 200 people. And all began to distribute, someone - somewhere.
We were left in Pyatigorsk. With 16 00 for two people to watch and patrol the city.
Our hotel is located at the foot of the famous Mount Beshtau. And the left could see Mount Mashuk, and ahead somewhere Elbrus. And also from our balcony opened day and night view of Pyatigorsk. And above us hung a mysterious Beshtau.
The hotel living, as well, and those who rest under permits. And so the first day I was approached by two girls were sisters, and offered me a tour of Pyatigorsk.
"(From the author: Portrait of Fame - an increase of about 180 cm , slim as it was engaged in sports - football, sambo, dark eyes, black hair, friendly, cultured, charming, that is kind, sociable, people are drawn to it so that. not casually approached him sisters). "
We're talking way, we came to the city park. They stood at the monument MY Lermontov. Since Pyatigorsk and Lermontov are inseparable. Then we went to the attraction "Wheel" and when going up, visible panorama of the city and Mount Elbrus.
H and the other day we went to the Museum of reserve MY Lermontov, and then went to the place of duel of our favorite poet. Then Zheleznovodsk. Beautiful park. Two lions are on duty at the entrance.
Five days later, our unit headed for the mountains od Stavropol.
Stavropol, as an interesting city, old. It is located on the slopes of small mountains. Night view of the city is very interesting: there are lit house in the mountains, at the bottom of lit streets, neighborhoods, he seems to be scattered in the mountains. City - fortress. The remaining part of the fortress wall.
We are there, too, were patrolling about four days. And then we went to the city of Kislovodsk. I examined the old city park. Then again, Pyatigorsk. Then, Essentuki - a Cossack town.
Again duty from 16 00 to 24 00 protection streets station. Verification of documents - when it is needed, etc.
One night in another division understandable "by degrees" shot from a balcony up from a Makarov pistol. A Volgograd someone said to us - it's them. Clearly it learned ATC management and began: an explanation - confess, that's for sure make your own. We have had a very serious pressure.
- Is that you, one of your -
- No - I say to them - like I say the commander, I am very strict and spend educational work in the department, and they did.
- Eli got rid - in the hearts of my friend adds glory.
In late August I the duty of the police department gave to read the message that our troops moved to the border with Chechnya. And we were ordered to shoot and go into his own city. Stavropol Territory passed on a war footing.
  Again the bus "Ikarus" three escort vehicles GAI from Volgograd, and off we went.
Yes Stavropol region - rich and hleborobnaya land. The climate is mild, favorable. It acts favorably on the people and on vegetation.
 
 
 
 
Sniper
   Once on the scene , where I was on duty, the guy comes to 30 years.
- You can drink some water? -
- Oh sure -
We talked. Upon learning that I work in the newspapers as a freelance reporter and has written five books, he began to talk about themselves.
I live in Volgograd. It finished 10 classes in 1992. In 1995 he graduated from the Army in SCHOOL. In uchebke me peered officer-teacher shooting.
He told me:
- Do you have the data - ie .:
a) accuracy when firing
b) Extract
c) good eyesight
d) the orientation of the terrain
d) endurance race - this is very important.
And I began to prepare for service in the army mechanized infantry, sniper. And he began to teach me.
Stages:
1)      After each shot change position
2)      Preparations for shooting; equip several masked points
3)      Obscure care after the job, ie, survival
4)      Duel snipers to defeat the enemy; to catch the enemy in the glare on the muzzle flashes, the sound of the shot, on his departure from the point, to put false shots from the second rifle
In 1996, we were brought to North Ossetia in Vladikavkaz. And I began to serve in the peacekeeping group on the border of North Ossetia and Ingushetia.
And when the gang with one or the other side tried to break through our positions we began to repel their attacks.
There I served for one year, followed by injury left the Army. He worked in the Volgograd enterprise: have begun wage arrears. 1997 has come, and then I had a meeting with a recruiter for military action from Yugoslavia through the former colleague. I decided to stand up for the Serbian people against the aggression of America and NATO.
The aircraft flew to Kiev. Then the plane to Belgrade. I met there and taken to the training base in 80 kilometers from the capital. On the base I really liked: two-storey cottages, room for two or three, refrigerator, TV, shower room, dining room.
On the basis of the paratroopers were professional mercenaries. And there I was immediately told the officer, so I was thin:
- The guy you that come here? -
- I'm a sniper -
- What's the second category? -
- No, I'm a candidate for master of sports.
Then with me they became engaged and started talking more seriously. Out on the position and proved its proficiency.
Preparation, acquaintance was about one month. Then I was sent to a regiment of mercenaries who fought against Kosovo Albanian bandits and they called themselves the Kosovo Liberation Army.
We are in the regiment were 16 snipers. Two snipers on one company.
Miloshovich paid us well. He overlaid the business tax. But I fought more out of respect for this beautiful country and Br -Asian people. As a schoolboy was in the country on a tourist voucher. Residents here live even better than other European countries. It seems to me that Yugoslavia was attacked because of envy. That, they say, there is a socialist country, where the people live better than in America and Europe.
Marines were real pros. If you currently have two, or even four Kalashnikov AKM and disposable grenade launchers and six pieces.
NATO aircraft forced down our Serbs "Needle", the pilot was thrown out on a parachute. The pilots were almost all British, so-Americans warriors all cowards. And then the pilot descends by parachute, our paratroopers take him prisoner, and with him a note and one hundred gold coins pounds with 6 digit number, then the value of 600 pounds sterling. And in a note the word, get a hundred coins if you leave dead pilot. Call this phone and phone number.
We recruit a specified number and we ask:
- Where are you at? Your location -
- Wait, will drive the car -
Rides Jeep. From there comes a man in a suit in a triple tie, gives a hundred gold coins with the figure number 6 in the bag, takes a live pilot and as they say "hand."
Military Serbs outraged:
- We knocked, and you coins. Share -
But our mercenaries did not want to share. And often in the cafe took place between the disassembling us hard.
Our company commander was a true professional. He fought in Afghanistan. Colonel. We learned what a village is guarded by 150 fighters and they usually three mortar. They did not have any discipline. They are not fed, probably plundered at the top. And they went out.
Before our attack at night, we will send them to the afternoon of a teenager with drugs. The commander of our company told us:
- Sleep up to four o'clock in the morning, and then the hour "bull," and we will go to ataku-
I'm in front of the village held the position. My task was to suppress the mortar. In the village, they had at least three mortar.
And now comes the hour "Bull." Marines went. In living one of the militants are not allowed. And I looked in sight and kept shooting those who tried to resist and followed mortars. If we were surrounded by other parts, I shot a camouflage coat, he was on one side white and the color of steel, on the other hand khaki wrap to Dragunov sniper rifle and threw it into the river, or filled up with stones, leaves, etc.
For me it has always been civilian clothes. And if I am stopped by the patrols, such as Croatian, I was saying that I am from such and such a town and passed.
Under the right shoulder I always enclose a small pillow that was not on the shoulder bruise. These pillows I bought in the market or in the shop. It is understood that after the operation, I threw the pads naturally.
Marines are not very fond of snipers. To me, they said:
- You Mokrushnikov. You are not our friend -
- We beat in a fight and you're in an ambush -
I responded answered them:
- And what is it you're better than me? -
- Same Mokrushnikov -
They resented it.
Once in Kosovo, Zbrovitsy village, we had to fight off the metallurgical plant. Miloshovich asked us not to use tanks, helicopters, and only rifles and rocket-propelled grenades to save the plant. This plant was guarding the French foreign legion.
They sent men, that they were told that they would be gone. Otherwise, no one of you will survive. So we had a regiment is 2.5 thousand people. There were 700 people there, and they said, give 50 thousand dollars, and we are gone. They gave 50 thousand, and they were gone. And then it began ... In general, we have taken this plant and thousands of militants remained there forever.
I was in one of the shops in the ring took a platoon of Albanians. I realized that I did not leave. I climbed into the pit, where the bodies were dumped. I put away the rifle, smeared with blood, and pretended to be dead. By me or this pit, he walked cautiously, shooting at the top, a platoon of bandits.
And three of them were left to smoke. I was troubled: and suddenly begin stabbing bayonets and to look for the wounded. He took his rifle, and three bandits are gone. Then gently out of the shop and shooting range it was. And crawling crawled out of the plant. Then he took off his camouflage coat, wrapped in his rifle and drowned in the river. He returned to Serbia.
If I always had money and documents, and a bag or a bag of food. I sat on a bus or a car - taxi
- Where are you from me? -
- From Macedonia, it was his grandmother, now go home - my documents were Serbian.
Before the attack of our company, I always cooked a few places or trenches (about 8-12) where I'll shoot. After each shot I changed position. As taught.
Albanian snipers were against us weak. They were too lazy to change the place after the shot, and what were caught.
But with Lithuania, Lithuanians were very prepared. They are near their capital of Vilnius since the 30s worked as a sniper school. Best in Europe or even the world.
So we shot not from trees, as shown in the movies and on the mounds, the hills, with some hills, shelter, etc.
There were dueling with snipers, sniper when he began to work on the other hand as a sniper was sent immediately. Roughly calculated the location and appeared against "colleague".
Once I got against sniper. It was at night. I spotted his place after the first shot, I fired back and realized that he had fallen. I crawled to the spot - but it was an Albanian fighter. He was too lazy to change the place after the first shot and was caught on the second.
Sometimes there were also the Baltic states, but it was very difficult to calculate and hit. Another good snipers were Pashtuns from Afghanistan. But once I hit a Pashtun. He lay down in an open area - it was getting dark, and he thought I would not notice. But I had a keen mind, excellent preparation of front-line officers, and I just saw movement and fired and hit, and that would make sure I crawled over to him, out of curiosity.
That was very difficult for them to play the game (as the mirrors were used, etc.)
The tension was very high. In a word - a duel. This n e bandits Albanians.
I saved my feet! After the shot, ran to the other point, that is, prepared trench. You look not only in scope but also around it - do not look for it? If you go searching for me, man, two, three, I noticed them and kept shooting.
In Italy, on the border with Yugoslavia it was the base of NATO planes, just around the corner, on the island. Where did they take off and bombed Serbia. Our paratroopers were preparing to throw this base. And we assure that we smash it in the net.
But Miloshovich not dare. He largely trusted Chernomyrdin, then head of the Russian government. And for good reason. We have an army of gang of Albanians from Kosovo would be rejected forever. And some would be the ending of this intervention to say. But he trusted someone ...
And his half-measures have led to a loss of time and position. While one Serb was very difficult to fight against NATO. But it was the heroism of the people of Serbia.
Weapons us and they were selling so-called Marchitan. Orders the machines, grenade, pulls the specified box truck and money - weapons. These are international businessmen on arms sales. They always work exactly. They say:
- We need a helicopter? -
- 4 million dollars. -
And half an hour later, already over his head ordered the helicopter. Though the plane, only to pay the grandmother.
At my exit on the operation when I was only a single-channel scanner, which only worked at reception. On it received the command of the company commander - where I go and where he works a sniper and other indications. But of course I contact him he could not, he would not find himself. This was done on purpose. They have done the same
Serbia has been anti-aircraft complexes: From -75, -125 C, -200 C. With -200 we decommissioned, but not declassified.
In general, Milosevic did not dare to attack the base in Italy, and that would have been a stunning fireworks display.
And Italy would immediately denied NATO to use its bases. And no one knows how to end the war in Yugoslavia. I think Serbia's victory!
In late 1997, the situation has deteriorated dramatically. NATO troops entered. Participation and began massive air strikes. Mercenaries began to fly regular flights from Belgrade. Began ethnic cleansing of Serbs in Kosovo.
About three months before our platoon was ambushed. I was a sniper, the others were naval commandos. One morning, just a little lightened, we moved to the position in Kosovo, in the suburbs of the city of P;cs, and were ambushed.
Our squad only came to the outskirts of this city, both went tight shooting from small arms. I somehow confused, maybe dozing on the go, and jumped in full growth - they say that? Where?
And ... he was severely wounded in the groin and then fainted - passed out.
He came to himself only hospital in Rostov-on-Don. And as I later found out I saved the children from our platoon. When I fell, they picked me four and opened heavy fire were able to step back and break out of encirclement.
And then the car took me to Belgrade, to the hospital, where doctors removed the bullet, and then flown by trip managed to send me to Rostov.
Yes, I remember another thing: once we were ambushed by a powerful machine guns. The platoon has suffered loss of command. Died: platoon commander, deputy commander of a platoon sergeant. Sergeant second branch decided not to take command, and we began to seep alone.
Well, what if I always had money. And in this situation, I did not give up his rifle and ammunition and two weeks was chosen to Serbia, surviving and gaining their living hunting deer. And as the bonfire? Very simple, lighter, and if does not work, I shot a rifle at a pile of dry grass. And climbing the mountains, I noticed a pickup truck with the inscription streamer grubs. I took aim and hit the driver's body and opened the lock, and there it was packed with some mayonnaise banks, other food was not. I howled with grief and disappointment.
When I made my way to Serbia, climbed in a head thought: here to stay here to live.
The water is pure mineral, deer meat is delicious, full of firewood and wood, caves quite comfortable, after the trenches. A deer or mountain goat shot after Pashtun sniper - it's pish.
I was always with a sleeping bag in a backpack. But the climate in Yugoslavia is very soft, it is possible to collect the grass, using it as a pillow. And the ground was warm enough.
And I thought, and that there are not people live peacefully in this paradise land. I had a knife with him, but not fighting and hunting.
He regretted that with me there was no fishing rods, nets, pot, but it would be an ear turned to glory! In many mountain streams trout - a delicacy!
Such "marches" I have 2-3 times.
And when one is going through the mountains not obliged to obey the orders. And I feel absolutely free and happy!
When the sun's rays awaken the cave and sleep puts twinkling stars, there is an aversion to all bureaucratic systems. And then you realize that this is real life!
 
 
 
 
PARIS. DIJON . Pyatigorsk.
 
The story of the soloist of the ensemble "Volga" Bogdanov Artё ma Viktorovich
 
I was born on October 25, 1945 in the Astrakhan region, and in 1953 my parents moved to the city of Volgograd (Stalingrad) and dwelt in Krasnooktyabrsky Holzunova area on the street in the building 9 sq. 27.
And above us on the 3rd floor in the square. 32 lived a husband and wife: Kasatova Yuri and Lydia Erikovna. They were choreographers profession and lead a dance club in the 'Barricades' club. He later became known as the House of Culture named after Yuri Gagarin, and the circle grew to the ensemble "Volga".
In 1957, when I was in fifth grade, Yuri and Lydia Erikov-
on began to conduct a conversation with me about the work that it happens in different areas interested in me, and lead in children's group. Slope - Russian folk dances.
In 1960 I moved to the senior group, already ensemble "Volga", as was called this circle.
And he, the ensemble "Volga" was awarded the title: People.
The children's group I studied with Lydia Erikovna, and when moved to the senior group became involved in her husband Yuri Vladimirovich.
Rehearsals began, choreographic work (performances, rehearsals, trips).
In 1962, I went to the plant "Barricades" to work in the shop fitters, and began to combine work and studies in the ensemble of "Volga".
In 1963, our band as the winner of All-Union review (then, our country called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was invited to the International festival of folklore groups in the French capital Paris.
We arrived in Paris by plane TU-104. We flew 35 people. The artistic director was Kopchenko Vasily Ivanovich.
More precisely he festival was held in the county of Burgundy, in the capital of the county and the city of Dijon. Where we have become winners of the festival, taking third place and earned a bronze necklace. And so we were invited for the following year at the same festival as the laureates.
Here Artem I asked:
- Do you remember in 1968, I wrote you in our band?
- Of course I remember; our group drove the artistic director of "Volga" Vasily Ivanovich. But I worked there for over a year, and then went to the Komsomol Operational Squad vigilantes. Then served in the Soviet Army. Then the plant "Barricades", also mechanic-repairman and entered the Metallurgical College. Where he studied from 1973-1977.
- I know why the thought of these years?
- No, Artyom replies.
- And in 1975 on TV every week for a month one o'clock there was a transfer - creativity of the peoples of the world. Where each country presented their folk dances. Especially memorable dances: France, Italy, Latin America, etc.
And I'm training 20 00 every week went to watch this broadcast.
- Do you remember how I met you somewhere in 1976 and said that I had won the dance in Bulgaria where a guy looking for a girl in the dance; then he goes; she is looking for him in the dance; then, seeing each other, they are dancing with each other. What kind of music and musical instrument bouzouki! - I say.
- Yes, I remembered and more you wondered what was left in me: love and interest in tantsam- I continued.
-Fedor, Why are you so interested in France? - Artem asked me.
- I have a dream to visit France, Paris - I say.
- And in what capacity? - Artem raises eyebrows, and directs his attention to me.
- As a journalist. And God forbid, what would my books were published and there
- This is my second dream -
- Clear - Artem understanding nods and warm smile, said:
- That's what you thought of Fedor! Yes rveshsya long have you been in Paris. -
- Well, - he continued - while 9 00 I'm going to work on business meeting on Saturday and will continue to memories of France -
- That you understood me correctly - warm goodbye.
On Saturday, the meeting did not take place.
February 13 I passed along the avenue of Metallurgists went into the bookstore. On the shelf is a book about France with photos. Watching French map of the country. Dijon is also situated on the river Seine, as well as Paris. On the map are about each other at a distance of 200 km .
I passed a month. It comes on 10 March. Thank God, we have met with Artem in his duty. Time 18 00 .
- Well, Artem now we have to finish the story of the ensemble "Volga" -
- Well - said Artyom.
- I rewrote your story, or rather its beginning. Let's read it. If you have questions, ask -
We're sitting at a desk between us reading lamps. Artyom takes my right hand and a beautiful pen that wants to fix.
- Arms! - I tell him - from the clean copy.
- And then I rule myself only -
- A - Artyom smiled benevolently.
- Well, then correct the own hand, not Lydia Yakovlevna and Lydia Erikovna. Or you do not care? -
- No, not all the same: we need precision. Thank you! -
- So - Artem says just reading the first page, and you know what the title of the People? A? -
I am silent.
- Folk Dance Ensemble - the title, consider professional. A folk dance ensemble, this amateur collective
- Quadrille, pereplyas, lyrical dance, dance tune - it's first branch was going to a concert.
- A second branch went dancing USSR (Georgian, Moldovan, Turkmen, Ukrainian "Gapak", Belarusian).
This we did and Volgograd - that would win the title of the People -
- On the basis of "Volga" ensemble wanted to do in Volgograd State Dance Ensemble. Now you clearly Fedor? -
I am silent, and then can not stand:
- Wow! That's how I got the ensemble - I exclaim with wonder and gratitude, looking at Artyom -
- But Artyom, fate! - I continue further - with the ensemble "Volga" I left, but you see I have gone well in the literature -
Artyom wound up and leads the story clearly, clearly, putting the soul.
There comes 1964.
We have complicated program. We were released from work at the plant for two months. We entered into the program:
I Cossack dance with swords.
II Russian balalaika dance. We are playing them and then danced.
III The orchestral group had a second accordion.
IV Russian Dance with spoons.
September 1st, our group of 35 people traveled by train from Volgograd to Moscow. We each had two suitcases: one with personal belongings, the second with costumes, while the girls naturally with dresses.
From Moscow by plane to Paris. All of us have a visa. In the French capital the airport we were met by the employees of our embassy, and we went with them on the bus to the Soviet Embassy.
On the way, we got acquainted with Paris - its streets, avenues, squares. There's a lot of areas, little traveled area - road junction and of course free, beautiful, festive. The mood of course we have an exciting, joyful. How do we in the French capital!
We stopped at Efelevoy tower. About half an hour we went near her and examined - it is a miracle in Paris. Cathedral Notre seen.
We arrived at the embassy. We quickly get a ticket on the train Paris-Dijon - Leon.
Do not forget the city of Dijon - a twin with the city of Volgograd.
And on the same bus we went to the embassy to JD railway station. The train was fast. And we have four hours arrived in Dijon.
There we were met by representatives of the organizing committee of the festival - the French friends. We were taken to some grammar hostel. Students somehow did not learn at that time.
September 3 he started the Festival of folklore groups. Our main competitors are: the Spaniards, Bulgarians, izrailtsy US dancers.
We rallied and ahead of all his rivals in the final concert. And won, in this difficult struggle, first with the main prize we award the "Golden Necklace".
The competitions took place seven days. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner in the wine cellar of the city of Dijon. This wine cellar fits all 22 delegations. And we acted in concert halls, squares and did pass through the streets dancing - this is called the defile.
And workers - members of the jury were evaluated on these performances - class training and folklore groups.
We were leaving Dijon in a cheerful, joyful mood - idea how we will meet in Volgograd and no mistake!
Again the train to Paris, the employees of the embassy. The plane Paris - Moscow. Then the plane to Volgograd. Well, warm, emotional meeting in our House of Culture named after Yuri Gagarin.
Comes 1965
Our ensemble "Volga" and we are members of this ensemble are going, or rather fly again in Moscow in Paris.
And at the festival in our city Dijon sister occupy the competition in third place with the award of a bronze necklace. Skipping forward to Spain and Bulgaria.
In November, I went to serve in the Army. I served from November 1965 to 1968 in the Kiev Military District ensemble.
And during this period of time, ie in 1967 our ensemble "Volga", also in September went from Volgograd to Paris by bus. So I decided to Volgograd City Executive Committee, or rather the culture department.
Well, the bus began to break down on the road. That in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and our band was late for the festival for three days and it was not allowed to the competition.
Ensemble of course there is not won nothing, and he was not invited for the following year. And since then we have to get in my opinion we did not go.
Since 1980, I and other members of "Volga" ensemble became interested in where our "golden necklace." It is actually located in the Museum "Defense" (near the station). We were told the employees of the museum, it is possible in the museum's archive. But since it is not found.
Then I could not resist and said:
- Well Artem - start the search for the "Golden Necklace".
- Yes, I still say - Artem said. Pyatigorsk beautiful Paris! Pyatigorsk - a fairy tale!
 
 
   STORY
"The road to Leningrad"
June 22, 1941
 
RESOLVED TODAY
 
Today, September 5, 2009 16 00 I walk down the street and Titova "Burcu" myself remembering a telephone conversation yesterday with Mishatkina writer Yuri Ivanovich.
I went to the navigator Ovsyannikov Boris Konstantinovich - the hero of my book "Sounder."
- How are you? - he.
- Well - I frown.
- What? - he.
- Yes, I had a telephone conversation yesterday held with Yuriy Ivanovich Mishatkina about taking me to the Writers' Union in the future, of course, which insists community of Volgograd, ie who read my books and a collection of five books.
- Well, write that you advised Yuri Ivanovich, ie two novels - he says.
- But I do not write novels - I.
- A much different story from the novel - he said.
The novel - a fiction, a fantasy of the author, and the story is the reality.
- Well, write a story - it is.
And then he starts at point-blank look at me, look like begins to warm me.
- About what? - I.
- A Leningrad? A blockade? - he.
- So we have it clearly noted in the book "Sounder" - I said.
Then his gaze piercing becomes more fun:
- And I'll tell you this about the siege of Leningrad, that none of this writer did not know and did not write. A? How? - Boris K. winding me.
Up to this point I was sitting across the table from a gloomy and somewhat dissatisfied (clear what). After these words, and his mysterious tone - I'm starting to cheer up, my eyes widen; they have enthusiasm and interest (as they say struck a chord).
- So where were you 22 June 1941 in the morning? - Has awakened in me a work correspondent (all now gone, my sixth book, lightning flashed through my head).
- And guess? - he.
- In Leningrad - I say.
- And here and there on 22 June 1941 I was in Sevastopol - he smiled, seeing my astonished eyes and slightly narrowed my eyes, almost anything seemed suspicious.
- How did it - I squeezed out of myself.
- We are with my mother rest in Sevastopol at my aunt Lida. Her husband, Uncle Kolya. At night, he kissed her and said that he began regular teaching - until the evening. And he left his ship. Before the war, he graduated from the Naval Academy in Leningrad and was promoted to lieutenant and was sent to Sevastopol.
And my mother, we arrived in Sevastopol in early June in the hope of a good rest.
House Lida aunt and uncle Kolya was in the center of Sevastopol. What surprised me immediately upon arrival in Sevastopol - this is what windows of the houses were covered with paper crosswise. And the second thing that surprised me - is that all the male population were current in naval uniform, even janitors vests.
My mother and I had breakfast in the morning and then we headed to the Count's Quay, where we pleasure boats to the nearby beach. There we swam, sunbathed and ate ice cream. By lunchtime, returning home.
On the beach we were catching crabs in the sea with the boys hands. And well they were caught soap holders. We have them enclosed under a stone, where there was a crab, he grabbed the edge of the claw soap dishes, we immediately picked up and thrown together with the soap box to the shore. And then typing them, they drove to the city, where their aunt Lida cooked. They bought when cooking red, very sorry for them there. Especially tasty were claws. I'm single boiled crab arid and brought to Leningrad to brag to the guys serf. They were jealous of me for good, I rested in the Crimea.
And then I was on the beach still liked to look at the sea shells, they were as ready souvenirs. Top white-gray, and red inside. Adults uncles in the sea is at the bottom overgrown with grass and stones extracted out flat shells, which were immediately on the beach grilled on an iron sheet, and then, after drinking 100 grams , we used this "delicacy" as an appetizer.
On the horizon, flying seagulls, dolphins dived away flocks, and stood out more warships. Mom told me that they protect us, I was 10 years old.
After dinner, I went out to the street and with the local lads playing in the "war". In the evening, I, my mother, Uncle Kolya and Aunt Lida walked through the evening of Sevastopol, on the central promenade and the city park.
Around the music played - a brass band, mom danced with Uncle Kolya. Among the audience were campers. On the black sky the stars shone bright, and on the benches along the park alleys were lovers. All this is like my mother. After all, we went home and fell asleep soundly.
On the morning of June 22, 1941 Aunt Lida woke up my mom, she was very excited and told my mother:
- Galya You know, Kohl called urgently on the ship (for him to come on duty sailor) for training the next combat alert -
- But I Galya, worried that after his departure began more powerful explosions, artillery fire, and heard the sound of breaking glass, which had an exercise was not like this -
In 12 00 he made Molotov and said that the war began. And it became clear that Sevastopol was in the list of cities that have undergone the first aviobombёzhkam.
I woke up this morning, eaten with my mother and aunt Lida and went into the yard to the kid. In the courtyard, I saw a large hole. The boys said it was from bombs or shells. But it is not clear that this is a war.
In 12 00 already knew all that the war started and the Germans attacked us.
I came home, my mother told me:
- Boris pack your bags and we'll eat in Leningrad, I went for tickets -
She returned home upset and told Aunt Lida, that no tickets. A few days later we were able to get tickets. And we went to the station with things. Walking to the train, we went to his car, I saw a sad seeing that many people were alarmed, hugging, some crying. We got in the car, there was a whistle, the train started.
The train was traveling a lot of people crammed like herring was in the barrel. I remember in the car, I was driving the boy of eleven years with his parents, with whom we spoke, and a girl about ten years old - to eat and sleep. Adult Discussions were about the war, it quickly end. A month is not more - in our favor.
We arrived at the Moscow railway station - is on Nevsky Prospect. They sat on the bus, but our street was close. We lived on the street Mayakovsky d.15 kv.8.
A few days later, my mother decided to send me to operate my two aunts. So at this time we visited my uncle Stepan. And he was working forester down the Volga. Here we arrived, my aunt decided to baptize me.
I remember some vat filled with water. Pop scissors cut some hair from my head and threw it into the vat of water, and said that I would live long.
My aunt and their son, ie, My uncle lived in the private sector near the tributary of the Volga - Pioneers.
My uncle sometimes took me fishing on the boat and took me under Astrakhan, where he subsequently became live. In August 1941, I returned to Leningrad.
Leningrad was preparing for the upcoming defense. Mom started its work a kindergarten, and later the head. I'm with my friends watched as the city gradually clothed in armor, trying to keep the barbarians from the precious creations of great architects, watched as many residents. Including our house, sent for the construction of fortifications around the city.
Everywhere created courses teach the basics of the population anti-gas and anti-aircraft defense. Shape public groups MPVS (local air defense), then the house rescuers on lighters. I remember how, in parks, squares, on the Champ de Mars, on embankments and roofs military facilities installed anti-aircraft guns. In the evenings, protective devices rose into the air. I remember how sinister they sometimes burned at night, being set on fire by German planes.
In mid-July of Leningrad for the first time met with the cards. It began a partial evacuation of Leningrad industry.
4 September the Germans began shelling the city from the 240-millimeter guns. He did not zamolknet to break the blockade. September 8 burned badayev warehouses. This marked the beginning of hunger ... All captured disturbing premonition of impending disaster.
Air raids Nazi air, especially at night, have become commonplace, the same as the daily shelling of the city.
At this time, we began to explore prepared in the basement bomb shelter of the house. Drastic and painful tears of air horns - one for broadcast, the second courtyard and hard, monotonous voice of the speaker of the Leningrad radio warned us: "Air alert! Air alert! .. "At first, we were seized together with the pre-cooked suitcases necessary things (warm clothes, blankets, pillows, etc.), and the bag with a supply of food, drinking water and quickly descended to the shelter. There's going to a lot of old people, children. At the top - the roar of anti-aircraft batteries, booming explosions. Sometimes it would sit in the basement for several hours. Gradually become accustomed. We're rarely going down. There were cases when a bomb, knocking the upper floors, exploded in the lower pulling a bomb shelter. People were left without air and light. Burst pipes and water flooded the shelter. Perhaps this fear. If you are destined to die, so I do not care where.
Sometimes guests come my dad's sister's husband - Uncle Stepan. He joined the Kirov division of the national militia. Later he withdrew as a valuable expert. It is surprisingly interesting talked about the defense of Leningrad. Holding my breath, I was afraid to miss a word. I remember the 10 September to the Kirov Plant inflicted heavy bombing. Uncle Stepan told how the workers stood firm. In recent days, the Nazis subjected the plant methodical bombardment of heavy artillery, often bombed. Kirov workers lived and worked in constant tension. He described how a German tank broke through to the very factory. Of course, he was immediately punished Kirov workers.
With great curiosity, I looked at his personal weapon - a pistol, which he occasionally gave me to hold in their hands. He taught me how to extinguish the cigarette lighter. I bring and show samples of these small shiny bombs with stabilizers and holes in the bow of which erupted in the fall sheaves of fire. They literally poured into Leningrad. We, young people, helped on duty on the roofs of their fighters to extinguish. Dressed in huge mittens, fearlessly cracking down on them - were thrown from the roof or stuck in boxes or barrels with sand. Sometimes they blew nearly in our hands.
Later, I found out how Uncle special secret mission was entrusted - within ten days to create a fighter demolition team and prepare Kirov Plant (if so requested by the situation) to explode. Uncle Stepan explained to me that Hitler set out to destroy our city. That all the people of Leningrad to a man willing to not regret your life, to prevent this. Better still blow than give the enemy. The only way!
In October, the newly reduced allowances. I began to receive 200 grams of bread a day. More and more hungry. The apartment is cool. My mom usually in late summer sawed yourself pricked, stacked firewood in the basement, then dragged bundles on the fourth floor. In the furnace of the fire, which was in a large room, the wood is not enough. Buy firewood has become impossible - empty warehouse. Occasionally getting out on the black market peat bricks, and they were gone soon. Began shortages of electricity supply. Night bombing followed one after another, in the afternoon - the endless attacks.
 
We remain
 
Several attempts were made to evacuate the kindergarten through Ladoga or train, and each time the children returned to Leningrad, as they came under air strikes and shelling. There were casualties. Finally I managed to send children to the mainland. Mom decided to stay with me in the besieged Leningrad - come what may! It is better to die in his own home than go to an unknown destination, and die on the road. She went to work in the hospital they pass office. Kuibyshev. In fact, it was a hospital. He's like a military facility heavily exposed to bombing and shelling.
I remember a case when in the next night air combat was shot down by a German bomber. In the morning we went to the guys in the Tauride Gardens to look at the wreckage of the plane with a swastika on the destroyed housing. They said that it rammed our fighter. There were rumors that there was a woman pilot and her eight year old son it was among the crew of the enemy vulture. He was dressed in the form of a German pilot.
Twice I have been involved with the senior guys from our yard in hunting down Nazi saboteurs who are using rockets have imposed German planes on military installations. One of us got away. The second via MoEHE fighters had been detained.
In November, I went to school. Engaged in the shelter of a house. Tutorials we were given, situation was more difficult with the paper, sometimes had to write in newspapers. The room is cold. They were sitting at their desks in a coat, hats. The hands feel cold. Going to school is becoming increasingly difficult. By this time, my mother and I have already received a bread ration at 150 grammes . Yes, it was no longer bread. About other products only dream of. From the constant malnutrition I began to show signs of degeneration - exhaustion and weakening of cardiac activity. There was a sleepy, started bleeding gums. Then - 125 grams ... Durand. No bread, a b-rr ... And this was welcome. They began to appear the first corpses. On the streets, in yards ... Amateur coffins. Or just a corpse, wrapped in rags ...
Frost grows stronger. For windowless homes is terrible. Insulation and electricity. Continuity and Study. Use homemade kerosene oil lamp with flame slabomertsayuschim.
 
famine
 
With the famine was severe frosts. Food Stocks ended, and the supply of products was pathetic. Increasingly on the cards, except for slices "of bread" was not given anything.
While we had the power, we are still trying to use the pasture. Several times, we managed to get my mother to the nearest suburbs, where in the fields, even though under the shelling, dug out of the snow surviving mёrzluyu potatoes. Sometimes it was possible at the villagers to exchange our things Durand feed or oil cakes. Mom with a neighbor went to the burnt badayev warehouses and brought ground soaked burnt sugar.
Tram stop in the middle of December. They were everywhere. They are slowly covered with snow. Lonely, damaged ammunition wagons, covered with snow, looked like human corpses. Life in the city even more still. But the feeble men continued no matter what walk to and from work. They worked. Schily warm clothes for the defenders of the city, "forged" weapons - tanks, guns, cartridges, machines. And for the most part by the order of Bids gave all these other fronts, while they themselves stayed with "trёhlineykami" and "Maxim". For machines and conveyor assembly rose women and adolescents, replacing the departed to the front or dead. "Everything for the front - all for Victory!" - Was the slogan of the day.
During December - January Leningrad was left living creatures: birds, cats, dogs - they were simply eaten. Art on catching pigeons, these unsuspecting birds, and I mastered. The loop of the rope, put it on the ground, in the center - a drop of food. When the dove came in a loop - dёrg for the end of the rope! And a dove in his hands! .. This simple bird first spent the night on the roofs. I came all the younger brothers of man. Again accurate Molchanov:
 
My ball had dogs all kind,
What with it not only worked!
In December, a terrible siege
We Ball soup cooked.
 
In late December, the city passed a terrible rumor: if the hordes of rats left the city. It eyewitnesses: the avalanche of rats left on Nevsky Prospect from the Vasilevsky Island and nearby streets. As if on cue, this black-and-gray body weight moved across the width of the avenue in the direction of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra and then, sweeping away everything in its path edible. It appears on the marine omen - a quick death ship. This rumor many confused.
 
HOSPITAL
 
As I thought being that is already doomed. Fully depleted, half dead, who had no chance of survival, my mother tied a scarf to the children's sled. With great difficulty, laden down with a sledge from the fourth floor to the yard. Overcoming yourself, he took me to a large military hospital, which was in the Vyborg district, near the Finland Station. Being very well at the last stage of degeneration, a small, completely exhausted from malnutrition, save me went on a desperate step. She decided to withdraw his son from dying of cold, dark apartment with a toilet and the frozen numb in bed corpses neighbors and throw me to the main entrance of the hospital. we fell several times on the way under attack, but there was nowhere to hide, and my mother was in a hurry. Here we are at the end.
Leaving me in a conspicuous place near the gate, my mother with a heavy heart watched from the corner of a dying son. Her plan was simple: I should note, and pity, take to the hospital. Other way she had gone. It's - the last hope. Or…
God proved gracious to us. The medics, who accompanied another car with the wounded, the boy noticed the living tied to the sled, as a dead man. What? Come to his room! They put me next to the front door: there were no seats. Around - the wounded soldiers.
I woke up ... in adult striped pajamas. My resurrection is clearly pleased others, and I immediately felt their attention, fatherly warmth, care. They encouraged me jokes, tried to feed her, but I was very weak and often broke into oblivion. There I was unable, too, to talk. Silently, I lay motionless and stared blankly at the ceiling. Medical personnel and soldiers have to take patronage me. It took many days until my condition began to quietly improve.
Gradually my bunk (on wheels) began to move along the wall closer to the opposite corner of the chamber, before which hung large white sheets. I gradually understood the situation. Severely wounded soldiers who could not be saved, as if on a conveyor belt, moving to the ill-fated white screen. In the evening, or usually at night, when everyone was asleep, they are dying, transferred over the curtains. From there began to be heard the heavy snoring and moaning. Usually in the morning all fall silent and isolated nobody saw more - they took out the door, located behind the sheets.
With sadness, I realized that my bed every day and the hour is getting closer to the "exclusion zone".
I really did not want to find yourself behind the white curtains. I mentally resisted this and waited with dread of the approaching evening. Despite the sympathy, care and support throughout the House, I once again went into oblivion ... and woke up at night for those damned curtains. Then again, I do not remember anything. Later I was told that I did not snore, do not moan, just breathing hard. I was on the verge of clinical death. However, as time passed, and my stay alone long. I became a kind of brake on the current "pipeline." Perhaps the day passed, and I had time to make room, and I'm still "warm". Then at night I gently returned to the House, putting it in the near corner.
In the morning all breathed a sigh of relief when he saw me again. It took some time, and I woke up. Those fighters, faded from severe wounds glowed with joy when they realized that their ward alive. I do not remember what the doctors did to me, but after a while I recognized that I was fed up of horn yogurt. Slowly come back to me life, and my bed again "went" in the direction of recovering. Caring doctors, nurses, night nurses, and the friendly attitude of the wounded made their gracious thing - I was fully recovered.
Imagine my surprise when he woke up in the afternoon, I saw in the House Christmas tree, decorated with colorful shiny toys. She breathed joy, holy faith in life and in the coming victory of all is being treated. As a sign of respect for everyone around the Christmas tree decorated and brought my mom. She tearfully thanked medical workers and wounded soldiers of my salvation.
Everything that happened to me on the eve of the New 1942, is seen as the culmination of my life in the struggle and starvation Petersburg youngster.
 
STRUGGLE IN APARTMENT
 
In January, I went back to our apartment with promёrzluyu unharvested frozen corpses neighbors. By this time, the situation in the besieged Leningrad further deteriorated. To all the woes was added another: the termination of the water supply. Nearby drinking water was not, and we dystrophies, had great difficulty walking on the neighboring yards and streets in search of the water column or operating the crane. Around the water source from the bitter cold (it reached at the time of up to 30 degrees) was formed generally circular elevation, to overcome that weak blockade was a big problem. Feet slipping, man fell and broke. Again, trying to overcome the obstacle and fell again. Many get to the water failed. Some of the failures were crying: how to be without water? They helped to get the other water. Leningradites always been mutual assistance and a sense of partnership - it helped them to survive. This could get to the water and fill the bucket, kettle or bidonchik, had more difficulty - to move out on the ice down to it does not fall down and not vypleskat themselves or other water. Often stay on his feet failed, overturned containers, clothes became wet and ice around the crane grew even more. The man remained without water - all we had to start over again. And where and how to dry? While dopolzёsh on icy stairs steep stairs to the fourth floor - splashed more water. Wet clothes froze. But no water remains could not - it was a major part of the diet blockade. When these sources ceased to operate, it had to fetch water in the Neva. Garbage, sewage, including slop pail, thrown into the yard. Not far from us was - I do not remember - whether a small racetrack, whether stable or garage. And gave him the corpses. There were many. Later, the whole yard has become a big crowded with corpses in the open air warehouse. There it was difficult to pass. There were cases where the dead simply thrown out of the window. They fell into a deep white snow and a long time remained stuck in it. Over time they were taken. Frosty and snowy winter protected the Leningrad against epidemics.
City courageously continued to live in the rhythm of labor. Many are left with jobs, they spent the night in the red corner, went over to the barracks. At the enterprises they fed on cards yeast soup and liquid porridge on soy milk. I remember the taste of the food at the hospital.
In the center of our room there was an "invention of the century" - stove. She's been heated almost around the clock and is red hot. It warmed us on it, we prepared "food," and from it emanated light. The problem was in the wood. Things came to a cabin furniture: the rest was burned. Tables, chairs already gobbled up the oven. Stove was like the heart of our weakened dystrophy organisms: it supports our life, until it drowned. In two or three meters away from the stove was cold, and the water was freezing. We sat in silence in front of her on the chairs, like old men, who had drawn his shoulders. I was wearing a hat, on mum woolen shawl. We were wrapped in blankets, as the stove was hot, and back froze. In our minds we were thinking only about impending food, including and not yet eaten servings of bread. Bought in the early morning on a ration card for two - 400 grams - his mother once strictly divided into three shares. One morning we ate at once, the second part of the day and last night. So I was not tempted, she hid the bread. None of my persuasion did not work.
On the stove a huge pot constantly boiling to "stew" and was a heavy cast-iron iron, which we warmed his feet, when one by one, without undressing, and even more are insulated, lay down on the bed. These "events" were not encouraged, as they get any unpleasant consequences: as the iron cools weakened by hunger and cold the next victim slowly, silently, under the sweet sleep fell asleep forever. At the same time, we made sure not once. It is not safe there, and nap sitting in front of a bourgeois, as the gradual tilt forward (to heat) could singe his nose.
 
 
 
SOUP
 
As for said "stew" - there is a special subject. Increasing ration employees and children from 125 to 200 grams was a necessary measure. But that did not stop the blockade level of mortality, since in addition to the bread in this period on the cards were not given anything - food in the city was gone. Food: water and a slice of bread viscous, similar to clay. Instinct pushed us to a forced step - eat whatever edible we thought - in boiling water flew hemp grain, Durand, cake, linseed oil, soy milk, yeast, saccharin. But soon these products run out. In a saucepan flew Furniture sawdust, pieces of wood glue extracted from the legs of chairs, the remnants of the old casein glue bindings, genuine leather pieces with shells of old books, belts, bags, scraps of wallpaper layered with a basis of flour and more. Everything is solidly flavored with salt and hot spices, with the remaining "good" time. For those with food I had further to go down one floor below in a large multi-room apartment orphan. Knowing the location of the empty apartment, I successfully found there bentwood chairs with "delicious" with sawdust and glue; thick books with sturdy binding, and all sorts of leather goods.
On the edge of the small stove we used to put little pieces of bread that my mother cut out from the norm. When poured into a dish contents of the pan, then to flavor and color to the crumbled slightly scorched pieces on the stove.
And now - spring! We came to life.
It was good that we did not know,
What is ahead of us expected
More nearly two winters ...
Molchanov
 
And spring! The bright sun made a conscious blockade hope that the inhuman suffering behind. Ladoga highway, which with love and faith in her singing Leningrad: "No wonder Ladoga dear dear life called ..." - really was a salvation for many thousands of residents of the city on the Neva. In the spring she earned even more vigorously, and the products began to appear in Leningrad. We are weakened by degeneration, gladly accepted the increase in the daily norm of bread on the cards. Mom began to receive regular 400, and I 300 grams of bread. He began to be issued on a regular basis, and its quality has improved. Began to appear, and some products for which coupons had not merchandised. Health still remains poor, but the death rate decreased slightly. Accelerate the work to clean up urban areas of corpses and filth. Initially, this was done by the soldiers MoEHE, then began to attract and residents. The danger of the epidemic had passed. With the arrival of the heat began to come alive nature, and we jumped on the needles and with the help of a decoction of it treated scurvy. In the course went young edible herb, bark, bud then milk.
 
VICTORY!
 
Leningradites actively embarked on a collective and self-vegetable production. Under gardens walked every inch of available land. Field of Mars turned into a garden. My mother and I had a hard time there is a flower bed dug and planted the most essential vegetables, herbs, carrots, cabbage. On the beds was the order, there was no theft. Minor crop significantly supported our weakened body.
January 27, 1944 all of Leningrad took to the streets, many flocked to the waterfront. In the former besieged Leningrad artillery salute boomed. The night sky over the Neva and on the Field of Mars (where the boys have chosen your vantage point) shot up numerous flares. The thunder of artillery shells and multicolored fireworks lit up the happy faces rejoice with joyful tears in the eyes of Leningrad - it remained in my memory for a lifetime. It was the most intimate, the most colorful fireworks from all subsequent salutes to us, that I have ever seen.
City winner rejoiced! He happily celebrated a historic moment - its complete liberation from the Nazi blockade. The long-awaited hour Victory came to Leningrad!
 
Is there a God in heaven?
 
One day in September 1943 in the cinema "Art", which is against the Nevsky Prospect Mayakovsky Street (on which I had in the terrible winter of 1941-42 tragically suffer all the horrors of cold, starvation and bombing) began to show another film trophy. Its name I do not remember, but for the Leningrad and especially for our children with adolescents these foreign films presented at the time of great interest. It was mostly music, funny comedy or melodrama. Viewing them, especially after our campaign kinosbornikov about the war and the related feature films, delivered a true delight. In these films, we forget about the harsh and violent blockade everyday life, plunging into the spiritual world of harmony and beauty.
Choosing a good time, me and my friend - Valentin Sivozhelezov (a little older than me) tried to persuade our mothers let us go out into the street, under the pretext of a breath of fresh air. Both of her that our - friends, educators kindergarten, which was in the Kovno lane (on the corner with the street Rebellion). They are usually kept us on the "barracks" - to himself. In the minds of them rooted and solidly acted concepts developed back in the terrible winter that if destined to die of hunger, cold, bomb or projectile - this should happen without fail at the same time with the child, that was later no one would regret and worry about happened grief.
Having come to the firm conviction that any pretext to persuade stubborn parents to our "dismissal" in the city for the cultural excursion to the movies is not possible, we will as a future "sea wolves" (which later proved life), adopted unanimously the right decision - go down at "AWOL" . Taking with him the match and the old pre-war period, a kerosene lamp, which was supposed to cover us the way back, just in case our journey will be delayed until late, we have successfully slipped away from under the watchful supervision of our mothers. They were busy, strictly under the schedule of the day, each with its own group of kids wards.
Since the street was relatively quiet, we were already half an hour before the theater. Successfully applying pre-designed options for penetration into the audience - through the exit doors (where people will go to the previous session), or simply: "aunt, miss, please," we were in a crowded room, where they began to "twist" movie. The crowd around us was all ages, and we along with it violently reacted to comic situations films heroes.
Several times a movie was interrupted by shaking the building and because of the blackout, the deaf to hear breaks, apparently was another bombing or shelling. The end of the film was marked by stormy applause. Caught up in the crowd and flattened on all sides, we went to the exit, past the small courtyard and found themselves in a long, narrow, dark alley overlooking the Nevsky Prospekt. It was quite dark and jostling elbows in the crowd, we decided it is in this, as we thought, "convenient" time to experience our wonderful new product. Opening the side door of the flashlight by pulling the tray with tank and removing the flat wick, began to strike sharply match. The people continued to squeeze us. Matches rotten, someone did us a comment, but the goal was set, and it had to fulfill. Choosing the right time and at the same time striking a grade for a few matches, we raised them with trembling hands to the wick ... there, and there was something strange ?!
Firstly, suddenly a loud roar - began a massive shelling of the city. The crowd stopped and the avenue to go longer. The rear ranks together propped up from the courtyard in front going in back in time to take a safe area under the arch of the gateway reliable.
Secondly, at the same time of the lamp broke and once a pillar of flame spread on the back going ahead and wearing a fur coat woman. Deciding to fear that her hit by a shell, she screamed. The crowd initially froze, then, understand the situation buzzed. Taking advantage of the pause, with a smoking torch in his hands, pushing parted from the fear of the audience, we slipped Valentin Nevsky. Headlong ran across Avenue under the squeals and explosions of shells, we rushed through the arch leading to the courtyard "Coliseum".
After recovering from an emergency situation and leading lights in the starting position, we have to think about the created situation. We are worried now one question - how to quickly and without loss to get to those who love us mothers? They are, in our deep conviction have already started to go crazy in fear for the fate of the disappeared sons.
Podhlёstyvaemye rising sense of responsibility, we began looking for a way out of the plight. It was clear that we must urgently move home. But the firing continued. Heavy shells lay somewhere nearby. Their attacks accounted for facades avenue our side houses, which was the most dangerous in the shelling. Above the doorway before rained debris, glass. The Nazis shot in a frenzy and perseverance. Around the people increased, but moviegoers of "Art", thank God, was not. One fear - for vengeance arson spectators have passed us. It remains a concern for the upcoming "warm" meeting with our mummies.
After waiting a fire break, having sufficient experience of small dashes, we emerged from under the arch and rushed headlong along the wall towards the shelling Uprising Square, occasionally hiding in the critical moments in the next parade or doorways.
We run time was clearly worked out - with barely picked up by the ear the distant artillery salvo, rising whistle - and the hiss of the projectile prior to its rupture. Based on this, we had time to "fly" a distance of about 50 meters .
Turn left in the street Rebellion - and, running in the same way more quarter from the corner of Nevsky to the last parade last house, we made a forced "smoke break" in it. The shelling intensified. The situation became more complicated - in front of the gap appeared road about 300 meters , which is not stretched along the house and past the iron fence front garden, which was in the depths of a long building (probably a military facility).
To finish it was relatively close, but how to overcome this dangerous, "thro 'section of the journey?
And so, we suddenly began to argue in this hopeless impasse for us, a rattle and roar of shells growing hail. If God does exist, then it certainly should know and see that we are sinless. The desire to have children to see the movie - is quite legitimate for it and cinema opened. A lantern flared in itself, because He turns out to be leaked, and was not filled with kerosene and gasoline blend. From all this we may know?
There was no way, and we are unanimous, in all seriousness, Valentin decided to seek help from God. "Forgive us, Lord have mercy", - babbled we clumsily cross. "Stop at the time of the shelling and give us God, successfully run this part of the way to safe and sound to get to the house," - we finished.
Listen. Like really it was quiet !? They looked out of the shelter. Once again, for the reliability and crossed at full speed rushed forward. Not feeling her legs under her, we, as if on wings, flew non-stop along the iron fence, and further on, on a dark street in a silent silence.
I do not remember how long we ran, suddenly found themselves in front of the familiar massive doors of our long-awaited parade. And just stepping, panting with exhaustion, its threshold and being in the strong arms of their mothers, we again heard shells exploding - Artillery plaque was resumed with a vengeance.
Looking back later, this episode of the siege of our youth, we had a long and inconclusive were asking the eternal question: "Is there a God in heaven?".