Virtual Explorers: Russian Nonfiction Writing Program Student Anthology - Class of Fall 2020

Diana Dranishnikova I was walking through the streets of my favorite city in the most beloved country. Turkey welcomed me on a bright and warm Sunny day. I was lucky enough to get to this mysterious country in the summer and see all its elegance.

So many iridescent greenery, flowers of extraordinary beauty and such unimaginably pleasant smells can be found only in the gardens of Semiramis. On the quays, the sea breeze, like a light fluffy Cape, covered my shoulders, and the air that filled his lungs, calmed the madly tossing thoughts in his head. If you close your eyes and stretch out your hand, you can touch the Bosphorus bridge and stroke the sleepy waters.

The people I saw cheered me up with their friendly smiles, as if inviting me to visit.

Sometimes I thought I could even hear what they were talking about. And walking between the houses, I saw a boy who enthusiastically waved to someone.

Divine palaces, magnificent mosques, deafening bazaars - all this my eyes absorbed with wild delight under the exciting sauce of Turkish songs. So I decided to join the atmosphere of fascinating Istanbul even more. Many of them responded to my heart. I could not contain my emotions from this childish happiness and genuine joy.

Marble, white stone, laid out perfectly that even the most professional architect could not find fault with, precious stones, mosaics, wall paintings, carved patterns. But when you go inside a Palace or mosque, you get dizzy from the abundance of bright colors and unimaginable beauty. How? How was it all done? How can you not love? How do you not lose consciousness from what you see?

I imagined myself as the heroine of some mind-blowing series. Because it is simply impossible not to imagine.

As one poet said: "If you step out of my way, I will see Istanbul...". It is truly beautiful! This is a really hospitable city! And I promised that one day I would return there, feel the real smell of the sea, be able to really close my eyes, spin around in the square and see everything again but with my own eyes.

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