CHAPTER ONE
M any years ago while I was still a student and starting my visits to different parts of the world. My lecturer started sending me to Russia and it is where I met Hindro and Merto who were history students as I was. They were friendly and I can say I liked them. They liked me as well as I introduced myself, telling them that I am originally from Germany from a small town. It was after World War II and most of the African Countries were becoming independent.
They asked me several questions with shock in their faces: Did Hitler send you? Or are you here to tell us that the third world war is about to start?
I was frightened by their questions, but I said, No! It has nothing to do with that, not that Hitler himself knew me. Then I saw a smile in their faces and its when we started being friends.
Merto was originally from Italy but his parents moved with him to Russia and relocated there when he was one year old, he continued saying he doesnt know his family in Italy. He was living with his older sister, only the two of them.
I asked him about his parents, he looked down and started to cry, and he took a moment of silence.
Hidro began saying: Its alright my friend; you dont have to talk about it.
I was so confused at the moment as I did not know what it was. But after few minutes Merto told me that his parents had died in a car accident a year ago. He was eighteen years old and I was twenty one years old and Hindro was only twenty years old.
I felt sorry for him, I did not know what to say or where to start, I was very shocked and I tried to show him my sympathy. Hindro also tried to come up with a joke in order for us to forget about what we heard about Merto`s parents, then I can say his strategy was successful, because he knew Merto very well. We began discussing history as we were all historians; they showed me some pictures of themselves on their visits in Africa. I was so encouraged by that, and told them that Im also planning my visit to Africa in the next few days. They offered to go with me, with smiles in their faces.
Anyway, we were in Hindros apartment which was in a busy small town, this apartment was not far away from their college and also it was a very nice place, but he did not mention anything about who he was living with. I did not ask and I did not like questioning them too much. They called me GEB for my name was too long- George Eden Bess, I liked it and I asked them about the college I was sent to, showing them the address. Luckily they knew it, and telling me how chaotic it was, and I heard about the school that it is about two kilometres away from Hindros apartment. They offered to walk with me.
WALK! I shouted.
Yes! Merto replied.
Its not far, only two kilometres away, Hindro said.
Two kilometres? I exclaimed.
I pretended not to mind, off we went. Luckily I had one bag with my clothes and few of my notes and texts books. After a kilometre we could see the building of the school for it was colossal. When we were about to cross the river, Merto saw a beautiful, nice, shiny belt next to a stone.
But who could leave such a nice belt here? Hindro asked.
It looked like a snake to me, so I suggested we first throw a stone. I did, and surprisingly it was a Cobra- a Russian Cobra, it spread open the skin on its neck so it looks like a hood, we ran away laughing at each other.
We crossed the river and never looked back until we reached the school. At the gate we met a very big man who was the guard of the school; I told him the purpose of my visit. He then called the history lecturer Mr. Horton- a scary old man.
He greeted us, asking me was I Mr. Bess who was sent by Mr. Drew, who was my lecturer from Germany.
Yes, it is I sir! I said.
He welcomed us, leading us to his office. He then showed us his work and his best students work. He was not as bad as he looked. I introduced my friends to Mr. Horton. He was so surprised that I had friends on my very first day in Russia. But sadly they had to leave us, in order for me to start my work which was the purpose of my visit.
I told them that I would see them very soon. I really liked them, they were good friends although I did not know much about them, but they were my best friends, now it was something like friends in a dream. As they were making their way out, we began to walk with Mr. Horton; he introduced me to some of his students. They liked me and were wishing nothing but the best for my visit. I started my research and, later Mr. Horton showed me the room I was going to use for the period of my visit in Russia. It was not that bad, but hey it was not good enough. Hindros apartment was way much better than it. But I pretended to like it and it was just for few days then I would be gone. Later when I was about to sleep, I took out my Rosary and prayed before I went to sleep. After praying, I went to my bed. I heard a noise coming to the side of my room, I just guessed that maybe they were my neighbours. Indeed they were, but they seemed to be drunk.
They turned on a sound system and it was so loud that I couldnt even sleep, because the walls were not made of cement and bricks, but were of hard- board, so the sound was as if it was in my own room. I was also hungry and I had not asked Mr. Horton about supper but as I saw his number and Mrs. Franciscos at the back of the door ( by the way Mrs. Francisco was one of the heads of the school) I phoned Mr. Horton as we had phones in our rooms, in case of emergency. But the noise was too much so that we couldnt even hear one another, Luckily he came by, I complained about the noise, but he said he had forgotten to warn me about it. I asked him to ask them at least to lower it down, but they did not, instead they chased him out. So I thought of what Hindro and Merto told me that the school was chaotic. But the school was not chaotic only few individuals were undisciplined.
Lets go to the kitchen. Mr. Horton suggested.
We went to the kitchen and as I was hungry I couldnt even pretend to be reluctant, or refuse. So he made tea and some sandwiches. I offered to help but he refused telling me that I was a visitor so I should be treated as such. I forced matters telling him that Im still a child, so I wanted to help. I helped by making a sandwich and he had already finished making tea, we began eating and having a discussion at the same time. Mr. Horton had a grey beard with its moustache, he was tall in height and very scary if you do not know him. I told him about my next trip to Africa, and my project and my research about the Mfecane wars in the Southern Africa region. He congratulated me, asking me to follow him. I was too tired to wander around but I pretended not to mind. We left the dishes as they were, I asked him where we were going, but he did not give a straight answer he just said that I must just follow him I would see then.
