(Magadan, Russia)
We are going the “last” things in Magadan. Washing the last dishes. Making the last beds. Drinking the last tea with friends. Changing into travel clothes. Brushing teeth. Taking pictures. Driving to the airport. Giving hugs to our new and old friends.
I was able to see many “old” friends in Magadan, but not all of them. There was not enough time to talk with Sasha and Lyuda or Vasily and Yulia or Misha and Olga or Peter and Paulina or Andre and Ksenia. I am sad about that. Many of my “old” friends from Magadan have immigrated to the western part of Russia, which they call “the continent.” Olga and Ksenia are in St. Petersburg. Lyuda is in Krasnoryarsk.
Sure, we want to return again. However, it is hard and expensive to get to Magadan from Minnesota. It’s nearly 3/4 of the way around the world (because the airplane does not fly between Anchorage and Magadan). And it costs about 3,000 USD. And it takes about 4 days.
What does that credit card company commercial say? blah blah blah, the value of whatever: priceless. That’s the value of coming to Magadan. I’m going to start saving my money for the next trip!!