Kola Peninsula-Murmansk, Russia [2]

Laughter and screams filled the small wooden house of the 'Banya' cubicle, we decided to stop by just to recover our tired bodies from a trip through the cold of northern Russia.

Banya is a traditional spa in Russia, Russians regularly go to Banya, for them Banya is a place to relax, spend time with friends or family, restore a tired soul, and keep the body healthy.

According to the local people, Banya is very good for health, strengthens the immune system, also reduces stress. The atmosphere was relaxing, fun, and a little silly when enjoyed with others. The cabin is made of wood, the sauna fireplace with a stone heater on top of the fireplace, which made the bathroom warm and steamy.

The wood in the Banya gave off a distinctive aroma of cedarwood which penetrates the body's cells to produce a relaxing effect. While we were in the sauna, we could only use a towel and headgear to protect your hair from the heat.

The part that feels ridiculous is that we got whipped with birch twigs and leaves, and then had to run out into the snow jumping into a pool of ice water.

We laughed with amusement when and made several videos of Joseph and Valter's behavior when they ran screaming towards the snow and ice pools after being whipped with twigs. After this ridiculousness, we were treated to herbal tea with honey to finish the Banya ritual.

Before reaching the apartment, we stopped by to observe the Alyosha Monument up close, a very large and tall monument that caught our attention, about forty-two meters high, built to commemorate soldiers in World War II. It was a statue of a soldier with a gun on his shoulders, representing soldiers that defended Murmansk against the invasion of Germany during World War II.

Murmansk is also known as the city of heroes, which has many similarities to the city of Surabaya in Indonesia. They were also bombed during World War II by Hitler's soldiers and were burned almost entirely. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 caused Murmansk's population to decline drastically as Russia's economic situation deteriorated.

We arrived at our Murmansk apartment at 2000 after a tiring day of adventuring. Olga made us 'Golubtsi' for our dinner, the basic ingredient is cabbage served with a minced meat filling, which is then rolled in a certain way thereby enhancing the aesthetic side, like how to roll rissoles but made from cabbage. The filling is almost similar to the Chinese dim sum but cooked by boiling or baking in the oven.

In order to give the holubtsi its Ukrainian flavor, a typical Ukrainian sour cream is added to it. Actually, Russian and Ukrainian food have a lot in common, because Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union at that time before it split into several countries.

"I didn't think you could cook," Joseph joked between dinner as he continued to devour the remaining food.

"He lowered your ability," Yura said heatedly.

"Come to Kyiv, I'll cook you a lot of food," Olga said not to be outdone.

"Wait for us there," said Joseph in a tone like inviting war, greeted with laughter from the seven of us.

"And you Jade, we will gather in the winter next year in Bali, I hope you can clear your schedule from now on."

While annoying at times, Joseph is a noise creator that kept things lively. I feel more positive, alive, and excited when I was in Russia, among fellow travelers, exchanging thoughts and experiences that are very different from what I was used to when I started my journey, my mind drifted trying to reorder all the days that had passed.

For me, Russia gave color and enthusiasm to me, even though rumors circulate that Russians are not friendly and are suspicious of foreigners, but for me, Russia is very attractive and kind. All the characters that are formed in my opinion are formed by a dark list of this country's long history. There was so much upheaval, restriction, distrust, betrayal, revolution, there were so many wounds that there is no time to laugh and smile a lot.

The history of this country cannot be described in bright colors.

Russians will only smile at people they know, they will not smile at strangers, and always keep their faces expressionless. For them, laughing without reason is a sign of ignorance, in contrast to the custom in my country, Indonesia where smiling at everyone even at people they have never met before is considered normal. Because smiling is part of worship.

"Jade, Yura... knock..knock..." Olga knocked on the door while calling out my name and Yura's.

I gasped in shock waking from my night's sleep, grabbing the cellphone on the small table. "It's almost 0800 in the morning, we have to pack immediately later or we are going to be late for the flight," I whispered to Yura who was beside me.

"But it's still dark and the sun isn't even shining yet," I added again.

"Jade, we are in Russia," Yura said opening her eyes and immediately chuckled.

"Yes, yes ... I'm too tired to ramble." I replied, grabbing a towel and hurried off to take a shower.

"Can I sit here?" Said Valter in a low voice, pointing to the seat beside me on the plane that would take us back to St. Petersburg. Petersburg. "It doesn't matter if your ticket has the same number as the seat you can," I joked with a laugh. "Mia gave me this ticket, it looks like she's too busy with Yura regarding their trip to Germany," Valter replied while sitting beside me.

Hmmm... Mia is very good at managing everything, so everything seems natural...

Anywhere we go I am trapped with Valter.

"Have you decided who you will go with after St. Petersburg?" Asked Valter who is now sitting next to me.

"Mia and Yura will go to Germany tomorrow, Olga will return to Kyiv, Liana, and Joseph to Moscow and I will go to Finland." he continued

"What's the reason you're asking me, won't I just make it a bother for you later. You're going there for a job right?" I asked, looking straight at Valter.

"Well, I left because I had something to do. But that doesn't mean I can't accompany you," he replied.

"And the reason?" I asked, making sure.

"I asked you because I like you and I want us to be together." He replied in a low, barely audible voice with an embarrassed expression she was trying to hide.

WHAT? Arrrrhhhhh, what an utterly UNROMANTIC statement of love.

"Ahem... I don't understand what you're talking about." I pretended to be stupid.

"To me, you are attractive, and I want to get to know you better if you give me the opportunity," replied Valter with a tone of confidence.

Crazy... This person is really formal... I thought to myself.

"Hmmm..." Trying to find a definite answer.

"I don't want to insist, you just have to say yes or no." I swallowed hard, hearing all the words Valter said. I smiled trying to look relaxed and calm. There's a little panic there, but I can control it. "All right, Valter. I am giving you a chance to get to know me further, and I will open myself up to accept you." I said softly but firmly.

"I'm going to go to Finland with you." I continued, still looking at his face. Valter looked into my eyes deeply, maybe he was busy looking for the truth there.

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