When the War in Ukraine Comes to Newark... I was expecting trouble when I came to Passport Control in Newarks airport this morning. I had been in Ukraine for a while, and who knows what security warning I had violated in the meantime. This man with wavy grey hair, aged about 50-55, with slightly olive skin and some razor stubble across his face (last name: Larusa), called out to me from his desk. Next! he said gruffly with a thick New Jersey accent. Welcome back. He looked at my customs declaration. I see you were in Sweden, Poland, and Ukraine. Business? What did you do there? I paused. I knew it was time for the interrogation. I said, Beginning May 16... I was in Ukraine as an elections observer until the end of the month. Then for two weeks I was in Sweden giving a couple of lectures. So what do you do? Im a historian of Eastern Europe. Then I continued, And then I was in Ukraine from mid-June until the end of July. Ukraine... thats great... he said. My grandmathas turning in her grave right now. It was one of us. My immediate response: We will get through this!! I think my eyes lit up. Then Mr. Larusa said, Ya know, I just dont get it! I mean... Yes, its terrible! I mean... what is it? With Putin...? What does he want? I mean, is it the nationalism, the vodka, what? They dont think were a nation! (Yes, it was most likely we.) Its just crazy, aint it!? I mean, theres all this nationalism, and what does Putin want!? But thats great... Well get through this! I repeated. I noticed he had patches designating him as a translator for Ukrainian. I mean, Im half Italian, half Ukrainian, and I just dont get it! Its crazy! But youre right, well get through this? Kinda like the British, Stay calm and carry on? Yes! I said. Then I thanked him and he wished me another welcome back. I knew it wasnt the place to discuss politics or Ukraine, with the thousands of people needing to get through the line. Нас багато. Нас дійсно багато. Майже плакав від радості якоїсь.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:15:43 +0000
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