When the flight attendant announced we will be soon landing in Alaska I excitedly plastered my head against the window, gawking at the beautiful landscape below me. It wasn’t as visible as I would like it to be, mainly because of the thick clouds, but it was still more than enough.

I knew Russia had a very diverse landscape, but my whole life I was stuck in the city with a population of 11.5 million. What’s more important, I just wanted to get away from it all – the bad memories, screaming, flashes of breaking furniture, smell of alcohol. While gritting my teeth, I forcefully pushed the intrusive pictures out of my head.

As we started to descend, I saw Anchorage, surrounded by the mesmerizing white mountain peaks. I already shuddered when I thought of how cold it’s going to be when I step out of the comfortable and warm shelter of the airplane. Although Moscow could be freezing cold sometimes, I expected Atsanik would be buried under the snow during the winter.

We finally landed at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and my legs screamed from all the sitting. I had to wait another two and a half hours for a flight to Fairbanks but that wasn’t enough time for me to go sightseeing. Instead, I dragged my suitcases around like the last time until I was almost starved to death. Right before boarding, I devoured another sandwich, cursing myself for not grabbing a proper lunch.

There was another one and a half hour left until we landed in Fairbanks and after that, I had the last flight straight to Atsanik.

When we finally reached Fairbanks I was so exhausted after a thirty-two hour flight, I was ready to pass out right there in the middle of the airport.

At last I boarded a small plane to Atsanik. With my suitcases intact I fell asleep the minute my bottom hit the comfortable seats.

I awoke only when the plane started to descend. When I peeked out of the window, I could barely believe this place will be my home. The massive Iniakuk lake sparkled in the afternoon light. A little town was nestled right between the lake and the Iniakuk river and stood at the base of the Mount Hal Waugh. I noticed it was surrounded by miles and miles of stretching rich, deep forests. It was downright spectacular.

When the plane hit the landing ground, I bounced with excitement to see the town up close. I already downloaded the map and had all the roads memorized. That’s how I knew exactly where my house stood and how it’s supposed to look like. Since everything stood in the proximity and it took about fifteen minutes to reach the other side of the town, there was no need for me to buy a car.

There was an old wrinkled taxi number plastered on the wall next to the exit door, so I was saved from dragging my luggage the whole way to my new house. I knew it can’t be more than ten minutes to reach the town on foot, but I was simply too worn out to walk another mile.

After less than five minutes of waiting an older guy arrived in a red 1990 Ford Sierra. It was so rusty I could barely read the taxi inscription on the side of the car.

“Hello. Are you here to take me to Elk street?” I bend down to ask him when he vigorously rolled down his window.

“Call me Jeffrey. Yes, one and only taxi service in town, girl.” He beamed at me. His sparkly brown eyes reflected kindness and openness and I couldn’t help but instantly like this man.

With his help, I somehow managed to stuff my luggage into the trunk and open the passenger door without accidentally yanking it off. Jeffery’s body was so massive I had to shrink down a little to prevent from bumping into him.

“So, I heard we were getting a mysterious new resident in our humble little town, but till now I thought it was only a rumor. Why Atsanik, girl? It’s an old boring town for a young one as yourself.”

“I don’t mind boring, Sir. And your little humble town seems exquisite.” I smiled back and him.

“Jeffery!” He wagged his finger and shook his head, reminding me I should address him less formally “Your accent. You’re not from the US.” He took his eyes from the road to study me.

“No, Jeffrey. I came from Moscow. I craved peace and freedom so I decided to move here.”

“Well, people are real nice here, girl. What is your name anyway?”

“Oh! I apologize! My name is Faina Nikolaev, but please, call me Faina.” I shook his hand one more time, happy to know at least one person. I bit my lip, stifling a smile when his big hand engulfed my small one. His was like a large bear paw compared to mine.

“Well you’d better prepare yourself, Faina, everybody is talking about you. They are excited about your move. But don’t blame them, the only interesting things that happen here are bear sightings and few occasional tourists.”

“I don’t mind, until everyone is kind towards me, I have nothing against them.” I placed my hands back onto my lap, studying the mesmerizing landscape behind the dusty window. I watched as magnificent thick trunks of spruce trees blurred into hundreds more, the beauty of the infinity stirring strange nostalgic feeling inside me.

“Fair point. So, girl, I believe this will be your new home.” He pointed at the small, but cozy blue painted house with wide windows. It stood close enough to the town, but still offering a piece and shelter of woods behind it.

“Thank you, Jeffrey. It was nice to meet you.” I handed him the bill before we climbed out of the car. He was kind enough to accompany me to the porch, helping me with heavy suitcases.

“Girl, I live just down the road with my wife Eveline and my son Josh, so if you need anything or if you want to stop for a dinner sometime, you’re very welcome. My wife would be delighted,” he patted me on the shoulder before he descended the stony stars back to his car.

I couldn’t deny I felt surprised at how welcoming he was.

“I’d love to! Thank you for everything.” I said over delighted. I knew I loved my peace and privacy, but I also had nothing against meeting people in this town or getting to know them better. I was hoping to stay here for a long time after all.

I stood on my porch, watching Jeffrey slowly drive away. With pleasure I noticed how dreamy this looked. I really will be able to stand on my little porch, look at the mountains ahead and sip my tee. I also had spectacular view of the town sprawling before me.

“No time to waste,” I said, sighting under my breath.

Later, after a rest, I will have to run to the town and buy some necessary things, but right now the only thing I needed was a bed.

I dragged my suitcases inside, looking around in awe. It was small indeed, but absolutely lovely. The kitchen was aligned to the living room and there was a wood burning stove which also served as a fireplace next to the sofa. The furniture was a little worn and it emanated an older, almost mossy smell, however there was nothing it couldn’t be done without a little scrubbing and airing. The wooden flooring softly cracked and moaned underneath my boots when I moved into the bathroom. My fingers traced the pattern of hearts carved onto the dark, well insulated walls, that were built to withstand the cold climate. I smiled to myself upon seeing the white rectangle-shaped bath, big enough to fit me and satisfy my reading habits. While removing the pink plastic floral shower curtain than loosely hanged above the bath, I skeptically turned to the sink.

“Please, just work,” sighting with relief, I enjoyed the feeling of cold, but clear flow of water hitting my fingertips.

Connected to the bathroom was a bedroom with a cushioned bench window seat that was already screaming to be used. I leaned in to admire a view of deep, mysterious woods right out of some chilling ghost story. Before I knew it, I must have edged even closer, the tip of my nose almost pressing against the cold glass. It was mesmerizing - the longer you stared at it, the more you anticipated for some ancient creature to step out of it.

I shook all the nonsense out of my head and pulled at the dusty curtain hanging at the side of the window. Being a writer was definitely entertaining, but it also had its drawbacks like this, where my wild imagination was playing tricks on me.

I made the bed with wrinkled sheets I brought from home, making a mental list to buy a pillow and a duvet.

There was no other choice but to rent a car for all the things I needed to buy. I cursed myself for not doing this earlier, but than if I had I wouldn’t have had such a lovely welcoming. Jeffrey after all, did help to break the ice, making me less nervous about meeting the others.

I put on warm clothes since it was freezing inside, climbing in bed. There was no way I could delay with heating this place up for much longer.