Eila Strandmark

‘If you got a billion euro, how would you spend it?’ I asked Eila, staring at her nose covered with freckles.⁣⁣⁣
‘I would like to educate girls in India.’ Said Eila not hesitated for a second.⁣⁣⁣
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I was glad to hear it from a 22-year-old woman. The answer like that gives me hope that young people are capable to think globally, not individually. Unfortunately, it is not a common answer.⁣⁣⁣
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‘Tell me please, what do you do in Paris?’ I asked, looking into her grey eyes.⁣⁣⁣
‘I’m studying languages and politic science.’ Answered her big mouth, smiling at me.⁣⁣⁣
‘Where do you come from?’ I asked.⁣⁣⁣
‘I came from Sweden 4 years ago.’ She said.⁣⁣⁣
‘Why Paris?’ ⁣⁣⁣
‘It was spontaneous.’ Eila looked down and crossed her long slender legs.⁣⁣⁣
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It was a sunny summer day when I met Eila. The temperature outside was above 30. She was wearing a short black dress. Dr.Martens black shoes were on her bare feet. We were sitting in a gallery space of my friend Juliette, enjoying the cool air of the ground floor and drinking still water.⁣⁣⁣
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‘What are the five things you love?’ I continued the interview.⁣⁣⁣
‘I love to dance, I love my family, I love cinema, I love running and kindness.’ She responded carefully, precise and honest.⁣⁣⁣
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‘If there is something that you hate, what is it?’⁣⁣⁣
‘I hate being sad and I hate being away from my family.’ She sounded nordic cold and her eyes were open.⁣⁣⁣
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‘Where is your family now?’⁣⁣⁣
‘They live in a small village, not far from Malmö’.⁣⁣⁣
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I know a bit about Malmö. I know it is a big city with a mild oceanic climate, located near the southwestern tip of Sweden and it is linked to Copenhagen by the Öresund Bridge. I also know that if you want to drive across the bridge by car, it will cost you between 50 and 200 euros per single trip. I know it because once I was considering to go and live there.⁣ ⁣⁣⁣
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‘I bet it is a beautiful place.’
‘Yes, it is.’⁣
‘Why don’t you go back home?’
Eila didn’t answer at once. Then she admitted, ‘I don’t know.’
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‘Do you know where will you go after the graduation?’
‘I will go to do a master in Brazil.’
‘Why Brazil?’

‘I always wanted to go to Latin America and my best friend is Brazilian. I always felt very comfortable and welcomed with her and her friends.’
‘So Brazil.’ I said, looking at her legs.⁣
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Then the song of Super Besse started to play in my head.⁣
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Дорога в потемках взывает⁣
Моргающей лампой маня⁣
Ступая через камни⁣
жадным шагом иду я⁣
Младенческим разумом кротким⁣
Осознание приходит на два⁣
Выбираю не совсем четкий⁣
Путь туда где ждешь меня⁣
Долгая дорога домой⁣
О эта долгая дорога домой⁣