Reports :

---Original Message---

Letter 1

Hello my darling Richard,
How are you today? As always, your letter brings so much joy to my heart. It’s such a comfort to hear from you.
Today, I’m heading to my grandparents' village again, and I’m looking forward to it. There's something so peaceful and fulfilling about being in the countryside. Most of my childhood was spent there, and I have so many beautiful memories tied to that place.
Unfortunately, life in the village isn’t as easy as it once was. Their village isn’t connected to the gas line, so they have to heat the house with firewood. They also get water from a well outside, which makes life a little more challenging, especially in winter when they have to keep the stove going to stay warm. They also have a lot of animals—chickens and geese—and take care of a big garden. When I visit, I always try to help with these things. Each year, they plant vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, beets, tomatoes, and more. They make wonderful pickles, jams, and compotes, and I really hope that one day you’ll be able to taste them—they’re a true masterpiece in cooking. My grandmother sticks to traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations.
This time, she asked me to buy seeds for the garden—carrots, cucumbers, dill, parsley, turnips, and tomatoes—since it’s cheaper to get them out of season. Grandpa also bought a fresh supply of firewood, but it comes in large logs that need to be sawed and split. He’s asked me to help put it all away in the special storage area.
I always try to visit whenever I have free time to help out with the household chores. Despite the hardships they face, they never complain. They’ve spent their whole lives there, and they’re so resilient. I love them so much and cherish every moment with them. I only hope they live many more happy years.
I hope I didn’t upset you by telling you all of this. You’re not just a stranger to me anymore, and I think you should know about the life I lead and the people I care about. Now you have a better idea of what life is like in rural Russia.
I’ll be thinking of you while I’m away. I miss you already.
With all my love,
Yours,
Hawa Salia

Letter 2

Hello my love Richard,
I was so happy to receive your letter, as always. Thank you for all the warmth and love you always send my way. Today, my thoughts have been consumed with the idea of finally meeting you. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so when I came home, I decided to look into how I might visit you.
Because of the current global situation, it’s become much harder to travel, but I still wanted to explore the possibility. I did some research online to see what I would need to come to you. It turns out I just need a set of standard documents: a passport, a visa, and tickets. I already have my passport, so I’ve gone ahead and applied for a visa at your country’s embassy.
If they approve my application, I will need to visit the embassy in person for an interview and submit all the necessary documents. The process could take several days, and I can’t help but feel nervous. I’m unsure whether I’ll be approved given the current situation, but I decided to take a chance.
I’m sorry I didn’t ask for your opinion first. If you think it’s not a good idea, I’ll cancel everything immediately. But now, it’s up to the embassy, and I have no control over their decision. I also had to pay a consular fee of 5850 rubles to submit my application. So now, I’m just waiting to hear back about the interview.
Another complication is that there are no direct flights from Russia to your country anymore, a result of the sanctions. The only way I can get to you is by flying through Turkey, with a stopover in Istanbul before heading to your country. It all feels a bit overwhelming, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make my dream of being with you come true. I can’t imagine living here without you, and I don’t want to.
I need you in my life, Richard. I want to join my fate with yours, and I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen. I miss you already and can’t wait for the day when we’re together.
With all my love,
Your Hawa Salia