April 17, 2004
MY VISIT TO SERGEI'S GRAVE
by Krissy
I've just come back from a great visit to Russia. As soon as I found out that my tour leader's name was Katia, I knew it was destined that I would have a great time.I enjoyed St. Petersburg but ended up liking Moscow even more (perhaps because I had more time to walk around by myself). When I walked into Red Square, images of Katia, Daria and Sergei's photos there floated in my head.
On my first of three days in Moscow, I knew that I had to go to Sergei's grave and wanted to do it right away in case I wouldn't get the chance later on. I was only able to convince one of my friends (who's from New Zealand and has zero interest in figure skating) to leave our group in order to come with me.
We were a little nervous about exploring the Moscow metro by ourselves, especially since it was rush hour, but were able to get off at the right stop, no problem. In my Lonely Planet guide, there's no mention of the cemetery, so I had nothing to go on once at the metro stop.
I walked up at saw some trees in the distance and figure that that must be the cemetery. However, once there, I was disappointed to find just an ordinary park. I was getting a little frustrated because I felt horrible dragging my friend with me, but I was determined.
Whilst waiting for the street light to change colours. These two Russian girls began talking to us. I turned to them and said in Russian that I don't understand. They then smilled. Taking advantage of this encounter, I decided to ask them if they knew where Vakangovskoye cemetery was (in my very basic Russian). I was able to make out that it was another ten minute walk away in the opposite direction. With these new directions, we were off.
Finally, we were able to make it to the edge of the cemetery. When we came up to the gate, I spotted an older Russian lady arguing with the guards to let her in. Only then did I notice the sign saying that it was closing in 2 minutes at seven. I was too late! I was really upset and my friend kept on encouraging me to speak to the guards and that I would always regret it if I didn't try. But how intimidating is that! Trying to sweet talk your way through 5 Russian guards in a language that you don't even speak!
I went up to them and kept on saying "please" in Russian and gesturing with my hands and legs that I would run in and only be five minutes. They started to laugh when they could see that I could only say "please." Frustrated, I turned to my friend but she could offer me no help. Just then, like an angel, this gentleman in his mid-fifties walked up to me and offer to help me translate.
The man explained to the guards that I am a very big fan of a figure skater and that I had come all the way from Canada to see him (I didn't mention that I was only coming from England where I now live). One of the guards finally agreed to let us in as long as he could walk with us.
Thanks to everyone on this board for helping me with directions, I knew that Sergei's grave was straight ahead. But along the way, the guard started talking about the different graves of hockey players. I felt I had to be polite and listen to the guard and the gentleman go on about these hockey players, but I couldn't stop my eyes from glancing and glancing, searching for Sergei's name.
Finally I found it, and it literally took my breath away. Silly me, I was looking for Sergei's name instead of looking for the large Cyrillic letters spelling Grinkov. I got so excited and had my friend do some video footage as I placed some flowers on his grave. The gentleman and the guard remarked that I must be a huge fan to come all this way and that it did seem odd that I would leave my tour group to do such a thing.
Sergei's grave looked immaculate. It was really kept tidy as if someone often looks after it. I placed down my flowers which I had bought him and there were already some fresh flowers already placed there. During the few quiet minutes that I had at his side, I felt real regret that the last time I had seen him was skating with Katia at a Stars On Ice show. Despite this sadness, I know that Sergei would be happy to know that he has fans that still care and think of him and his special artistry and talent which he shared with the world.
While leaving, the "translator" explained to us that he was from the Ukraine and was only visiting for a couple of days. He told us that it was an honour for him to practise his English with us. I think of him as a guardian angel, because I would hate to think how miserable I would have been if I wasn't able to get into the cemetery to pay my respects to Sergei.
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