sparrows in those hills

Words 176

            I ran near the Sparrow Hills.  The day was fantastic!  People were all over the place, biking, running, roller blading, skate boarding, etc.  Unfortunately, it was like being in any place anywhere else in the world.  Russia used to be unique and special. 

It used to have its own smell. I was supposed to be going to a town some miles away, maybe when I get somewhere outside of town, I will find the smell.  Well, I’ve already been to Pokrov—a tiny town 2 hours from Moscow.  I think the USSR-smell has vanished.  

            My body was a bit weary after the 22 miles yesterday, but nothing outlandish.  I used to see people hitting the tennis ball back and forth across the net, seemingly effortlessly.  I wanted to be able to simply hit the ball—bang, bang, bang.  But instead, something would always go awry.  Now, I think I have developed my running skills into something similar.  I wish, though, my chosen sport was a bit less solitary.  I have to find the frisbee teams.