Hello everyone, my name is Steshka. I’m Indian Street cat, I’m only 3,5 months old. According to you, in a human way – its about 12 years will be. Do not be surprised that my name is a girl’s – after I was christened, I, fortunately for my hostesses, turned out to be a boy. And even though I’m still very young, I’ve been through a lot of adventures! I was born in Mumbai, like many poor people in the big metropolis of India, on the street. But I was lucky from the birth. My mother, taking my two sisters, left me on the doorstep of the house where two Russian girls lived – Yulia and Irina. Their kind hearts took pity on me, and they took me to live with them. That time I was only 1 week old, and they had to feed me from a human baby bottle. But now I’m stronger, I’ve grown up. And here my story starts!
A COVID-19 epidemic has started in the World. I don’t know what exactly it is, it’s probably even more terrible than the hunger that killed other cats, or even sometimes humans on the streets of our city. But serious measures have been taken to combat it – everyone has been banned from working and leaving the house.. For me, it’s only better – Yulia and Irina were always with me, played and took care of me! But they were very sad that now they can’t go home, to Russia, where their family was waiting for them. And we waited for the opportunity – but there were no flights from Mumbai, and it was difficult to go through another state – Delhi or Goa – because movement around the country is closed.
On May 7, a new move came to our home – they announced the registration to a flight to Rostov-on-don, which is very close to the city of Irina and Yulia. Girls managed to register for it, without looking at the fact that it was the middle of the night. Hurray! They were happy that finally we can all go to Russia. By that time they had taken care of my travel documents and vaccinations, so i can travel with them! A nervous preparation for the trip began – after all, the flight was from Goa, and it was still necessary to reach it. Looking for fellow travelers, looking for a bus, waiting for different papers and permits, and finally the day of departure has come!
On May 12, we boarded a bus in Mumbai, where 22 other people from Russia, and Azerbaijan. Everyone was very friendly to me, but very funny – with strange masks on their faces. So we start our way to Goa. They say it took 12 hours to go at the usual time, but we took 25 hours – at first we gathered the whole company around the city for a long time, then we were stopped at roadposts by police and asked for travel documents… This was ok, we had time in reserve. It was hard for people to sit on the bus for so long, but I didn’t worry .. I slept next to my mistresses. On the late evening of May 13, we were already in Goa.
In the morning, on May 14, before departure, I was afraid most of all, and not of the flight itself, but that I would be put in the baggage compartment. But luck was on our side again and I was allowed to fly with humans in the cabin of the plane! Hurray! I heard how other passengers were indignant – they say why cats allowed, the cat will yell all the way… and why should I yell, what I should afraid of, when all my friends are with me? I slept through the entire flight, on Irina’s lap (pictured above).
We reach Russia safely. After long checks at the airport, we were told that it turns out that cats can also get sick with coronavirus and gave me a certificate – to pass the quarantine for 14 days…. And where am I going to go – Irina and Yulia also have to sit 14 days at home, and I’m with them!
After 4 days of journey, we reached Volgograd city, and now we are home, my friends are very happy. Although I think home is where you are loved!
P.S. Thank you to the Russian Embassy in India, the Russian Consulate in Mumbai for excellent work, issuing permits on time, and coordinating when boarding a flight from Goa
P.S.S. @Russian Information Center – thank you very much, great help at any time of the day or night, help in the registration of documents, passes, bus, etc. just do not list!! Thank you very much and we wish you all the best during this difficult time in India!!! @Irina @Yulia @Jan @Katya @Alexey @Yulia @Gabriela @Nadezhda @Mikhail @Regina @Diana @Natalia @Veronika @Lilia @Maria @ Natalia @Yuriy @Victoria @Mikhail @ Victoria (punctuation is preserved)
P.S.S.S. Thank you to Tamila, our friend from Azerbaijan, who actively helped us all gather in Mumbai, using her experience as a professional guide and yoga teacher. Unfortunately, due to paper problems, she could not get to Goa, and after a call from her Embassy, she had to get off the bus exactly when she gathered all of us – 21 people plus one cat. We wish her to get home to Baku as soon as possible!
P.S.S.S.S Thank you to our friend Dashran for coordinating the bus movement!
Author, photo: Victoria Kamolova, on behalf of the Mumbai – Goa – Rostov-on-don – Moscow group
Mumbai – Goa bus: 21 Russians + 1 cat (without citizenship)
I was thrown under the door of Irina and Yulia
They had to feed me from a human bottle
Now I am stronger and older
May 12, 2020, 17: 00. So, let’s go!
Thank you to our drivers for perfect driving and safe delivery to your destination!
Road from Mumbai to Goa
The coveted boarding pass!
In anticipation of the landing
I’m there! inside the green carrier
The flight was perfect!
And now I’m home!
