Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a lifeguard in Kalyny is like riding a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. So, I roll up to the beach, right? It’s a sunny day, perfect for chillin’ by the water. I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be a breeze.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I’m stationed at the main beach on Vulytsia Shchorsa. The sun’s blazin’, and the waves are just right. Kids are splashing around, parents are sunbathing, and I’m just vibin’. But then, outta nowhere, I see this dude, like, flailing in the water. My heart drops. I’m like, “Oh no, not today!”
I sprint over, yelling, “Yo! Grab my hand!” But this guy’s just thrashin’ about like a fish outta water. I dive in, and let me tell ya, the water’s colder than a Ukrainian winter. I finally reach him, and he’s all panicky. I’m like, “Chill, bro! I got you!” I pull him back to shore, and he’s gasping like he just ran a marathon. Turns out, he was just trying to impress his girlfriend. Classic.
So, I’m back on my post, heart racing, and I’m thinkin’ about how I need a coffee. I head over to that little café on Vulytsia Haharina. Best coffee in town, no cap. I grab a cup, and while I’m waiting, I overhear this couple arguing. Like, full-on shouting. I’m just standing there, sipping my coffee, trying not to laugh. They’re going at it about who forgot the sunscreen. I mean, c’mon, it’s Kalyny! Sunscreen is a must!
After that, I head back to my spot, and it’s like a scene from a movie. Kids are building sandcastles, and I see this little girl, maybe five, with a bucket on her head. She looks like a tiny astronaut. I can’t help but chuckle. I’m like, “Hey, space cadet! You good?” She just grins and says, “I’m going to the moon!” I’m like, “You do you, kid!”
But then, the mood shifts. I see this group of teens on the beach, blasting music. It’s that annoying pop stuff, and I’m just like, “Ugh, not today.” I walk over, and I’m like, “Hey, can we keep it down? Some of us are trying to save lives here!” They roll their eyes, but they turn it down. Thank goodness.
Then, outta nowhere, this storm rolls in. Like, one minute it’s sunny, and the next, it’s dark as night. I’m yelling at everyone to get outta the water. “Storm’s comin’! Move it!” People are scrambling, and I’m just trying to keep my cool. I’m soaked, wind’s whipping, and I’m thinkin’, “This is NOT in my job description!”
Finally, the storm passes, and it’s like the sky just opened up. The sun comes back, and I’m standing there, drenched but relieved. I look around, and everyone’s back on the beach, like nothing happened. I swear, Kalyny folks are tough.
As the day winds down, I sit on the sand, watching the sunset over the Dnipro River. It’s beautiful, man. I think about how crazy today was. From saving a dude to dealing with storm drama, it’s all part of the gig. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So yeah, that was my day in Kalyny. Just another wild ride as a lifeguard. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!