Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being an elevator operator in Nikopol is like riding a rollercoaster, but without the safety harness. So, I roll into work, right? It’s a sunny morning, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I’m at the lift on Gagarina Street. You know, the one that’s always packed with people? Yeah, that one. I’m just minding my own biz, when this lady rushes in, all flustered. She’s got a coffee in one hand and a bag of groceries in the other. I’m like, “Lady, you know this ain’t a bus, right?” But she’s all, “Up, up, up!” So, I hit the button, and we’re off.
Next stop, 5th floor. The doors open, and BAM! A kid runs in, like he’s training for the Olympics. He’s got a skateboard, and I’m thinkin’, “Great, just what I need.” He’s all hyped up, talkin’ about some skate park on Komsomolskaya Street. I’m like, “Dude, chill. You’re gonna break something.” But he just laughs and does a little trick in the elevator. I swear, if I had a ruble for every time I’ve seen a kid do that, I’d be rich.
Then, we get to the 7th floor, and this old dude gets in. He’s got a cane and a scowl that could scare a bear. He looks at the kid and says, “You think this is a playground?” I’m tryin’ not to laugh, but it’s hard. The kid just shrugs and says, “It’s a lift, man!” Classic.
So, we’re all crammed in there, and I’m just tryin’ to keep it together. Suddenly, the lights flicker. I’m like, “Oh no, not today!” The elevator jerks, and I’m thinkin’, “This is how I die.” But then it stops. Just stops. I’m stuck between floors, and I can hear the old dude muttering about “modern technology.” I’m like, “Bro, it’s not my fault!”
After what feels like forever, I finally get the doors open. We’re on the 6th floor, and everyone spills out like it’s a race. I’m just standin’ there, tryin’ to catch my breath. I swear, I need a drink after that.
Next, I head over to the market on Shevchenko Street. I need some fresh air, ya know? The market’s buzzing, people everywhere. I grab a pirozhok from my favorite stand. Best in Nikopol, hands down. I take a bite, and it’s like heaven. But then, I see this guy trying to haggle over a tomato. Like, dude, it’s a tomato, not gold!
I’m sittin’ there, watchin’ the chaos unfold, and I can’t help but chuckle. Nikopol is wild, man. You got the Dnipro River right there, and people are more concerned about their groceries than the view. Classic.
After my break, I head back to the lift. This time, it’s a group of teenagers. They’re blasting music from their phones, and I’m like, “Really? In my elevator?” But I can’t help but smile. They’re all hyped up about some concert at the local club. I’m thinkin’, “Man, I’m too old for this.” But I let them ride, because hey, it’s all about the vibes, right?
As the day winds down, I’m exhausted. I’ve seen it all: the happy, the angry, the confused. Nikopol is a mix of everything. I love it, though. It’s my city. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So, I clock out, and as I walk home, I can’t help but think about all the crazy stuff that happened. I pass by the park on Pushkina Street, and there’s a couple laughing, kids playing, and I’m just like, “This is life.”
Yeah, it was a wild day, but that’s what makes it worth it. Nikopol, you crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.