In Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan the narrator has depicted her transition to us in great detail. She has told about her move from beginning in Kansas City to Australian Outback. She has described her emotion during the whole trip and the first day in desert. The first chapters are illustration and explanation the words Down Under. When reader familiarize with train of events, he can feel with heroine this contrast of worlds. The first narrator’s sensations and hardships were discomfort and uncertainty in trip from civilized Australia to wild and unpredictable Australia. I exemplify situation when the narrator should doing things which very unusual in modern world: she had to go on travel by topless jeep through the desert, to get rid of her possession in fire, to take part in strange test, to watch the elements of tribal life. Then she has stand in uncertainty as she didn’t suppose to make a travel through the desert for three months. The new unusual people, the strange ceremonies, the wild frightening world – there are many things which can make everybody disturbing. Also my transition didn’t set me aside.
My family decided to move to America after receiving refugee status in April 2005. It was great opportunity to change life. But we didn’t dream about that. It happened and we got the chance. I had wanted to receive education in USA. Also I had tired from life in Russia with it problems. I thought that I could begin my life from the very outset. I prepared and I was in the mood for transition. Therefore I didn’t worry about the move. My feelings were neutral. I didn’t have a clear idea of moving to USA. I just relaxed. A few last days in Russia I was in Moscow. Then my family and I flew to New York.
I remember my arrival to USA well. My relatives waited for me and they took my parents and me in a car. It was at night. I saw many lights of city. It was great. I compared this to what I saw with my country. The government of my country economizes money and electricity. Therefore in cities there is not much light at night.
Since my arrival I walked by the streets, parks, and stores, attended some popular places in Manhattan and built my impression about this place. I was never before in foreign country except Hungary. Arriving to New York was fascinating to me. That is because everything that I saw only on TV, I could see for real.
I don’t like big cities, because all of my life I lived in small town in province. But I lived in Moscow last two years before USA. And every day I crossed this megapolis when I went to work. I know how life in big city is. I can get used to live in a city, but it doesn’t change my lifestyle and behavior. I think my constancy and stability in lifestyle comes from the lifestyle of my whole family. My mother is from West Ukraine, which is poor province with the calm lifestyle. My father is from Tajikistan, a non-civilized region. Therefore I like wild nature and smooth course of life.
Many places in New York are interesting for me and some of them surprise me. There are Downtown Manhattan, Times Square, Brighton Beach. But what are those places for me? Have I found something common in them? I think not. I just saw variety of development man’s thought. I give a few examples. Downtown Manhattan is the most important part of city and even the world. This is the financial capital of world. I understood it after 9/11. This tragedy showed for all people how economic sphere of the world is dependent on USA. One place is also making me exciting. This is Times Square. It’s mobile and dynamic place, lighting and thrilling. It is inspiring to watch, but only for a short time. This place is a symbol of New York life with its fast rhythm, crowds and diversity. Certainly, this City is very comfortable for millions people. Many people want to be there. I am here, but it’s not mine. I have interest in New York only for fun. Skyscrapers are very interesting for me. I’m striking dumb every time when see it. I like everything, which related with construction. I had experience erecting buildings. Last month in Russia before leaving I had built my house. Also I became interested when I saw many areas in some movies, as such as the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the New York Library and others. When I watched movies I saw how many places and buildings, as such as Washington Bridge, Empire State Building and others, were destroyed. Now I can imagine myself as a hero of movies. For instance, the movie “After tomorrow” shows to spectators the extermination of The New York City. I’m paying attention to my feelings and comparing it as a small ant in an anthill.
These examples, which stated above, say about à wide variety and advanced stage of development of the world to which I noticed when I immigrated to the USA.
I have been living in New York for more than one year. What is change for this time? Who am I now? Have I related to life in another way? There are a few ideas, which I had got at this time. The treasure of man is in his personal qualities, inner world, and principles of life. Everything around us is changeable and non-everlasting. I don’t subdue myself to things and living conditions that around me. A new place is just new area for realizing potential of individual. If I have a peace in my heart, even rhythm of big city can’t devastate it. If I have principles and follow tradition, the changing address doesn’t make me lost something precious as my soul and unique.
Moreover, I understood that everything, that you see around, have a major importance. Many people after arriving to New York begin to flay American life, lifestyle of big city and other cultural features. The criticism is not in one's infinite wisdom. But only man, who lives, works, creates can do the appreciation.
Thereupon I will be worthy inhabitant, which wishes good and generous. My transition gave me many opportunities for that.
March 2007
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