Natalia Antonova

I hate these stupid paperbacks that utilize movie poster designs on the cover

But that was the only copy of “Cloud Atlas” to be had at the Munich airport. So I bought that embarrassing-looking book, and I read it on the plane to Dubai, the plane from Dubai, the plane to Turin, and the plane from Turin. And finished it on the plane back to Moscow. I doContinue reading “I hate these stupid paperbacks that utilize movie poster designs on the cover”

A letter to my high school classmates

On my 10 year high school reunion I flew East, not West. I said “marhaba” to the Emirates border guard at passport control – perhaps even as the party wound down. I worry about the things that Homeland Security will say to me when I do, indeed, have a chance to go home. I worryContinue reading “A letter to my high school classmates”

Oh, I’ve needed this

I’ve needed grappa, and long and aimless walks in rain so light it feels like hundreds of gray fairy kisses on your face. Turin feels right after Dubai especially, where I was over the weekend, and which continues to glow and hum with manic energy, like a nuclear reactor from a futuristic video game. Full-bodiedContinue reading “Oh, I’ve needed this”