I moved into Pripyat a year and a half ago to try to get away from my bastard neighbor. He kept getting drunk and exposing himself to my nine year-old daughter- nothing too serious; he just kept pissing off of his balcony over the fence and into our pool while we were swimming in it. We tried calling the cops but guess who answered the phone. Yep. Bastard neighbor guy.
So we moved.
Pripyat has virtually NO people to worry about. There are a few local crazies, but they're actually pretty nice. They keep asking me for iodine for some reason. It's a bit odd, but it's helped me to forge a few good friendships. Also these damn dogs keep trying to attack me. I just press down with my right thumb and break their necks.
There's no running water, so we just drink out of a local stream- me, my (now) eleven year old daughter, and my wife. The water is ridiculously clean, and there's all kinds of fruit growing on trees all around. We don't live near a market of any kind... they're at least 30 km out of the way. Local game is in abundance, though. I swear I've seen a rabbit the size of a small horse.
However, my daughter came down with a mild case of brain cancer last fall. The nearest cancer hospital is in Belarus (come to think of it there are all kinds of cancer places there), so instead of making the drive we use holistic remedies some of the locals have shown us. Primarily Vodka dilluted into some other kind of Vodka. My daughter sleeps a lot now, but I think she's getting better.
After my wife developed leukemia, we started looking for a place closer into the city. The apartment complexes there are nice, but aren't kept up too well. The paint is coming off of the walls in places, but I like the natural approach they've taken as well. Big, beautiful trees grow INSIDE the buildings here. I've never felt so close to nature.
The school system is lax, to say the least. Some old gypsy woman teaches a class out in the sticks. Public services seem almost non-existent at times. Overall I think the city might be under-funded.
Despite the minor setbacks, I find living in Pripyat to be pretty nice. My own battle with my mid-life cancer is going decently, and whenever I feel well I go for long walks in the woods. The wildlife here is like none other in the world. Pripyat apples are the BEST you will ever eat.
Come visit sometime. Bring some iodine for trade with the locals!
Image via Wikipedia
