Olya, 15, was asking commuters for money as they exited the metro in the center of Moscow. She was carrying a violin, so I asked why she didn’t play for money. ”It is quite cold and my fingers go numb.” She said she just started a music academy and will study for four years. Olya said she lives in the Moscow suburbs and is one of 11 children by the same mom.
I asked what she wanted to do when she finished her music studies. ”Get married, have kids and stay at home.” She said she wasn’t interested in a music career.
Then she said with some excitement ‘Oh!’ as she looked over my left shoulder. I turned around, looking for an accident of some sorts. A guy – at least in his 40s and the wrinkles of someone in his 60s – was approaching her. She said it was her ‘friend’. She began talking with him and as I walked away, I sensed she might get a police record before she gets a marriage certificate.
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- Olya said she wanted to get married and have children after finishing her music academy.
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- Olya standing outside the metro exit.
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- Olya said she has LOTS of brothers and sisters, but I wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth.
