My unforgettable US summer!

Hello everyone!

My name’s Aktoty Shashtay and I am from Kazakhstan.

It was an ordinary Sunday evening. I was sitting alone in the staff room, crying. I didn’t know why I was crying or why everything seemed so meaningless. Sundays were always difficult for me—not just because I worked alone or because I didn’t have time to finish all the laundry tasks.. Maybe it was because a lot of things had piled up lately, or because I had fought with my friend. I couldn’t pinpoint why I was continuing to cry quietly in that small room.

“Hey, is everything okay?” Shiloh, the girl from the front desk, asked immediately as she entered the room. I simply nodded and turned away. “Everything will be fine,” Shiloh said. “I hate that word,” I thought. Even when I lost my father, even when I didn’t understand what to do next, even when I was lost in my thoughts and feelings, everyone said, “Everything will be fine.” “When? When will I feel okay?” I thought but didn’t say it out loud.

“By the way, maybe today there will be northern lights. Don’t miss it,” Shiloh said, smiling as she handed me a candy. Taking the candy, I stood up and continued to work.

I was in a town called Seward. If you’ve ever taken a road trip through Alaska, you’ve probably heard of this small town—a charming place on the Pacific coast, surrounded by mountains that can enchant anyone who visits. I fell in love with Seward precisely because of its nature; there is no other place quite like it on the entire planet. But from time to time, I wondered, “Was it right for me to come here?” It felt like I was lost among my peers, who all seemed to know exactly what they wanted, surrounded by faces I could barely distinguish.

Arriving home, I woke up MJ, and together we began to wait for the northern lights to appear. Around 1:00 AM, we stepped outside and witnessed a breathtaking sight. It felt as if time had stopped, and in that vast world, only I and the northern lights remained. The lights I had longed to see since childhood, the lights I had only seen in magazines or films, were now before my eyes. In an instant, it felt like I was in a fairy tale, a princess in my own story. I began to laugh sincerely, filled with joy, not knowing where to put my excitement. Together with MJ, we ran along the shore, watching the lights and talking, as if the earlier melancholic mood had vanished. «Why was I so sad?» I thought again, gazing at the sky, as if I could reach it.

“Do you regret coming here?” MJ asked me. “Do I have any regrets?” I thought to myself. Suddenly, I remembered a conversation with Zackery, who worked on a tour showcasing whales and the nature of the Pacific Ocean. “Zackery, what are you dreaming about?” we asked. He replied, “I want to travel around the world.” “So you love your job even though it’s the same every day?” He laughed and said, “It’s nature; nothing is repeated here. Even the whales we see today won’t be here tomorrow.”

Next, I thought about our job, it wasn’t easy; we worked in the hotel as housekeepers. But it brought me joy every day—different people, different stories, different characters, and those who left tips. I cherished how MJ and I grew close while cleaning each room together .

I thought of Mike, who showed us the mountains for the first time in Seward, where everything looked like a scene from “Twilight,” and who invited us to his birthday. I remembered Jimmy, who always treated us to free burgers or snacks because he didn’t want us to go hungry, and how we wished him happy birthday with a small cake.

Then there were Vivian and Judy, my work partners from different countries, united by our shared job and our love for Seward. I always looked forward to work because I knew Vivian would bring us donuts, and we’d savor tea together, lost in conversation..

I adored these people; they created a cozy atmosphere at work, despite the cold weather. It was clear that everyone truly listened to each other and respected one another. I thought about Homer, another city in Alaska, and the trips we took to interesting places and shops. I remembered the long car ride, about twelve hours there and back, when we first tasted burgers after being very hungry.

We spent the entire night by the fire, talking about everything in the world, recalling my first experience trying roasted marshmallows.. I thought about Independence Day, celebrating it on a ship with others, having fun, watching fireworks, and participating in a competition. I remembered my first time sailing and seeing whales, walruses, birds, islands, and finally the Pacific Ocean, discovering I had seasickness. I thought of the delicious food I had after a long rainy day in a Thai restaurant that was so tasty and filling.

All these memories warmed my soul. Suddenly, I realized how much I loved this city, the people here, and their way of life—how they knew how to enjoy the moment, laugh sincerely, and simply be happy. I loved Seward for its cold, foggy days, its bright summers, the ocean and mountains, delicious coffee, diverse houses, and people who were always ready to help. I think if Seward had a song, it would be like a Lana Del Rey track—infused with notes of sadness but possessing its own unique charm.

If you’ve ever taken a road trip through Alaska, you’ve probably heard of this small town. Many people don’t know about it; some even think that no one lives in Alaska and that it’s always winter. But if you’re curious, don’t wait—find it. It’s nestled somewhere between the mountains and the ocean, waiting for you.

I had always dreamed of a summer like the one in the cartoon “Gravity Falls,” and it happened. Of course, I didn’t save the world or become a superhero, but I found myself and gained courage. I answered “no” with relief to MJ. I will travel more often in the future, but these adventures and these people will forever remain in my heart as my most cherished memories. This experience taught me many valuable life lessons, but the most important was that I opened myself to the world, embraced new traditions, and fell in love with Alaska and the USA. And in the future, despite my fears and risks, I can start anything and go anywhere with courage.

Thank you, KCET, for my dream that has become a reality!