Acknowledgement
This adventure would never have happened without the participation of a significant number of people. In hindsight, I am compelled to thank some key players for their roles in our year of living incredibly dangerously. A year that taught me to truly live, love and embrace every heartbeat of my sentience.
Elena’s mother, Olga Vaytsel, is unparalleled in the brickbats category. Followed in no specific order by, Kyiv’s police department; the Russian Embassy in Kyiv and consulate in Odesa; the pseudonymous, Alexi Laddin; the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv; the pseudonymous, Harvey – not from Australia; the B&G technician in the Canary Isles; West African people smugglers; Turkish Customs and Excise; and last, but far from least in this category, pirates off Guatemala.
Bouquets to: Tatiana Nazarova; the pseudonymous, Sinem, Nadia, Erdem, and a troupe of Turkish friends to our rescue in Marmaris, Türkiye; a warm hug to Kamal; to the manager of Netsel marina, how are the onions; the English sailmaker chaps in Las Palmas; the Panama Canal Authority, Panamanian Immigration and the rent-a-muscle line handlers.
Finally, eternal gratitude to the following, without whom, neither of us would have made it to Canada: the pseudonymous Bernadette, and the pseudonymous (Oregon) Jon.
Our story didn’t end where this account does: in British Columbia. In fact, we are still on the run and in exile to be together. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge those instrumental in keeping this adventure going – and the two of us cherishing every second we have together. Thus, a begrudging thanks to: Canadian Immigration and Citizenship; the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service; the Office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; a certain member of parliament for Ottawa who berated and threatened Elena and me for approaching the press; and finally, a nod to my (Meg’s) family. We’re actually grateful to these institutions and individuals for showing their true colours. Had we been welcomed in Canada; our lives could never have been as rich and full as they are now. Crikey, we’ve lived ten times the adventure we had getting to Canada, just in the years since cutting our losses and bugging out.
As for life on the run, there’s little doubt we would still be together (or alive) without the incredible kindness, generosity, help, and support from the pseudonymous, Bernadette; the pseudonymous (Oregon) Jon; the US Department of Homeland Security; The Halifax Chronicle Herald; the office of Halifax Member of Parliament, Andy Fillmore; the office of Victoria Member of Parliament, Denise Savoie; The Global Television Network (Canada); National Public Radio (USA); The British Broadcasting Corporation (UK); Russia 24 (Russian state TV); P. and M. Camp; and countless others who have written letters, shared their docks, tables, bread, whisky, and hearts with us along the way.
Thanks to best-selling, Brighton crime writer, D.E. White for the title, Love Across Enemy Lines.
And, of course, Elena. Words, themselves, cannot possibly express how grateful I am to have you in my life. My book is, and has always been, about you; how you saved me, how you helped me find meaning, and how you taught me to truly love.