TOGETHER, WE RISE

"It is when we are called to help each other that we know what we are made of."

A typical Monday afternoon in Saint Petersburg, children happily leaving their schools and the university students taking advantage of the lunch break to do some errands. The usual routine when suddenly chaos struck. A bomb had exploded in a tunnel between Metropolitan Stations "Technologic Institute" and "Sennaya Ploshad'" causing immediate sudden deaths and terrible injuries to those innocents around the man who decided to disrupt the peaceful everyday life underground. The second, intact bomb was found in "Vosstaniya Square".

The media blurted out with the breaking news all over the world; every header in every news web page found and all over the social media, spreading the chaotic happenings. Nonetheless, there was something remarkable about the aftermath: everyone remained together.

Within minutes after the tragedy the first blown train stopped at the station with a fully disabled wagon, it looked like it had a horrific story to tell. Despair and horror at the sight of such scene yet, the panic was contained. Despite the fear and uncertainty, strangers and those who were able stopped to help the injured, those who had survived… those who lived to tell.

Order was out of place while a dim atmosphere started filling the mesmerizing beauty of Saint Petersburg and their people; mourning for those who were gone and the injured, fear and doubt from all of us who were limited to watch the gruesome scene from afar.

Yet, those who belong to this motherland and those of us who have been received with open arms, came together with heavy hearts to honor those who passed away and praise those who bore the fear to jump into action in such a sudden event, as well as lend a hand in whatever way possible. Taxi companies removed their fares making trips completely free for those who were stranded in far parts of the city, cafés opening their doors and offering warmth to those who had no other option but go by foot due to the nightmarish traffic on the streets; even particulars opening their doors and offering their cars for those in need.

Over six million Saint Petersburg citizens and we, foreigners, came together making history and realizing that there is still humanity left within society that, we are a community and we needed each other now more than ever. The small acts of solidarity were, and still are, an immense comfort for those who lost their loved ones during the explosion and those whose lives were on the line.

It is a painful sight, but it is amazingly full of hope.