Russians explore America one fair at a time

Every year folks come from all around to the Evergreen State Fair, from Monroe, Snohomish, Russia, Seattle, Sultan … wait … Russia?

Yes, Lipetsk, Russia, to be exact. Alexander Zaytsev, a 20-year-old student from southeast of Moscow, signed on to work for Butler Amusements, the company that brings the Evergreen State Fair its carnival rides, while still a student living in Russia. The job offered a unique spin on the typical "summer job." It not only offered the possibility of making some extra money, but Zaytsev could also improve his English by completely immersing himself in the language.

Zaytsev wasn't the only one looking for such an opportunity. Since arriving in Los Angeles in May, Alexander joined Alexey Presman, 21, Ruslan Galeev, 20, and Denis Shvets, 20, in criss-crossing the Northwest working the giant green and yellow slide currently lighting up Kiddieland by the east gate of the Evergreen State Fair.

"Vallejo, Daly City, Ukiah." Presman begins listing towns they've traveled through since leaving Los Angeles, and working their way north through California, Oregon and Washington. "Yes, it's beautiful," Presman muses about their journey so far. "America is beautiful."

There have been a couple of rough spots, though. After temporarily leaving the fair, the four Russians found themselves stranded and unable to find work. Living in a hostel, a week slowly passed. Prospects didn't look good. Then came a phone call. It was Butler Amusements. They needed them back, right away.

Without transportation, the foursome decided to try and walk the 36 miles from Willits, Calif., to Fort Bragg, Calif., hoping to catch up with the fair before it left. A California Highway Patrol officer picked them up along a state highway in Mendocino County in the middle of the night. Luckily, he was headed west. After some questioning at the local police station early that morning, the Russians were finally back with the fair that afternoon.

The routine is always the same. Upon arrival in a new town, the week's most rigorous work begins: assembling the carnival rides that create the temporary skyline radiating west of Monroe each summer. The day before the fair opens, rides like this one are ready for the finishing touches, testing and replacing the hundreds of light bulbs that flash into the night.

Late at night, after the fair's gates close, Presman finds a quiet roof to lie on and a WiFi signal for the laptop he's purchased since arriving in the United States. He needs to e-mail his family and girlfriend waiting for him back home. In his bag is a camera for his girlfriend and a toy car for his nephew. The summer days are getting shorter, and his adventure in America is drawing to a close. Presman is ready to get home and deliver those presents in person.