Helping the last resident of Zalissia.

Zalissia was a big village right next to Chornobyl. Now only one person lived there - Rozaliia Otroshko, a retired teacher.

Her house stood right on our tour route, so we stopped by often: when guests wanted to talk to a self-settler or when Rozaliia asked us to bring something.

Rozaliia was a businesslike woman. Her house was always tidy, and roses bloomed in her garden. She lived alone in the whole village but rarely stayed at home: she hitchhiked to Chornobyl - to the administration about her pension and to the Prypiat canteen, where she was given meals and groceries.

Once a tour bus was approaching Zalissia, and everyone on board saw Rozaliia fighting off a pack of raccoon dogs. They drove the animals off, put her on the bus and took her to Chornobyl - exactly where she had been heading.

She was always glad to see guests. She answered tourists' questions like a teacher, in detail and with patience. What she told you cannot be read in any book.