How all has begun:
...I have been liked to collect since my childhood. I have been tried to collect everything: badges, wrappers, different toys... Then, when I grew up, I have got a huge interest in collecting of phrases "I Love You " in different languages! I has typed quite good enough collection, but later in one magazine I have met the same collection, but it was much bigger then mine! My desire to collect this phrase has gone!...
... It was july 2001, warm pleasant summer day, I sat carefree on wooden bench near my summer house and smoked a cigarette (Unfortunately I smoked that time). The Middle of July, nowhere to hurry up - the life is fine! I listened to birds singing and held cigarette pack in hands. Suddenly my sight fell to tax stamp, I started to consider it. I liked this stamp, I took it off and put in wallet..., I do not know what for...!
... Later that year I had opportunity to visit Czech Republic, and I was so surprised, when I have seen tax stamps on their cigarettes as well! I put it in my wallet too. At home I saw stamps from Italy and Spain in friend's note book. So, it started! I took my stamps and began to compare with his stamps! After this I had elicited his "trophies" from abroad and put all stamps in small album. Other friend presented me his bookmark - tax stamps from Latvia and also brought me stamp for Poland. Process has began: I have told about my new hobby to all friends, they began to help: I received stamps from Greece, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Germany, Azerbaijan! I asked , if somebody wants to travel, to bring me a pack or a stamp! One day I had been compelled to spend all the day at customs. There were truck from the different countries... a lot of! I has considerably filled up the collection.
... Well , now I will finish my story, because the history passes in present. I have tried to tell how it was, and have mentioned only the most important facts from history of my collection! I am grateful to all friends and relatives, who support me and help me! Many thanks to all drivers and conductors, who brought me packs! THANKS!
Vasiunin Andrey
05.03.2005
