(untitled)
Panorama of Potemkin Steps (click to enlarge)

CDS_2139
The Potemkin Steps just got served.

 

And then there were 5…

 

 

…reunited with 10 more at none other than the famous Potemkin Steps.

 

CDS_2123

 

At a first impression, Odessa combines a snapshot of former Soviet glory with the modernizing influences of the Western world: It’s a city of endless blockbusters of dreary Soviet-style apartments interspersing with countless gaudy boutique shops of brand name retailers.

On the day we arrived, we were hit with a fog that made the atmosphere particularly gloomy — especially it being on the day after Christmas. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop us from having a joyful reunion when we met up with the rest of the group.

 

CDS_2126

CDS_2144

 

Backtracking a little before the reunion; upon leaving the Odessa airport the 5 of us (Jan, Ryan, Cynthia, Kai and myself) caught Bus 117 (2.5 UAH fare, these are the yellow buses parked at a stand, on your right after you exit the airport) which took us on a 45 min bumpy ride towards the city. 

>

CDS_2089
Bus 117

 

We got off a little early to park our bags at the central train station’s Left Luggage facility (20 UAH, open 24/7).

 

CDS_2094

CDS_2099
The Odessa Train Station

Afterwards we headed up about a mile northwards (15-20min walk) to meet the rest of the group at Potemkin before walking up to the city-level and Monument to Duc de Richelieu:

 

CDS_2146

 

Along the way we appreciated how easy it was to walk around central Odessa, as it’s a pretty small place.

 

City Hall is a 4 minute walk away from Potemkin:

 

CDS_2156
The Old Stock Exchange

Feels like Italy when you stumble upon the Odessa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet:

CDS_2159
The Odessa Opera House

Eventually turned by the lively promenade of vul Derybasivska:

 

CDS_2166

 

And now we’re all here, cozyin’ up to a nice dinner at an underground beer garden & restaurant the bigger group found earlier this morning. As for our missing single casualty, Carolyn Hou, she ran into some trouble when her flight unfortunately got diverted to Kiev due to some made-up “weather problems” by the airline. So we’ll be meeting her tomorrow at our hostel before the ICBM tours…can’t win ’em all.

Besides that, getting together 15 people from all around the world at Odessa? Doable (c’mon Carolyn, step your game up).

 

Loading

 

- At time of posting in Odessa, it was 4 °C - Humidity: 30% | Wind Speed: 2km/hr | Cloud Cover: foggy

 

Where Are We Now?

Click to open a larger map

Where Are We Next?

Click to open a larger map

Post Categories

Calendar of Posts

December 2012
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31