London Hotel Odessa

... be a ground floor apartment with two rooms, one was the kitchen and a dorm room combined – 4 bunks lining the sides, and our room a massive private double-room with air con, TV and a huge sofa. There was a bath, shower, washing machine and all mod cons. Even free vodka n the fridge. We made short work of our dirty laundry, left it out in the balcony heat to dry, and after paying the man 410 grivnas for one night accommodation, we went out to find out ...

... wedding. We were the only customers so we weren't sure if it was even open. Yes, it was!!! Although they didn't have our first choice of chicken, what we did get was even better - flaming pork chops! Funny, but good. We were the only customers for the whole evening! This was Louise's first night out! Винни&#10 94;я 200,000 Vinnitsia is the home to Don and Karen, a pc ...

... on the actual bill, however, most merchants refuse to take a credit card and expect correct change. An example would be that we went to a local store to buy some water for the hotel and the cost was 2 unkrainian coin and Hope handed her a 5 bill. The clerk literally started yelling and refused to take the bill. Apparently, it was too high of an amount. This is not unusual. Hope stood firm and refused to hand her anything else and ...

... what else do they do??) that night and had a good time. The next morning as we were sitting down somewhere (one guy needed to cash travelers checks and whatever something else) this lonely looking traveler walked by and looked at us. I said "hey whats up man" and in a nice Californian accept he replied with a "nothin much man where are you from?." Well about 10 minutes later I convinced him to go to the jazz festival in the mountains (i mean really who could ...

... that to being white and female) but the potential definitely exists. As for sights in Odessa, I visited the opera house (quite beautiful) the Potemkin Steps (what's the big deal?) and went for a walk along the beach (nice enough, as beaches go). Mostly, I hung out at the excellent Black Sea Hostel. Totally modern facilities, incredibly friendly staff, and as it's low season, a couple nights I even had my whole dorm room to myself!

... The penetration rate of mobile communication is close to 108 %. During the last 10 years the number of subscribers increased by 1000 times compared to 1997. Mobile phones became the main means of communication and an essential part of our lives. source Locked in egocentric desires - I and my cell phone?

... parts of traveling during the World Cup is the opportunity to watch games in several different countries, occasionally actually catching a game in a nation whose team is playing that day. As luck would have it, our first such experience was in Odessa while Ukraine took on Tunisia in its last group match, needing a solid result to have a chance to advance. Still reeling with disappointment after news of the US loss to Ghana to earn a trip home, I threw ...

... who I'd hired through the hotel to take me to the catacombs. We piled into his BMW and headed out of town and across 25km of wide open, emerald steppe. There was nothing to build a city from in the late 18th century other than the sandstone (or shellstone, according to Stanislav) that lay beneath the rich black soil of the steppe. So, for over a hundred years, laborers quarried out some 3000 km of three levels of winding passages honeycombing beneath Odessa and the ...

... off again. Drug deal? No. He explained he has two jobs -- the cab and playing clarinet in the "military ensemble." I confessed to a passing acquaintance with the clarinet myself in school and he had me open the case to see his. I was appreciative, but he told me it wasn't a very good one. He has a wife and two little girls and between his two jobs earns about $300 a month. That's very typical here. Europe's largest country is also one of its poorest. My driver was ...

... with 2 Ukrainians resulted in a Mardi Gras-ish experience--tens of thousands of young Ukrainians flooding the city streets, parks, etc. A fun night! But...a bit overwhelming at times (especially after such a tiring bus ride).. Well...anyways...today is Sept 3rd...I went to the beach today...wandered around town...and...after having a good night's sleep...am ready for a night on the town! Hope all is well with you! Paul