Ukrainian Introduction

Trip Start Aug 21, 2004
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Trip End Sep 16, 2004


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Friday, September 3, 2004

Sept 1st is a special day (Teacher's Day) in the Ukraine--the first day back to school! The day prior...I kept seeing people buying flowers all over Chernivtsi (Ukraine)...and...I was beginning to wonder in Ukrainians were the most romantic people ever! But..alas...the flowers were for the teachers!
So...Sept 1st all the students dressed in their best navy-blue uniforms...the girls with hair done up in white ribbons and bows--looking a combination of oh-so-cute and oh-so-silly! But...nice to see such a tradition and respect for teachers!
Well...despite the festivities, I was longing for a return to the coast for some reason...and...the city of Odessa on the Black Sea! To make a long story short....Hassle after Hassle preceded my travels...as "NO" was the word of the day (actually, the word of the day before...and...the day before that...and...)
**CUSTOMER SERVICE is DEFINITELY NOT THE SAME in EASTERN EUROPE as in the UNITED STATES!!!!! Instead of the "Customer Always Being Right"...the "Customer is Always Wrong!!!"**
I can't begin to describe the hassles involved in booking a bus trip in the Ukraine...but...suffice it to say...following 3 or 4 visits to the bus station, I did find myself onboard a bus bound for Odessa--albeit with no receipt/ticket to prove I had paid for such travels! The process was more than a simple pain-in-the-ass...it was downright convoluted, mesmerizing, and ridiculous!
--NOTE: When no tickets/receipts are issued, it means the gov't representative is "pocketing" the money rec'd--
Anyways...I did make it to Odessa!!!
But...not without significant discomfort!
My bus travels involved sharing 2 seats with 4 other people--a mother, father, and 2 children (I am sure you can imagine 5 people overflowing 2 bus seats--for a 15 hour journey!).
To their credit...the family of 4 was polite and agreeable...UNLIKE most Ukrainians you meet along the way!

So...in Odessa I am! On the Black Sea Coast, Odessa is a fairly large city...and...it turns out...is 210 years old on Sept 2nd! (I arrived just in time to celebrate the City's Birthday!!!). A night stroll through the city center 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
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