September 18, 2004

Quick note in Odessa

Hey - just a quick update without pictures from Odessa. I will try to put some online in the next couple of days.

Odessa is a great city. It's another major sea port, but it's also a bit of a tourist destination (relatively speaking). There are loads of freighters and ferries all over. Apparently there are some massive white sandy beaches just east of the city. That's where we are heading from the internet cafe!

We have been staying in a super old hotel. Everything (EVERYTHING) dates from 1955 - the tv is almost funny just to look at - it even makes a buzzing noise when you plug it in and doesn't even have black and white. It's like black and not so black. But, it's cheap and there aren't really any other options.

Restaurants are better here. Most don't give a complete blank stare when we ask about english menus. Food is cheap, coffee is good, beer is almost free. It's great.

JB and I have had an insane time figuring out how to get out of here. All our tentative plans are messed either due to: full ferries, cancelled ferries, travelling through breakway communist states of Moldova, bribing border guards, chartering ferries or paying $$$$$$$$$$$$ for a flight. SO - we are heading north again, to Budapest Hungary where we know we can get transport to Athens.

YES, IT HAS BEEN A GREAT CHANCE TO MULL OVER OUR OPTIONS IN VARIOUS CAFES AND INTERNET CAFES AROUND TOWN..I AM EXCITED ABOUT GETTING TO SEE BUDAPEST THOUGH! ALSO, ALISTAIR MENTIONED THAT THE HOTEL WAS OUT OF THE 50'S, BUT THE BUILDING AROUND IT WAS MUCH OLDER--OUR ROOM OVERLOOKED A SHOPPING MALL CALLED THE PAZAH BUILT IN 1897 WHICH WAS PRETTY NEAT--THERE ARE STILL SOME SHOPS IN IT! HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET TO CHECK OUT THE BEACH HERE THIS AFTERNOON BEFORE WE LEAVE.

Posted by Alistair Howard at September 18, 2004 03:25 AM

Comments

Posted by: Lisa at September 18, 2004 09:22 AM

Posted by: lolita at January 20, 2005 12:04 PM