And The Wandering Continues

Odessa has been great fun. Anne and I found a couple of Americans in our hostel.  These two were traveling between med school and residency.  They were fun to hang out with.

Odessa is a crazy cool city and I cant believe it took me so long to finally get there.  But so glad I did.  I am hoping to get back in the next year.

This building was in the middle of a construction zone in the center of the city.  Really am not a fan of the green, but the building is absolutely stunning…

A first for me…Ukrainian fire trucks.  I was so excited that I probably got a bit close my American standards, but it was so fun to see these ‘modern’ vehicles in action.

   

The buildings are incredible.

   

A bicycle café…love the creativity and fun.

The architecture was amazing..

   

  

I loved the old and historic nature of the city.  It is a mix of old European and a bit of Black Sea countries combined.  A bit of understated elegance in this old city.

   

Ironically the Mother in Law Bridge also holds the locks of love.  The sea port was one of largest I have ever seen.

       

   

The city is full of parks like this one along the waterfront.  And then there was the fashion.

Seriously awesome city…

   

And then there was the frozen yogurt place.  Awesomeness!  The only one in Ukraine.

     

Catherine the Great Square.  I couldn’t help but think of my sister, Laura.  She was named after Catherine the Great, Laura Catherine.

   

  

Some local flavor…oh, wow!

   

We hit the jackpot with weather.  It was beautiful, but not too hot.

  

The historical museum

   

Local transport.  Not sure if you can tell, but this boy is being pulled by his dad. LOL!

And then there was the wedding…  The pictures for two brides were being taken at the opera house during our wandering today.  The wedding look here is very different from the American standard.

   

   

     

This building was right next to the opera house.  I loved how it could stand on its own even while being overshadowed by the famous and historic Odessa Opera House.

  

An indoor mall that is a smaller version of the Galleria in the Duomo Plaza in Milan Italy.

     

A late lunch and some cards before heading out again.  Anne and I played a lot of cards.  We had this great table in our room and spend lots of downtime playing cards and drinking beer.  It was great to have some quality relaxation.

   

 

 

I found peanut butter, maple syrup and steak.  Wahoo!  The first time I have seen anything of these things in Ukraine, and then to find them in one place. 

   

The Port of Odessa at sunset.

   

The stadium was pink…actually pink.