Another day in paradise (I didn’t count on quoting Phil Collins, but who really does?) Tom and I went out to the seaport and saw the Black Sea close up. We also saw several cruise ships docking and disembarking. The huge difference between now and ten years ago, was that all of these ships were local tourist excursions. When I was here 10 years ago, there were so many large cruise ships from Greece and Italy coming in and out every day. It’s obvious that Ukraine is no longer on their destination itineraries. However, we had a great time down at the port.
We also visited the Odessa Regional History Museum, which was absolutely spectacular. If you’re ever in Odessa, you will have to go there! However, we did need a GPS to find it! I wish I could share all the amazing exhibits we saw, but within 30 seconds of entering, we were swarmed by women in their 50’s yelling “Nyet! Photograph, nyet!” And then (I kid you not), they seemed to follow us around the building the whole time, just to make sure we didn’t take any photos while they were not looking. I don’t know why they didn’t want us to photograph anything (ahem, free advertising!), but what do I know? I am just a silly American.
We ate dinner at my favorite restaurant (which took me a couple of days to find because it has moved). I finally, after 10 years, had pampushki properly made (ie: not by me) and I was so excited I took a picture of it (silly American). And, thus proving that Jeff is still Jeff in any culture, I ordered a fruity punch drink that came with a pink straw.
We also toured the Odessa Palace which is actually an indoor mall inside one of the most beautiful buildings (including a glass ceiling)! “And this is a shopping mall? No…I mean, this building. No. This one that we’re in.”
I met a really nice woman at a booth at a street faire. She hand paints nesting dolls and sells them for a living. They are all spectacular. A very nice older lady who says “Odessa is wonderful. But rest of Ukraine? I like watching California on television.” I bought her most expensive doll. 500 UAH (about $20).
In between all of this, we filmed most of the footage for Rabbit Ears that was on the call sheet for Odessa (finishing up one last shot early tomorrow morning before people are out and about), and also a few more of my new series “Jeff walks down scary alleys.”
Tonight they are setting up for a giant concert/street faire…so I should have a ton of pictures and stories tomorrow! Until then, I think I need another fruity drink and some pampushki, so I will talk with you all later! Paradise is just that. This is the greatest city on Earth.
Jeff: Aug 20th, 2016
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