So it’s come to this: My last night in Ukraine. I spent the day just wandering the streets, going to the Potemkin Stairs one last time, and taking it all in. I stopped in my favorite restaurant for a great lunch, and then walked the park. Just one last relaxing day of refection. After spending 4 days in Kiev, I’ve come to realize that for me, Ukraine is specifically Odessa. I had not known any other place in Ukraine until this trip. To be honest, I think I sort of pulled a “I love the United States, because I’ve been to Portland. The entire US must be just like Portland.” I also noted my old apartment is getting just a bit of a facelift.
When nighttime came, it was time to have some fun. I walked up and down Deribasivskaya Street, listening to the street performers and watching the children going on horse rides. I then walked down Primorsky Blvd, which is a neat street that is also one long park as well. At night, they have all the trees decorated with lights. At the center of this street/park are the Potemkin Stairs, with all kinds of street vendors and musicians. It’s pretty amazing how simple life is for the people that live here. Children running around the park, happy for an ice cream cone…lovers walking down the street holding hands, just enjoying the evening. This is an event. This is nighttime in Odessa. Kids aren’t crying out to go to a fancy amusement park, or to get the newest XBox games…just to enjoy the sites and sounds of Deribasivskaya Street is enough.
The last time I left Ukraine, I distinctly remember not bothering to exchange my money. This was business as usual, after all. I paid the taxi driver my fair at the airport, looked in my wallet and thought “I’ll be back in a couple of months. I will need cab fair and such when I get back.” Life throws unexpected changes at you. It’s been 9 years and 11 months since that day. When I first arrived, I paid the taxi with money that had been sitting in my wallet almost a decade. This time, I’m still not exchanging my money. But I’m promising myself it won’t be a decade before I return here. No matter what life throws at me.
I’m off to Vienna, Austria today. I’m leaving a great love of mine behind. But it’s bittersweet, because I know I will be back someday. And I know my friends and family truly make up my home…and that I missed there. So long for now, Odessa. XOXO
Jeff: August 28th, 2016
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