Transdnistria

A quick message from Odessa. Bucharest was pretty nice and the train journey from there to Chisinau was very relaxing. Chisinau itself was suprisingly lovely. Very green, very calm, lovely people (lots of Italian speakers, that was convenient). But today we went to Odessa and it wasnt fun... Our bus got cancelled, so we had to transfer to a different bus. Not only was this bus 2 hours later, but it also went through Transdnistria, which I really would have preferred to avoid. So, as expected, we were searched completely and they found some of our money at the "border". After taking 50, we could go on (euros that is). However, at the other end of transdnistria, we werent allowed to leave. At least, not until we gave them another 50 euros for all their troubles. Then the Ukrainian border officials also had a bad day and decided to put us in an unnecessary queue for another hour (all of this in the scorching heat. Its BLOODY HOT HERE).

Finally, we did make it out but by the time we got to Odessa, we werent happy (Also, Fedor has stomach problems.....). And here of course, all hotels are full... It never ends, does it?

Finally, we found something (not cheap, but comfy) and now we are finally ready to enjoy a little bit of Odessa...

Ciao,
OJ