Mr. Traveller

Tourist season in Odessa is nearing the end

2010-09-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

This year, the city of Odessa was visited by numerous tourists - all summer on the streets was constantly heard a foreign language, and Ukrainian churches of the city (UGCC and UOC-KP) have been flooded by the parishioners from the western Ukraine.

Odessa Hotels also had plenty of customers. And the problem is that many of them are now being repaired, so the demand began to outstrip proposition, and just because of private landlords that rent apartments by the month and day, Odessa didn't faced a loss of interest due to the lack of accommodation.

Local businesses operating in retail, this year got a good profit which, of course, virtually no impact on the city budget because of a) hiding from taxes and b) a cover for the single tax for physical persons (FOS).

Mayor Edward Hurwitz began to repair facades of old buildings en masse. On the one hand, it is a work a couple of hundred people, on the other hand, this will improve the tourist interest in Odessa in the next couple of years.

But tourists may scare off much strong suffocating smell of oil, which from time to time covered the entire center this summer. If this will be repeated in future, all people will stop coming to Odessa, even Ukrainians, not to mention the Russians and the bourgeoisie of Western countries.

Sea Cruises in Odessa 2010

2010-08-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

In 2010, Odessa citizens have been waiting for a good cruise season. Just because the world crisis forced foreign cruise operators to significantly reduce the number of expensive flights. And all believed that foreign tourists immediately will rush to Odessa and the Crimea... However, this did not happen.
Frankly, I also expected an increase in cruise ship calls in the port of Odessa. It was assumed that the global crisis will hit the wallet of foreign tourists, and they will begin a mass campaign to buy tickets for holidays in Ukraine. I thought that the cheaper route, to which I mistakenly attributed the ports of Ukraine, will be more attractive to the cruise season of 2010. However, these expectations are not confirmed.
Really, the calls at Ukrainian ports to foreign cruise operators cost far more than the call at ports of other countries in the same Black Sea. And sometimes more expensive at times! How can this be?
Imagine, can! This is because of an incredibly high level of various fees and taxes. Perhaps our officials are so much concerned in customs fees that they do not even take bribes and work "to be honest." That is all officially. That's why so expensive.
In May, the port of Odessa received only six foreign cruise ships that for the resort town just nothing.
And when the Odessa Port will build a new container terminal at the Quarantine Jetty, sea tourists, in general, will do nothing in Odessa.

Морские круизы в Одессе 2010

2010-05-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

В 2010 году в Одессе были ожидания хорошего круизного сезона. Просто хотя бы потому, что мировой кризис вынудил зарубежных круизных операторов существенно сократить количество дорогих рейсов. И все полагали, что зарубежные туристы тут же ринутся в Одессу и Крым... Однако этого не произошло.
Признаться, и я ожидал увеличения круизных судозаходов в Одесский порт. Предполагалось, что мировой кризис ударит по кошельку иностранных туристов, и они в массовом порядке начнут скупать билеты на отдых в Украину. Я полагал, что более дешевые маршруты, к которым я по ошибке относил порты Украины, будут более привлекательны в круизном сезоне 2010. Однако реальность этих ожиданий не подтвердила.
Оказалось, что судозаходы в украинские порты обходятся иностранным круизным операторам намного дороже, чем заходы в порты других стран того же Черного моря. Причем дороже иногда в разы! Как такое может быть?
Представьте, может. Виной тому - неимоверно высокий уровень всевозможных взносов и поборов. Видимо нашим чиновникам настолько уж "за державу обидно", что они мзды не берут и работают "по-честному". То есть все официально. Потому и так дорого.
В мае в Одесский порт зайдет всего шесть иностранных круизных лайнеров, что для курортного города просто ничего. Гостиницы Одессы будут просто пустовать.
А как построят новый контейнерный терминал на карантинном молу, морским туристам в Одессе вообще делать будет нечего.

No Azerbaijan visa for Ukrainians!

2010-02-05T14:05:00.000-08:00

Sometime ago I've been thinking about a possibility to conduct two Middle Asian trips: to Uzbekistan and to Azerbaijan. Uzbekistan attracted me by its sufi islamic culture, and Azerbaijan by its historical heritage. Authors of the Uzbekistan travel and Tashkent hotels web-site reminded me that there is no problem for any Ukrainian to travel there, because Ukrainian sitizens can enter this countries without having a visa. Azerbaijan visa support needed only for UK, USA and other Western countries' sitizens, but not for Ukrainians. This news makes me happy.

This spring I'm going to travel Western Ukraine, but autumn will reserve for Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

Strange wedding dress

2010-01-27T02:01:00.000-08:00

Just found very special wedding dress - red one!

Looks very good, but I think this color is not hundred percent appropriate for a wedding idea, because the meaning of the red color is quitte different from the white one. Scarcely red color can point to innocence, which is the main symbol of white wedding dress.

But anyway, comparing to the other wedding variations, red dress can be a kind of innovation, especially in Ukraine and Russia, where traditional wedding color is still white.

http://venchanie.info/wedding-dress.html

Zaporozhye Cossacks and Their Religion

2009-12-27T01:57:00.000-08:00

Until recently, historians and public opinion have widely believed that the Zaporozhye Cossacks were rather of dissolute life, caring little about God and moral values. This view was based on the concept of a religious person, which must conform to the ideal life of a monk, not missing a single church service and observing all the fasts. This also contributed to the playful image of the Zaporozhye Cossacks in the folk songs who can not distinguish between "the priest and the goat".

Recently published researches on Zaporizhzhya Cossacks by D. Yavornytsky, M. Grushevskiy, N. Kostomarov, A. Apanovich and others have refuted this claim, making it possible to conclude that Ukrainian ancestors were deeply religious people that followed the Christian Orthodox faith. Cossacks come out in defense of their faith, and consequently - the nation, resisted the Polish gentry-expansion, as well as the Catholic Church. Living under constant military action, the Cossacks did not spare the life of the Orthodox faith. Traditionally, each new case they started with a prayer, and among them the most revered persons were Mother of God, St. George and St. Nicholas. However, Ukrainian ancestors didn't proceeded deep into any religious subtleties, having for the first place not the rituals, but religious feelings. In the Cossack ballads are often told that during campaigns on the Black Sea Cossacks, without having a priest, have been "confessing to God, the Black Sea and their chieftain leader".

К вопросу о строительстве церквей

Famous Orthodox missionary killed in Moscow

2009-11-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

Father Daniel Sysoev and his assistant priest Vladimir Strelbitskiy were shot on November, 19 to 20 in the courtyard of the Church of St. Thomas in Moscow. Father Daniel died, his assistant was seriously injured. Father Daniel Sysoev is well known to the Russian public as one of the greatest missionaries who fought against sects, and conducted a polemic against Islam.

Among the most likely motives for the murder of Daniel Sysoev law enforcers and experts cite a wide missionary activity among non-Orthodox population of Russia, particularly among Muslims.

Previously, father Daniel several times reported on death threats, which he received especially after a dispute with the representative of Islam.

Orthodox and Catholics of Odessa express their sorrow and sympathy to the Orthodox brethren, as well as to the family members of executed priests.

Klitschko outclassed Areola in LA boxing fight

2009-09-28T03:15:00.000-07:00

That was a little disappoitment to me. WBC heavyweight champ Vitaly Klitschko has been dominating over Mexican puncher Chris Arreola all 10 rounds, but after that the fight was stopped by Arreola’s trainer Henry Ramirez, who told referee to stop the bout.
“He was taking too much punishment,” said Ramirez, who always has been in Arreola’s corner since his professional debut.
So, I've been disappointed because of the stoppage. Guys, is it BOXING, or what?
Areola has been crying heavily...
See the full fight report.

Where Ukrainian Traditions Live

2009-09-23T03:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people travel to get new impressions, to change the picture of boring everydayness, to improve health, to fill the picture album at least. Sometimes even just to kill time. But my idea is quite a bit different, I like to travel because of meeting new people. I prefer to meet a good conversationist, good like-minded fellow rather than just see the sights. And there is no such suitable cause for getting acquainted with somebody as to meet him during a celebration, at a holiday. So, this Christmas at the beginning of the year we decided to celebrate in Lviv.

It was wonderful time! Here, in Odessa, in Southern Ukraine, the population almost lost all the Christmas traditions - as you know Soviet regime attacked religion, and as an outcome at least half of Ukraine became atheistic. But Lviv has been annexed by the USSR only in 1939, so the Soviet regime couldn't affect the inhabitants there so far as to destroy all the people's traditions. That's why me and my family went to the Western Ukraine for Christmas celebration.

We stayed there at a catholic monastery, in a house specially designed for family life. Beautiful window's view charmed us from the very beginning - frozen pond surrounded by fairytale trees, sheltered benches, all under snows...
Thus we started to go in the tradition. Each day has been opened with morning church service, held in monastery's chappel, then we used to go to the breakfast, followed with Christmas chants, and this way we learned many traditional Ukrainian carols.

One day we went on an excursion to the city center and spent whole day long looking at the stoned history - medieval and later buildings, churches and other relics, many of which where built in renaissance, baroque, or classic styles. Many Soviet historical movies have been produced in Lviv because of its architectural integrity.

Especially we were impressed by Armenian Cathedral, constructed between 1370 and 1390. Its fresco paintings were admirable! Also impressive was the Gunpowder Tower with walls about three meters thick.

And finaly, the main thing: we've found a lot of good, open-minded people, associated with them, shared with them our thoughts, learned from them real Ukrainian Christmas traditions and now so far we are able to establish true Ukraine here, at Ukrainian South, in the beautiful sunshine resort named Odessa.

Info
Lviv, located in Western Ukraine, was founded by Ukrainian King Daniil Halytskiy in 13th century.
Historic center of the city has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1998. UNESCO gave the following reasons for its selection:
- In its urban fabric and its architecture, Lviv is an outstanding example of the fusion of the architectural and artistic traditions of eastern Europe with those of Italy and Germany;
- The political and commercial role of Lviv attracted to it a number of ethnic groups with different cultural and religious traditions, who established separate yet interdependent communities within the city, evidence for which is still discernible in the modern townscape.
Lviv has good touristic and travel infrastructure including hotels, transport and services. It makes the city one of the best travel place in Ukraine.

Odessa women as pictured by a friend

2009-09-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who is fond of Odessa girls and women.
It doesn't concerns anything sexual, but he is a kind of aesthete.
He is used to walk down the Odessa streets and makes pictures of beautiful handsome girls and women.
This is one of his pictures. According to his opinion, this girl looks like Sophia Loren.
I'm not the arguer.

Top tourism event of Uzbekistan

2009-09-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

For the top touristic event of Uzbekistan in 2009 I would pick up the celebration of Tashkent 2200 anniversary. So, I'm proud to be approved by several travel analysts.
I'm curious, what are the top tourism events of other ex-USSR countries? What is the biggest touristic attraction of USA in 2009? Let's think about.

Dangers during travelling Ukraine

2009-09-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

Most of my foreign friends have been facing some special problems during visiting Ukraine or dooing business here. Most of the former USSR countries - Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and other have similar problems, which should be known for a foreign visitor.
It may concern hotel booking, travelling all around the country, communication with locals, appartment rental, dating and so on.
So, I'll try to collect here, in the Blog, some special features that can make troubles for the foreign visitirs or even to be a real danger.
By the way, I'm open for specific questions if somebody already got them.

Uzbekistan canceling preferences for investors

2009-09-20T12:59:00.000-07:00

Just found a news about Uzbek authorities: Uzbekistan canceling preferences for investors.
They canceled tax preferences for investors.
I understand, the crisis is on, but such-like dooings by former USSR countries are traditional. I've seeing it previously in Ukraine, but now I see the same stupid thing in Uzbekistan.
How it is possible to plan and to accomplish business in such banana republics? Who can answer?

Let's start travel around the world

2009-09-20T09:34:00.001-07:00

Many years I've been thinking about having a blog. But the problem was: what subject it is better for me to pick up? I have a lot of interests, but that doesn't mean that I'm capable to write on each subject I like.

Finally, I just pressed couple Google buttons, registered the blog, and - now you can see - picked the travelling subject up.

The reason is quite a bit simple. I can't travel as often, as I would like to, so I can at least collect here my own trips and travel impressions, otherwise I will gather here some interesting travelling information - not only for me, but also for my friends, who live in different parts of the world.

Who knows, may be I'll be lucky enough as to make new travelling acquaintances due to the blog...

Will see.