SIXTH DAY: ODESSA’S CHARM.

Odessians say that Ostap Bender was a real person and a prototype for the novel’s main character. Interesting part for us is the fact that he has a connection with Latvia – at the Jekaterinovskas street building, where was Ostap’s gymnasium, in 1910 was a union of Odessa Latvians.

Odessa has to thank Catherine II for its place on map. Right from the start she wanted to make the newfounded city the pearl of the south.

There are many versions about Odessa’s name origins, but the most popular and also the interesting one is quite simple – before the city was built, there was a small fishing village „Hobuchej”, and Catherine II did not like it, because the pearl had to have tuneful and beautiful name. It is known that in teritorry of Bulgaria was a place with similar name and it had some kind of connection with Greek mythological hero Odysseus. So Catherine II accepted it with minor fixes. The city grew rapidly thanks to the port and trade. Colorous style of architecture is inspired by many nations of Odessa. Greeks, Italians, French and Jews all had a share.

We try to feel the true Odessa charm by parking our bikes next to the cafe „Vienna sausages”, where local bikers usually meet up and go walking in the city’s old districts, streets and special patios, where laundry is being dried by hanging it on laces. Walking down the Deribasovkaja street its really easy to imagine how the smuggling took place here for more than a century by using underground catacombs and pathes, which were used to smuggle the cargo to the port. In the eighties 90% percent of the jeans „Montana”, popular and illegal in the USSR, were manufactured here. We were sure back then that the jeans come from across the sea.

At the moment Odessians are worried about struggling economy and uncertain future because of the warfare 300 km away. Complicated relationship with Russia also does not help. Georg ribbons can’t be seen on cars here and Russia’s Night Wolves are not welcome. 

Ruberoid, president of the motorcycle club „Motor-Life Odessa” says: „I personally know the Night wolf leader Hirurg (Surgeon), we have taken part together in some events. Three years ago at the memorial day of 9th May i also had Georg’s ribbon attached to my jacket, but now, when two good friends of mine are killed by separatists, whois guns are decorated with those ribbons, my attitude has changed. We can’t accept the philosophy and ideas of those people. We just hope that common sense will win and life will go back to normal.”

Olga, who relentlessly participates in motorclub’s social life and who is determined patriote of the Ukraine, is worried about different problem: „Since the beginning of the warfare i often get involved in fundraising campaigns for Ukrainian soldiers. I have noticed that people tend to donate more if the funds are asked for Odessians at the front. If we raise money for Ukraine, the responsiveness is much lower. Of course you need to be the city’s patriot, but when we are talking about nation’s future we all have to be united.

Odessians keep smiling and having fun in their lives with humour that only they are blessed with.