A friend in Odessa

[Mermaid]

Vitayu,

I would like to have someone to tell me what
it is like to live in Odessa. A penpal would
be nice, or just someone to send E mails to
I have never been to the Ukraine, but the
photos I have seen are beautiful. I know that
you are very friendly people, so please will
one of you Odessites answer
Dyakuyu, do pobachenya.
Mermaid.

------------------
Christine Keenan

[Artur000]

Mermaid,

I am not from Odessa but I have been there. It is a beautiful city with many interesting things to see and do. One of my most memorable experiences was to see the ballet at the Opera House in Odessa. It is reputed to be the second most beautiful in the world next to Vienna. The beach is great and the history is fantastic.

Internet rates in Odessa are astronomical even by western standards. As much as $3.00 US per minute. I have heard that the average salary in Ukraine is equivalent to $84.00 per month and employees of the government may go several months without getting paid. It may be difficult to find someone that is willing to communicate casually through the internet and the mail is extremely slow.

These are just some of my opinions on your request and I am sure there are others on this BBS that may be more knowledgeable on this subject than I.

By the way, although the official language all over Ukraine is Ukrainian. Most of those that I have met from Odessa speak primarily Russian.

[This message has been edited by Artur000 (edited 30 August 2000).]

[Mermaid]

Thankyou ArturOOO

for answering my message. I do know a bit
about the economy in the Ukraine, I have
seen photos of the Opera House too and it
looks amazing.
I don't know how people get to have any
contacts with Ukrainians if the post is so
bad and internet charges are so high.
Maybe one day I will find my own way over
there.

Mermaid.