We said a teary farewell in the village and caught the first bus out Monday morning.  Our 40 minute ride brought us back to Izmayil for a few hours where Trude and I were able to enjoy the cool, quiet morning in the park.  We took out the map and Trude traced the next few weeks' travels with her finger, pausing to tell a story of Ukrainian history or of the dear friends here.  So, we folded up our map and crossed the street to the bus stop and hopped on.  A few hours later we pulled in to Odessa and a new adventure began.

Walking the streets of Odessa reminded me of Boston or San Francisco only with more flavor.  The city is very old and has tons of character!  The architecture and aesthetics of the buildings are so lively and creative in some places and completely blah in others - clear evidence of the old regime.  After taking a few pictures at the Port of Odessa Trude and I decided it was time for food.  We passed through an underground market and saw a young man playing a guitar with his case laid open accepting donations.  I thought to myself "This kid is really good at the guitar...."  Then Trude turns on a dime and throws her hands in the air  "Your guitar! We left it on the bus!!"  So we ran up the famous steps overlooking the Port of Odessa and the Black Sea (quite a jaunt, mind you) and we split up: Trude to find the bus, me to save a spot at a restaurant.

A few things transpired within the next 45 minutes which the author chooses to leave unwritten for a few reasons.  Namely to keep his mother from being worried.  But fear not!  All is well.  I will tell more once I get home : ).

Trude finally returned with the guitar and we sat and ate and enjoyed the people-watching which was our entertainment for the next few hours in the park as well.  We sallied over to the Odessa train station and boarded our hot and stuffy train at 7pm Monday night and found to our wonderful relief that we had a very friendly Ukrainian couple for cabin mates.  We awoke at 6am Tuesday morning and got off the train in Lviv, stepped onto a bus which took on more and more people until every seat was full and the aisle completely crammed with people and their bags from the back all the way to steps down to the door.  And of course we can't have any drafts lest we perish, so immediately the windows were closed and we were on our way.  We stopped and visited Anya for a few hours and then we were in transit via bus after bus after bus.

After a long day of travelling and plenty of sweaty, pushy, stinky bus riders Trude dragged me up the stairs and into the elevator up to the 4th floor.  She opened the door, we stepped inside, and she locked it behind us.  I've never felt more cocooned in all my life.  We will rest up a few days here while visiting some friends and then it's onward for more preparations.

My feet are sore, my legs are tired, my neck is stiff and my back hurts - but I could not be happier : )  I love this place and can't wait to come back again.