Tiraspol ------------------- Odessa (Ukraine)

Jazz aka World festival in Odessa

Final stage of the journey for Andrew and it's a comfortable stretch, with only the slight anxiety of missing the 24 hour Transnistria deadline to be out of the country. We actually miss the deadline by 20 minutes but nobody seems to care. Back in Ukraine, the roads deteriorate but it's a straight road to Odessa.

Julia is really that shiney that it washed out this photo

On arriving in Odessa, we find out that two of our prearranged hosts are unable to host us. Thankfully, Fredericke comes to our rescue and we get brought back to her place. This means that we have not had to use the tent during our entire journey. A sign of the generosity of spirit in all the lands we have passed through. She is unable to show us about the city, but tells us of the highlights, which we visit next day. We visit the stairway that was filmed in Battleship Potemkin: iconic. Then look about the shopping district. Finally, we get to laze on one of the beautiful beaches and enjoy a swim in some of the clearest seawater I have seen. It feels like a fitting end to our long journey together: a definite destination with a chance to relax a few days before we part company.
Cook tortilla for Fredericke and enjoy a bottle of wine in the evening. It is very relaxing staying here but my thoughts turn to my epic journey in two days time.
Next day, rain stops our day 2 at beach but get to go to the Market then meet Julia, another couchsurfer, who gives us an informative critique of Odessa. Everything from the poor construction of "mother-in-law bridge" and the sex tourism here, to the lacklustre historical buildings. Also highlighted the desire of many to get a visa in order to leave the Ukraine.
The ever-generous Andrew decided to buy me a ticket to the Odessa Jazz Fest for my birthday. Yet again, we have got to a place right on time for something cool. It seems more than coincidence at this point. Asea Sool just rock the party - imagine Kate Bush, Axel Rose, Jonsi and lots of gypsiness all rolled into a singer. And then some Russian hippy friends sing some reggae in Russian.