    
Marv Feldman
Senior Member
Username: Marv
Post Number: 490
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 25, 2006 - 02:40 pm: | |
CRIMEA - 1
After a smooth crossing of the Black Sea from Odessa, we arrived at Sevastopol, a city steeped in history. On arrival, we were greeted by the Russian Navy's Black Sea Band. Russian Navy in Ukraine? Yes, both the Ukrainian and Russian Navy share military facilities here in this 70% Russian-speaking port. Russian and Ukrainian sailors co-exist in a unique situation. Once a "closed" city, Sevastopol is now a lively, attractive - and open port. We were surprised that we could freely mingle with Russian sailors and photograph their submarines.
On our first evening here, we attended a colourful and high energy nighttime performance of the Russian Black Sea Band, Chorus and Dance Ensemble. Marvin considered this to be the highlight of our trip to date.
A full day with two totally different experiences followed. Historically, the Crimea was once part of the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and so our first "experience" was at the beautiful and exotic Khan's Palace at Bakchysaray, outside Sevastopol. Heard of Genghis Khan? Well, this was built by different Khans/Tatar tribal leaders in the 15th-18th Centuries and consists of a sprawling complex complete with mosques, a harem, cool gardens and exquisite fountains.
Our interesting return from the Khan's Palace took us past the old and the new. The old: row after row of ugly, drab and crumbling Soviet-era "communal" blocks where multiple families are (still) crammed into tiny two room "apartments" in five storey buildings with neither elevators (lifts) nor air conditioning (summers can be brutal). The new: free enterprise is changing Ukrainians' lives as illustrated by throngs of shoppers inside a multitude of markets which sold everything from fresh produce to used clothing.
Our second "experience" will follow...
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