Views of Odessa from a Mitsubishi Van

We spend some time each day going here or there in Sasha's van. The route to the Internot has already become a familiar one, although, there is no way we would want to navigate it on our own! We see much of the city through the windows of the van so, here is a collection of images shot from the back of the Mitsubishi van.


Sasha (left) and Nataliya (right). Looking out the front windshield you see the cobble stone street and tracks for the trolley car.


In case you forgot what we look like. A self portrait from inside the van.


Average street scene in the city center. Car ownership is on the rise, adding more and more vehicles to Odessa's busy streets.


In an old city like Odessa, the streets are narrow and the side walks are wide. Combine this with the rapid growth of automobiles and you park your car where you can. Including the sidewalk. This might be unusual in America but a common site in Odessa.


Odessa's fleet of trolley cars are older models. Many people crowd into the various forms of public transportation.


Sweeping the side walk with a "stick" broom. Why purchase a broom when you can make your own with whatever sticks you find laying around? Stick brooms are a common site in Ukraine.

Detail of a stick broom.

An apartment or a store must be getting a renovation.

The three photos above show typical residential housing outside the city center. The Internot is in this neighborhood. All homes are surrounded by a fence or wall with a gate. Some are newly remodeled but most are in some state of disrepair.

Sunset from a bridge.