Sunday, April 29, 2012

Odessa's City Garden (across the street from my hotel)

This "Overview of City Garden" by Ukraine Online Travel Guide helps explain the statues in the pictures I took in the garden (below the overview):
City Garden in Odessa is located in the heart of the city, on the Deribasovskaya Street. It was founded by the brothers de Ribas in 1803 & completely gratuitously presented to the city. During 2006-07, the City Garden was under restoration. The opening ceremony was held on 2007 Victory Day, May 9. The residents & visitors of Odessa enjoyed fully renovated facades, a new musical fountain & rotunda.
The main achievement of "Hydromontazh" is the restoration & reconstruction of the central fountain bowl: now it looks exactly the same as more than 200 years ago, when the garden was presented to the city by de Ribas - original marble of the bowl was managed to preserve & skillfully restored.
The restored fountain now consists of two different fountains: one works daytime, the second from 21.00 to 23.30. Every minute fountain throws over 2.5 tons of water, & the installed complex filtering system maintains water clarity & reuse.
At dusk the fountain jets are painted in 5 different colors & music begins to sound; & the musical arrangement can be changed. Around fountain there gather Odessa residents & guests during daily opening hours from 21.00 to 23.30.
In addition to the restoration of the fountain in the city park there was also the repair & restoration of the round covered stage, where are held the performances of symphony orchestras. The monument to "Twelfth Chair”, devoted to work by Ilf and Petrov “The Twelve Chairs”, monument to the known athlete and pilot S. Utochkin, monument to L. Utyosov, and monuments to lion statue and lioness with the lion cubs were also restored and ennobled.




Rubbing his nose for good luck!




"The next time you find yourself in Odessa, take a leisurely stroll to the City Garden which is located on Deribasovskaya Street. You will find Leonid Utesov sitting quietly & peacefully on a bench, looking out over the gardens & the hundreds of visitors that mill around. He doesn’t mind if you sit next to him to have your picture taken next to him or just to chat. The love, admiration & devotion to this wonderful musician is evident in the short but powerful inscription at the monument: "To Leonid Utesov – from grateful Odessa". The monument was erected in memory of Utyosov in the year 2000 & is a wonderful dedication to his inspiring talent & gentle nature. Indeed, he was a true musician who left his beloved country with a song in their hearts & pride in their souls." (from Ukraine Channel website)
Students in the park after school:




Students hanging around on the gazebo:












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Location:Odessa, Ukraine

Dinner at 8th Form Student's Home

His name is pronounced Cola, but it is spelled differently!








Special Easter cake:










This cake was unbelievably good!








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Location:Odessa, Ukraine

School on Thursday, 4/26

Deputy Head Teacher in charge of curriculum (basically one of the two assistant principals):


Notice the lesson title on the TV last Thursday (4/26/2012):





Elena's nameplate on her classroom door:


Elena's teaching schedule on her door:


Student's sack lunch:


Gifts to Elena:



Not very many trash cans for "rubbish":



Canteen (on the way down):






Walking into the Canteen:















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Form 6, Class 6V







Calling home in the middle of class because this girl didn't do her homework!!!






Showing who a student received & wrote a postcard from/to:





















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Location:Odessa Gymnasium No.2

Gymnasium No. 2 from Royal Street Hotel

Our hotel:




Our daily walk to school:




An older student hurrying to not be late!








Going in after the door is shut....




Odessa Gymnasium No.2




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Postcards to LMMS students & more


























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