Same street different view leading to the square. 

General view of the street leading to the square. 

This is the sidewalk that leads to my apartment. I want to tell the future visitors who will opt for an apartment instead of a hotel. The entrance is not easily seen, as it lies just before the small red sign on the left. There is a steel door that has a lock (I just used a secret lever). You go up the stairs to your level, then there is another door with a lock. Then you walk to your apartment door, and there is another lock. Yes, you have 3 opportunities to lock yourself out everytime you leave. Be careful. 

This place is a wonderful place to visit. It used to be the place of the political elite to visit. A secret get away. I think it will be a nice place to vacation when my future wife wants to return home and see the family. Yalta is beautiful. 

Here is the restaurant everyone takes a picture of. Note: this is the restaurant I finally found the Tiramasu dessert! 

I could not resist taking a picture of these complete strangers. All the women, all of the time, are dressed nicely, married or not. They are big on boot fashion in this part of the world. 

Me, Gary 

I have heard 1000 times that the chickens and bears do not walk the streets in "Russia". Well, what about the dogs? 

Last Year I visited Anna. Occassionally I will put some pictures of her up here, as I did not take the time to log my Odessa visit. 

L94

I found this picture of Tiramisu (an Italian Desert) in my phone. Here it is finally!

L94

This is Tiramasu. Guess what? I tried to find this all over Yalta, and i insisted that this was a famous Russian desert. I'm telling these people from this part of the world that I know they have this, when they don't. Well, while eating dinner one night I came to a European restaurant and low and behold I found it! I was right! Well.... I was wrong. I was at arestaurant with European cuisine, and apparently this is French. But I found it.... (and then I accidentally deleted the picture!!!! I have no proof!!!! )

This is my new friend from New York City, Svetlana. She was of great help during my trip back to the USA from Simferopol. I suggest to the man who travels to these exotic destinations try to meet people around you on the airplane, in the airport, or anywhere it is clear that these people will be traveling to or near your destination. They will be of great help as they have encountered the problems you will face in your journey, And someday, you will spot the person who will need your help. then it will be your turn to shine! I want to Thank Svetlana, and Angelica for the special efforts they made to help make it possible for me to enjoy my trip. Without them, I would have been standing in Simferopol airport with no luggage, no local currency, 100 miles from my destination, and no one around who speaks English. Maybe I would have lost my way in Kiev, as the plane landed at another airport, not the one intended. Look for the seaoned travelers and ask for them to help you. The workers are of great help too, but they are working and usually cannot be of great help as the traveler who sits next to you! God Bless all, and may I somday return the favors to other people who need it!

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

-- Robert Frost 

Yalta Ukraine 

On the square you'll see this if you like to watch....kids riding small gas powered cars, mopeds, a guy dressed as a gorilla (for photos for the tourists i guess, the Black Sea, ships, light houses, Lenin, water fountains, people meeting, families walking, girls trying to market their goods, drunk people, old men playing chess, old ladies begging for money, many tourists maybe asking for you to take their picture, buildings, mountains, birds....but the one thing that stands out the most are the people are in pairs and groups. The City of Love, Yalta. It is true. 

Yalta McDonalds. This is where many people meet on the square. 

It is late November. Most of the trees are green and will remain that way year round I'm told. You thought it would be snowy, maybe you thought old lady's would be carrying sacks of potatoes. Maybe you imagined the bears and chickens would walk in the streets. Whatever you imagined, I did too at one time. Just go there and ignore what others tell you. Who knows, maybe you will see snow, bears, chickens and old ladies carrying sacks of potatoes! If you do, I would love to see those pictures! 

A castle in Yalta. One of many. 

They do work hard in Yalta too... 

Yalta Ukraine 

Yalta Ukraine during the non-tourist season. This is a good time to go if you want a more intimate time with the local people. I hear that during the tourist months, the tourists outnumber the locals 10 to 1! 

This looks like a back road, but it is a city street in Yalta. You do not need to rent a car or worry about transportation (except from and to the airport in Simferopol). I would say that for 20 Hrivnya's or so (4 bucks) you can go anywhere in town. Some taxi's are more expensive than others. 

Black Sea view, Yalta Ukraine 

Lenin again. Yalta is considered as the "City of Love". It is a eutopia for the man who loves women, and sightseeing. I truly recommend this place. If you are married, it is a great place for a second honeymoon or anniversary. If you have a question, I will try to help. Just e-mail me at mebedaonlyone4u@yahoo.com and my name is Gary ( I do not organize tours, I'm just a tourist who's turn it is to help another tourist!) And someday you'll get your turn :) 

Here is a statue of Lenin. It still remains, which should give you a hint as to how they feel about the west and the new reform going on in the Ukraine. I never once felt unwelcomed as a visitor and American. Everyone was great. I thought I was clever by trying to look "Russian", but the girls said they spotted me as an American right away... It must have been the "Billy Bob" teeth. One more thought, the men here are not exactly thrilled that the women want to spend time with you. But they are thrilled that you have money. Still, I did not experience any problems with this. I did not show off too much. (It is interesting to note that when you speak, they look for where the American is) 

I brought my own food with me to this Mexican restaurant....ha ha! But, in Yalta, the Mexican restaurant does not serve salsa! I do not think they even know what a tomato is in Yalta, none the less cilantro and onions mixed together. I think a good business here would be to put a Taco Bell right next to that McDonald's. I know they would love the food. 

That is the view of a good restaurant and great service. As for the name of this restaurant, I would not be able to pronounce it.... It has Russian name I think.