Balkan Mafia Series 3, Invasion 1 - Odesa, UKR

This time, alongside regular meetings in Balkan countries, we will say hello to the neighbours! The concept of an Invasion remains the same as a good old Balkan Mafia meeting, with friendly travellers who meet up for a few days to discover a new place and have a laugh (and a few drinks perhaps) whilst dancing to Balkan tunes! Our first victim will be Odessa, the Black Sea pearl of Ukraine. Expect to visit interesting sights during the day, to socialise in the evenings, and to dance all night, with a bunch of old and new friends! REGISTRATION FIRST AND FOREMOST! Please fill in the spreadsheet to let us know if you're joining! Certain events simply will not get reserved unless you tell us on the spreadsheet that you are interested! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bew6bQFf6KavNgaSRrluw5LeG03WHio6b2z8WsVYXjw/edit?usp=sharing ACCOMMODATION: Unfortunately, we were not able to find a cooperative hostel that would block a set of spaces for us. But there are still plenty of spaces available in hostels and Airbnbs. Try to book in the area known as "Primorskiy", which is the historic centre. This area is generally north of the main train station, until the gardens of the Potemkin steps. The most central would be along Deribasivska and Hretska streets (but avoid the hotel called "Zirka" as it is an hourly sex hotel). GETTING TO TOWN FROM AIRPORT There is WiFi in the airport, so if you arrive day or night you'll be able to get an Uber. If arriving by day, take bus #117 into the centre. If you arrive in the new terminal, you'll exit and see a road directly in front of you. Go to the right and this leads to the old terminal. The bus stop is on the far left side as you enter the parking area. If you have arrived at the old terminal, you'll exit and see a large parking area, bus will be some ways out to the right. PROGRAMME June 6 Thursday 7 pm Meet-up with locals at Puzata Hata for their weekly English group. 6th floor of Europe Centre building, on Deribasivska St. 21. Tasty, very affordable food (and drinks) in an upgraded canteen-style eatery. 10 pm Head next door (just past McDonald's) to Ali Baba eatery in the city "Yarmarka" or open-air market (Deribasivska 25) where our Turkish host will blast our tunes to alert the locals that they're being invaded! June7 Friday 12-2pm City treasure hunt tour, starting from the city gardens , and finishing along Otrada Beach. 6pm-12am “Mangal” (BBQ) above the “Dog’s Beach” area with our resident chef! A great way to finish the first part of your Friday and greet the second part: 12-6am True Man beach club - a very relaxed venue right on the beach, where you can dance the night away to their famous midnight DJ duo, have a shisha pipe on the beach, or just chill out with your friends in front of the club if you’d rather not be inside with the crowd. A fantastic place to greet the Black Sea sunrise. June 8 Saturday (yes, technically last night’s beach club falls under this date…) 1-3pm Optional tour within the Odesa catacombs, you can enter on Pushkinska St. (details to come). For those on their own today, try exploring the massive Privoz market (my personal recommendation: tasty nuts and juices brought in from the Caucasus). 4-5:30pm (TENTATIVE, DEPENDING ON SUFFICIENT INTEREST ON SPREADSHEET SIGNUPS) Optional visit to the champagne factory, with a tasting and demonstration of how to open a bottle in the classic way - with a sabre of course! 9pm-? Costume party (Mafia theme, of course!) and our last bash together at "Выход"/Exit Bar on Bunina St. 24, where our DJ will spin our favourites some more! This is another not-to-be-missed gathering! June 9 Sunday 9am-6pm (TENTATIVE, PLEASE SIGN UP ON SPREADSHEET) Optional all-day trip out to either Zatoka (famous beach along a lengthy sand bar) or Vylkovo, the Venice of Ukraine, a small town known for its canal network within the Danube Delta. Send Emeline a message if you'd like to be added to the Whatsapp group chat!