Tour History
Odessa July 22 — 31, 2004
Go-carts competition
The suggestion to organize such a competition was accepted immediately. Half of the tour was under the belt and some guys decided to invite their dates. I am sure they wanted to impress them. Every customer who agreed to go with Anastasiaweb stuff started bragging how good he was at racing. But we did not suspect that everything would start from the taxi ride.
At this point I will afford a lyrical digression. The most inexpensive and convenient way to travel around Odessa is in taxis. Taxis are cheap for Russian or Ukrainian speaking passengers. Of course, if you don't speak the language the price goes up immediately. There actually is no reason to call a taxi. In Odessa almost every car you see on the road is your own personal taxi. Called "gypsy taxis", every taxi ride costs a fraction of a dollar. If you can get over the embarrassment of fumbling over Russian to tell the taxi driver where to go, you can travel around the city in comfort. Go to a busy street, put your hand out, palm facing down, and within seconds a car will stop. Negotiate your price before you get in the car. If you cannot agree on a price with the driver, close the door and wait a few seconds for the next gypsy taxi. Often the driver will reconsider and agree on your price. Luckily our customers had us, Anastasia assistants, to negotiate the price.
So, we hailed three cars, but there were thirteen people, consequently not enough room for all. We did not want to break the body and wanted to wait for another car. At that moment the driver of the smallest car suggested five men should sit in his car. Just imagine, they agreed to this shady enterprise! It was funny to watch them squeezed in one car. However, safe and sound all got to the park where the go-carts track was. The men were eager to show their skills. Some ladies looked scared and didn’t want to ride. We all assured them it would be fun and they finally gave up. In their turn they made a condition not to compete. Sasha and our attorney Chris (he helps the customers with questions regarding Fiancee visas) intended to check who was faster. Russia beat America The race was really exciting: some men looked like children and the women did not regret. We all took pictures to keep this day in memory!
Author: Margarita Shesternina
Back