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TIU Front Page Hostel
Odessa, Ukraine
Odesa has a lot of stray cats on its streets and dogs in wilder areas. The cats make green areas or courtyards, etc, smell of cat-pee. It pervades the city and the locals must see it as normal. The main door onto the street serving the block that this hostel is in is always open and cats use the dark, dank stairs for shelter at night. This means that the stair area stinks and can have puddles. There was no lighting when I went and seeing dark shapes moving around at your feet as you climb to the top floor is pretty off-putting.
The hostel itself is generally fine, and feels nicer the longer you stay, though they have a pet cat which wanders the dorm and living spaces at will, making a mockery of the 'shoes off at the door' policy. There is a good kitchen and plenty of common areas and they supplied computers for free visitor use of the internet. The staff are very friendly and very helpful.
A shower cubicle was perched upon pieces of wood which I didn't notice before I got in. The cubicle swayed and could have toppled over. Not impressed with that!
Washing machines, conveniently, are supplied for use at a nominal rate.
There is absolutely beautiful plaster-work on the ceilings of a number of rooms (though no-one seemed to notice!). A nearby park has a regular craft market (useful, as souvenir-hunting can otherwise be quite disappointing in Odesa) and there are lots and lots of eating and drinking options very near by, though the street itself is never boysterous. A decent seat at the opera, 10 minutes walk away, costs a rediculous £4 or so, so treat yourself and take your camera - the building is amazing!
