A Tale Of Two Cities

Odessa is a city of contrasts. At the moment the elegant boulevards are decorated with delicate white polin from its many trees making walking across the city a joy. Yet the famous sea is to be avoided due to pollution. Outside our city apartment sits exclusive global boutiques and huge cars pack themselves onto the pavement. Walk 10 minutes from the centre and you'll arrive in the Moldavanka district. Moldavanka is historically home to Jewish Gangsters. Any illusion of romantic hustling disappears though when you realise that today it is on the cusp of transforming into a drug ghetto. It's buildings are just as beautiful as the city centre but crumbling away.
To some Odessa's architecture can't fit with sucess and the future. Progress demands new skyscrapers. I as a selfish tourist want to wrap myself in the cobbled stone streets and faded grandeur. Can the the past and future co-exist? It seems to me that these century old buildings are also a symbol of commerce. Odessa is a city built exclusively for trade. Early migrants dared dream not just of riches but built a multi-ethnic city to rival Paris.That takes some vision and self-belief. Qualities that this new frail state need to succeed.