May 31st, 2007
Multi-Lingual woman on the Odessa Steps
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When we arrived in Odessa’s port, one of the first things we headed to was the infamous steps of Potempkin. Pictures were taken, baby carriage shots were laughed about, and then everyone began to shuffle off to discover Odessa. Hanging behind, we, the film crew and Josh aka. Socalled met an incredible woman. She speaks Russian, Greek, French, and Yiddish fluently, but scraping by selling painted eggs to tourists. Still vibrant and cheerful, and speaking french to us, she also gives us tips on avoiding potential pick-pocketers.
And, in the spirit of mulit-lingualism, Josh did an interview with Radio Canada today.
This woman also said some pretty racist things to me, which I made her repeat in every language she and I spoke, just to be sure I was hearing correctly. I’m not sure she was quite all there, and neither was the lady singing to herself near the opera house, but she was my favourite Odessa busker after the Roma. I did manage to make conversation with her and gave her money, and I would have talked to her more had she been willing.
More comments about this woman from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAm23yHplHw#Io-SvpOsbs8
Long article in Russian about this woman. Apparently she is Jewish. She says whatever’s on her mind because she’s old and just doesn’t give a f— anymore:
http://alex-odessa.livejournal.com/131835.html#cutid1