Odesa – not only Deribasovskaya

Do you think you know Odessa? But no, there are places that tourists don’t get to, and that’s the most interesting thing. I live here myself, but I’m still discovering new corners for myself. Forget about Deribasovskaya and Potemkin Stairs – that’s for brochures. The real Odesa is hidden in the courtyards of Moldavanka, in atmospheric cafes on Karantinnaya or in street galleries on Torgovaya. I wake up, make my bed, take my black tote and go for a walk to breathe in this atmosphere. Once I accidentally wandered into a courtyard where locals were playing dominoes. It was so authentic, so Odessa-like that I just sat down next to them and enjoyed their conversations. No guide will show you this. You just have to walk, look at the details, listen to the conversations. It’s like a detective story, where every street is a clue. What are your favorite non-touristy places in Odessa or other cities? Share, maybe I'll discover something new!