Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a sharpener in Odesa is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit up Deribasivska Street. It’s like the heart of Odesa, ya know? People everywhere, tourists snapping pics, locals just vibin’. I set up my little sharpening station, just me and my trusty whetstone. I’m feelin’ good, ready to make some dull knives sharp again.
Then, bam! This dude walks up. He’s got a knife that looks like it’s been through a war. I mean, it’s all rusty and sad. I’m like, “Bro, what happened to this thing?” He laughs and says, “I tried to cut a watermelon.” A watermelon! I can’t even. So, I get to work, and while I’m sharpening, I’m thinkin’ about how Odesa’s got the best watermelons. Like, you can’t beat ‘em. Sweet, juicy, perfect for summer.
But then, outta nowhere, it starts raining. I mean, like, pouring! I’m scrambling to cover my stuff. My whetstone’s getting soaked, and I’m like, “Great, just great.” Odesa weather, man. One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s a monsoon. I’m soaked, but I keep sharpening. Gotta hustle, right?
After the rain, I decide to grab a bite. I head over to the famous Privoz Market. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. It’s a whole vibe. Fresh produce, fish, and the best street food. I grab some borscht and a piece of that amazing bread. I swear, Odesa bread is like a hug for your stomach.
While I’m munching, I see this old lady selling flowers. She’s got the biggest sunflowers I’ve ever seen. I’m talkin’ like, “These could be in a museum.” I buy one, and she gives me this huge smile. It’s like, in that moment, all the craziness fades away. Odesa’s got this magic, ya know?
But then, I head back to my spot, and guess what? My sharpening station is gone! Like, poof! I’m standing there, mouth agape, like, “Did I just get pranked?” Turns out, some kids thought it’d be funny to move my stuff. I’m fuming! I chase them down, and they’re laughing, thinking it’s a game. I’m like, “You little rascals, this is my livelihood!” But deep down, I can’t help but chuckle. Kids will be kids, right?
Finally, I set up again, and the sun’s out. I’m back in business. People start coming by, and I’m sharpening everything from kitchen knives to garden shears. I even sharpened a sword once! Odesa’s full of surprises, man.
As the day winds down, I’m packing up, and I see the sunset over the Black Sea. It’s breathtaking. The sky’s all orange and pink, and I’m just standing there, soaking it in. Odesa, you wild city, you’ve got my heart.
So, yeah, that was my day. Full of ups and downs, but that’s life, right? Just another day in Odesa, where the unexpected is the norm, and every moment is a story waiting to be told.