Naked May Day In Odessa Info

The first warm breath of May had finally melted the stubborn ice on the Potemkin Steps. For most of Odessa, this was the signal for Mayevka —the traditional spring picnics, the shashlik smoke curling under the chestnut trees, the first day it was acceptable to drink white wine outdoors.

Two militiamen, young and bored, were walking down the concrete steps from Arcadia. One held a radio, already crackling with orders. The other had his hand on his truncheon. Naked May Day in Odessa

He didn’t think. He just ran, not back to his towel, but straight into the sea. The shock of it stole his breath. The militiaman on the steps shouted, “Hey! You! Stop!” But Lev dove under a wave. The first warm breath of May had finally

And he smiled. A small, secret, ridiculous smile. It was a good day to be alive in Odessa. One held a radio, already crackling with orders