Amour Club News

“I have an impression that people began to eat medical pills instead of bread “, - says one of operators of Odessa pharmaceutical sale market. It seems that drugstores has become one of the most profitable kinds of business. What is the minimal starting capital necessary to suceed in drugstore business? It mostly depends whether the businessman posses a property for such business. Assuming, that he is a happy owner of the repaired trading premise the area nor less than 50 square meters, then it is necessary 50 thousand dollars to start. This sum includes a purchase of the equipment, as well as medicines and other goods (a dressing, medical devices, etc.). The most important aspect is that the drugstore needs to be legally registered. As this business must be licensed, except for the usual sanction to trade businessman must receive the corresponding sanction from Ministry of Health, and also so-called “the passport of a drugstore”. Theoretically it is possible to receive the license from th Ministry of Health independently. Although experienced people advise to entrust this matter to special juridicial companies. It will help to save your time, forces, nerves and money as a result. What is the profitability of a drugstore? All depends on the location and size of business. That is why the profit can vary from 500 dollars up to 50 thousand a month. Profitability can be raised by opening chemist’s boothes and items. They can be opened in other trading premises (more often -  supermarkets) or in medical institutions. Obviously, chemist’s business will remain attractive and comparatively easy way to make money in Odessa for a long time.

Germans are ready to redistribute their investments into other branches of the Odessa region. About such intentions Odessa authorities were informed by the head of a department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Germany, which supports German national minorities in our city. For as much as 16 years Germany has allocated for German diaspora in Ukraine nearby 300 million ghrivnas, the significant part from which was directed to the Odessa area. If earlier 41 % of investments from German businessmen have been directed into the transport branch, today we witness the tendency of redistribution them to an agricultural and processing branches.  Nowadays in Odessa region work 38 joint Ukrainian-German enterprises which authorized funds make in general 128 million dollars.
The French businessmen are also interested in the development of an infrastructure of Odessa area. It was declared by the deputy of French national assembly, former Minister of Economics and the finance of France, the adviser of the American private investment fund ” Conoly Capital ” Alain Madeleine. French businessmen attract the possibility of cooperation in such spheres of Odessa economic life as logistics, transport, transit and export-import transactions, tourism, an agriculture and  sales of agricultural products. The French politician represents such well-known investment funds as Fund of small enterprises development, Fund of infrastructure development and the fund uniting 50 largest French companies.
Such firm intentions of German and French investors are undoubtedly important for the city development. They bring wide opportunities for mutual beneficial cooperation between countries.  

Kiev – is the largest cultural, scientific and industrial center of the country, the place of religious pilgrimage and a very attractive tourist destination. It can boast for a long and glorious history full of heroic deeds and sometimes is called as “the mother of Slavic cities”, actually by right

The art and architecture of Kiev are considered world treasures. It is one of the oldest towns in Europe. In the historical center of Kiev you can feel the spirit of the past everywhere. But Kiev’s most famous historical architecture complexes can be considere St. Sophia Cathedral with its outstanding mosaics and frescoes dated back by the 11th century and Kiev Pechersk Lavra featuring several monasteries and cathedrals (Monastery of the Caves). Noteworthy historical architectural landmarks also include:

· the Mariyinsky Palace

Orthodox churches such as

· St. Michael’s Cathedral

· much beloved by Ukrainians baroque church St. Andrew’s

· magnificent 19th-century St. Vladimir’s, one of the most beautiful temples in Kiev built in the 19th century to commemorate the 900th anniversary of Russian baptizing

· the reconstructed Golden Gate which date back to 1037

The main street of Kiev is Khreshchatik which runs between two steep hills. It is a wide boulevard with plenty of chestnut trees. Kreschatik got its final modern shape in 1837. It stretches from European Square till Bessarabia Square and contains many important trade buildings, bank departments, luxurious restaurants, hotels and exchange house. It is also the street which frequently boasts various protests and has been made famous with Orange revolution when it was home to hundreds of thousands of protesters. Many historic areas of Kiev, such as Andriyivskyy Descent, have become popular street vendor locations, where one can find traditional Ukrainian art, religious items, books, game sets (most commonly chess) as well as jewelry for sale

Of course, you will enjoy all attributes of a megapolis too: fashionable restaurants, stylish night clubs, noisy bars, theatres, malls, crowds of people and streams of cars, cosy streets and crowded squares, metro, neon lights, etc. Kiev’s modern centers with surviving parts of the old city are on the hilly west, or right bank, of the Dnieper River. From the north end of Khreshchatik, Hrushevskoho Street rises southeast along a ridge to the Caves Monastery at Perchersk. Woods and parks cover most of the steep right-bank slopes. Everyone visiting during the summer will notice the abundance of parks in Kiev, making it one of the ‘greenest’ cities all over the Europe. Its beautiful landscapes, parks and gardens charm and captivate. The citizens of the city adore this street, and the guests of Kiev try to visit it and feel its charming atmosphere before exploring the rest of the city.

Odessites alltogether make an ethnos, free and pragmatic. To be an odessit means to have special views and a special manner to express your thoughts. One of the main features of the Odessa mentality is rebelliousness. And according to the words of Oskar Wilde “rebelliousness from the point of view of everyone who knows history, is virtue, the basic virtue of the person”. People most likely do not born as odessites, they become odessites as time goes by. “Many people would like to be born in Odessa, but not all of them were lucky “, - say one of Utesov witticisms. As the person who just spent a couple of years as certain special fluids get into his blood and he gradually becomes a real odessit.

It is true that people create cities as well as cities create the person. In general, the word “odessite” reflects more likely a nationality, than an ethnographic concept. In fact Odessa was never neither Russian, nor the Ukrainian city. It was the “open” city. Let’s look how streets are named in Odessa: Polish, Greek, Jewish, Italian, the Lutheran lane, Bulgarian, Genoa, Serbian, the Ukrainian lane, French and Italian parkways and so on

Odessites are also philosophers. They easily understand categories of eternity and infinity, constant movement of the world, observing and listening to a surf. They are don’t miss much and can’t suffer from loneliness for a long time. They are participants and story-tellers of improbable Odessa histories. The speech od odessites is full of brilliant phrases, they compose ingenious poems, sing hooligan songs, can be distinguished by sharp sense of humour and are always glad to please anyone with unexpected joke. It is obvious: what to foreigner seems ridiculous, for us is just life

Resort “Kuyalnik” is a unique mud resort. Its area is favorable for treatment from many diseases.
It is recognized that dirts of “Kuyalnik” contain a complex of biologically-active substances, macro-and microcells, promote reduction of inflammatory processes, stimulate protective and adaptive reactions, restore functions of the damaged bodies and systems of an organism. The mineral water “Кuyalnik” is successfully used for treatment of patients with gastroenteric diseases. In Resort “Kuyalnik” patients with diseases of nervous system can also be cured, those who have syndromes of an osteochondrosis of a backbone in particular. Adults and children with such diseases as arthritises, rheumatic polyarthritises also visit resort and undergo medical treatment. There is also a treatment of sexual diseases for men and women is organized. Here functions hydrochloric mine (simiral to mines in Carpathian region) for treatment of breath diseases , there is a medical pool for this aim as well. Underwater extension of a backbone and various kinds of underwater massage is held. In resort small town “Kuyalnik” there is all necessary for high-grade rest and treatment (the Center of leisure, children’s game rooms, cafe, bars, halls for rest, shops, etc.) In 100 meters from cases of sanatorium there is an excellent beach to rest and relax

To manage our August summer tour to Skiff Land canyon fast and comfortably arranged, our group consisting of 40 people working in the Club gathered near the railway terminal at 7 a.m. The weather was promising a very hot swing and a lot of sun in the middle. In a few minutes all seats were held and us stretched along the seats and watching the early morning scenery, were driven away in a comfortable vehicle. Overall time expected of the upcoming trip was 1 h. 30 mins.

On the way out Odessa we traveled through Brezovka, Kolosovka, Veselinovo, Viktorovka, Martynovka, Pribuzhany small towns unless we reached Voznesensk. When we entered there, the wooden stylish board saying “Voznesensk State Reserve” directed us to as it seemed to us green cozy village with old style huts. We went down the narrow path for about 50 meters and in a few moments more a scenery and amusing sight opened before our eyes. You may make sure it was awesome after you take a look at the picturesque photos below. The rocky mounts, green trees and waterfalls made it the most picturesque view ever. The Sun Valley was our first stopping-place where we were treated to wine and a few local vegetable growings – radish, grapes, and tomatoes and of course grilled T-bone veal was the first snack. All the participants could enjoy the nature and silence and begin our tour.

Our guide, an educated and experienced middle-aged woman was narrating the pre-history of the Skiffs (Ukraine tribes-ancestors) origin. Heathenism was Skiffs’ denomination. With it they formed their own religion famous for human oblations, cultural ceremonies, cattle growing and of course patriarchal foundations extending over thousands of years all over in Ukraine.

An essay about human oblations in the Skiff Age
Skiffs were military tribes defending own colonial possessions and invading other lands with the purpose of increasing power. They captivated, thieved, and mastered other lands to bring something better in their own homes.
Agriculture was limited to growing cattle. Skiffs found sacrifices among captivated people. The rituals were conducted in the special sacrificial altars located in the tribe canyon where the human sacrifice was first cut off both their hands up the shoulder. The hand was dropped up and where it fell down young and old fortune-tellers could predict the future of their brothers and families in the tribe. The sacrificed bodies were burnt and buried.
The hands were skinned, went through special processing of glazing, lengthening, hardening and forming into quivers where the young warriors could put their arrows and carry their vital and the toughest weapon – the bow.

Skiff beliefs
Skiff Sorcerers had the belief to perpetrate the yearly way with young warriors of the path where nobody knew the way through. This was the saint ceremony of the warrior spirit and was considered if the young warrior had difficulties going through the canyon, he should be careful while on the battle field. And on the contrary, if the warrior’s way was conducted perfectly, he was considered the one to return up home in health and full of life.
The canyon path was exactly the itinerary our group had to go through. Everything on our way reminded of the Skiffs History. The hearts were heavily beating and jumping, the creeps went down the body all the way.

Culture of the Skiff Tribes
The cultural value of the Skiffs was the single cuneiform chronicle that was later on compared to Sumer (the ancient Near East civilization). The chronicle narrated of the Skiff Lord who brought sad news of his son death to his people. To cope with his eternal suffering he ordered every warrior of his land to bring a single metal arrow-head and drop to his feet. The arrow-heads appeared to be so many that the lord could only manage to count how many warriors he had under his power. Later, he ordered those arrow-heads to be smelt into a large tub which still remains buried on the territory of the Skiffs’ Land.

Skiff Land nowadays
Skiff Land rich for its history is a quiet, village style place. There inhabitance is low. Most of people move to big cities nearby such as Odessa and Kiev where they can get good quality education and job. Industry and education level leaves much to be desired. People’s living there depends on:

• Radish growing
• Wine yards
• Agriculture
  Voznesensk citizens release their goods in the nearest trading spots, getting back to their homes after. Some of them may be too patriotic with the faith in this Land. The feeling of being the part of the history, make every Ukrainian stop and think of our past and our future…

The bottom line
On the exit out of Voznesensk Skiff Land all the participants were seated in the comfortable passenger bus and driven to the destination unknown. We found ourselves near the picturesque froggy and fishy lake with some light music and Barbequed meat, vegetables and fun company which was the last event which tired out of exhausting, yet full of positive impressions day of the tour

Biospheric reserve Ascania Nova - is the old and unique scenery corner of the nature, the state Ukrainian reserve one of very few natural resources for wild animals, yet very ancient and puzzling. It is the site of steppe which the plough had never touched (once the dug out steppe is never restored). This reserve is one of the 100 great reserves and parks of the world. Museum is open-air: here you can find lonely ancient barrows, the stone Scythian women created by ancient sculptors.

The reserve borrows the area of 11 thousand of hectares; adjoins a forest park with artificial ponds and channels with different animals and birds. In steppe grows more than 400 kinds of grasses and flowers, however cereals prevail. In the end of April tulips are in blossom, then irises, hyacinths, buttercups. In May one can enjoy the visible bouquets of carnations, and chamomiles. In the summer the steppe is wrapped up in silvery smoke of a feather grass, is poured by waves from the slightest whiff of a breeze. The grey wormwood grows in holes of gophers. Park of the total area about 200 hectares essentially differs from a wild steppe zone. It consists of several parts according to the strict plan. There are about 150 kinds and forms of trees and bushes in the park. Typical plants are maple, the Crimean pine, pyramidal oaks, a juniper, an elm, a fur-tree, an ash, a white acacia and weeping willows near the water. The center of a composition of park makes a picturesque pond. In territory of reserve it is possible to meet representatives of more than 60 kinds birds. There are about 40 kinds of them in park and about 30 kinds of birds on reservoirs. There one can view the most scenery flight and pampering of white and black swans, a flamingo, cranes, grey partridges, most of all various kinds of larks. A steppe eagle is the rare visitor. Travel there and see the unique collection of animals. We highly recommend all the quests to Ascania Nova take their digital cameras for snapshots with camels, lamas, zebras and paulins

Ukrainian state dendrology park “Sofievka” of the National Academy of sciences of Ukraine is a masterpiece of world landscape gardening art of the end XVIII - the beginnings of XIX centuries. The park is stretched on the area of 154,7 hectares on suburb of the ancient city of Uman of the Ukrainian Cherkassk area. It is a sample of a landscape park composition of water, the ground, architectural constructions and sculptures.

The park was founded in 1796 by rich Polish magnate Stanislav Pototsky in honor of the wife of a beautiful Greek woman Sofia, and has been presented as a gift for her in May, 1802. The idea of creation of park in romantic style with use of the Roman and Greek mythology belonged to Sofia.

The first architect of “Sofievka” was talented Polish military engineer Ludwig Mettsel. Actual workers of park were F.Pototsky’s serfs. Nearby 800 people worked in park daily. In short term this masterpiece has been created. Almost 200 years it amazes visitors with its firm and outstanding beauty. Surprising landscapes, exotic plants, antique sculptures, reservoirs, cascades, fountains, stone grottoes - it all can be seen but every guest, who has visited Uman park Sofievka.

Now here is the center of growing and acclimatization of plants of forest-steppe of Ukraine. It has more than 2 thousand kinds of plants.

Four scientific departments work in the park, a unique in Ukraine scientific research institute of problems of preservation of historical landscapes of Ukraine is under construction. “Sofievka” has become famous not only all over the world. Sofievka’s miracle is known also in the Universe: in 1984 planet 2259, opened by the Soviet astronomer Burnashevoj on June, 19th, 1971, has received the name “Sofievka” in honor of Dendrology Park.

In 1995 “Sofievka” took part in the International competition “Europe Nostra” and has received all awards of competition: a medal, the diploma and a board - for work on restoration and also for preservation of monuments of history and culture.

“Sofievka” ilooks amazing at any time of the year: in spring it is flowering, in blossoms in summer heat, sparkling in the gold of autumn, and it rests in winter silence. In this park the main thing not the plan, not a composition of green plantings, not disclosing of greater and small prospects. Here a task in view of creation of the certain mood, an occasion for a various sort of associations, philosophical meditations. Heaps of boulders, the water falling from heights or easy proceeding in stone gallery, cool twilight grottoes, stone and trailing bridges, cascades, a marble sculpture - here that arsenal of means, which builders of park use to make impression of a “miracle “. Park is the product of landscape gardening art outstanding on beauty, skill and technical perfection of flora and fauna areas all over Ukraine

Vilkovo in Ukraine is a beautiful sight along with water, trees and snow-white small houses form an image of the city, which can be characterized as intimate-beautiful and magic. Here you feel as if you belong to the part of the wise world. Here you see: a beauty is a reward for heavy works. The life of city dwellers is continuously connected with water. The set of channels bear waters of Danube more close to habitation.

The rhythm of a life depends on a direction and force of a wind, a level of waters and a season - the majority living here are involved in a natural circle of time.

Danube endow city dwellers with fruits. The word “erik” (that actually means “channel” or better “narrow channel”) - not a tribute to exotic, is a part of the Vilkovchans’ life. Water gives to habitation special refinement. In the winter on “erik” people enjoy running on skates, in the spring it is full of frogs, in the summer here is expanse to children and neutral cats, who hunt on a small fish croak. When the July heat falls down over this small town located on the waters of Danube, there’s no other rescue other than water. You can also see lots of rowings there. Rowing – is a high coast, a barrier between water and the house. It is done of fertile silt in the autumn. Why? There’s quite a wise answer to it – waters can easily distract the coastal area. Therefore the trees all round the coastal area growing there is quite a decent explanation.

Along channels are located “kladki”, these are planked footway-sidewalks. They used to be wooden, they actually remain wooden now. This would be a special impression to walk barefoot on these wooden boards put altogether and making an eternally long path right to the water. They springed under legs, and brought pleasure as they had polished hand-rail. Later it had been solved that a wood is very expensive for such needs and people began to do them of concrete. But they were too fragile. Thus the tree has proved the right to refer to eternal.

Gardens are the biggest source of revenue of inhabitants, and also a source of flours and pleasures. In Odessa markets Vilkovo is famous for a strawberry and a quince, in adjoining villages - dry and easy “young” wine called “Molodok” (reaches double alcohol percentage and concentration of the standard wines). For weddings people usually buy such wine in flanks. The majority of gardens is located on islands. People travel there by boats. To cross the river each of the inhabitants run, repair and look after boats tied right to their gates of the small village houses. There’re lots of fishermen hunting for salmon and other river breeds of fish.

Let Paris surprises with originality of automobile outcomes and the parking, Vilkovo will surprise you with many boats. They can be found in city boundaries along the left coast of the Belgorodskiy channel. With motors and without them, with men, women, and teenagers in the early morning they run up on the river and by the evening returning back home.

The most developed industries in Vilkovo are:

• Fishing
• Building
• Winery
• Gardening
• Tourism

This is the best place for those tourists who are tired of fast and stuffy life of big cities. Vilkovo is the quietest place with nice accommodations, city tours and wonderful treasury Island “Kvakenburg” with hostess Tatyana nicely receiving all guests with her funny stories, events, poems and arranging funny events. Kvakenburg leans a narrow canal with little frogs under it. This is a magic indeed and fairy place where everyone should travel to at least once in a lifetime.

Did you know that there is a huge system of catacombs in Odessa?

And catacombs, as it appears, are well-known in the world not only for artful design of labyrinthes, but also on extent which reaches three thousand kilometers. For comparison: an extent of the Roman catacombs - three hundred, Parisian - five hundred kilometers. Even the approximate topography of an underground labyrinth is unknown.
Our Southern Pearl, Odessa, is constructed on the abrupt sea coast with limestones at the basis. The top part of ground is presented by firm limestones, on the bottom they are more friable. Exactly In them catacombs were based and developed further on. The history of catacombs starts from century XIX and the beginning of XX century, which was a time of city construction.
Stone was extracted unsystematically, each builder – on his own site. As a result the volumetric labyrinth appeared with set of inputs in coastal breakages, on slopes of cutting plateaus of beams, in cellars of houses.
There is no complete plan of catacomb existing. Temperature of air under the ground the year is around +14. And depth in some places reaches 100 m. Not knowing labyrinthes, it is almost impossible to leave them.
The person who left there without light, is doomed to destruction. Since times of the first smugglers and till now there is a legend about the mined routes. Ancient cellars made from a shell rock in which Greeks hid wine, were also named “mines”. Their location is not known. So there is a problem of drawing up of cards of catacombs. The person who is engaged to manage such work, is called “markshader”. These works need investments, but unfortunately this direction has no inner interst among investors.