You said it.Preparation is a main issue when going to a strange place.

I prepared myself , for 18 months , before I took the trip to Odessa alone.

Not speaking Russian ( only the word Net).so I would know when a woman would say it to me.

Just kidding , but I had an electronic word translator with me , for emergency.

Later I learned how to use the local WiFi and where to buy the local simm card.

So , at least I could use Google translate , which worked much easier.

When I had to come back , I bought a dictionary Russian - English and some other books (to learn Russian).

And a map of the city.All in all an adventure at that time.But now I sort of know my way around in Odessa.

Just waiting to go back ...