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 ...