Kherson, also spelled Cherson, is the adminsitrative center of Kherson province. It has major river and sea port. It lies on the right (west) bank of the lower Dnieper River about 15 miles (25 km) from the latter's mouth. It was founded in 1778 by the military leader and statesman Grigory Potemkin. Kherson region is situated on the south of Ukraine. The area of Kherson region is 28, 500 sq. km. It's bounded on the north by Dniepropetrovsk region, on the east by Zaporoge region, on the west by Nikolaev region and Crimean republic on the south by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The population of region is more than million people . There are 18 regions, 9 cities, 30 settlements in the region. The population of cities is 61% of the population of the province.

I was with Yulia everyday of this 26-day trip, and were it not for some unforeseen differences in our two cultures, it would have been without incident. The American and Russian (Slavic) points of view clash on several fronts, and Yulia and I were no exception. However, with a mutual respect for one another and a true desire to understand one another, no differences were left unexamined or put aside to fester into true problems. Stormy beginnings often bring the smoothest sailing, and by the time I was beginning the last week of my trip all was well between us (and it isn't over yet).

This is where I spent the majority of my time, in this semi-sizable town on the Dneiper River in the south Ukraine. It retains, somewhat, its Soviet-era austerity, but shows signs of life in this post-Soviet era, with many businesses and modern accomodations becoming more apparent. The attitude of the people is still very standoffish and gruff, as is the norm in this part of the world, but as long as I did not take it too personally everything was alright. Family life here is strong, in a guarded sort of way, and all seems well; it was just difficult for my American sensibilities to fully grasp at times. Here resignation meets hope for the future as a villager's state of mind wrestles an economically precarious tomorrow.

I spent eight days at Zhelesniy Port (Iron Port), a little-known (except to Ukranians) resort on the Ukranian shores of the Black Sea. The accomodations are not to the standards of some other parts of the world, but it is impressive and the Black Sea and its shores are beautiful and addicting. I have rarely sen the night sky look so clear and huge (only Texas rivals such a huge night sky!) and star studded. The electric producing organisms that wash up on the beach at night, producing ghost-like apparitions that dance across the water's edge, are like nothing else I've seen anywhere else. A very lovely piece of the world.