There is such an Odessa word “shikardos” (delight). Shikardos means simple joys. If it is smoldering hot at the beach and the water in the sea is cool; if you eat watermelon so that juice runs down your hands and you do not mind getting sloppy and your feet dive into the sand. If mom made sandwiches, and you did not want to take it, but now you are hungry and it tastes so good. If beer is very cold, almost frosty; if a friend raked mussels and you got a bucket. If the corn is no longer young, but sweet and smells like childhood; if you are riding on waves on the sea mattress and even your grandmother took a chance with you and enjoys it like a child. If it’s no longer important that your hair is dyed, and you put it in salt water; if you lie in the sand, where the sea meets the shore, and you are either wet, dry, dry or wet, but in constant balance. If Odessa speech is humorous and loud; if the only thought that haunts you now is to fry or bake these gorgeous peppers – all this is Odessa shikardos!
It is easy and simple. You just have to live here and love her. Our Odessa-mother.
