Austin (LPD 4) - Naval Cruise Book

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Night owls: Dancing at Planet Disco proves an eye-popping experience for FN Rodriguez (left); BT3 Ford, MS3 Placek and FN Bounkham mellow out late in the evening (bottom left); BTCS Scheck gives digital reminder of number of ports visited to date A inetasters: Sam- V V pling the com- modity at Murfatlar Vine- yard C onitantza 2

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ee our guest: At Zamfira ' s wed- ding (above). ABFC Doyle receives guest-of-honor treatment (top), as LT Vasauez (bottom left) and LTJG Wiiaermuth ao their best Richard Simmons 20 X ' lllJ

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A marching band, the American flag hoisted on the pier, sheets of Post-It Notepads pasted on the termi- nal railings, spelling out C-h-i-c-a-g-o. and T-e-n- n-e-s-s-e-e, and folks cheering as we shifted colors. No, sir, this wasn ' t the homecoming crowd in Norfolk, Virginia; this was the scene on the Port of Odessa the morning the AUSTIN arrived. This town festival atmosphere was sustained way beyond the first morning, as crowds of dignitaries, mili- tary officials, press people, Americans visiting or living in Ukraine, and local townsfolk kept the welcoming mat rolled out through- out our stay. They HE f T HH waited in line for a »£ ' « ' | A E l tour of the ship, asked -- £- ' ffi j- -j ffc v | questions about our ! tj s|X l - ' V K , u - j way of life, collected V 2 Jof-- j| y odds and ends of r JLL - J §m V things bearing | J J ' | the AUSTIN crest, and g j offered to show us • their town. AUSTIN sail- I V ors and marines found opportunities to meet local Odessians out in the town square, scale the Potempkin Stairs, ride their bikes to the beach, and sample a taste of Ukrainian culture and history as they toured the cathedrals and city catacombs, tasted the wine, vodka and champagne, haggled for goods with street vendors, and watched local classical musicians perform. Named after Odysseius, the warrior who had come to symbolize long and meaningful journeys, Odessa lived up to its name not only by making our stay meaningful and educational, but by filling each day of our visit with hospitable gestures and friendly smiles. -LTD!. Domingo 22 :7 ,, V J