Never ceases to amaze me the effect travelling east has on the first timers. Start out moralizing over how they will act and what they are looking for, they land in Kiev or St Pete or wherever, their eyes bulge, blood rushes south, if they have a bit of form they bang everything bar the base drum and maybe that also, piss their morals all over the cobble stones for a few days and gradually gather them up on the way home, land back home and return to the fray as if butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths.
BTW Julian, I was impressed with your remark regarding liking her but not being in love. It is much more difficult to actually like someone than it is to love them, hence I really do believe “like” must be well and truly cemented first. Go back soon, meet the same lady, keep your emotions in check and after that trip you’ll both have a clue as to how you really feel. Forget the plane ride deals, they are only visa jockeys. Been there, seen that, many times.
bowhunter--- not sure of return trip. depends on Lena. She told me the two dudes from denmark that were on our tour with were on her train. - just an aside. I did not let it bother me while I was there, but now I'm really pissed about losing the photos I took. Camera can be replaced, photos cannot.
I was looking into apts for Aug. Next only time I can travel there or somewhere in the vicinity. Flight attendant told me (lives in Madrid) that it is the high season in Spain and prices go up significantly. I am not an experienced European traveler. Much research to do. But I'm thinking just go back to Kiev. I like the place and have unfinished business there. Plus it will give me an opportunity to explore other cities/towns/villages. I was thinking Odessa. Right time of year for it.
But as I said -- it all depends on feedback from trip and further discussions about 19 yr old son. Big question mark. Overall, best five days I spent with a woman in a long time. everything clicked.
This morning I had to clean up other site. Erase pretty much everything and post myself as not available. Sucks to have to do it with some uncertainty but i feel it is the best approach to stick with one woman. If it doesn't pan out Then I go backwards. For now I focus on one lady. It will be a challenge.
shit again --- comment about my spelling and word use -- half the time I type in image code and password it is denied.. could be key board --??? does anyone else experience this?
Dr -- I have no intention of flirting with a 22 yr old on the plane. I just thought it was a novelty and humorous that is was happening. As I said, I was taken advantage of by one lady in Kiev. Mr Happy took over the brain waves for a couple days. I must admit though many would have envied me. It is not my style to fuck anything that bounces by. But I figured at the time, why not? I was just looking at some photos and video of the trip. I'm keeping this lady if I can. She may not be the most beautiful one of the bunch, but she is a winner.
As with baron, I learned to hit "refresh" before typing the code -- the server doesn't like "stale" codes.
Heartfelt congratulations on your trip. It seems that you did indeed learn a lot! I appreciate that you offered so much of your story on this forum, it's an inspiration for me.
P.S. Have you considered visiting Lena in her hometown, in Russia?
It's probably not so charming as Kyiv, and requires preparation - not only a Russian visa, but the Russian south has some special travel restrictions (I can point you to information, if you are interested). But when the two of you are ready, it can be a great way to get to know her more deeply.
Write your posts in Word or Note and then Paste them into a FRESH loaded forum page.
IF - you get the blank page after submitting your post - use the "back page" arrow at top left hand side of Explorer page - your written Post should still be there
I will be there in July going to Yalta with my lady. I think doing the ground work in advance helps to get to know a person. only time will tell if she is the one best of luck.
Bowhunter, good luck with your trip to Yalta, I was there in March... I stayed at the "seasons" hotel... very nice place. I think Jetmba has also stayed at this hotel and was pleased with his stay there. Caution the prices double in tourist season... could be expensive. I opted for me and my girlfriend to next meet (in three weeks) at an "all inclusive" resort on the Turkish Rivera (Belete) $2200 for 7 days including round trip tickets from Zaporozhye. If it not too late to change your travel plans you should check it out.
Julian
How long for - we can most likely get you an apartment for longer terms - but it wont be in the centre though. If you are permanently with a local women (as I believe you will be) its no problem out from centre - as she will know the ropes Re travel around etc. You used to be able to get an apartment for 2-300$ per month. It would be a couple who will be in their Dacha (holiday house) and they let out their home apartment for a few extra $$$
I will post my Kievstar cell number on here once we get there.
Maxirat,
It's only for 8 nights. She is not from Kiev - Russain. Spending another week together. On short notice and from a logistics perspective this is the easiest way to get together sooner rather than later. I have seen many of the short term rentals are availble. I have the luxiary of knowing this and will be able to haggle accordingly.
As Dunromin mentioned, "Why don't I visit in her country...?" She mentioned it would be "EXTREME TOURISM" Meaning not as nice as Kiev or friendly to travelers. But touring will not be purpose of visit. That will be in the works down the road. Taupse near the sea.
Visiting Russia is a pain compared to Ukraine now. Its amazing - no one hardly mentions Russia on here now.
We are possibly going to head up to Moscow for 10 days, not 100% on that at this stage. I apply for my Russian Visa at Kiev Russian Embassy which is very easy and straight forward - just involves 2 trips there - BUT - the invitation letter BS - is a real pain in the arse !!!
Anyone got any latest ways of getting this letter of invitation, b4 I have got one off a UK company, pay 40quid and they fax it to you, then we will have to visit the Moscow register office twice and go through that BS procedure. I have been tempted in the past to forget about the invitation letter and try my luck in and out with a 20$US note or 2, reckon it would work ???
Juilian
You should be able to negotiate a good rate for 8 days. Keep intouch - we can catch up in centre, my wife is Russian but Ukraine citz
From my reading of this forum, most of the seedy low-life coves here (I mean, guys like me) do their trolling only in Ukraine. This gives me a good feeling that I'm at a competitive advantage, 'cause I like to go to Russia ;)
Seriously, one year ago I met (in Russia) a really stunning gal in her late 30's, well educated, nearly perfect American English (works at the consulate over there). I told her it was my first ever meeting with someone I'd discovered from the internet... and she said it was the same for her, lots of letters from American men, but they don't travel to Russia.
Even more seriously, don't mess with the Russian visa/immigration system. It's just not worth it. Most of the officials are ruthless and merciless, and not so easy to bribe like cops over there. Most exciting of all, in the unlikely event someone managed to "sneak in," if they caught him sneaking out... they don't just paddle your fanny and tell you to scram. They won't let you leave... you would effectively be a "prisoner" in Russia for weeks, not necessarily a funny experience.
The good news is, now it is not necessary to make 2 trips to the registration office, because it is no longer necessary for you to have a copy of the paperwork. The office I go to in St. Peterburg will give me a copy if I want to make the second trip (just to be paranoid), but now I just have them email it to me, and print it out at a paid internet place.
If you do make the jaunt to Russia, I wish you a good time there.
If anyone is interested, PM me, and I can start a thread on the mechanics of traveling to Russia.
Update on THE TRIP. Miss Universe sent me a letter a week ago. I finally replied and told her I met another. Her response, "I understand. GO TO HELL!" I guess a few days of playing hide the sausage meant we were in a 'relationship'. Now if this doesn't work out I can already cross her off my list of back up plans.
Durak, I am interested in info for travel to RF.
Glad you shared with us your correspondence with Miss Universe. A couple of weeks ago, when I was first reading about how she draped her leg over you etc., I thought "this one sounds like a real operator." Of course, it's possible that she was sincere, but what are the odds?
For someone who didn't seem to know the language when you met her, her e-mail was in perfectly fluent, idiomatic English :) Maybe the interpreter is just that good.
If anyone's curious how to say this in Russian, say the sounds "eedEEk chyORtoo!" They will understand.
Seriously, you accumulated very much experience from a first trip, seeming to cover the spectrum from upright and genuine ladies to ... well, Miss U.