Probably under different circumstances to many, in that, i didn't go to meet someone i had conversed with on the net, i travelled with a friend (much older than myself) who already had several acquaintances there. As a result i found it easy to make good friends in the town that i stayed. They are simply the most friendly people i have ever met, and so genuine too - never was it about money, although i paid consistently for drinks and food for who's ever company i was in, they couldn't have done more to return their thanks. On top of this i ended up meeting a deavoshka who'm i couldn't help myself but to promise i will return to see her within a month... I cant wait to get back there!
Excellent
I said some years back that what you have just done is a good way of "getting the feel of things"
You definitely need the assistance of someone who knows the ropes - language etc
These people are most hospitable if you can get the chance to get in beside them/ literally,
Good luck and speedy return – what town/city were you in ????
Max... not even sure how to spell, but it like Novomoscofsk, 35km from Dnepropetrosvk, house prices doing very well. Have just had message back from friend today, the girl in question, missing me and will await my return, so i guess all systems go, i am now booking flights...:)
You have to understand, i was breakdancing and generally creating a right stir at the local club, so even if not from UK, would create attention, this before they knew i english, the girls i introduced to, wanted to hear me speak english and i could not believe they take the lead - pulling me onto dance floor...! this does not happen in blighty. the closest place to place to paradise, i believe, although i learn that i have to speak russian...
I would agree with the learning the Russian bit Ted im just back myself I attended my wifes graduation
and met alot of people very few have English it would have been nice to be able to have got into a few conversations with some of the people I met. This time I went for a apartment rather than a hotel
it was only 85 euros (per week) for a lovely ground floor apartment with 2 bedrooms and sat tv etc. My friend got a 1 bed for 65 euros with his Ukranian gfriend but for some reason he was tormented by mosquitos.
Gotta admit i was also bitten big time, the little sh*ts! that sounds like a bargain, i got a three room flat on 1st floor for 1200 hyrvna for the month (although only there for two weeks) i have just booked flights for return in two weeks, i thought i had given up on finding mrs right, as i have become far too picky over the years, but maybe Anya can prove me wrong...?!
Incidentally anyone recommend best domestic flight from Kiev to Dnipr, i have currently ukraine international at $252 return, but thought i could get cheaper...?
Ted> Yeah you got the best deal - visiting small town in Ukraine. Your definately going to be something unusual there. In the big cities, its a lot more common for a westerner to visit. Speaking Russian would help anyone 1000%. Since you live in Europe its easier to get to Ukraine than it is from the US. Although someone in Poland or Germany is going to find it 100x easier and cheaper to fly. It's why you see English/German speaking in a lot of girl's profiles now.
I'm trying my best to steer clear of Odessa and have completely ruled out Kiev. 100% of those girls are money-centric, mutual attraction is a far distant 2nd. Career is of utmost concern for them.
Maxi> Agreed. You need to quickly go there to get the immersion. It is an eye-opener and hopefully luck is going to be on your side with the type of people you encounter. Keep your wits about you and if you don't like your crowd, start over and don't keep the same people around you.
A bad translator can also make or break your experience. I've had 2 that got personally involved in my decision making and personal influenced the outcome of certain situations.