Send Flowers to Russia, Ukraine and Worldwide with Cyber-Florist.com Fiance.com: Beautiful Russian brides
Home  |  About  |  Forum  |  User Blogs  |  Login  |  Register

	Create New Topic   My Posts   My forum buddies   Invite friends   Private messages Russian brides > Main Forum > Yes...yet another advice thread! Going to Nikolaev. Author Post Beijoguy Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/27/2008 10:29:32 PM   Please pardon the short prologue, guys: Okay, I have met this woman from the fiance.com site. We are corresponding outside of the site, and we write each other every day. The letters are very romantic, and very loving. We use the Google translation site to translate our letters. She is not one of those BS model types I recived about 70 letters from, but she is an adorable little doll nonetheless. She doesn't care one bit about money, and has never asked me for a penny. On the contrary, she has done everything she can to save me money and steer me away from any scammers. She sent me some pictures, and she is just a sweet, cute little woman with a huge heart. I truly feel lucky to have met her, especially after all of the crap I was getting from that site. Danny3777, I took your advice, and we have decided I will visit her in Nikolaev. That being the case, I would like to list what I plan on doing, and get some feedback or advice from the pros on this site. FLIGHT = I am looking at booking the flight through ASAPtickets.com because even after the ridiculous fees (that all the airlines seem to have), I will be paying about $1,200 for a round-trip ticket. This is at leat $300 less than anywhere else I have found. I will be coming out of Boise, ID (but I can also leave from Salt Lake City, UT if absolutely necessary) and flying into Odessa. The drawback is that the trip will be about 26 hours. QUESTIONS - Is that a typical price? Anyone have any experience with ASAP Tickets? Are they legit? LODGING + RIDE, TO & FROM NIKOLAEV = I am looking at this site - http://www.city-of-brides.com/tours.html#1 - and they charge $70 each way from Odessa to Nikolaev for the ride, and they have apartments for rent for about $45 per night for a 4+ night stay. QUESTIONS - Is that a good price for the ride & room? Any other suggestions for cheaper transportation & lodging? Anybody with experience and/or advice will be very welcome and appreciated!! Thanks guys :) beemer18 Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/27/2008 11:27:19 PM   See if you can get flight in Kiev instead, so you don't have such long flight or maybe save some money. You can fly from Kiev to Odessa for about $64 each way. I have a couple site if you are interested. Many flights out of Chicago to Europe. I use ukrainefare.com for apt and transfers, they will beat your price from Odessa to Nikolaev..check their apts too, I had nice one near sovietskaya, I prefer ones in $60-$65 range, cheapest is not always best. Say Hi to Yana!!! Are you going to see only 1 girl? Any other plans? Get there before mid October, get cold after that. Beijoguy Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/28/2008 1:44:47 AM   Hey Beemer, thanks for the great site! Looks like they have some super packages available for transport & lodging. Yes, I will put in a good word for you to Yana ;) What sites are you referring to in regards to flights out of Chicago? I am interested in checking out all options. Yeah, as crazy as that sounds, I'm going to visit one girl. Actually, I had a ton of responses to my profile (which surprised me), but after sifting out all the BS women, there was about 8 or 9 I was interested in. But, then I fell for this one little doll, and I lost my interest in the others. Call me a sap, but I got a special feeling about this one... :) VNVnation Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/28/2008 5:22:30 AM   Unless you want to spend time in Kiev, I think that flying into Odessa is better. The Kiev airport is hectic, and if you fly internationally into Kiev, you'll have to collect your bags, go through customs which can take a long time in Kiev, fight off the taxi drivers, walk over to the domestic terminal, and then deal with security and checking in all over again. On the ride from Odessa to Nikolaev. I think $70 is about right. I recently hired a taxi to take me from Odessa to Nikolaev, and he charged me by the kilometer, and it worked out to around $80 each way. As for other advice: I'd suggest having a back up plan with a local agency. Send your photos and an intro letter to five ladies, and then if things don't work out with your one girl, you can meet some others. Try to learn some Russian before you go, just so that you can function at a minimal level by yourself. Rag'n'Bull Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/28/2008 6:03:34 AM   Beijoguy, For a tai to Nikolaev suggest to your lady that you take a taxi from Nik to meet you at the airport and use the same taxi to go back again, try to avoid using an agency for a taxi and, to warn you in advance, the Odessa airport taxi drivers are a nightmare, they hastle and hastle, but NEVER use them as you will be ripped off. With regards to flights also check flights to Kiev as there is much more competition to Kiev which, in theory, makes for more competitive prices. For connecting flights between Kiev & Odessa check www.aerosvit.com and/or www.ukrainefare.com , also try Aerosvit to see what the fare might be from JFK to Odessa. Land of oz Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/28/2008 6:56:05 PM   I agree with you on meeting only one woman, I think it shows a seriousness that lining several up does not. Of course it might not work out but you will have given it your best shot. I am not going to say my opinion is right but it is still my opinion. You can find other ladies to meet while you are there and that is a good backup. One thing I will suggest is learn as much Russian as you can. You talk about using a google translator so I assume she does not know English and you do not know Russian. It is very important that you are looking in her eyes when you talk to her not the Interpreters. The first time I went I had 90 days of pimsluer. It wasn't enough but we did not use an Interpreter and had a wonderful time together. Use an Interpreter when you have to but do not get addicted to them. VNVnation Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/29/2008 4:21:53 AM   Just FYI, I bought a ticket from Odessa to Kiev two days ago, and paid about $170. It was only one-way, so round trip price may be less, but still, not cheap aussieman41 Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/29/2008 9:47:50 AM   Suggestion: don't open your front door and stay at home..your putting all your eggs in one basket..this rarely works..you need backup options...don't put your faith in one woman you never personally meet in the hope she will like and want to marry you...its like trying to win the major prize in a lottery, you will buy your ticket, play the game and walk away disappointed and maybe disillusioned too! I look forward to your report on the forum after your trip, what went wrong? beemer18 Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/29/2008 7:07:46 PM   VNVnation....I don't know who you booked with but it is $66 on Aug 30, Sept 10 or OCT 3, you should have taken my cue from earlier post...would have saved you over $100....aerosvit.ua/eng...did you not read my post??? VNVnation Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/30/2008 7:38:01 PM   I bought my ticket from a travel agency in Odessa. Same price as what I saw on aerosvit.ua/eng. It was for travel the next day, so maybe a higher price. Anyway, I had a nice couple days in Kiev. : ) beemer18 Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/30/2008 8:43:38 PM   Glad you had a nice couple days VNVnation..... my post was on Aug 29 and I found price of $66 for next day, Aug 30, don't know why you got higher price. I don't know why but low prices are only for one ways, if you look at roundtrip oprice, it is well over $300 Beijoguy Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 8:47:51 AM   Hi guys, I am reading and processing all of your advice. Every bit helps in my decicion. Here is where I am at so far: LODGING + RIDE, TO & FROM NIKOLAEV = The woman I plan on seeing has apparently set up a ride to and from the airport with a taxi friend of hers. No mention of price, or whether it's on the house. I'll have to check into this. Either way, that works. I mentioned to her about the price of the apartment I was looking into, and she says she can find something less expensive. She will let me know when she finds something. I am assuming it will be semi-nice as she will be spending time there as well. By tghe way, this site - http://www.city-of-brides.com/tours.html#1 which I initially looked at has apparently raised all of their prices and fees from what is listed here. Just an FYI. TO BE WITH ONE LADY, OR NOT TO BE WITH ONE LADY? THAT IS THE QUESTION = Again, call me a schmuck, but I seem to have lost my interest in meeting other ladies except for her. Wow...a month ago when I first started making plans to go to Ukraine, I had e-mailed many women to let them know I would be there. But now, I just don't seem to have the interest. Geez, maybe I'm getting old, but my thoughts seem to be only on this woman. I things do not work out for some reason (and I am pretty damn sure they will), I'm sure I will make contact with the other women from that city I have been in contact with, just to salvage the trip. Luckily, there were quite a few. LANGUAGE = Land of OZ...I will be learning all I can before I arrive. We have talked about the language barrier, and we agree that it may be a slight hindrance, but should not cause too many problems at the stage. She has committed herself to learning English as well, and has apparently enrolled in some starter classes, so that is good. The electronic translator I purchased should help me with several necessary sentences. Yes, looking her in the eyes is vital, and I have thought about that exact same scenario many times. I believe, however, that though she may not understand the actual language of what I say when I am looking her in the eyes and telling her how I feel about her, that she will grasp the sentiment behind it. Aussieman41 - Yes, I realize this is a big risk for me, both emotially and financially. However, if there is one thing I have learned in life, it's that the biggest rewards are gained by taking the biggest risks. I am at a brief point in my life where the circumstances will allow me to make a trip like this; an opportunity I may not be able to take for quite a while. That being said, I know myself well enough to know that I would rather go and be disappointed than to not go and always wonder what might have been. beemer18 Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 11:43:47 AM   Hey Beijo, if you feel comfortable with your plans, then that is best. Personally, I like to make arrangements. Remember, you get what you pay for in apts, if your girl gets you inexpensive apt, by western standards, will not be very nice. Happened to me one time. Plan on paying for taxi ride, no one does things from the goodness of their heart, only you have no idea what is being charged....its about a 2 hour drive. If things don't work out with girl, who drives you back? Being with one lady is a personal choice. If it works for you great. Reading your posts, seems like this is your first time in ukraine. Seen many a guy talk so giddy about going to see a girl only to 'crash and burn'. No matter what is said in letters or spoken on phone, it IS different when in person. In relationships, I have a 80-20 rule. 20% of your relationship is formed through letters and phone calls, 80% is formed after meeting girl. Who knows exactly what will happen and IF girl is really sincere....for actions speak much louder than words. Also, it is very difficult to form a bond with girl if she speaks little to no english, interpreter will end up speaking to girl in long drown out conversations, while you sit and listen and wait to be told what is happening. I always thought in my mind, what are they saying, are they just making chit-chat or talking about something personal. It gets very expensive and bothersome to have interpreter around. It would be nice if girl gets comfortable enough to not need one, just hope that happens. Hope it all turns out well for you but just wanted to tell you about some pitfalls. It is nice if you have some words or phrases in russian you could say, really impresses a girl. Language barrier is not a slight hinderance....it can be very frustrating for all, it is not like letter writing. Electronic translators are a piece of sh1t......pardon my grammer...fine if you are with friends...but nothing kills the moment more than having 'a voice' say something for you. Sometimes things need to be said at the moment..... Banfflife Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 12:44:40 PM   Hey Beijoguy I cannot offer any advice because i am in a similar situation to yourself. I am flying out from Calgary to Kiev via London. I came from the UK before i moved to Canada. I received many responses to my profile and although this was an ego boost i managed to cut down the list to just a few. I had already started learning Russian before i made the decision to speak to anyone in the Ukraine. I felt the same way about not wanting to keep contact with many Ladies. It just didn't seem right for me. I have now spoken to Natalia and although an interpreter was present it felt good to be able to exchange all but a few phrases. She has dedcided to meet me in Kiev as there was no option other than hire a car or get taxi etc. She lives in Sumy. My only advice would be , and this is something that i gained from this site, is to ask her lots of questions. I struggled with this at first because i did not want to come across as offensive or arrogant. It worked though and helped Natalia to see that i was at least sincere in my approach and serious in my quest. I look forward to hearing of your experiences? Best of luck my friend. Beijoguy Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 1:23:33 PM   Beemer18 - good point about the back-up plan for the taxi servive. I ma puchasing a calling card for my cell phone so I can call internationally, and I plan on bringing a few numbers with to call, like that ukrainefare.com you previously mentioned. Never hurts to be prepared. Yes, addmittedly I have been through the "giddy" stage, being the sappy romanticist I am. But I am also a pragmatist, and I am still running through everything to make sure this is what I actually want. I'm about 95% sure, so I am still examining the missing 5% to find out what part of me is holding back, and why. Funny...even though I have never talked through and interpreter, I always wondered if in fact the interpreter knows all of the women, and just BS's with them in their native language at the expense of the schmuck paying for it, while he just sits there oblivious. I plan on taking Russian language courses anyway, and I am lucky that my local library can order items from all over the USA, and have them shipped to me. I have ordered the Rosetta Stone Russian course vol. 1, and it will be free so you can't beat that. As the language barrier being a "slight hindrance", what I was referring to was the initial trip, not overall where I know it will be vital to understand each other at least semi-fluently. The electronic translator I purchased was one I will be using for a limited time, and then reselling back on eBay where I first got it from. However, it will allow me to learn several key sentences, phrases, and words before we are together, because I absolutely agree with you Beemer18 - some thing do need to be said "at the moment". Additionally, we are woking out many of our plans over e-mails previous to me arriving so we will know what we are referring to later on. We have discussed the language issue, and we both agree that part of the charm, and draw, to dating/marrying a foreigner is helping each other out with their own distinct language. I believe it helps to add purpose and responsibility to both parties. Frustrating? Absolutely. But, I have yet to get anything worthwhile in life without working or fighting for it. Over the next 2 weeks, I will be asking some very pointed and important questions to her to make sure that not only are we both ready for this, but if this is what we really want. As I said, so far she has not triggered ANY red flags, which unfortunately I must admit I usually look for when corresponding with any woman, and I am still looking for some with her, but just can't spot any. On the contrary, all flags seem to be green. her letters are caring and loving, and she has never asked me for any money, or alluded to the fact that she will need some in the future. beemer18 Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 2:22:23 PM   One thing on Rosetta Stone..I used that but it got boring real fast. I learned most of my russian through extension classes in a junior college, nothing beats hearing it, saying it and being corrected with a person in front of you. Hard to learn sounds or pronounce from a book. Get a ukrainian phone number and card....probably 25 hyrvnia will do, so you can call anywhere in ukraine and you can be called also. I still use my same number for 2 years now when in ukraine...just have to recharge it after several months, even if you still have plenty of hyrvnia($$) on it, I found this out in last April. Also, there was a guy on here that lives in Nikolaev now, he would be good person to talk to and getting together with when you are in Nikolaev...think it is Bill54. I think it is good idea to meet up with a 'friend' in that city and include your girl. I know couple guys that will be in Odessa along with me in early October, one of which will be going to Nikolaev & Kherson. Beijoguy Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 3:39:30 PM   BANFFLIFE - Thank you for your input. I read a bit about your experience elsewhere on the forums. I am glad things are working out between you and Natalia :) Yes, I will absolutely let you guys know how things went, good or bad. Regardless of whether is is me, or you, or whomever, it takes a lot of courage to do something like this, so it would be nice if we can all support each other! Point duly noted about asking a lot of questions. I have asked her several, but I'm trying to thing what questions would be poinant or important. I'm normally very thorough, but I can't conjure up any right now. Suggestions? BEEMER18 - In regards to the language...yes, nothing beats real life experience. I'm hoping to get experience soon. Unfortunately, living here in Idaho, the Ukranian community isn't exactly prolific. I will have access to the Rosetta Stone series (vol. 1-3) through the local library, and it's free, so that should work for now. I wish this had all went down while I was still in the Seattle area; there is a massive Ukranian/Russian influx developing there. That would have been ideal. Thanks for the tip on BILL54. I will see if I can locate him and start something up. Every bit helps! VNVnation Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 3:50:29 PM   I also prefer to make all arrangements myself. If there are any problems, at least you are not dependent on a girl that you have not yet met. As for apartments, your idea of "semi-nice" is likely quite different from her idea of semi-nice. I remember on my first trip to Russia I stayed in an apartment that was probably the worst place I'd ever stayed in anywhere in the world. The girl I was with said it was a normal apartment; she didn't see anything wrong with it at all. But, all of that is part of the adventure. As for interpreters, there are good ones and bad ones. I know several interpreters who are excellent and have great integrity. I have also run across several that are basically partners in a scam to get a man to part with his money. If you don't speak Russian well enough to understand what is being said (and Rosetta Stone will not get you to that point), you are essentially at the mercy of the interpreter. Just the other day I was in a cafe in Odessa watching an American guy on a meeting sit there silently while his girl and her interpreter talked with each other about stuff completely unrelated to this poor guy. Just one bit of advice: it sounds cynical, but for myself, if I have not yet met the girl I make no assumptions about whether she is sincere or even real. It's great to be excited, but just hold back part of your emotions until you've actually sat down with the girl and see that she is real and the same as what you imagine her to be. My first experience on fiance.com was with a girl in Ukraine who disappeared the day before I was due to arrive to visit her. Calls, emails, SMS--all went unanswered. Months later she emailed me to say that she had met a local guy that same week. Just be careful with your emotions. When is you trip? I'm in Odessa and have several English-language speaking drivers and others that might be able to help you if you need something. Land of oz Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 4:55:23 PM   I agree with Beemer that the Rosetta Stone is quite dry. And if you can also get the English version I think that would be a big help to you. This program shows 4 photos or phrases and then says the phrase or shows the photo and you pick the one out of the 4 that matches. It is sometimes difficult for me to pick the right one in the English version so if you can play the English version of the same lesson it lets you know what it is saying in the Russian version. I also used a collins Russian English talking dictionary that I bought on Ebay for about $10 and sometimes typed the words in Rossetta stone into it to see what they meant. It needs an update to drag and drop that is free if you can find it. If you get the dictionary and need the update let me know and I can get it to you. First I would learn what each letter of the Russian alphabet looks and sounds like. Then you can sound the word out and sometimes pick up mistakes you have in hearing the pronunciation that Beemer mentioned. Always read the words and make sure you pronounce with the letters there. Pimsuleur is also a very good program if you can get it through your library. It is an interactive cd that you can play while driving. It does a much better job of driving the pronounciations and words into your memory but is limited to polite conversation. There are 90 1/2 hour lessons for Russian for English speakers. And if you drive a lot like I do it is free time to learn unlike Rossetta stone where you have to make the time for it. Both programs are different both in method and the type of words you learn. While Pimsuleur it conversational Rossetta Stone is objects, actions, and phrases and a broad range of vocabulary. So there may be a little overlap but not a lot. If you have a college in the area that offers the course by all means that would be better. I do not have a close one here so that is not an option for me. Of course you can see that Beemer and I disagree on backup plans and that is not wrong. One given time his method will work when mine fails. Another Time mine will work and his will fail. It just comes down to what you are comfortable with and you live with your decision. Having Bill 54's contact info would be great, I think he would be happy to help if you need it. If you have a quad band gsm telephone you can put a local Ukraine number in it as Beemer mentioned. If you had her buy one and mail it to you then the two of you could communicate sms as soon as you land and mine even worked in Frankfort so it may work in all of Europe which is great because if you have a plane delay you can keep her up to speed. Land of oz Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 8/31/2008 7:18:02 PM   I just did a google and it looks like you could buy a Ukraine Kyivstar sim card with 30 minutes included on line for for $36 plus 13 shipping at http://www.valuesphere.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?. So $50 that would be $45 more expensive than it would be in Ukraine but you could give your number to your lady and message her when in Ukraine so depends on what that is worth to you it is an option. Here they are on the Kyivstar site http://www.kyivstarshop.net/porting/prepaid but it is in Russian and I cannot see any shipping options outside Ukraine. Your Reply: Your name:   New Registration Password:   Forgot password?   refresh Code:   Russian brides > Main Forum > Yes...yet another advice thread! Going to Nikolaev.
	Pages: 1 2 3