I've been on fiance.com for about 5 months, got a lot of response from some great ladies. But I like this "forum" thing. I appreciate you vets helping with advise and ideas. Although the infighting between some of you is a little ridiculous and time consuming, it’s still better than anything the other “scam sites” offer.
So I’m planning my first trip. I appreciate the info on using aerosvit out of JFK. Doing that is a savings of almost $1000 alone, from what some of the other airlines quoted. I’ve got three ladies to visit. One in Kharkov, one in Nikolaev and one in Azov Russia.
#1 what’s the best itinerary? Kharkov, Nikoleav, Azov, then back to Kharkov to fly back to JFK? #2 Do I need visas or vaccinations for Ukraine or Russia (I’m USA citizen). #3 Any problem with Azov with the fighting going on in Georgia? #4 Only one lady speak English, the Russian. I speak 0 Russian and don’t want to learn (studying Spanish right now, and speak German). I was going to ask each lady to arrange for the translator, but how expensive is normally? The translator will probably have to be there all of the first day and most of the second. If she and I cannot figure out some kind of communication after two days then I don’t think it’s the right lady anyway. #5 What’s the best way to get from Kharkov to Nikoleav to Azov and back to Kharkov…train, taxi, plane??? How do I arrange it?
How long do you suggest I plan to stay with each lady??? I was think of 3 to 4 days each…too long/short??? Opinions and reasons, please. The ladies know what my program is and the reason to meet is to see if we are compatible so they trust me enough to meet me and travel to other countries later.
Anything else you think I should consider, I would be grateful to have. Thanks.
jobosi,
Glad the Aerosvit from JFK proved better however these ladies are not stupid, nobody travels from the other side of USA to the other side of Europe for 3 or 4 days, they know that you will be multi dating and they will not take you seriously whatsoever.
And should things work out between you and one lady you are going to need to explain all the stamps and (Russian) visa on your passport, yes they always like to look at a foreign passport. Might I respectfully suggest that you opt for one lady and keep the other two in reserves thus if plan one doesn't work out then you go for plan B or C.
You can fly Aerosvit, via Kiev of course, to Odessa or Kharkov, to transit between Odessa (Nikolaev) and Kharkov then it would be flights Odessa-Kiev-Kharkov and/or vise versa.
As for Azov, well I know Roston-on-Don has an airport, but how you might fly there, well I think you might be able to fly from KIev, it might not be that far by surface transport from the Ukraine border, but you will need a Russian visa.
Jobosi....talk about spreading it out!!! I thought I was bad with my Kiev-St Pete's-Kiev-Simferopol-Kiev route but at least they were all by plane!!!! I stayed in each city for 3-4 days, certainly not enough time to get to know a girl, if one fancy's you. Never had a girl check out my passport before though.
Roston-on-Don does have an airport maybe need to use aeroflot, I think Asov is about 20 miles from there, maybe looking at another $750 to see that girl. Need to get a visa to enter russia. Get one from russian consulate along with sending some other paperwork. Maybe you should tone this trip down a little. Most I do now is 2 cities with maybe a neighbor city mixed in. You can get $60 one way flights from Kharkov-Kiev-Kiev-Odessa for next month or so on aerosvit. I like Odessa and Nikolaev is couple hours drive.
As far as explaining to girls....I don't give entire story( what for)and nonchalently just say you are going to meet up with friends if asked.
"Glad the Aerosvit from JFK proved better however these ladies are not stupid, nobody travels from the other side of USA to the other side of Europe for 3 or 4 days, they know that you will be multi dating and they will not take you seriously whatsoever. "
By the same token though most will realise that you cant be expected to put all your eggs in one basket for such a long trip so long as you are honest with them about it from the start.
"I was going to ask each lady to arrange for the translator, but how expensive is normally? "
Translators charge around $10-20/hour, depending on the city, and whether they are from an agency.
"If she and I cannot figure out some kind of communication after two days then I don’t think it’s the right lady anyway. "
What are you expecting to happen after two days? You're not going to learn Russian in two days and if she doesn't speak English how exactly do you expect to communicate? Whether or not she is the right lady will have very little to do with whether you can communicate without an interpreter. If you're serious about getting to know these ladies I think you should be prepared to use an interpreter the whole time.
"What’s the best way to get from Kharkov to Nikoleav to Azov and back to Kharkov…train, taxi, plane??? How do I arrange it? "
I think this is too ambitious for someone on their first trip who doesn't speak any Russian. The fact that you've got to come on this forum to ask whether you need a visa makes me feel that you're not ready to be taking the train around Ukraine by yourself.
I'd suggest sticking to one country, maybe even one city. You might even consider staying in Kiev and inviting the ladies to meet you there.
Quote: "Whether or not she is the right lady will have very little to do with whether you can communicate without an interpreter."
VNVnation: You made an accurate post and I agree with most of your comments, but boy, do I seriously disagree with this one. Whether or not one is the right one has EVERYTHING to do with communicating without a "terp". Having a terp in a relationship IMO is akin to having mother-in-law along on the honeymoon to call the strokes.
Mrs and I constructed a relationship having little common language at first and as almost anyone who has done simlar will advise, it is ridiculously difficult. 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months is not going to overcome that issue. It takes years, many visits and counter visits.
Jabosi: I feel you would have extreme difficulty travelling unaided in Ukraine or Russia, much less the two combined. I suggest you take the advice above and remain in one or at most, two cities for a first trip.
Dunromin, yes, I see your point and it is well taken. Certainly it is possible to develop communication, but as your experience shows, it takes time, effort, and dedication.
I was merely suggesting that meeting the "right" lady is not going to enable two people who don't share a common language to suddenly be able to communicate. Communication can't happen overnight.
I've been in this situation, where things went great with the interpreter and we felt that we wanted to be on our own. But then once we were alone, reality set it, and I realized that no matter how "right" the girl was, I couldn't communicate even a simple thought. It was incredibly frustrating. So much so that I decided to learn Russian. : )
Another option with the lady from Azov would be to buy her tickets to meet you at one of the cities in Ukraine. She could come there easier than you could go to Russia especially if you do not know the language. I would suggest finding an Interpreter yourself especially if your ladies are not going to help you make your connections. Then if you need help between ladies you will have someone you can turn to. Airplane connections may not be that difficult but you will have problems figuring out the train connections. Many of them the local people do not know which track they will leave on until the train arrives and then there is a mad dash through the tunnel or over the bridge to catch it. And if you run with the crowd you better hope it is to the right train.
I'm sure, in my past, that I have seen flights to Rostov on the screens at Borispol but if one invites a lady from Russia to meet one in Ukraine then one might expect the lady to question 'what the fock is one doing in Ukraine?'.