Hey thanks everyone for the input.
Well it's been a few weeks since my original post and just thought I would give an update. This woman is FN awsome we are still spending hours on Skype. Talking about life in general. Her English is progressing at an astonishing rate it's really amazing. I guess it's really tough for women I read something like women make only 40% of what a man makes there. That just boggles my mind. This woman works her A** off for next to nothing but she really doesn't seem to mind, she says this is normal and don't worry about it. WOW really? I personally have never meet a western woman that would be willing to work 15 hour day's for 40 cents on the dollar and bonus this woman is smoking hot. I figure if she puts half that effort into relationship and family. I can see myself spending the rest of my life with her:) BTW I lived in Colorado for 10 years I own plenty of Gortex and long johns I am pretty sure as long as the snow isn't up to my waist it will be fine. Besides I will be spending the entire time with her and I get a warm and fuzzy just seeing her beautiful face and brother that Russian accent could melt the polar ice cap.:) It's really cool also that we seem to be getting each others humor and I gotta tell ya if you can laugh with someone it makes it so much easier. My X hardly ever laughed, guess it sucks to be her. NE way thanks again for all the positive feedback and good luck to every one. East bound with the hammer down Feb 12 2010. Houston to Kiev by way of Amsterdam in 15 hours 1 hr lay over SWEET one stop there one stop back. Gotta love it.
stick with it, you will discover what a lucky man you really are if the chips fall your way.
I too am amazed that a woman will work 12-15 hour days then spend the entire weekend plastering and painting an apartment to make it 'cosy'. And sometimes I get an email stating "I am still at work." Meaning something happened here and I can't leave until it is taken care of. And last week it was till midnight or after a couple days. Get a few hours sleep and do it again the next day. No overtime pay etc. Can you imagine any woman in America with that dedication for far less than minimum wage? The fact is there are very few options for her. There is no such thing as enforcable labor laws... I know what you mean about her accent that would melt a polar ice cap. Yesterday she (my lady) was trying to help me with pronunciation. I finally said I will never be able to sound like a man in Russian because your voice is too sweet and sexy. That alone is quite a turn on. That she is a hard working person who will plaster and paint and be so incredibly sexy at the same time.
So, by no means are you crazy. I think you earn bonus points for going there in crappy weather conditions. Not points from me, but points from her. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Good move I say! Enjoy.
TY Julian it has been a great ride so far. I certainly will not let anyone piss on my parade:) Im having to much fun to care. Even after work she is still staying up with me to talk for a few hours. I can not wait to meet her face to face. She is going to make the trip to Kiev to meet me at the airport from her home and that is a 13 hr trip in its self. WOW I offered to pay for 1st class ticket and she refused to have me give her money DOUBLE WOW. This woman is an angel. email, text, skype we are always sending msgs. Its really cool that she makes time for us. I have been really impressed with her sincerity and commitment to give what she gets. Figure if she is willing to meet me half way and put some effort into it, It mite just workout.
My advice if you are having a one hour layover in Amsterdam is to carry on a change of clothes. Being winter there can be delays and while you may make the connecion sometimes the bags dont. Schipol is a bit of a pain too. If the gates arent close it can be a 15 to 20 minute walk to the next flight. The good thing is there are about 3 flights a day so as long as its an early morning departure there isnt a long wait.
I would be nervous of a one hour layover in any airport... remember the baggage has to get to the next airplane... carry a change of clothes with you in you carry on bag and hope your checked bags get transferred... it is such a short amout of time.
TY MC and GD for the advise. I had planned on doing just that. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it . Right?
Update: As of today I have changed my return date so that I am able to stay 2 weeks now. She kept telling me one week is not enough so I obliged and have made her even happier. I gotta be dreaming.
Man I am still finding myself liking this woman more every day. 72 days to go and not the slightest hint of scam. Not 1 red flag since the beginning. To optimistic my A** and if it all goes to hell in a hand basket, I will surly eat my words and I will be here to post it. Wish me luck I feel good about this.
highballit -- good luck -- remember to take some lip balm/chapstick and a hat. January in Krasnodar can't be much colder than Feb in Ukraine. I feel you will be much more appreciated that you are willing to go in the cold. Take a small flashlight! You never know when you'll need it.