Air fare: $1600
Lodging in Odessa for me and my interpreter and Nikolaev for me: $800
60 hours of private Russian language instruction before during and after the trip (my instructor is very good): $799
30 hours of private dance lessons ($450). This is $3000 in the US.
Telling all the lovely 20 somethings who say they want to meet me: "I'm at the language school downtown. Come meet me." Priceless
The only fly in this mix is my interpreter is now trying to set me up with her very cute mother.
DCA - Washington Reagan. Nice thing is a got a decent fare on my frequent flier airline - US Air, AA, BA.
The whole stay on lodging.
Interpreter is in a separate room in Odessa.
It looks like this will be a typical American working vacation so I may have trouble fitting it all. OTOH, I'll burn less vacation and will be able to do it again and for longer next summer.
"Is this trip costs being provided from this site or some other company?"
I built the itinerary. Air was a little higher because I wanted my airlines - not much.
I picked out the lodging - hotel in Odessa and AirBnB in Nokolaev
Language lessons is separate of course.
My interpreter found a dance instructor for me.
TomZ - you are clearly a very different person than me. I know how to keep my wallet and my penis where they belong.
In addition to being the dating scam capital of Ukraine, Nikolaev seems to have some nice resources for potential expatriates.
IMHO, the exchange rate will be very good for a long time.
"Is this another one of your tongue in cheek postings, like the one about the message that the young girl sent you? "
Fair question.
I am seriously looking to expat in the Ukraine.
I won't have a great retirement but it will go a long ways abroad.
I was seriously looking at Ecuador. Exchange rate in Ukraine is better and will probably stay that way.
I found good resources in Nikolaev to help me on my first trip. Especially the language school.
My job may allow to put in billable hours from abroad stretching my limited vacation.
After she learns about my divorce, Ukraine may not be far enough away from my baby sister.
I spend a $100 for quality private ballroom dance instruction here.
You guys would cringe at what I have paid this year.
It dos not take many hours at $15/hour to make for a very good trip.
Even if I do not get laid. (TomZ)
Forgot to add in at least $100 a day( for you closer to ~$200 with multiple mouths) for eating and that doesn't cost going out anywhere plus terp's cost of `$15 an hour. I can see it now... Used and abused.... Have 'fun' with those 20 somethings... Hope you can/will report back....if and when.
btb - I like to get something for my money. I mean why did you go to Nikolaev? For dance lessons?
The good thing here is that you're taking Russian lessons. Speaking Russian will give you an edge over your counterparts and open a whole world of ladies to you that were previously unavailable without an interpreter.
The thing is you can't learn a language in a couple of weeks. You need at least 6 months of intensive study and living in the country. Good luck with that.
I must have missed something. What were doing in Nikolaev? Did you meet someone on this site? Another site? Go on a tour? I was in Nikolaev last June. Quite an experience.
"Forgot to add in at least $100 a day( for you closer to ~$200 with multiple mouths) for eating and that doesn't cost going out anywhere"
Average monthly income in Ukraine is $240 at current exchange rate. I think I'll be eating at different places than you.
Breakfast buffet for 3: $18, McDonald's fish sandwich meal deal: $2.70. Maybe the exchange rate was different when you were here.
Btb,,, 1600 might be a good price if you are leaving in Dec, but I found airfare for as little as 1,100 round trip in Jan,,, but it was Aeroflot going through Moscow? I wouldn’t,,, not anymore.
The reason why I asked about your accommodations, is that I know of a place in Odesa that has suites for about that much. A regular room starts at about 180USD.
The rates today are cheaper than 4 years ago. A result of the war I’m sure.
The cheapest room is now 640.UAH and the suite is 3120.UAH The room I had last time, is now only 840UAH instead of 1200 to 1400UAH! At the time, it was 1 USD to 8UAH,,,,,, but someone today claimed the rate was 1 to 16?? That makes my room only 50USD?
I highly recommend this hotel!
"Btb,,, 1600 might be a good price if you are leaving in Dec, but I found airfare for as little as 1,100 round trip in Jan,,, but it was Aeroflot going through Moscow? I wouldn’t,,, not anymore. "
The job constrains my schedule. I wanted AA because I need the miles to bump a level in the FF program. It was $1334 round trip into Kiev and then 178 on UIA round trip to ODS.
I found a nice hotel that is very reasonable on Priceline with decent ratings.
http://hotel-geneva.com.ua/hotel/park/
They have been great helping with the booking. At least one person in admin speaks great English, and good ratings.
I did AirBnB in Nikolaev. The apartment has a jet tub. I'll need it after 3-4 hours of dance lessons a day.
People keep asking why Nikolaev and I keep answering pretty much the as the original post. Nothing more, nothing less.
TomZ: "btb754 you're 60. A 20 something girl is just going to be a time waster for you."
We are in 90% agreement. I'm going down to 35. My brother in law is married to an American woman 25 years younger and it works pretty well.
I think I'll end up with a lady in her early 40s. I just want to get a couple of these kids in a room with my interpreter.