Thats why I am glad about where I live, about 80% of the population here are military, there are 4 Naval bases, 2 marine camps, 2 Army posts, an Airforce Base, and a Coast Guard Base. Military people constantly marry women from other countries and are far and wide accepted here. While I have no preferences on American, Russian , or Western Europe, or any other ethnic backround having a Russian wife move here with me would be great being she will be able to make many friends with Russians that are already here.
geri:
another pure gold nugget there mate......have you ever asked a woman from the FSU why she looks for a foreign man? in almost all cases it is most definitely NOT to leave her country.Most of these ladies are intensely proud of their roots,with good reason too,it is only the attitude of certain men that causes them to look elsewhere.
Thanks Glad for restating that, it is so important to break down the myths. I said that once and all I got was what the hell do you know? you have never been there!
wess:
nothing wrong with stating an opinion,and as you well know there is a gold mine of information that can be had before you even set foot in Russia or Ukraine or anywhere else for that matter.
Those that choose to take the attitude of "I've been there so I know best" are only fooling themselves.The wisest man is the one who listens.
A forum is about free speech although certain people seem to forget that.
Good to see you back Glad, hope you had a great time in the Ukraine, I had a great time in Moldova and Italy last weekend, she arrives in 5 days, can't wait
Glad nice to see you back. Tell us all the details of your trip...er without charging us per letter or word (please). Unless I missed it in some other thread....
Well jet here is the free version for those that are interested!!
Inna and I had decided to go and see her Mum before the Christmas holidays and we were very very lucky in getting a flight from Manchester via Amsterdam to Kiev for just £73 plus tax,which believe me is unbeleivable value,with KLM and with meals on all 4 flights too.
So.....after a good start we arrived at Borispol and I did notice a few changes since I last went,most notably increased security,particularly regarding baggage.It seems the Ukranian authorites have finally woken up to the real world of airports...:))
We had to rush leaving the airport as we had to make the 5pm express train to Kharkov and with the plane touching down 3.30 local we were pushing our luck a little I suppose.Anyway as is usual in these cases I take a back seat and let my wife do the negotiating with the local cabbies,and quite quickly a price of 70 gryvnia was agreed for the ride to the main train station in Kiev.That is were the luck deserted us....upon arrival at Kiev our train had left by about 30 minutes so we were left with the choice of finding somewhere to stay in Kiev or negotiating again.....LOL.
This is where having a Ukranian wife is very useful indeed!!! Somehow with a great deal of smiles and quickfire russian Inna had persuaded the driver to take us all the way to Kharkov,for $100,a little more expensive than the train but who am I to argue with such bargaining skills.All that for a trip of 500km by the way!!!
Kharkov was it's usual industrial self but somehow seemed a lot more lively and bustling than my last visit.Many new buildings having been erected since our last trip.Maybe the celebration of the city's 350th anniversary and the national elections had something to do with that.The women there have just got lovelier than ever and WOW was I surprised to see so many short skirts.....(sorry guys my weakness!!).This prompted Inna to point to my wedding ring and inform me with a smile that although I am now on a diet,she did not mind me reading the menu........what a way to put it!!!!!
The 2 weeks passed all too quickly,but were very pleasant indeed,giving me a chance to meet many of Inna's friends that we could not see the first time.Indeed during the course of a particular night out with one of Inna's married friends,we left the girls chatting about old times and my new friend Alexey and I decided through a combination of broken english and russian combined with copious amounts of Pepper vodka that we should try swimming in the boating lake in the central park in Kharkov............DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME GUYS!!!....the water was so cold I barely managed 200 metres before Alexey decided I was extremely foolish and rescued me....on reaching the shore I saw the disapproving side of the Ukranian female.In fact the sight of Alex being told off by a woman less than half his size was the funniest thing I have ever seen!!!
It was quite an experience and so much different from my original visit....without exception every single person I met left me with the impresion of genuine warmth and friendship.I know that my visits there will only increase in frequency in the coming months.
Possibly even including a business venture on similar lines to those provided here.
A somewhat long post for me......hope it entertained,and informed.
Trad:
good to hear the news mate.....bet the next five days are the longest of your life!!!
Don't forget to give Sveta our number and speak with Inna....:))
You know... while in Odessa I bought some of that peppered vodka on the advice of someone though I cannot recall who gave me the advice. I did not have any over there and have not yet opened my bottle here. I will tonight just because I feel like it. (And I don't want it to get dusty.)