I figured that I would be SURE to have wireless internet service available to me in Ukraine by having a plan and a back-up plan. I momentarily forgot that I was talking about unpredicatable Ukraine (land of sometimes refused service sometimes if you don't have exact change, where "24 hour supermarkets" might close each night at 10:00 pm).
I brought my internet capable CECT p168 phone - its an IPHONE clone and took it into MTS where a helpful lady set up the entire thing for me. She then told me that the next day I was to send a blank message to a certain telephone number, after which I would receive simple instructions to connect to the internet. The simple instruction I received was to send another message indicating the brand and model of my phone. Problem was the Ukraine system didn't recognize either the brand or the model and no matter what I did - refused to let me on.
I also brought along a Sierra 750 AirCard for a PC. Problem was it requires a special SIM card (not the same SIM) a phone uses. And I was UNABLE to obtain on despite going to MTS offices in Kyiv, Mariupol and Lvov.
No interent service for me.
How did the rest of the trip go? It had its ups and downs. Lets just say I am not head-over-heels in love and there were quite a few problems. Don't know what my next move will be. Much to sort out.
Sorry to hear that the net did not work there as well as other disappointments for you. Wonder if that fella from France that got into the bank for billions could hack the FSU Internet.
Jet I thought it was wishful thinking. I have an old nokia that I can get GPRS internet via bluetooth on my laptop, but I can't get the same to work with my new Samsung, even in the UK with the same provider.
If it was me i would have gone there and told the mobile dealer want i wanted and asked how much for them to supply everything. If i could see it working i'd buy it. Otherwise I know I'll waste time stuffing around trying to get it to work.
I guess the second meeting is bound to highlight problems than the first, when expectations are higher or they differ between people. This was something I found. Or if shes unhappy about something she may let it side at first but later shes not going to hold back what she really thinks. Thats why I doubt these things can work out after one trip.
ben; Actually it was the thrid meeting for this lady and I. We originally met at a Romance Social in April and May of 2007. We then spend 3 weeks in Yalta in July and August. This time we spent 4 weeks.
It wasn't really a matter of HER being unhappy this time - I was the one who was a little unpleased. In the first two weeks we never went out until it was dark. Its not that we didn't TRY (at least I tried), but she could never get ready on time. We would plan to go to the market first thing in the morning, have breakfast at 9:00(!) and she would finally be ready to go out at 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm. And there was nothing I could say or do to change this. A train we were supposed to be on at 4:15 one day we barely made. We had JUST gotten on the train - hadn't even made it to our compartment when the train left. And she was FURIOUS that I had contiunally prodded her that we were going to be late. She swore that she had never been late for anything - but that it made little sense to be ready too soon.
At the end of three weeks, I missed my plane because we couldn't be at the airport by 2:45 pm - n matter what I said or did.
Now I have NEVER been known as the worlds most punctual person, in fact I have always been an admitted procrastinator, but compared to THIS - I am MISTER PUNCTUALITY.
Fortunately LOT let me exchange my tickets for a $290 fee for some leaving 5 days later. Since I bought the tickets through Yahoo Travel (which is Travelocity) there was not supposed to be any refund or exchange allowed. NEW one-way tickets would have cost me a minimum of $2,300.
THAT (mentioned above) was the biggest problem we had. But that was a BIG problem. There were other problems too - but nothing like these.
She is STILL a wonderful girl and she comes from a wonderful family (and no, she has no knowledge of this forum so I don't have to say that). But never being able to get ready for ANYTHING drove me CRAZY.
yeah, i have experienced this. But at least my wife is always good with flights. In fact she will set an alarm and move me along, even at 4am. But getting ready takes ages. I've learnt to expect it and do something while shes getting ready. When shes just about to put on a jacket, I know I can take a shower, have a shave, get dressed and ready and still wait for her to get out the door.
Look on the bright side you got another 5 days with her.
Martin:
She is great. Not sure how she compares to sliced bread - but I will think about that for a while. She just has absolutely no ability to get ready to go anywhere and no desire to be encouraged or cajoled in any way when she is doing what she does. She told me "its simply the way I am. If you want to be with me you wil have to learn to accept it."
Now as we communicate from a distance, she is completely apologetic and asks me for my forgiveness.
Ben: it was nice to spend another 5 days with her and like you, I HAVE learned a million and one things I can still have time to do as she gets ready - like watching the earth's tectonic plates rapidly whiz by one another.
jetmba,
'Sliced Bread' is merely an expression as I'm sure you understand but in your post above you have expressed the point 'Don't think you can jump off a plane mate and she'll be ready to drop her panties for you and head off to USA with you' ..... which is what so many guys, not yourself, believe is the scenario.
Last time we've been there used rental service.
Guys delivered to us their modem and all was perfect with flawless price.
try to use google search, i'm not sure they are called wirelessrentals ukraine or something like that.
me and my friend are totally satisfied with pocket wifi rental service and data card.