Annika
News flash. I'm Europenis sorry European also. I am British, have been for 49 years at least I was the last time I counted the tree rings through my middle. I have lived in America a long time but I am as British / European as the day I came here. I have both passports to prove it. Norwegian hit the nail right on the head. That is exactly the situation.
When I arrive I want to present her some nice roses and a box of chocolates and the same for her daughter. I will not fumble around in Eburg at 10 at night in subzero temperatures in a semi-concious state yelling "my kingdom for a florist". I am sure I will find a nice florist in the airport in Frankfurt and that if I have to hold those flowers for the entire flight I will not care. The only thing I care about is that she is delighted to receive them.
Toad thinks that there will be a lot of prospective suitors like us on that flight. I am not so sure. So I don't see a problem with the stewardesses looking after the flowers for a few hours. If I am wrong and the plane is full of assorted wannabe husbands then that stewardess cubbyhole is going to be like a FTD shop.
You have a very practical turn of mind which under different circumstance would be not only useful but charming. However on this one you are sooooo wrong.
I am going to Ekaterinburg to meet someone that I already care a great deal about as I believe she does me. I may end up marrying this woman. I want to make a good impression!!
Fresh flowers is not much to ask.
I think I can handle the ATM. Least ways I haven't had too much trouble in Malaysia, France, Italy & Spain. I was even able to handle it in California!!! They ask you which language you want to speak also - Spanish, English or Dude (a Californian sub dialect).
So come on Annika this is very romantic, join in the spirit of this thing. Toad and I are up for it and we are manly men. hurumph hurumph. If the hairy chest crowd can be romantic so can you. :)))
I think Annika is jealous...!!
I think Annika is jealous...!!
neener neener neener...!!
What's with the rotten egg attitude, girl?
Doesn't your english boyfriend romance you with flowers once in a while?
Izzi,
NO, you will not die of the cold, lol..
You will not allow yourself to do that!!!
Not in a million years once you toy with the idea that Toad would be lurking around to console poor Marina if you happen to turn into a frozen limey popstick..:)
Lena keeps telling me hat, gloves and water proof warm shoes/boots are basic necessities.
The rest can be taken care of with layers of clothes.
Have you arranged for flowers to be delivered to her Tuesday 8 March (Woman's Day)?...Not a bad day to present jewelry if things go as planned or better. I'm bringing a biz suit/tie to wear for dinner at the place we made reservations.
I went to REI store a few days ago and saw the funniest thing...Long wool socks with C Batteries to keep them warm. Popular with mountain climbers, they told me.
Already checked with Lufthansa, and they will not only allow but keep the flowers on water till the plane lands in E-Burg.
I'll bring my Sharpie to write Lena's name on the wrapping or card in case it works out as I suspected from the beginning and there are more than us two going over to visit women.
I ordered 2 one pound boxes of truffles from See's Candy, only $15 each + shipping. One for Lena, one for her mother.
I was even toying with the idea of bringing a couple of birds of paradise flowers from my back yard. Lena had never seen those flowers before I sent her photos a few months ago.
Also got a cheapie ($20) but great little gift, the Sharper Image's Talking Picture Frame, it's a digital battery operated alarm clock with room temp in F or C that allows you to record a 10 second voice message and has room for a photo on the inside left lid of the machine.
That way, my poor woman can wake up to the nasty sound of my croaky voice and make her weak heart take a scary jump when the first thing she sees in the morning is my ugly face..:)
And buy here a tourist book about your place translated to Russian if possible.. I have done it a couple of times with great success! Then they can show the pictures in the book to friends and family when they talk about you... ;)
I got one of those AND a Randy McNally California Thomas Guide Road Atlas 2005 edition.
She knows I go camping every chance I get, so she'll be able to know exactly where each time instead of guessing.
I will not buy anything in russian...she can translate it for her friends if she wants to. Her younger (21) brother also speaks english, so he can translate for his mother since he lives with her.
Toad
Damn you are organized! Don't have any German blood do you?
On womans day I will nip out and get some flowers. I have a beautiful bracelet for that day. I am going to do the Elena Petrova thing. Each day another gift better than the day before. About 5 in all. I even have some figurines for her mother.
As for freezing she is just as concerned about this as I am. I found my old English gloves tonight and my stocking cap all from Angleterre many years ago. I am going for the layered look, all the rage I hear, and as for water proof shoes I will get something there. My Cuban boots will look stupid in 3 inches of water. Classy but stupid. I also am bringing my nice new Pierre Cardin suit. I will freeze my nuts off wearing it but I am determined about this. So there may be a report of an extremely well dressed English corpse found waiting for a taxi or similar. She has a Daewoo which is nicknamed The Korean Miracle. It only works when there is an r in the month. I guess someone has to own them. I see a lot of taxis in the near future!! I am determined to wear that bloody suit if it kills me.
I have run out of room in my suitcase. It is sitting in the bedroom welded shut. Only way I could close the sodding thing. I have a backpack with wheels that I am taking on board and it is rapidly becoming stuffed.
I always take a complete change of clothes and bathroom stuff in the plane with me. Never had it happen to me but I have seen too many people lose suitcases.
I am going to wear the jewelry and put the empty presentation boxes in the backpack. This is a stupid idea but I don't know how else to do this. I don't want to just hand over a nice necklace and say here you are. If they say anything about the boxes I will say it is a fair cop I admit I was trying to start an international jewelry box smuggling syndicate. Or just repeatedly say niet and da
randomly. It worked in Holland.
Izzi,
NO, I'm just a better poker player than you, lol...That's all.
Frankly speaking (is there any other way?), I think it's plain foolish to underestimate the effect that sudden subzero temps can cause to a subtropical aclimated body.
We're NOT talking of a sudden 20 degree drop in temps because there is a 'cane coming, mate...
You can get sick, real fast, in subfreezing temps if you're not properly dressed and feed for it.
Lena and I discussed this at length.
She got dead serious with me when I started joking about bringing the California sunshine, suntan lotion, my shorts and flip flops to effing Siberia...
Her words: "I do not care about fashion. Please bring the warmest clothes you have. Emphasis on warm hats, gloves, socks and water-proof shoes/boots. If you like what men wear here , you can buy it at the store."
BTW, lol...I only drive like a german.
Argentines are Italians who speak Spanish, drive like Germans, think they are English and act like French...or so they tell me, lol
I worked this out.
I have a nice new waterproof, thermal jacket/parka coming. I will take that with me onto the plane. The gloves and hat are in my carry on. When I get out of the airport I will put those on and I am hoping that the car will be warm. I also have a dress overcoat which is in my suitcase. It goes over the top of the suit/ sweater /shirt. I am going to get a scarf somewhere. I will buy waterprof boots/shoes/whatever the next day. We were going to go look at apartments but the Russian woman wanted me to stay with her. That will avoid wasting time. We can go straight to the shops. My shoes will definitely not be warm enough or rugged enough they are for dress only. Fine in Florida but not the Urals. I'll work it out.
I am worried about getting sick though. That is a real concern. I am just crossing my fingers on that one as there is no defence. I will just try to keep warm and eat plenty. Marina has also expressd serious concern about the weather and clothes. As you know it has taken a turn for the worse and is approximately -6/7 faranheit. I haven't experienced those temperatures since Canada. I have no room to pack anymore stuff this is it. Sooner or later you just have to say go for it. That would be now.
Are you taking C vitamins in advance?
I'm taking 1500-2000 C daily + Centrum + glucosamine for my effed up right knee.
Despite all the joking around and the bullshit romanticism of braving the siberian winter, I'm taking this shit dead serious.
yep I always take all the above and aspirin and lecithin. The glucosomin hasn't helped my arthritus though. Maybe a little. It has spread to my other hand recently. I used to wear long johns when I drove a truck. They did help. South Dakota in january is comparable with what we will face. Maybe I should buy some. They could be romantic in a revisionist western / Sam Peckinpah / Gabby Hayes kinda way.
What do you think Bagira? Could you fall for a guy in long johns? Does full length interlocking underwear make you want to whisper "take me"? Enquiring minds want to know.
LMAO..!!!
Don't distract her, Izzi...after the wipping she got in here, poor Bag is still scratching her head wondering if western men are as stupid as she originally thought.
As I said what I know!
Its actually a bit more that once when I was in the plain..actually a lot more, Thunder. Have you been in the Neiderrhein or Charlerois airports for excample?
I havent seen nobody still with flowers even in lounge room.
But generally if somebody comes from such long trip as these guys, I dont except person flashing flowers and gifts in the airport(if woman really cares of man). My boyfriend came from Florida to Estonia last year and he felt really crappy. I made hes life as comfortable as I could.
Norwegian these non latex balloons are good idea too! Lovely!