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Author Topic: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!  (Read 28691 times)

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Offline Donhollio

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Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« on: October 05, 2015, 05:20:48 PM »
 I was invited years ago by BillyB to 'discuss' a rather hot topic at the time, its since been deleted, unfortunate but that's how it goes sometimes. Anyway it was suggested by a few RWD members that my story could be of interest to others who may not have read it before. Over the years I had been told many times how my often adventurous search inspired some souls to get on the plane, and seek out their life partner.
 There are about 50 chapters, and it will take you through my learning curve over eight trips totaling about a years worth of time spent in three of the FSU countries.  My search lasted from 2003 until 2010 and it was a great time albeit not always filled with success. I'm quite glad I put it to words as the years have slipped past, I have forgotten some things, and buried others in the vault  ;D

 Anyway here goes.

Offline Larry1

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2015, 05:33:58 PM »
I'm looking forward to re-reading Donhollio's epic trip report. It was the first TR I ever read. It was a pleasure to read new parts of it every night with a glass or two of Amontillado Sherry.

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2015, 05:44:25 PM »

  For the most part I never chased girls back in Canada, I was usually the guy who waited it out until the girl came to me, but this had to change if I was going to fly to Europe to find someone. I learned soon enough after my second trip that I enjoyed the chase, and the kill didn't matter nearly as much. All this was to be revealed to me as the years passed by, and I discovered who I was.



  In the fall of 2001 I was given a laptop and after knowing what little I knew about the internet ,I spent my time looking at porn, hey It was easy to find!
 Then one day I came across and FSU date site, I was looking for some eastern nudes, but I did manage to find my first FSU date site this way. Scrolling page after page I was stunned by the beautiful girls, and even more bewildered to think how it was even possible that they had no guy in their life. So much in fact I called the company that week. She told me yes they mostly are single and wanting a western man. I also asked about the tours, and found this all to be amazing. Beautiful girls, and no guys? I thought I better help change this, and so it all began.

  I did a search and found about a dozen girls I wanted to correspond with. I did most of what the agency said except wear a suit, I'm not bending that much. So off I sent my 12 postal letters with photo's, and a return envelope. About one month later I got a email reply from Moscow. I was excited! I was hoping to stroke the ego with somemore replies, but none came. So I wrote to Janna. I thought things via email were going good until I made the phone call. Again it was exciting for me to speak to someone so far away, and finding her this way was all very new to me.
 Then she mentioned she was taking English lessons, and needed $200 for the course. I didn't know what to do, I never did send the money, and told her it wasn't right for her to ask for something like this. She later wrote me back saying how I was right, and she was sorry. We continued writing, but it was going nowhere, and then she wrote me a letter with Dave's name on it.  That's never a good sign.
   Ok, I hung on but was tuning out fast, I told her what she did, and claimed she only wrote me, uh huh. Her letters became more and more vague, to the point where I no longer replied. About a month went by and she wrote asking why I had yet to return her letter. I told her as I saw it and she was gone, never to be heard from again.

  Months later I found the sister site that I had used for the postal letters A-Web, Yeouch!  At this point, I thought it makes sense to write emails to the agency so they could make sure the girls got them. WRONG! Anyways I again found Anna. She was sitting on a rock with her long blond hair draped over her body. Full lips and big blue eyes, I was squirming in my chair, I was a newbie and in lust with a photo!
  I had wrote to her via the postal route before, but heard nothing. I convinced myself that she never got the postal letter from me, so I signed up and wrote her again, this time using the agency's email service. So off I went typing away at a snails pace hoping for some results this time around.   
 To my suprise she wrote me back! I was so happy to finally get something from her. We exchanged a few emails, but I never had her email address or phone number due to agency policy.  And so I decided to part with some.... errrr too much cash, and make an appointment for that phone call. During this period between me booking a 3-way call, and her replying to me was that she found a guy, saying was very sorry for my interest in her. I was saddened but I had already decided to make the wickedly priced call to her via the agency. After all it was the only way I could get her personal telephone & email.

  All this was arranged before she told me the "get lost" news, so when the phone rang at 6am I was thinking maybe she changed her mind. I guess I pique her interest in that one phone call, and from there on we did have a good email and telephone correspondence. Months later I made my first visit to her in July 2003. To any newbies reading, my mind was racing with all kinds of ideas and fears brought on by others talking about the insincerity of these women (Like they knew).
  But I ignored them and decided to take a chance. I booked my flight, and told her I'll be there. She even booked a week off work to see me, I was impressed. My flight took me first to Germany, I did a little siteseeing, and got my ticket to Odessa via the train.
Let me just say this. The rail ride from Munich to Odessa is about 40 hours. It was my first time ever on a train, and I assumed it would be as I perceived a train ride I'd seen back home. WRONG! WRONG!! WRONG!!! Oh man what was I thinking?
 Leaving Munich I got to Vienna easily enough, and I had instructions from the ticket agent in Germany to go to the international ticket window. The train was full, and we all began to walk in the same direction until they all took a left turn, I was the only one who was about to walk through the international doors. It was at this  point I became aware that all the tourists that were riding with me were going to stay in Vienna and I was now on my own. When I was buying my ticket in Munich a guy behind me heard where I was going and said, "Good luck". Before I could turn and ask him some questions he was gone. Ohh how I wished I would have spoke to him!
 

 I later found out why.

  I was told in Munich that when I got to Vienna that I was to tell the ticket seller I need a ticket for the sleeper car. I looked at my ticket printed in Munich, and it said 'reservation' in German, so I thought I was ok. That and the fact the ticket seller in Vienna knew no English. So what did I learn up to this point? Western tourists don't travel to Vienna's international train station for trains connecting to eastern Europe.
  So I purchased my ticket to Odessa and then I realised I didn't know where to go to catch the other train. He pointed to the front doors so off I went. As I walked out through the doors it was clear to me that there were no tracks or station in front of me. Puzzled, I went back and tried to get an understanding as to where I was to go.  "Tram! Tram!" he says, and points to those big doors again. I never heard of a tram, and thought he was trying to say train in English. "Ok ok!" I said and walked out, finally seeing some streetcars and thinking if this is what he's referring to.

  I see some guys in their 20's hanging out and ask if they speak English, one guy did and told me I had to go buy a ticket to ride the tram.  I tell him I am suppose to go to Ukraine, and don't know where to catch the train. He offers one of his tickets for me to ride the tram, and his friend offers to sell me his watch as I never had one. I travelled without any time piece, and that only adds to the adventure of trying to catch trains and any other form of public transportation. I decline his offer to purchase and they direct me to what tram to board en route to the east bound trains. So now I'm on a tram/streetcar for the first time, riding to what hopefully is the other train station.
 I arrived shortly after seeing some of Vienna via the tram. I boarded the second train and off I was zooming across Austria!  I thought this train isn't bad at all, maybe later when it gets dark I'll wonder up front and get my sleeper berth.
 So at about midnight the train stops in what is still forever burned in my head. It was a poorly lit rail station full of drunk guys signing songs and walking about with bottles of beer on a train that looked way past it's prime. Looking out the window all I was saying to myself was ,"Shit, glad I'm not on that train."
  A few seconds later the cabin steward taps me on the shoulder pointing to that very train! WTF! I was stunned and pointed in a manner of, "There, you want me to go there?"  I reluctently get up, grab my gym bag, and show him my ticket. Where's the sleeper car I ask?"  He points to the rear of the other train, and I walk over and get on the midnight Saturday Slovakian ride into hell!

   I grab a seat in a cabin with 6 seats, of course no one speaks English and I'm afraid to open my mouth. The Canadian Embassy has a travel advisory section that states
"Don't ride on the trains at night alone". Ok well how bad could it get I wishfully thought. I sit down and this man and woman are looking at me with the look of this guy ain't from these parts. The packed train pulls away and I'm starting to wonder what I'm in for. All I can say is that it has been to this day the worst train ride I have ever been on. I thought it was derailing a hundred times, with brakes squealing every five minutes. It was just brutal.
  After about 3-4 hours of this I decided I should try to see if I had a sleeper, I knew I didn't and that's why I was suppose to confirm in Vienna. Live and learn.
 So I stumbled my way up front and found the sleepers, but there were no open beds. The one cabin steward spoke enough English to tell me there were no beds, and I couldn't get one even if I had the money. So I decided to sneak into second class, where the seats recline enough to get some sleep. After maybe an hour, the other cabin steward comes in motioning me to get to the back in the cattle car! I showed my ticket and pretended to pack up, but as soon as he was gone I sat back down and slept.
  I was exhausted after flying from Canada and having maybe 4 hours sleep in 2 days, so I really zonked out. So much so that when the train arrived in Kosice I never woke up.
  I have no idea how long it was sitting at the platform when suddenly I woke to the train moving, this time in the opposite direct before I feel asleep!

  It began rolling back to Vienna! I jumped up, packed all my stuff back in my bag and headed for the open door! You see the train was empty as was the station, and with the sun rising I thought it was going  back to Vienna! So as the train is rolling back I start yelling for someone, anyone, to stop the damn train so I can get off! A brakeman hails the the engineer to stop and I hop out. Now I'm in the middle of a train station set of tracks, with a guy speaking words I've never heard before.
 

  He takes me over to the platform, and for what it's worth I show him my useless ticket. "Odessa Odessa"  I say pointing to the ticket, and he walks me to this antique train. Now people I'm in culture shock, they ask me if I speak Deutch, and I'm wondering why they would be speaking Dutch?  A happy go lucky guy takes me aboard and walks away. Great I'm thinking another ride from hell. But he motions me to come up to the "nice" private cabins, 2 beds and a sink with some horrible tacky decor. Little did I know this was a Ukrainian train, and I was in first class.
  I'm guessing it's about 6am as the sun was coming up, I still had no confirmation on where I was. I thought I was in Romania, as there were about 100 highrise apartments end on end filling my peripheral view. I thought well at least it's sunny out, and when I get some food from the train all will be better. Good thing it was +30c the entire way and I "stocked up" on a pack of juicy fruit gum, and 1L of water in Munich.
  I assumed that there would be food and drink on the train, but nooooo  there was nothing... NOTHING AT ALL!  I found myself sucking that gum flavor like a starving Magellan shipmate rounding Cape Horn!  And to think I still had a day to go. The scenic ride from Kosice Slovakia as I found out later, to Livi Ukraine (UA) was very beautiful, except for the fact I had no food. I did eventually need the toilet, (WC) and when I asked the UA conductor guy, he pointed me to piss out between the moving cars! Uhh, I'll hold it thanks. Instead I opted to piss in my sink that came with the room I had. Great, no water to flush it down, and I wasn't about to use my good potable water, after all I had no idea where I was, or how long until I get there. I didn't even know I was in Slovakia until I saw the Slovak train symbol I was familiar with on a wall at some train station.

  Another wild  event was the changing of the wheels. They have different gauge rails so to ride in UA they need to raise the car up and slide a new set of wheels on. It was really cool to see this happen. Took about 30 minutes, and we were off again! The ride through the Carpathian mountains was very beautiful, someday I'd like to return there.

 


Offline JayH

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2015, 06:18:53 PM »
I am adding my 2 cents to Larry's endorsement.   Don's search ended the year I started mine-- and his entertaining writing style and detail makes for a really great read-- a classic in itself! :clapping:

 A couple of points-- as some may have noticed  that I have been critical of those from earlier years not recognising change in so much of this search-- and the amount of knowledge and advice now available.  Please take note--Don is NOT one of those guys.
To that end-- creating this as a comment area TR allows for current up to date info comments to be added is a really great idea and gives the TR current relevancy-- as many things do not change!

Looking forward to the next chapter!! :popcorn:
SLAVA UKRAYINI  ! HEROYAM SLAVA!!!!
Слава Украине! Слава героям слава!Слава Україні! Слава героям!
 translated as: Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!!!  is a Ukrainian greeting slogan being used now all over Ukraine to signify support for a free independent Ukraine

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2015, 05:10:08 PM »
  A full day on the train and I arrived at Ukraine's border town of Chop. Border checks are taking place, and I am looking at one hot looking female guard. Heels, skirt and everything a young lad remembers when reading Penthouse forum mags!  Anyway, we continue through tunnels that are guarded by machine gun and man. It made me wonder what the hell I was getting into, or was it dehydration from my 1L bottle of water running low?
 I pulled into Winnipeg's sister city of Livi Ukraine at about 6pm. I was taken straight to the ticket window where I was to buy a ticket to Odessa. About a half hour before on the train, the cabin steward tried in vain to call someone who spoke English. He wanted me to get some help on how to get to Odessa. Finally he got another couple who were on the train, and they walked me over to the window. She knew enough English to help this very helpless traveler out.
  There behind the glass sat a really cute brunette who was happy to help me. I gave her my now worn ticket, and then she called a guy over who looked at it, and wrote something on it, handing it back to the girl. The brunette replies in a tone of like, "What are you doing, that won't work!"  He mumbles some words to her and walks off.

  Now I'm too worried to walk outside incase I miss the night train to Odessa. So I wonder around the stations platform, when all of a sudden this very patriotic music blares over the speakers! It's flashbacks to cold war propaganda, then at the top of the stairs this man in his 50's is standing there proudly signing the words, and swinging his arms like a parade soldier. It was wild!

 The time finally comes to board and I walk up to the train, holding my ticket in front to the cabin stewards who wave me further down the train. Finally I get the right car (so I thought) and she looks at it and tells me to go to hell, well at least that's what it felt like. With this rejection I'm back in panic mode! I run back down to the cutie in the window, but she's not there! I bang on the glass and then run to the other window, where I point to another ticket seller get the cutie back to her window!
 A moment later she comes around and has a shocked look on her face! She knows the train is pulling out in minutes, and I need a real ticket fast!  I toss her 100 UAH and she trying so hard to get it done fast she drops her pen and mis types! She gives me 80 UAH back, and  finally I have my ticket and plead with her to help me to the train.

 She closes her window and scrambles to my aid, only as I turn I almost wind up kissing two guards who request my passport. The one guy spoke English and waves me on within a minute. By this time the guy who wrote on my ticket comes around and decides he'll take me up to the train. I thank the cutie, and I board the train with maybe three minutes until it leaves. Inside the air was thick with body odor, and was very humid from the scorching heat of the day.
 I make my way behind my helper and he directs me to the steward. I tell her I don't know where to go, and then I hear a voice in English asking if I need help. It felt like I hadn't heard English on a week. I was so relieved when I was in this girls cabin with her aunt and cousin.

 Lena was her name, about 26yo and had been to America on a work visa. She came back home and really didn't want to leave Ukraine. Seated in the small cabin her aunt and cousin seemed to take to me as if I was a novelty. What I found really nice was the cousin made my bed for me (I had no idea how it all fit together) so I was thankful. I had no food to share with them as I was almost out of water, just a few sips left.
 This was my first night I was able to lay down since getting to Europe. The cabin was much better as it even had air conditioning, however since it works off generators from the rolling wheels, it would heat up fast when the train stopped. I spoke to Lena for a couple of hours, her cousin seemed to be quite curious about this Canuck travelling alone in Ukraine. So while the teenage hardbody was using Lena as a translator and asking me some questions, it proved to be a nice break from the past day and a half.
 
  She may have been 14, or maybe 15, and was asking about my teeth of all things. This was alittle weird to me, but being polite I just chuckled and brushed it off.  Well she then taps my teeth with her long nails, and I just laughed about it. Glad I had no idea about the general hygiene of the country at the time!    Somewhat embarrassed by the attention of her, I just kept thinking good thoughts, and looked forward to Odessa.

 Morning arrival in Odessa and I tried to call Anna right away. First I stood in line for a payphone, and I got cut in front of constantly. Then I noticed that 5 out of 7 payphones didn't work.  So I kept trying several times, and gave up after about an hour. Frustrated I walked out front of the train station, and showed a taxi driver Anna's address. He told me 15 UAH, I agreed and got in. So the bloody guy drives around the traffic circle out front and drops me off about a block from the train station!
 There I was in front of Anna's apartment, but couldn't figure out how to find her suite. I also wasn't too keen on knocking on her door, just didn't feel it was right.

  So I walked across the street and bought my first UA (Ukraine) beer! Yeah baby! Nothing better than a beer on a 30c day after taking a train ride from Germany to Ukraine. Saturday afternoon until Monday noon on a litre of water and a pack of juicy fruit gum!  Nothing better for ya than a cold beer with high alcohol content!
 Now I walk around looking for a telephone to call Anna, I stop to buy bottle of water as the beer is making my head spin. So I casually walk and take a sip of water only to have it spray out of my mouth!  Great it's carbonated.  Who the hell drinks carbonated water I thought?
So now I have a wet shirt, with added embarrassment thrown in for good measure.

 I continue walking and I finally find a payphone, yeah you may of guessed, it was back at the train station...whatever. I finally get her on the phone and she thinks I'm in Germany (I told her I would call her from there, never did)  I tell her I'm in Odessa at the station. She's worried about me being there alone, and tells me to head over to the McDonald's and she'll be there in 20 minutes. Now after all the hours looking at the website, writing, phone calls, there we were, facing each other what for me seemed almost impossible after the trip I had just made.

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2015, 05:42:50 PM »
  It really was hard to believe that I got to Odessa unscathed, and seeing Anna for the first time after months of wanting this moment. It was a bonus to hear her speak without all the poor telephone hiss whirls and cracks. Not to forget the regular dead air, followed by a dial tone.
 So there we were outside the McPatio hugging each other with the smell of transfat in the air!  Before leaving Canada I asked Anna to find me a place to stay. I didn't know that they rented apartments, so I told her to get me a hotel room. Knowing what I know now, it would of been an apartment. Anyway, we head off to the Black Sea Hotel, that's a short five minute walk from the train station. Anna got me settled in, made sure the phone in my room had a dial tone, and let me be for a while so I could get some desperately needed sleep.

 The phone rings a few hours later and Anna is wanting to know if I was ready to meet up. Hey of course I was, I didn't come this far just to sleep in this "luxurious suite!" (It was a budget room with a CCCP vibe) I told her I haven't ate anything since leaving Munich, and she was shocked! I told her I wanted to eat some chicken, and to sit in a decent place for dinner.

So we walk over to the edge of the street and she holds out her hand for a taxi.  A car stops, and I'm wondering where the taxi sign is. As to me it looked like a Lada, just like the 1500's they sold in Canada. Some words are spoken and we hop in and head to a nice restaurant. Turns out I never knew what the place was called until I received my visa statement. To this day I have never seen or heard of a Red Lobster in Odessa.  During dinner we talked about many things, and I tell her how it's nice that we found each other. I expand on by saying since I wrote her first without her getting my postal letter. Then she writing me from Aweb. To which she replied, "No, I didn't write you."   

What! I couldn't believe it! I had her explain to me that the agency writes the men, then asks the girls to write to them. Anna got tired of this dishonest game, and that's why she sent me the, "I already have a guy letter."
 But she was curious to speak with me, and that's why she had the 3-way call. Anna had her fill of men old enough to be her father wanting her, and all the bullshit that comes with it, although I was the only guy who came to visit her. She even attended a social, and after getting a number pasted to her chest and paraded around, she was totally disgusted with it all.  Feeling like a whore as she stated, she left and wanted to leave the agency behind.

 It was mid July and very hot in Odessa. Plus 30 everyday, even the beach was too much to handle at times. We spent some time together in the day, then would meet up again in the evening. I got a bit sunburned, and was using what I thought was cream that I purchased days before. It wasn't working very well, infact it didn't work at all but I continued to use it. Then one day while applying the cream, my face began to burn real bad. I ran to the basin to wash it off, and to my horror it began to lather up on my face! Afterwards I took the tube with me that day and showed Anna, she laughed and told me I had been appling shampoo to my face!
 WTF! It said creme on it! Later that evening her friend Olga brought her 'Olya of Olay' with her for me. I looked at it, and questioned appling women's cream to my face, but it was better than the other 'creme' I bought. So Anna started to apply it right there on the patio, wow it sure felt better!

  I thought Anna was great, she was pretty much what I wanted in a girl. But I was getting the vibe that she didn't feel the same about me. What was I to do? I had no plan B, no other contacts at all in eastern Europe, and wasn't in the mood to get on a train back to western Europe, via Poland enroute to Germany as I had originally planned. So I decided to stay in Odessa, and just enjoy my time with her.
  The nights were spent going to small sea side clubs, and I told Anna to bring a friend as I don't dance. The last thing I wanted was for her to be there and wanting to dance, and me glued to my chair refusing to budge. So she brought along Olga, who was enjoyable company for us. After a very late night, Anna calls me early in the morning to say her mother had to be taken to the hospital, and she couldn't see me today. It's a tough call, you can't come out and say she's lying to you unless you don't want to ever see her again. So she suggested I hang out in the hotel lobby with the American men on a Aweb social tour. She knew of this because they sent her an invite to the socials.  I tell her I hope her mom will be better soon, and to call me later.

  I went out for a walk, took some photo's, and thought about the situation at hand. Didn't look good in my books, Anna was my only connection here in Ukraine. Without her I was just lost in a country that the only word I knew was 'No.'  Later I headed down to sit in the air conditioning of the lobby where a guy comes in and I can tell he's American. He later takes a seat near me, and we spark up a conversation. He of course was here for the same reasons I was, to find a girl. We got talking and it became clear to me that this guy was a little sick in the head. 50 years old and he had been writing to some Aweb girls, one he wrote to the most was a 18 year old from a nearby town. Then adds he has a 14 year old daughter. I really didn't say much, just kept my thoughts to myself.

 He wanted to get to this Aweb social, said he was late arriving, and it was going on somewhere right now. I told him a group of guys headed off a few hours ago, but didn't know where they went. But he's determined to get there and asks if I was going. I told him "No way it's $400 to get in I tell him"  He knew it was winding down and said maybe we can just walk in.  So I walk over to another American guy I had met earlier, and asked while he was eating with his date, where this social was. With the directions off we went, and sure enough we walk in.
  It was almost over and these 2 girls at the front stop to say hello to us. I'm just keeping quiet, and he's chatting it up. Have to hand it to the guy, he was really on a mission. We end up in Arkadia at a seaside cafe. It was quite nice, and the one girl Marina was interested in me and gave me her number. Although I never called her and I never saw her again. Meanwhile he was wanting to dump his girl, and try his luck elsewhere. So it's back to the hotel, then back to Arkadia, reason being we didn't know where anything was. Normally I'd be not into it, but when your alone in a different country and you have nothing to do, you go.

 The night ended without any luck, and the following day he was off to his other social city. I had called Anna that night from Arkadia, telling her that I was going to go to Zakota for a couple of days. I couldn't handle the noise of the city centre any longer. I was getting hypertension, and needed to do something besides walk to the beach in Odessa. I figured if her mum was sick and had no time for me, then I may as well see something else.  Anna didn't take this very well, infact it was met with a dead line.
  No matter I went anyway the following morning. Zakota is a beach resort with great clean beaches, and small cottages to stay in.  I got the luxury suite that had it's own bathroom, yes, I was now living large.  Getting there was by taxi, and I was greeted by some very friendly staff, who seemed very surprised to see a Canuck travelling alone. Hitting the beach solo isn't the greatest, in fact it sucks. Most of the people there were families so I relaxed and pondered my trip thus far.
 

 If your in Odessa and want to take your girl to this place, she will know of it. There's even a mini bus that leaves the train station regularly. So after two days in Zakota, I returned to the Black Sea hotel. I called up Anna to see how things were going with her mum. To put it politely, she was cold, colder than a north wind blowing in January. I saw my Zakota trip as a small get away while she was tending to her mum. She on the other hand saw this as a stupid move on my part, and said she was busy and hung up!  WTF!!! Ok I sat down on the edge of my tiny bed, and contaplated my next move. Going through it in my head went something like this.

#1- I just pissed off the only girl I know in Europe.

#2- I had no back up plan.

#3- I had a few more days to kill before my return flight to Canada.

#4- There was no way I was going to take a train back through Europe to Germany.

So I did what every loser tourist would do without a plan... I walked and walked and walked. Got lost for hours, and it didn't matter because I was killing time. Then I noticed on a pole a poster that said something along the lines of learning English. On the poster I noticed the word Canadian, and thought I'd give this school a call. Turns out a guy named Guy, owned the school and once hailed from Montreal. Well just my luck, I travel 1/3 around the world and find a Quebecker!  Well I put my political differences aside, the way I saw it he couldn't be all that bad if he left Quebec.  Guy and I chatted for hours down at his school, he was excited to speak to another Canuck, and even spoke of his dismay for the way the French screwed up Quebec. We continued until 2am, having some beers and agreed to keep in contact.

  My plane was leaving at 2pm the following day, I had a couple of hang ups from Anna since my Zakota return. I figured I better go over and see if she would at least say goodbye to me. Yes, I thrive on punishment. I made my way to her apartment and as I'm approching she was walking out of these big steel doors. I thought great, what timing! I called her name and she looks over. Their wasn't much reaction from her, a little bit surprised I was there, and somewhat wondering what to do next.
  I told her I was sorry, and didn't think she'd be so mad at me for leaving. She asked me when I was leaving, and I told her in a few hours. Then she says she has to go, turns and walks towards a mini bus. I follow and hand her a stupid map of the world. She had told me earlier didn't have a globe, and I couldn't find one days earlier, so this big poster was the best I could do. What was I thinking, this thing was huge. I give it to her anyway, and she continues towards the mini bus. I ask her to stay, but she says her mother waits for her to visit. I reply, "So that's it? " Anna turns around and walks towards me giving a farewell kiss on my cheek. Seconds later shes in the bus and gone. I'm standing there feeling like a Hollywood moment has just happened, and I'll never see this girl again.

 I watched that mini bus go down the street until it disappeared. I return to my hotel, packed up and head for the taxi ride to the airport. Things got so much 'better' for me as I got the time wrong, and was at Odessa airport 4 hours before my flight. Great waste another 2.5 hours while I'm at it.
 Landing back at Munich was like stepping into a different world, the differences were unreal. For starters my ears weren't ringing from not hearing the noise of Odessa's centre. There is a sense of order and calmness that I found in Munich.

  I waited for my plane to board, and pondered my time spent in Europe. I hadn't seen any castles, didn't use my Polish visa at a cost of $100. And annoyed the girl I based my entire trip on. So all in all, it seemed like a wee bit of a waste, however I didn't regret it at all. Upon my return to Canada, everyone wanted to know if I was married.  Some were thinking she would do whatever it took to get me to marry her, after all they know what those girls are like...whatever.  When I told my stories of the train travel and pissing her off they thought I was nuts!  But I vowed to return again, and this time I will tour western Europe and continue looking in eastern Europe.

  A couple of months passed without any communication with Anna. I suppose I was waiting for her to cool off.  Then one day I decided to call her, she was nice to me and we had a civil conversation. No future visits or any plans were discussed, but we were at least on speaking terms.

 That was my first trip.

     

Offline JayH

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2015, 07:04:16 PM »
Reading this reminds us how easy guys have it today by comparison-- modern instant communication and a little pre-planning and organisation makes this trip no big deal in 2015--plus a more modern updated Ukraine!

Zatoka  ( nb-this is correct spelling!!) is holiday destination that has become extremely popular after the Russian invasion of Crimea. I am guessing it has developed substantially since Don first went there.

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=Zatoka+Odessa+Ukraine&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CC0QsARqFQoTCOjU_7LiscgCFeggpgodj9YEMg&dpr=1

Don-- what age were you when you first went there? ( apologies- I hate asking the question but it helps put some things in context!!)
SLAVA UKRAYINI  ! HEROYAM SLAVA!!!!
Слава Украине! Слава героям слава!Слава Україні! Слава героям!
 translated as: Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!!!  is a Ukrainian greeting slogan being used now all over Ukraine to signify support for a free independent Ukraine

Offline BillyB

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2015, 09:02:10 PM »


Hey Don, if you still have them, it would be nice to see some retro pics from as far back as 2001 when you started. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Fund the audits, spread the word and educate people, write your politicians and other elected officials. Stay active in the fight to save our country. Over 220 generals and admirals say we are in a fight for our survival like no other time since 1776.

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2015, 08:20:18 PM »
  Thanks for the kind words Jay. I made my first trip in 2003 at the age of 35. Maybe for comparisons I'll post the year of the subsequent posts.

You're welcome Billy. This forum looks to be easier to post photos, so I'll see what I can do for ya.

Offline msmobyone

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2015, 02:59:55 AM »
Hi Don,

Looking forward to RE-reading your highs and lows  8)
Please excuse the Curmudgeon in my posts ..he will be cured by being reunited with his loved one ;)

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2015, 09:29:23 PM »
 One of the many beaches in Odessa



The beach in Zakota




The beautiful scenery of western Ukraine



Sunrise in Slovakia. Look hard and you will see an endless series of high rise apartment blocks. I thought I was in Romania.



The changing of the rail wheels on the Slovakian Ukrainian border.




Offline mendeleyev

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2015, 01:36:05 AM »
Don, nice to see you!

Love those sandy beaches in Odessa--many spots on the Black Sea has beautiful water but rocky beaches.
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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2015, 05:38:41 PM »


Love those sandy beaches in Odessa--many spots on the Black Sea has beautiful water but rocky beaches.

quite..

You'd think Pres Putin would arrange for Sochi's beaches to be sandy - having spent all those billions .... Until the 'acquisition' of Crimea only Anapa's beaches were sandy.

Please excuse the Curmudgeon in my posts ..he will be cured by being reunited with his loved one ;)

Offline Anotherkiwi

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2015, 05:06:53 PM »
quite..

You'd think Pres Putin would arrange for Sochi's beaches to be sandy - having spent all those billions .... Until the 'acquisition' of Crimea only Anapa's beaches were sandy.

I was sure I saw sandy beaches from the train in the stretch north of Sochi, but perhaps they just had very light-coloured stones?

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2015, 09:48:03 PM »
 Mendy my main man! 
 
 I did find most of the beaches I visited to have nice sand. One time Anna took me to a rather odd beach that was made up of broken concrete slabs. Interesting, but not a beach to revisit. The sand of Zakota's very long coastline had the best white sand, it just went on and on.



Fast forward to spring 2004, I'm still searching the agencies and getting a little better at it (I thought). In hindsight I wished I had remembered about a forum that I found one evening. However I had forgotten all about it, and didn't recall even reading a single post, Oh how this could of saved me a lot of time, and $100.
I moved my search onto Globalladies I think, and Family Plus (scam agency) both now defunct.
I began writing to several girls and it quickly went down to two then one. But things over at Free Personals date site were going good, well so I thought. I was itching to return to Europe, and determined to see the sites that I missed the year before. So in October I found a $500 fare Montreal to Brussels return, taxes in. I took it, and began plotting my western Euro tour.
The girls were to be a second to the sites this time, history was to be first. So it was to be four weeks in Europe, with three girls to meet in UA. My friends thought I was nuts. But it just gave me more determination, after all the more someone pisses me off, the less I listen. I set out to show them I will succeed!  Uhh yeah well still working on that. So did I have a back up? ..... no, I thought my time spent in western Europe, would be my back up. If I hit it off with one of the girls all the better. I even had scuba diving and mountain biking in Crimea on the list. So if nothing worked out, I'd always have some activities to do.

  I land in Brussels Belgium on a beautiful autumn day, and I walk out of the airport with no idea what to do next. Or for that matter where to go. Eventually I managed to navigate my way on how to get to some of The Great War history was made. I went to see Tyne Cot, it's the commonwealths largest war cemetery. I have to say it was shocking to see this place knowing that each cross was a young man who had his entire life in front of him. These guys were younger than me, and I tried to put my mindset at their ages, and how differently I would have viewed going off to "kick the Gerry's ass."
 My life at 25 was all about girls and having a good time. There's was a war with British aristocrats plotting the battles with little regard for human life. I also visited the, "In Flanders Fields Museum." It was good to see that the schools were taking students to see this place.  While in Belgium I went to a battle that was a turning point in the war, Passchendaele. At the time it was a small bombed out town on elevated land. A Canadian general said to take this town it will cost the lives of 16,000 men. He wasn't far off the mark, in fact he was off by less than 350.

 I stood at the monument for the Canadians who took it that day in 1916, and then walked around to see what 16,000 CDN dead was all for. It was shocking to see this small rolling area having a death toll so high, and that was just for that battle. Back on the bus, and to find a place to sleep and eat. Travelling solo gives one much time to think about things and the history of the Great War resonated while gazing out at the passing scenery.
  I had also wanted to see a few castles, and upon asking at an info booth the man handed me a pamphlet, and told me it was easy to get to. Alright!  So I headed off in the direction he told me, and as I was reading the info it said the castle was closed for renovations. I guess that's to be expected when you tour around in the off season.

  I was lacking in sleep and headed off to the local hostel. There I got a bad night’s sleep, and in the morning took off to France. In keeping with the Great War theme it had to have a stop at the Canadian war memorial, Vimy Ridge. During the war the French & British both tried to take it, but failed. I suppose the way the British thought back then was to give it to the colonies to get slaughtered. This was the must see site on this European holiday, as was the Menin Gate, and Passchendaele ridge.
 The border between France and Belgium is indistinguishable, and you move without border checks. It was great to see these sites, and strongly recommend it to anyone.

  Getting off the train in the town of Vimy was shocking to say the least. Before I could get any idea of what I walked into the train was gone! After getting my bearings, I made my way up to the local shops to ask for directions. One shopkeeper was surprised that I would walk up to the monument, and after doing so I could see her point. Little did I know it was to be a two hour trek up hill. But I figured I'd keep my bitching to a minimum as the guys who died on this ridge went through way more than my walk to the park; kind of put it in perspective for me anyways. France was so grateful to Canada that it gave them this land, and to this day it remains the only Canadian park outside of Canada. I spent a few hours touring the park, until it was near closing, so I thought this maybe a good time to look for a place to eat and sleep for the night. 

  I got a ride down the ridge by a local who will drive Canadians up to the park from the train station. Now why wasn't he there when I departed the station? Well he was there, but I walked out and turned right, and he was sitting in his car on the left side. I headed via rail to Ypres, found a small place to eat, and inquired if there was a place to sleep. It was about 8pm, and the town was closing down for the night from what I could tell.  Yeah, you may be wondering,"doesn't this guy plan these trips out"? Uhh no. But hell, ya only live once! Luck was on my side, and a patron in the restaurant/bar owned a hotel, forty Euros and a ride to the hotel, I'll take it! It was the best night’s sleep I had in days, even though the room was so narrow that the door hit the single bed when you opened it!  But it overlooked the picturesque town square, so I shouldn't be too fussy.
 It was at this time I decided to see Paris, and get in at least one bloody castle.  Why I went to Paris I still question, I knew a guy who lives there, but never bothered to call him up.
 This time I had a hostel room booked, and I later went to the centre and had the worst food in years at a place that calls itself a restaurant. Fourteen Euros for roast chicken and a beer.  But I should of known before even eating that it was going to be bad. While I was drinking my beer and taking in all the city noise, I noticed the "chef" walking across the street to get my chicken at a rotisserie outlet! Can't wait for that Parisian renowned food experience. As you may of guessed it was pathetic, only made worse by all the noise and I couldn't help but wonder why these people brag about what a great city it is.

  In October they have a celebration of "White Nights." From what I could tell it was them turning all the lights on the tower, and some other stuff. I didn't really care, but just walked around until I noticed a small rush towards the subway entrance. It caught my attention, and it soon turned into a mass exodus!  I thought to myself ,''they can't be running the last subway trains at this time could they?"   It was a Saturday night and a festival going on, the place was packed, and they shut it all down at midnight? Well within a minute the exodus turned into a full out sprint for the subway!
Thinking I better follow, I went down, looked at the subway layout, got confused, hopped on one train, and realised it wasn't the one I needed than went to get off. Too bad the driver didn't think I should, and the doors slammed on my arm while I was standing on the platform!  As it started to pull away the idiots, err riders just looked as I tore my arm free, I realised just how much I hated this place!!!

  Early next morning, I made my way back to the train station, and continue onto another city. Now if you have never been to Paris, go and you'll know exactly what I speak of. I thought I'd get a train to Germany from Belgium, and when I got to the ticket window in Belgium, she informed me I'd have to catch that train to Berlin in, yup you may of guessed........ Paris . OK so back on the cool TGV train it does like 300 km/h, tilts into curves, and take about an hour to Paris. I finally get my ticket to Berlin and set off in due time.

 Yah Yah! Berlin comes at a late hour and since I have no watch, I noticed it was after midnight. Great nothing like looking for a hostel in a new city after hours, and in eastern Germany. For those who have not been to Germany, the east and west is noticeable still by the general run down condition of the landscape, trains and vehicles. There's also a lot more graffiti, and you just know you’re not in Munich.
 I managed to find the hostel quite easily, and the dimly lit streets again remind me that this is not the best Germany has to offer.
 I had some things on my itinerary to see, mostly WW2 and the rise of Hitler's Germany. I took off to find some food to eat, as it had been a long day, and found the golden arches in the train station to be just what I needed.  I walked around for a couple of hours taking some photos, and questioning whether it was safe to walk the streets of Berlin after midnight.


« Last Edit: October 13, 2015, 09:54:04 PM by Donhollio »

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #15 on: October 13, 2015, 11:58:29 PM »


 Berlin what a great city! 

 At my hostel I browsed through the bookstand and saw some tours one can take. Like I mentioned I wanted WW2 history, and found a no fee tour, you simply tip the guide what you feel is fair. I also checked my email as I had yet to hear from Victoria in Kharkov about meeting me. We had very little correspondence, but as I said earlier this trip was the sites first and girls second. So I was happy to see she emailed, however she claimed she had found love already and we would not be meeting. Bummer.

  I thought to myself, now that's two girls in Kharkov who disappeared before I would get there. In her brief email she went on to say she had a friend who saw my photo and wanted to meet. The i-net connection was very slow, and the photo of her friend was huge, more than the full screen!
  As it slowly developed before me starting at her blonde hair and working down, I began to think this Victoria isn't such a bad girl after all for not wanting to meet. As Oksana became visible, I totally forgot Victoria, and began to pant!
  Holy shit I said!  All the pre writing crap was done and she gave me her number and I was to call her upon arrival, sa-weet! Well now I was looking forward to Kharkov and meeting her.

 On the walking tour we walked to various Nazi sites, post WW2 aftermath, the wall, Hitler's bunker, the Chancellery, even the Jewish memorial that was behind schedule, and tainted in controversy. As you can see in the photo, they are tombs cast in a special concrete. One thought arose during this is how to keep vandals from spray painting on them. The answer was a chemical added to the mix and when any paint is applied, it simply runs off. So they began making these and some investigation into the company revealed that it was the same company that made the cyclone B gas that was used against the Jews, political prisoners, and anyone else viewed to be not worthy. While it was embarrassing, it was pointed out that many companies back during that era did work for the Nazi party so work continued.
 
 With the tour over I returned to the hostel and later headed out to see some more of the city. I took some more photo's and called it a early night. Now in this hostel I booked a single room, so I had very little interaction with other travelers. It can be good and bad depending on your idea of travelling.
 For me it was getting boring, walking, eating, taking trains all by myself. Doesn't take long to make you want to change the pace quick. The following morning I was off to the train station to board the iron horse to Krakow Poland!

  While I was sad to leave Germany and all it's perfect running trains, planes, just about everything was so clean and efficient. To this day I still remark to others about the clockwork precision of that country. You can stand at the platform looking down the track for the train that is suppose to be there in 20 seconds and there's no site of it at all. Yet with seconds to spare it rolls in exactly to the second. Impressive.
 Leaving Germany through the town of Frankfurt on Main, one can see how the east still has a long way to become as modern, as the western part of the country.
 The Polish trains were much more basic, however the price was nothing compared to the western countries.  Now I was feeling like I just left a familiarity behind, and was entering into a much different culture. While getting tossed around in the semi comfort of 2nd class, I reflected on how the Iron Curtain really kept these countries from becoming all what they could have.
 Night had already fallen as I pulled into Krakow, great another effort of trying find a place in the dark. I had with me an address of a hostel to stay at. Walking outside I find a taxi driver to get me there. Turns out the place is closed... permanently! Ohh oh, here I go again. So my rally car/taxi driver whips me through the streets of Krakow to find another hostel. Again this one has no beds left!
 
  He's speaking to the girl and finding out where other hostels are, and finds one near the castle..... whew! I give him a decent tip, thankful he found me a bed for the night. It made him very happy, and off we went to continue our evening. Unlike my previous hostel stays this hostel this was a party palace! There must of been twenty people from all over the world, mostly though from English countries, and even some of the female staff were making the most of it. Those Polish girls loved the attention of the guys.
 There I met two Canucks (Canadians). One guy was about to finish his world tour that started in Japan, then went to China, Russia, Mongolia, the Stans and a host of other countries along the way, all by train and road. I asked him about the trans Siberian railway, and while he liked it, he told me they have yet to get it right for tourism. You buy your ticket, but if you decide the ten day trip isn't something you want to do without stopping and seeing things along the way, you need to keep buying tickets. Well maybe one day it'll change, but being Russia it'll come very slowly if at all.
  Another guy had his grandfather in the Great War and told me he was a Vimy vet. Injured three different times he was sent back to fight another day. Can't imagine how messed up those vets were after years in the trenches. I asked if he had gone to see Vimy Ridge and he hadn't. I told him he should, but he didn't seem too interested. I had no family in the war yet was more interested then this guy in his 20's, I didn't understand it, but never pressed the issue.
 I also met two Brits and two Aussie's, and then the Brit makes a comment to the Aussie about his past family being a criminal. I just said to him something along the lines of,"Yeah to get shipped to a warm country year round back than, and not having to choke on the coal smoke and cloudy days. Personally I'd be robbing granny's to get on that boat!

 So the commonwealth troupe +1 Yank headed off to a local pub. The place was something out of Transylvania, wow! Now we're all having a beer, and the two Brits and Aussie guys start drinking........... Now I had heard about drinking at the football games and this seemed like one of them. They were getting loud, and soon it was at an embarrassing level. Binge drinking at it finest...
 The Yank looks at me, I look at him with a WTF is this all about, and the rest of the locals are looking at us like shut the fuck up! After all, this was a relaxing cavern not a nightclub. Sure enough they are standing on the benches bellowing out some song. So being typically Canadian, we sit back and keep quiet. Well a few minutes later, we get word that they're not serving us anymore and want all of us to leave. What a scene, having a few beers in a foreign land with some other foreigners, and were kicked out of Dracula's den. We finish up the night in the hostel kitchen, where one of the girl's on staff seemed to be enjoying her English lessons if you know what I mean.

 OK, next day I head to the bus station, and I'm wanting to get to the death camps Auschwitz-Birkenau.
 I couldn't figure out how to get a ticket, and as I walk out to the parking lot I see the bus pulling away. Damn wonder when the next one is? Back inside a guy walks up and asks if I need a ride there, says he does this for a living and its a reasonable fee there and back, with visits to both places. Well I'm not going to sit around here waiting for the next bus, and take him up on his offer.
 He's quite proud and gives me a bit of history along the way, and even shows me happy customers notes praising his services. I wanted to get on a night train to Ukraine, so wasting hours wasn't going to be on the itinerary.
 He had a older Mercedes but it was in good shape. It needed to be for the way he drove, a beater would of grenaded long ago! After seeing the museum and camps, he drove me back to Krakow. It was my first Polish road experience. I still think about that half car half wagon thing hauling a load of coal, some crazy shit.
 Later I got on the night train to Kyiv. Damn this was a nice train, even had a shower on it! I really thought maybe it was going west not east, from what I had experienced on my first train ride. But hey what's the worst that could happen? hard swallow
 This round I was bunked in with a father son combo from Ukraine, and they did their best to guide me through the process. On this trip I took a translation machine, but it proved too useless.
 At the UA entry point the border patrol asks me how much money I have. I show her and she stamps my passport and off she goes. That was the only question she asked. In 2004 Poland had not switched to the euro, I didn't know this, and I think I had 100-150 euros on me. It had been a few days since needed any. By morning the train was coming into Kyiv, this was my first time to the capital. I had planned earlier on going to Chernobyl ,but the tour company said you couldn't take photo's while there, so I backed out.
 Most of my friends think I have a warped sense of travel ideas. Death camps, war sites, and the worlds largest nuclear accident.  Most talked about sipping wine in Paris and shopping .......... yeah I can just see it now, "Oh look this is made in China too, just like back home!" Oh shit ya gotta get it!
I had no ideas as to what I wanted to see in Kyiv, maybe girls? Ohh yes but they are everywhere! I had none to meet here and didn't even try. First I needed a place to stay and again tried to ask the duo if they knew of a hotel. Just before the train is about to stop the father jumps up, has me look out the window, and points to this sign, ''Hotel!''   
 Laughing I thank him and head off the train to the hotel up the street from the station. $55 a night with a washroom down the hall. Oh well I could always plan things better and get more value for my travel dollar, Ukrainian Hryvnia UAH.

 The duo also gave me a number of a woman they said could help me. No you bananas not that kind of woman, this isn't Thailand, she's a tour guide. I met up with her the next day after spending a night hanging out at the Pub around the corner from my hotel, and the Potato House. Yeah I'm a wild one!
 Next day I call up the guide, and we go for a walking tour of some sites. She's the curator of the One Street Museum, in the tourist zone. Later her coworker takes over, and we go buy my ticket to Kharkov for the night train.
 Damn was I happy to have her with me, I couldn't imagine trying this solo at the time. But when you need to get it handled it's always possible I found out. I ask her if she could call Oksana and let her know I'll be there the next day. She tries and the damn number isn't right, some other girl answers and says it's not Oksana, yet the numbers I wrote down were her number.
Oh oh, so now what? Go to Kharkov and have no girls to meet, not even a Plan B, and I have no clue what I'll do. Well I attempt to spark up some convo with the guide, and I ask her what her plans for the weekend are. She says "Nothing" Uhh... spending time with your man I ask?
 "My husband is dead'' was her reply. Thinking to myself, well this is awkward. So I just never bothered to converse with her after that. She was trying to hear the platform call over the PA, and I guess she heard it and grabbed me and off we went! She helped me on the train and told the steward to take care of me because I don't speak Russian. 

 And that's when a man in the cabin next to me spoke in English saying he'll watch over me. That man was Vova, he drove a Volga. I dunno it was funny at the time.  We got to talking and he asked me where I was from, I told him Canada.  He said his wife and him were just returning from the Canadian embassy in Warsaw. I asked why he goes to Warsaw and not Kyiv, Vova replied saying you get treated better in Warsaw. He offered me a beer and told me that he will get me to a hotel upon arrival, and even pick me up the next day to do some site seeing. He's a good guy, I mean I never would think of doing this for a stranger, it just didn't seem normal to me at the time. Today I know I would knowing what a positive impact it can have.
 I show Vova the hotel I will go to 'The National', not good he says. But tells me it's not the nicest ,but it will be fine. The train arrives at about 5am and his son is waiting with his girlfriend to pick them up. Now there's five of us in the Volga with luggage to make for a tight fit but hey, this is first class treatment in my books! So I get to the hotel and Vova tells me he'll come by tomorrow to get me, and we'll get my train ticket to Sevastopol. I tell him I'm here to meet a girl, and he offers to have her come along as well. Ok this could be awkward, but what the hell!

 The next day I call from my suite, BTW the floor she stuck me on was under heavy construction ,and I just laughed it off, The phone didn't work, so I went to a i-net cafe and emailed her. I also tried calling from the cafe, and nothing. At this point life was starting to suck, here this little hottie was in this city wanting to meet me and I can't call her. After a volley of emails, with her repeating the exact number back to me, I told her via email I was at the National hotel, full name and room number. I head back to my room, and waited for the call, nothing. Downstairs and no calls have come in. Shit! Now I'm getting tired and head back to the cafe. She has replied to my email saying something like I don't know the number at the hotel, and how was she suppose to know it. Phonebook I thought? But maybe those aren't here in UA. So I go get a biz card from the hotel walk back and send her the number. On my casual walk back, I guess she called.  Again I try, but still no good. I head down to the clerk who is still working ever since I arrived at 5 or 6am. It's now mid afternoon and I ask her if she takes a break. ''I work 24hr shift she tells me.''
 Wow, that's not good, no wonder she was sleeping in the back when I first arrived, along with the security men. So in a last vain attempt I ask her if she can try Oksana's number. She calls and Oksana answers! Finally!  I have the clerk tell her to come meet me in the lobby. "Ok , she will be here in 1 hour''. I thank her, and go put on my best Stanfield's!

  I wait in the lobby and Vova walks in, I tell him she's late and can I have a another 30 minutes. If she still hasn't come we'll leave.  Vova goes and Oksana arrives minutes later! Man what a little honey! We sit in the lobby and have a little talk about things. Then like clockwork Vova returns, I take him up on his offer to ride around the city with her. Kinda cool I suppose??? I have a sweet girl in the car, and I'm fielding questions from the man. But he was also doing some translation work, and at the time I thought she needed it. But it turned out she knows English very well. We spent a few hours walking in the park, and after getting a train ticket we went for a drink. It was at this time I found out Vova had planned on me coming for dinner, and now what?  I told Oksana he has been very nice to me, and even though I really wanted to see her, I couldn't be rude to him. It was ok I still had two weeks before I needed to return to Brussels for my flight back home, and I could come back to see her before I left.  She get's a taxi, and I offer to pay her way home, all she needed was 20 UAH ,but I only had 100's left.  Oh well here you go girl I only met a few hours ago. Not even a kiss on the cheek.  Hmm...

 So back to Vova's home and a dinner followed by vodka shot's. I bowed out after one as I just didn't think it was a good idea. I enjoy vodka, and have always preferred it straight, but drinking before boarding a train just didn't make sense.  After dinner we talked some more, and told him we must keep in touch. He and his family were due to come to Canada in six months.
  His wife came with us to the train station, and helped me board the right car and get into my cabin. Again I offered him some money, but he just waved it off, I just thought what a great guy to be this friendly to me.
 



       

Offline ML

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #16 on: October 14, 2015, 11:00:14 AM »
Wow, I am completely stunned that you want to go off on a train when you could stay and spend time with this gal !
A beautiful woman is pleasant to look at, but it is easier to live with a pleasant acting one.

Offline Anotherkiwi

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #17 on: October 18, 2015, 04:38:13 PM »
Wow, I am completely stunned that you want to go off on a train when you could stay and spend time with this gal !

Especially when he's such a "seat of the pants" guy who hasn't booked anything!  :cluebat:

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #18 on: October 20, 2015, 11:39:28 PM »
  Thanks for reading ML. I've always been a guy who can admit when wrong, no shame or lost ego on my part.  I did lots of things that one could say were lost opportunities as you'll read in my story.

 Continuing on with my second trip from October 2004.



 My train ride was rather dull. I was bunked in first class with another girl maybe five years younger than me. She spoke no English and I spoke no Russian, so the slow ride felt much slower. Entering Crimea I was able to see the vineyards, and general openness of the landscape. Finally I arrive in Sevastopol, it's a warm October morning, and I had a beer with me from the night before still unopened in my only bag. You know in case some thing comes up where drinking is mandatory. I forgot I had this in the bag until I saw the beer flowing out the bottom, and onto the concrete. Now all my clothes were smelling like some guy who bathed in beer, and I still had yet to call the landlady for the apartment. I had made arrangements for this apartment from Canada, and all I had to do upon arrival was phone her once I arrived. 
 Now here's the reason any guy travelling to a FSU country should buy a phone and SIM card as soon as he arrives. I didn't have a mobile phone with me, so my reliance was on using the public phones. They are a beast of a device, and I'm sure could double as a multi purpose weapon if needed.
 I walk over to one of the kiosks and do my best to buy a card. She sells me one, and I walk over to the phone, it's all in Ukrainian or Russian and I knew only three words, yes no & thanks. So I dial and of course its not working, all I get is some recording. Eventually I get it to work and speak to Manita, but time runs out! What I now know is the kiosk chick sold me a card... her card...
 It wasn't wrapped in plastic and had only about 2 minutes on it. So I walk over to another place and buy a new card, this is when I realised about the plastic wrap. Getting the directions from her seems too difficult so I frantically wave over a taxi driver, who was waiting for a fare. They converse and moments later I'm off!
 Manita works as a guide and interpreter in Sevastopol, taking tourists daily to Yalta. We meet and I get settled in, first things first, I rinse out my bag and hang it outside to dry. I shake out the broken glass from my clothes and rinse clean the wet stuff.
 I had only one girl to meet here, and when I called the agency they said they will call her and arrange a meeting. I let most of the day pass before a follow up call to check on the meeting. Now you will hear stories as to why it's vital to get her personal information, and not let an agency control all modes of correspondence, this was one of them.
  I call back asking if she knows I'm here as I wrote in emails via the agency that I will be coming this week. They tell me they haven't gotten in contact with her yet, and will let me know as soon as they do. Now I'm getting a little annoyed, and I ask her for her telephone number. The reply is we don't give that info out to protect their clients, and I have to get that from her when I see her.
 I tell them she knows I'm coming, I wrote her weeks ago and told her. They brush it off and tell me to wait until they call.

 That was a Monday. Tuesday rolls around and still nothing. I call again and now red flags are waving in my face. I know that something is up, and I want to find out what it is. So I place a call to Manita and ask if I can hire her for a few hours. Wednesday comes and she's at my door asking what it is she can help out with. I tell her my story about writing to this girl, and now that I am here the agency seems to be blocking me from meeting her. I give her the name of the agency, and she replied that she has never heard of "Family Plus."
 I tell her all I have is the agency's address and with this we head off in a taxi. Arriving at the agency's building Manita tells me to wait in the taxi, and she will go inside and see what the place is like. A few minutes later she comes out and tells me its a family counseling centre. She goes on to say we should go in and find this girl's whereabouts. Well after all the travelling I have done, and the time and cash spent, I'm all for it!

 Up the stairs we go, and she directs me to the office door,  I walk in to this dinky little stall err "office" fitted out with three computers, and three females working away at who knows what. Seeing me in their small room the look on their faces were ... well lets just say a deer in the headlights would be a good way to sum it up. I tell them who I am and ask where she is. More BS starts and then the old woman starts in on Manita in Russian, and they go at it for about five minutes. Finally when it's over Manita informs me they will talk to me only if she leaves the room. I tell her it's ok and she will be waiting just outside the door.
 Only one spoke English to me and they start in telling me they're protecting her from, "Guys like me". Like me I reply somewhat bewildered?  ''Yes guys who come to meet many girls and are not serious.'' Uh, I'm here am I not, how much more serious can I get than this?'' It continues and I'm being far too nice of a guy throughout this sham of a marriage agency. Accusations keep being hurled, I think it was about twenty of them, and I finally ask does she even exist?
 "Yes she does Don." Now I knew they were pissed off before I even arrived in UA because they offered to book me into an apartment, but I chose to do it my way and not use them.
 So her parting words to me were, "Don I suggest you go find her yourself." Oh ok. As I walk out I comment on the 'nice office' and walk out.

  I briefly told Manita what they had told me, and I said all I know about her is that she goes to some university for economics, and was in her third year. "I know where that place is, let's go and find her!"  I was willing to drop it, but what the hell, I guess stalking laws had yet to come to this country. Back in the same taxi the two of us enter into the administration office, and now I'm feeling really weird about all this, but kinda excited as well. During this time I was doubting if she even knew I was alive, and would freak out if she and I met. But Manita tells them the story and to my surprise they start going through the school records with photo's attached. They come across her name and show me her photo."Yup that's her" I tell Manita. Next thing I know is were heading up the stairs to her class room! Now I'm really-really having second thoughts about the next possible unfolding minutes.
 First case scenario; She is happy to see I beat out the agency and found her. That would be wishful thinking, but hey I may as well try to think positive.
 Second case scenario; She has no clue who I am, and I'm looking like a loser who came to see this fictitious girl that I thought I had been writing. The second one is running in my head, but we go to the door and asks if she's in. Whew not here, I was actually feeling relieved. The thought of me standing in the doorway of a room full of university students, and having her say she never heard of me would of topped the most embarrassing moment of 2004 in my life.
 A classmate tells us, Manita, she's expected tomorrow. The following day I return by myself for reasons still unknown to me at this time, and I wait outside the classroom for her to come out. I was planning on not approaching her, but waiting to see if she notices me as she walks by. Yeah yeah, play the surprise visit guy from Canada, and if she looks but doesn't know me, I can walk out with no public humiliation.
 I suppose I was curious and bloody bored after almost three weeks of travelling in Europe, so I take up a seat outside the classroom door.

 Minutes later the door opens and all the class exits but she's not in there. I then ask a classmate of hers if she'll be back. I spoke in English and another one decided to give me the girls phone number! Again I was shocked by this casual release of information, but I took the number and went back to my apartment.
Walking up the steps I notice that my travel bag is gone. It had been only about 5c the past week in Crimea and the bag was slow to dry. So now I got screwed by a scam agency, had my only bag stolen, and the weather was too windy to go scuba diving. I'm thinking it's getting better by the hour...

 I call Manita that evening after a long walk down the main street to McDonald's, and tell her my latest dilemma.  She offers to send her twelve year old son over the next day to take me to a market to buy a new bag. I was greatful and she asked how I made out with my girl. I tell her all I have is her cell number from a classmate, but the phone in the flat won't connect the call.  I should also add the school gave us this girls home number too. And when I called it I got the mom one time, second time the dad. Both spoke very decent English, and said she wasn't home.
 I think Manita saw me as a decent guy, and told me she'll send her son Danny over to bring me to her place and she'll call the number for me. In talking to the mother she informed her that she'll be home on the Moscow train the following day. My down time was now filled with Danny acting as my travel guide and was a great historian on the Crimea war. He has so much charm that I hope he puts it to good use one day.

  Danny takes me to a market finds me a new bag. There is a price on it but he haggles a price with the lady. I really think she was just so taken with his charm that she dropped about 30UAH off the price. At least that's what I got from the grin on her face.
  In return he was eyeing up some sneakers before, and I offered to buy them for him for all his help over the past couple of days. He wasn't too comfortable in my offer and declined. So I offered instead to take him to McDonald's for some lunch, he was happy with that offer so off we went.
  Inside he ordered a Big Mac, a first for him. Seated at a table next to us are three women who overheard our English, and turns out they were from Canada. I make some conversation of what a group of travelers from Canada would discuss, then Danny speaks up and the fifty plus year old ladies are completely taken by him! WTF!! Give some to me kid! I have never seen it before, and have yet to see this since. The kid has a gift with the ladies.
   The next day Danny wanted to come by and take me to this swap market that deals in war memorabilia. There I met a guy from UK who was in the same regiment as those Crimean soldiers. With the day done we head back to his home and I  comment to his mom he is a real pistol with the ladies, and she says "I know, I know I'm told all the time."

 The morning of the train arrives and I am suppose to be there to finally meet this girl, however I'm minutes too late in getting there, most everyone is off and long gone. Shitty I thought, but I do have the cell number, and decided WTF I'll call it and see what is going on. I figured maybe the agency was keeping her in the dark as both parents had said when she'll be home, and Manita did mention to them I had come to meet her. But when I called she kept say "nyet nyet." I asked if she understood English and she says, "No." She hung up and that was it. I finally stopped trying. Not fully sure what the game plan was with the entire operation. Did her parents give a few photos to this agency and offered to give a kick back if some guy spent money on correspondence? Anyway it was done, time to move on and have some fun.

  I did a day trip day to Balacava and went scuba diving which was disappointing, as there were only clam shells 3" thick covering the bottom of the sea bed. My mountain biking trip was also off as the company wanted 160 euros for one day! I like biking, but not at that price to spend four hours going down a hill. I can go to BC and do it in away better setting. My time in Sevastopol was nearing it's end, and I was thinking about little Oksana from Kharkiv.

 Never wanting to give up and earn a bit of extra income, Manita decided to try and set me up with some girls she knows. Figuring why not, I have wasted about a week here already as far as doing what I had hoped. Scuba and a day trip to Yalta by bus were the highlights so far, well there was taking in Danny's soccer match. Yes I stood on the edge watching these young kids play on a very hard packed gravel pitch.
 The game was ok, it filled an hour of my day, and as crazy as it sounds, I really enjoyed his company. Maybe I was tired of the language barrier, and being that he spoke flawless English made things comfortable.

 Being completely unprepared I should of gone to a market and bought a fall coat as I only had this rather ratty looking fleece that had lost all it warmth a thousand washes ago. So I decided to just wear a long sleeve shirt. It wasn't too bad, but I never prepare for much, and this was one of them.
That evening I met Inna, she was a very nice girl and we had a pleasant time, but nothing was going to continue so that killed one evening. Another short night out was with Manita and some girl who spoke no English. She had black hair and a kid, so it was more for a night out than anything else as I wasn't going to get involved with a mother.

 So to summarize I am without a girl, no biking even though Danny offered me to use his bike, somewhat bored, bad scuba, no coat, oh and I got robbed of 100 or 150 euros in Kyiv.
 Oksana and I emailed each other since our meeting earlier, and I decided to go back and see her for my final days before flying back to Brussels.
 

Offline calmissile

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #19 on: October 21, 2015, 01:03:19 AM »
Don,

This is the first installment I have read but it reminds me so much of my visits to Ukraine I am going to go back and start from the beginning.

Doug (Calmissile)

Offline jone

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #20 on: October 21, 2015, 01:48:11 AM »
Don,

You are/were a trailblazer for all of us.  Your stories, and those of the other guys who were bold enough to paint their mis-adventures, are a learning tool for anyone who wants to learn.

We know what your age is/was at the time.  How old was the gal who was going to University?
Kissing girls is a goodness.  It beats the hell out of card games.  - Robert Heinlein

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2015, 11:42:28 PM »
Don,

You are/were a trailblazer for all of us.  Your stories, and those of the other guys who were bold enough to paint their mis-adventures, are a learning tool for anyone who wants to learn.

We know what your age is/was at the time.  How old was the gal who was going to University?

 Thanks Jone. I do hope some of the guys who are thinking about giving this foreign bride thing a whirl will be reading. She was I believe 22yo. Too young for me at 36yo, but she was quite busty and well....
 Oksana was only 23yo and looked great, why I left her to chase a dead end is just the way I roll with things I suppose.
 One thing I will share is that I would write to many girls over a 10-12 year age spread, and the ones that stuck around were usually the younger ones. I didn't see myself as looking too old, and lets face it, they give a boost to your ego.

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2015, 12:35:33 AM »
  I later took the train back to Kharkov to see little Oksana, not really sure where it may go as we only spent a few hours together....kinda.
 She told me she was waiting for me to return, and to call her when I arrived.  I looked back on my days in Sevastopol, and realised the best times were with Danny. I learned so much about the cities history and saw more museums than I have in my entire life. For those who have never been, Sevastopol is a museum in itself. There's a lot to see if your into military, and the Panorama museum was the highlight of them. Upon entering that one, Danny told me not to speak as foreigners will get charged more. Of course he knew all it's history, and was excited to fill me in on it all. The poor guy had to whisper it to me so we didn't arouse suspicion.

 Well the time had come for me to leave, and I walked down to the station to get on the train.  On the train there was a guy from Armenia, he knew I was not a local and tried to speak with me. It didn't work, and I went to get this book that Vova had given me with the phonetic and English/ Russian in it. 
 It was printed for the Moscow Olympics in 1980, very cool book, and was intended to help both the visitor and Muscovite during the foreigners stay.
 So he pointed to his nationality and I nodded, he was trying to ask me where I was staying in Kharkiv and I told him a hotel.  He offered to give me a ride to this hotel and I was a little worried about taking his offer, as they always say don't ride with strangers. 
 But the trains arrival was at 5am, and I was thinking what if there was no taxi to drive me?  The train pulls in to Kharkiv and we walk out to the parking lot. Now the Armenian is waving me to come with him, and I'm still not to comfortable in doing it, But it's very late, I'm tried, and well sometimes you do things you shouldn't.

   I walk over to the car and his friend has come to pick him up as well. Great now what? My friend Guy in Odessa told me never get into a car with two guys, because anything can happen and you'll lose every time. But I did anyway, I sort of knew the way to the hotel and sitting in the back at least I was able to keep an eye on the two guys. Weather the doors opened from the inside was still unknown.
  We're rolling down the very dark street of the city, and my head is full of, "what ifs"  Then I lose site of the familiar route to the hotel, but I say nothing. I am just gauging the situation and hoping for the best. Much to my delight we arrive at the Hotel National! I give the man some money, they seems happy, and in I go!

 I wake up the sleeping guards and front desk clerk, who informs me that there's no vacancy in very broken English. Now what, the ride is gone, its very dark, they shut off the street lights even on Lenin prospect, and I have no other place to go. She points down the street to hotel Mir. I say thanks, and walk out into the pitch black. Now when I tell you it's dark it's very dark, so dark that I had to stop at the curb to see where I was stepping off, as I could not judge the height of the curb.
 After about 20 minutes I see the Mir hotel, I'm just hoping there's a room to rent. There was and it was slightly better than the National hotel, with better services too!
 
 That afternoon I went to the business centre in the hotel and wrote some emails. Turns out a guy from Cameroon was the owner, and during my stay there he had his other friends from Cameroon drop in.  They spoke Russian and English, so it made it a somewhat easier stay than at the National. 
 The curiosity was killing me and I later asked him how the hell he wound up in Kharkiv of all places. He told me, "It's a long story, you don't want to know."  We both laughed, and I never pressed him about it again. But I still wonder to this day how he wound up there.
 
 Since Oksana works 10 hour days I had too much time to kill until we'd meet. I'd call her in the afternoon, and we'd arrange a place and time. It usually took place around 7pm, and lasted a few hours. It kinda sucked, but I was down to my last few days and wasn't going to bother leaving to wonder around Europe for the remainder of them. After all it had been three weeks since I started this holiday. One day I even called Anna in Odessa to have a little talk. She didn't know I was making this trip, and I filled her in on where I started and where I will finish, she replied, "free traveler."  She also offered to help me but being realistic she knew there was little she could do, but the offer was nice to hear.

 Oksana is a very sweet girl, our evenings would consist of talking in a small quiet pub, and with the soft light on her face I was falling for her. However the night would always end the same, and I knew deep down it wasn't going to progress. But I was just wanting to enjoy my time with her, though limited. The crunch came when it was her mums birthday, and she couldn't meet me . Of course I was hoping to get invited, but I understood why.
  My days in Kharkiv were spent walking around, up and down different streets, and taking in some local markets. It was a lot cooler than in Sevastopol, and I was still only in long sleeves. So I set out to find a coat. Yeah I know, spend a month in Europe, and start looking for warm clothes on the last couple of days . 
 I also went to Confidential Connections, to see what other girls I could meet, I figured why not, I'm here.  Turns out they wanted $50 for a meeting, and the ones I wanted didn't speak English so I passed and left. The only market I stumpled upon had no winter coats, it had a small clothing section and there I spotted another fleece. I decided I would keep looking but soon gave up, and returned to buy what was the only one in the entire open air market.
 The thing was slightly short in the sleeves, giving me the "peasant" look. But the old lady was a little  excited to have me there, she kept asking questions in Russian but I didn't understand. Then she goes next shop and tells her there's a English guy here. That much I got the gist of.
 So I finally figure out she wants to know where I'm from. I tell her but she didn't understand until the other girl told her. "Kan-na-da!  All happy she starts to write down a bunch of words on some paper and hands it to me. I just smiled and shook my head as I didn't know what the hell it said! She was kind of surprised I was buying her fleece, she motioned to have the arms extended. Ah... for $6 I'll give to charity when I get home.

 So that night I showed Oksana my note and asked what she was trying to tell me. Turns out she has family in Canada, and that explained why she was excited. It's times like those I really wish I could speak passable Russian. So Oksana and I head off to another place, she leads as I know where nothing is. We taxi around to a few different places and I'm getting slightly annoyed because she didn't like them at all, so we'd leave before even sitting down.
 She's now on the phone and her friend who suggests some place that's nice. I look somewhat awkward in my budget jacket, and sure enough we go there and it's all suits and way too high end for me! But their happy to have us dine in, and Oksana orders her usual tea. I convince her to have some tort or something else and not just tea, she agrees and I have my usual beer. Were both not hungry so I'm having pistachios for the first time, and now I can say I'm hooked on them!

  Now the bad news, the bill comes and stupid me doesn't have enough cash. Our nights out have always been less than this night out, not that it was expensive. It's just with all the taxi rides I used up what would of covered our bill, and her ride home. So I pull out the credit card, no good they don't take it. I was about $2 short and in vain I offer my $5 CAD note. No good USD or UAH. Oksana is embarrassed, I'm feeling like a idiot, the bills I had earlier were filling up my wallet, thinking I that I was stocked up good for the night, but they go fast in UA! So she tells the waiter she'll return to pay the debt later once I get to a bank machine.
  She was quiet until we got outside, then she starts in on me in Russian! While being berated I still was impressed with how fast she walks in those 3" heels! But she was very mad and I can see why. I didn't even bother to defend myself.  I said I was sorry and if I knew I didn't have enough money I would of got more.
 After what seemed like 5 minutes of her discussing matters with me, she finds a taxi who'll take us to the hotel and I'll pay then. In the car I was thinking how badly I just blew it, she didn't say much to me on the short ride, and all I could think of was to try and make up for it. We only had a few minutes until the hotel, and in 7 hours I would be en route to Brussels.
 So I told her I have a gift for you, I thought it was really lame, but I had been hauling it from home, and it was only a little stuffed beaver. I told her I have it in my room, and asked her to come up and get it.
 She wouldn't go up, and I learned why a short time later. Reason is they may be seen as prostitutes, and that's why renting an apartment is always the best option. She would only go into the lobby and wait on the sofa. So I went and got it, brought it down, and pulled it out of the bag for her. I really didn't know what her reaction was going to be. I thought some rolling eyes, but she lit up and gave me a kiss! It was a big suprise, and for a moment the money shortage was gone from her mind! She really liked her little beaver!!!  Ok the little Hollio (angel) on my shoulder is telling me to stop right there and go no futher.  But the (devil) Hollio is offering so many much more innuendo to type!

 Anyways I was glad she left happy, and she waved as the taxi pulled away from the front entryway. I thought to myself,"I'll never see her again." And I was sad about it. I was getting feelings for her, and that was going to be it. It was a short sleep as my ride to the airport was at 5am. I never asked the driver how much to the airport, you should always agree on a price before taking the taxi. When we pulled up, I was bracing for the worst. I asked, he told me 90 UAH. I thought it was high, but it took about twenty minutes without traffic, and how was I to argue with him on whats fair and what isn't? I handed him the 90 UAH and he looks at me kind of startled, takes the cash and says, "No No!" Then hands back 50 UAH.  He questions the amount as he taps the money in his hand and says 90 . I tell him it's 40, and he is happy I suppose to learn what 40 was in English. So there you go guys, sometimes you can find a honest taxi driver in the FSU!

 Flying back I was disappointing in having feelings for Oksana, knowing that it wasn't going to go further. I called her a couple of times from home after, but it wasn't changing things. And with that flight I ended my second trip to Europe and Ukraine.

Offline Noch1

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #23 on: October 25, 2015, 04:31:17 AM »
Great storey Don, I am enjoying the read, Again.
Common sense, Is not so common!

Offline Donhollio

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Re: Donhollio's FSU Pursuit!
« Reply #24 on: October 26, 2015, 10:37:41 PM »
    Oksana is a hottie in my books, and upon my return to Canada I thought of her many many times. Flying over the ocean I was questioning what I could of done different. Some were obvious, lack of money, staying in a hotel not an apartment all didn't help. Maybe I needed to show her I was really interested in her, but I never pursued girls, they chased me. And that was something I was still working on was having to showed I cared about them.

 The phone calls went nowhere and I soon gave up on her, infact I needed a break from the PC and searching for anymore FSU girls to write. Weeks went by and the PC was collecting dust, then after weeks I looked over at it and it beaconed me!  After getting burned by Family Plus I decided to again try the free sites. Up to this point the only exchange I had was with a Moldavian girl, who got very annoyed at me after I told her I wasn't going to return unless I had a few girls to meet.
Big mistake, after a long barrage of, "Don this, Don that."  I shot back telling her the way it is, and that she was my first to see, and if it didn't work I would go meet the others. It was the truth, and she didn't see my reasons for wanting to do it that way, and was soon gone.
 For any guys thinking about telling them, it's a difficult call to make each girl will respond differently, but you're better off lying to them. Many have little white lies that they keep from you prior to meeting them, and I really don't think they see it as being too dishonest either. However if you do tell them she's the only one, due be sure to shut off your mobile phone when your with her. I'm getting ahead of myself, but just be sure it's off!

  So onto some free sites I go. I find about a dozen girls to write my standard three line intro to, 
"Hi I like your profile and wish to know you better."  It was a useless intro, and I guess I wasn't fully into trying it as much as I wanted to think I was. But off they go, this was mid December when I restarted.
 
I received a few replies within a few days, I wrote back at length, and they were all gone in a few exchanges. Then about two weeks later the girl I was not going to write sends me her reply. I sat and looked at her profile and poor quality photo's for sometime, even coming back to her after sending out replies to the other dozen.
  She had a very nice well written intro that captured my imagination. Not really sure what it was but it convinced me to look past the poor photo's, and see what may happen.
  In her email she talked about what she wanted in life, and some of her dreams of the future. Her name was Olya. We exchanged a few emails and I was wanting to speak with her very much on the phone, as her letters were great, and so after making the request, she gave it to me. I was elated, but she cautioned me that her English wasn't that good, and I would need to speak slowly. I thought, hey no problem!

 Our first call went great! We spoke for almost one hour, and there was never an awkward moment. The following calls to her were always forty five to ninety minutes, she spoke much better than she gave herself credit for.
 I was liking this girl more and more with every phone call. Our emails had become a second means of correspondence, and we learnt more about each other than fifty emails could ever accomplish.
  After a few months she was asking when I could come see her, at this point I really still wanted to find some plan B but it was not materialising at all. I could tell she was getting restless with my delay in getting to her, but my work at the time held me back, going in a weeks time would of been a poor move, or so I thought. If I could turn back the calendar it may of been different.
  Our correspondence began to become regular sometime around March or April, and there was a period of two months where she wanted to know when I was planning on coming.  I finally had a date set for early August, Olya was very pleased to know this and was looking forward to our meeting, just as I was.  She had told me she felt we were going to get along very well, and that she didn't see what would go wrong. I didn't try to convince her otherwise as I was obviously hoping the same.
 I told her I will be able to spend up to six months there and she seemed shocked at how I could do it, but after explaining her she seemed somewhat at ease. We both agreed it would be the best thing to be able to do instead of more trips every few months.
 
 Now for the train ride, it seems I never learn...

 I had wanted to see Nuremberg Germany on my last trip but it never took place. So I thought since I was landing in Germany, I could take a day out to this city then train it again across Poland and on to Zaporozhye Ukraine. Thinking this will help ease up on the jet lag, and I would be at my best by the time I got to Zapcity. Well that the plan was. My last trip via the train I was well rested entering Ukraine, but this round wasn't to be the case.
 A host of problems started soon after I left Nuremberg. I bought my ticket for the ICE
 (Inter City Express) train to Berlin, and from there I would get on a night train to Poland. The beautiful high speed of the ICE train was great! Hurling across the country in comfort and on time! I get to Berlin and find my platform to board the train, as I approach with my two tickets one for the train and one for the sleeper, (this time I was fully prepared to have a hassle free journey) I had arrived too late to catch the train, infact I saw it roll down the tracks. I had missed it by a minute. nyeeeeeeet!
Good thing I was just in Berlin several months before, and knew of a hostel very close to the station. So after washing up at the McClean I had a bite to eat at McDonald's. The McClean as it is called is a pay to use washroom facility. Beautifully fitted out and all for one euro.  Damn I love Germany, everything works so quiet and perfect! Walking in to the hostel I got a private room, and the guy working there asked why so many Canadian's have their flag on their baggage. I don't, but many other's young and old do, even some old Yanks that my parents know were doing that to have less hassles. I tell them it's so they won't be mistaken for being a Yank, he laughed and said that's what his coworker had also told him.
 While in Berlin I called Olya and told her my situation. I told her I should of just flown into Kiev that day, but I didn't know if I would of gotten to her city any sooner. At any rate Kiev was going to happen the following morning, at least that was the new plan.

 The next morning I get on to crossing Poland, gone was the modern comfort, the trip was fairly uneventful until it came time to switch trains in Poland. Racing underneath the tracks in a long tunnel from one platform to another with eight minutes to spare wasn't easy, but I managed to find where I needed to go, though it was a full panic situation! I have to say there is a great deal of stress running past hundreds of people to seek out your boarding platform at some station you've never been to. Had I missed it I would of been delayed yet another day. When the train arrived in Krakow Poland I again needed to race to get on my night train. I had only maybe five minutes from the time I got off and board the Ukraine train. But I knew I was going to just make it, but I was going to make it, I was!
 As I dashed to the open doors in front of me, only an older woman is stopping me from jumping on the train. I pause behind her as she's yelling at the train attendant! I look with big eyes as I can tell there is a bigger big problem. The attendant is trying to heave her bags off the train, and the old woman is trying to push them back on! This goes on for what seemed a half minute. The train is about to leave and they finally toss her bags off! I yell,"What's going on?" As I was blocked from getting closer to the train to show her my tickets.
 A young teenage girl says to me that the train is full and has been booked for months! WTF!!!
Then the unimaginable happens, the doors close five seconds later and it's rolling away. I'm standing there watching another train roll away. The young girl spoke perfect English, and was the granddaughter of the old Ukrainian woman who worked in Germany, but was from Livi UA.
 
  I just couldn't believe it, two trains in two days without me being on them. Now I'm in Poland again for the night. It was late, the sun was down, and I knew of some hostels to sleep at. After hearing the train was fully booked for months, I wanted to hang near these two and figure out what was going to be the next move.  So the three of us head down to the ticket window and baba starts talking in German, translates to her granddaughter in Russian, and relays it to me in English. What a site!
 
 Now we need a place to sleep and some guys are there in the station to offer their homes for the night. Sceptical I told them I know of a hostel we can go to. So off in a taxi we go and of course the place doesn't have enough beds for the three of us. However baba manages a deal where she and her granddaughter will share a single bed, and I will have my own single bed. I go down the hall and try to see if there are any flights to Kiev from Krakow leaving in the morning, the very helpful semi hot Polish girl did her best to search, but there was nothing she found. Great two nights blown and Olya's waiting. At this point I'm beyond aggravated, and the stress is built to the boiling point. Worse thing is it was all my fault, no one was to blame but me.

 Next morning the three of us head back to the station to catch some train to the border of Ukraine. So... the windows are open in the station and the birds have shit on the park like benches. Oh it was going to get better I kept asking myself. The granddaughter, Julia had been living in America since she was 5yo, she too had that look of defeat in her eyes. When I asked how she was doing she replied she just wanted to go back home. The plan for her was once she lands in Germany she would go with baba to Livi, and after a two weeks return to Germany and fly on home.
 We got to talking about my train ticket, and I told her I had a reserved sleeper, showing her my paper printout. She looked at it and told me they never had any reserved sleeper tickets, and that's why they were refused boarding.....    F@#K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Why me, why me!!!
 Had I not been so passive I would of jumped on that train and my trip would of been back on track. Well, maybe next time.
 We get on the train, and its hot. No air conditioning, and there is everything on this train. Huge bags, bikes, and I'm sure some chickens were there as well. While in 3rd class crammed in with the others, baba takes it upon herself to bump me up to 2nd class. All this was done in German, and I had no idea what was going on, I thought I paid extra for all of us, but no it was just for me. Up in the semi posh comfort I met a Ukrainian guy who spoke alright English, and once we got to the PL /UA border he offered to take me to a place to eat.
 I went with him to get his train ticket, I didn't need mine as I had already bought mine the day before safely tucked in my back pocket. Yeah the good ole secure back pocket...
 While waiting I go to check my ticket and it's not there! I retrace my steps and the damn thing was laying on the sidewalk outside! You know this happened to me earlier in Krakow, same pocket, and you'd think one would get wise to it, but for some reason it never did. I was lucky as both times I found it, and I later figured out that my gym bag was rubbing my ass, and it would be hitting the ticket until it slid right out. Ah well such is life.
 I parted ways with my dinner companion at the platform and entered into my cabin. Here I meet this bizarre American who was in Russia on some church mission. He hardly seemed the type, looking more like a 30yo hobbit.  Nice loud guy, doubt there's a soul who didn't know where the foreigners were staying.
 
 It had been awhile since I saw the baba and daughter until Julia comes aboard and asks, "Do you have my grandmothers passport?" "She's been refused entry into Ukraine until she shows it." All her bags were dumped out in a room franticly looking for it. I told her the last time I saw it was at the hostel, she had to surrender it to the staff while we were able to keep ours. And when we left we never did stop to get it.  We realised it was back in Krakow now several hours away, and this train was leaving in minutes. Julia gets off knowing that must be where it is, I felt bad for them and Julia only had two weeks vacation. Now it was going to be another two days until she was back at this border with her baba's passport.
 Soon the train left the border and by midnight I was in Livi enroute to Kiev. I looked out the window to see if they got off the train, I never did see them. That poor girl, already having a horrible time was topped by re-tracking her way to Krakow, and then returning to Livi.
 
 Morning came and so did Kiev. I said my goodbyes to the hobbit, and went to the booth to buy my next and final ticket to Zaporzhye. Before leaving Toronto, I stopped in to see Vova and family as they had just arrived two months before from Kharkiv. It was good to see them again, and I was curious to find out how they were adjusting to life in the,"centre of the universe."
 I was staying a couple of days in Toronto visiting my friend Andre who used to live here in the Peg. The two of us went over to visit with his family, and I had only planned on a couple of hours, but they had dinner plans at 3pm and we both just finished eating an hour before. Can't refuse the food, it's as bad as being in an Italians home and saying you don't want to eat. Really Vova, water or a beer is fine, but no, she had made this big meal and I felt I better not say no.
 So after dinner and a beer, we're sitting there and I asked if there was something to drink, he was drinking Crown Royal, and water would of been fine but he and his friend get up and walk out. I look at Andre and ask where they're going? He has no clue either, and Sveta can't speak English to tell me. Now this gets bad, they come back and he has beer from the store, I told him we didn't need it, and I felt like shit.
 I'm thinking I should of brought over some beer for us to have, but we weren't planning on staying too long. We make the best of it, and their daughter comes in with a bag full of stuffed animals from a second hand store. She just loves Canada so far! Being a skinny 15yo so will the guys soon enough!

 It was time to go and I knew Vova would refuse any money from me for the drinks, but he's in my country and I should of gave more thought to how they would greet us. Toronto living isn't cheap so I tucked a bit of money in the chesterfield behind a pillow. They'd find it after I was gone and hopefully know it was from me.
  I had planned on calling them whenever I returned, but the baggage guys in Kiev stole some of my stuff including dumping out his phone number. To this day I have yet to hear from him, so maybe he's pissed off, I really don't know. At any rate its a lousy feeling to hold years later.

 Anyway, back in Kyiv I show the lady my note written by Vova asking to buy a ticket to Zapcity in Russian, she reads it and writes down 41 & 44. Then points with a big swooping motion to the back???? After some minutes I realise these numbers are for the ticket booths that are located at the other end of the station. Turns out to buy a domestic ticket you need to buy at certain booths. I get my ticket and call Olya telling her my latest situation, and how pissed off I am the way it went so far.  Olya is telling me how excited she is to see me, and adds in that she's now on vacation. She has been waiting for me for a day or so and wondered what happened... yeah so do I.
 She informs me her mother has rented a beach house.... well sorta I guess... its on the Azov sea for a week. Now I'm thinking great I'll get there and she'll be with her mom for a week. But then she asks if I will come with her, she wants to go badly and wonders if I'll be able to find the place on my own. Not likely, not without giving very good directions to someone. She decides to wait until 4am when I'll be there, and we'll go together directly from the train station.

 
The next ride from hell coming up...

 

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