Past and Future trips to Ukraine

[mobob]

I'm hopefully/hopelessly finishing trip report two just before heading out again. In my defense, in geologic terms, it's only been a short while. Also in my defence (special spelling for Brit readers) and adding additional stress to the situation, I'm in the final hours of moving back to the country. It's only a 20 mile trip each way, but still a pain. How does a person acquire so many personal belongings (crap) in only half a year?! I hate moving. I'd rather sell it all and start over. I am soooo going to miss high speed internet.

Trip 3 approaches... and marriage! Departing next week. Wedding day is 23 Sept., provided neither of us chickens out. Highly unlikely since I've invested so much in: planning, airline tickets, meals, hotels, taxis, subway tickets, gifts, document translations, application fees, et cetera. Oh yeah, then there's the emotional investment, something about a girl... Olga WILL beat me when she reads this.


The airline ticket says 17 days, but I'm only in Ukraine for 15; the remainder is travel time, including an overnight layover in Heathrow on the way back. This trip I'll keep the bags together so's not to leave anything behind. I'm a big boy now – driving myself to the airport. Actually, there were no volunteers to take me. There'll be no chance or time to go back after forgotten stuff. Maybe I should handcuff it to my wrist. Nah, that would draw too much attention. Anyway, I haven't had this much time off from work since 91. Wonder what I'll do with all this free time...


Meanwhile, I'm packing and loading the truck while waiting to chat with my sweetie on Skype.

[Boethius]

Congratulations to you and Olga on the upcoming nuptials, mobob.  I wish you both a happy life together.

[mobob]

OMG!!! The Americans have landed! Well, only one... Arrived yesterday, on schedule, despite Murphy's best attempts, and there were several. More later. For some reason, I'm tired as hell and my sleep schedule is shot, too.

John

[Daveman]

Good luck John!  Enjoy the insanity! 
Have a blast - 5 days and counting!


Dave

[Kineo]

 
Best wishs and enjoy what life has to offer!
 

[tfcrew]

     
Trip 3 approaches... and marriage! Departing next week. Wedding day is 23 Sept.

 

   
Here's to Friday...   

[mobob]

The sleep schedule is still shot. Only a one hour nap in the middle of the day. Maybe I'll sleep to 0300 tomorrow before I wake up to greet the sun. Experienced kvas yesterday, both soft and hard. Hmmm... I like the hard kvas better. I will definately be takikng back the recipe and the Ukrainian ingredients for that! I'm done resting, I've been informed. Tomorrow WE go to Volnovaha on a search and destroy mission... Actually, we're gettting groceries for the wedding dinner. I'm getting excited. I'm also told we'll be getting many bottles of vodka. Got some private advice today on how to deal with that, as in how to survive it. Interesting, and sounded like a good idea. I'll try to get the camera out tomorrow. Only taken one photo so far, which is very unusual for me. As I said, jet lagged to beat all hell. Last night we shared a bottle of her Vladimir's - her father , red wine, vintage 2010. Pretty good stuff. It will definately outshine the California bottles I brought.

[alex330]

Exciting. Congrats to the both of you. Kvas seems an acquired taste for many, but I liked it as well.

[Faux Pas]

The sleep schedule is still shot. Only a one hour nap in the middle of the day. Maybe I'll sleep to 0300 tomorrow before I wake up to greet the sun. Experienced kvas yesterday, both soft and hard. Hmmm... I like the hard kvas better. I will definately be takikng back the recipe and the Ukrainian ingredients for that! I'm done resting, I've been informed. Tomorrow WE go to Volnovaha on a search and destroy mission... Actually, we're gettting groceries for the wedding dinner. I'm getting excited. I'm also told we'll be getting many bottles of vodka. Got some private advice today on how to deal with that, as in how to survive it. Interesting, and sounded like a good idea. I'll try to get the camera out tomorrow. Only taken one photo so far, which is very unusual for me. As I said, jet lagged to beat all hell. Last night we shared a bottle of her Vladimir's - her father , red wine, vintage 2010. Pretty good stuff. It will definately outshine the California bottles I brought.

Of course I do not know how you drink, how much booze you can handle or how much you think you might consume. My tolerance is relatively high from years of practice. Vodka is actually one of the easier spirits to overcome if you plan on drinking a lot and pay attention as you drink. My advice is to eat as you drink. However, do not over eat. Do not get a full belly as that will probably make things worse if you do over drink. Every time you hoist a shot, follow it with several bites of food. Preferably something bread and/or sweet. Cake and fruit is ideal. Works for me anyway

[Daveman]

The sleep schedule is still shot. Only a one hour nap in the middle of the day. Maybe I'll sleep to 0300 tomorrow before I wake up to greet the sun. Experienced kvas yesterday, both soft and hard. Hmmm... I like the hard kvas better. I will definately be takikng back the recipe and the Ukrainian ingredients for that!

Yeah man, get some sleep.  The wedding celebration is quite long usually.


I like Kvas too.  Not sure which kind I had, but to me it tasted very much like ginger-ale.

I'm done resting, I've been informed. Tomorrow WE go to Volnovaha on a search and destroy mission... Actually, we're gettting groceries for the wedding dinner. I'm getting excited. I'm also told we'll be getting many bottles of vodka. Got some private advice today on how to deal with that, as in how to survive it. Interesting, and sounded like a good idea. I'll try to get the camera out tomorrow. Only taken one photo so far, which is very unusual for me. As I said, jet lagged to beat all hell. Last night we shared a bottle of her Vladimir's - her father , red wine, vintage 2010. Pretty good stuff. It will definately outshine the California bottles I brought.

I'll add my suggestion in there... don't mix vodka and champagne.  You'll probably do one champagne toast while the photos are happening (on your walk through the park or whatever), another near the end of the wedding, and I think one more at the beginning of the celebration..  if you plan to drink vodka, just sip those and forgo guzzling the glass (which everyone seems to want you to do). 


They do have some really delicious wine recipes.  All of the homemade stuff I've sampled has been quite tasty and had a decent kick.   

[Muzh]

Of course I do not know how you drink, how much booze you can handle or how much you think you might consume. My tolerance is relatively high from years of practice. Vodka is actually one of the easier spirits to overcome if you plan on drinking a lot and pay attention as you drink. My advice is to eat as you drink. However, do not over eat. Do not get a full belly as that will probably make things worse if you do over drink. Every time you hoist a shot, follow it with several bites of food. Preferably something bread and/or sweet. Cake and fruit is ideal. Works for me anyway

I'll add my non-PC advice. As FP states, the trick is to have a bite after a sip of vodka. Now, here is the way to do it. It is customary for everyone to make a toast. The more drinks consumed, the more toasts. After the toast, you HAVE to clink your glass and drink. It is of very bad manners to put your glass down after you clink and NOT drink. SO, clink => drink (actually sip) => eat (little bite) => PUT down the glass. Now, the non-PC. It is more effective to eat fatty stuff (kielbaska or sausage, salo, fish) than veggies or bread. Fat tends to absorb the alcohol much better.
 
This is going to be a drinking marathon, so it is in you best interest to follow the above. No one can force you to drink massive quantities. What you HAVE to do is go along with their tradition and you can SIP your way out.

[Anotherkiwi]

I'll add my non-PC advice. As FP states, the trick is to have a bite after a sip of vodka. Now, here is the way to do it. It is customary for everyone to make a toast. The more drinks consumed, the more toasts. After the toast, you HAVE to clink your glass and drink. It is of very bad manners to put your glass down after you clink and NOT drink. SO, clink => drink (actually sip) => eat (little bite) => PUT down the glass. Now, the non-PC. It is more effective to eat fatty stuff (kielbaska or sausage, salo, fish) than veggies or bread. Fat tends to absorb the alcohol much better.
 
This is going to be a drinking marathon, so it is in you best interest to follow the above. No one can force you to drink massive quantities. What you HAVE to do is go along with their tradition and you can SIP your way out.

Not that it's likely to happen to me (getting married in Ukraine or Russia), but even a sip would have me instantly throwing up.  What would you suggest for the three of us in the world of MOB who are TOTALLY teetotal? 

[Boethius]

Not that it's likely to happen to me (getting married in Ukraine or Russia), but even a sip would have me instantly throwing up.  What would you suggest for the three of us in the world of MOB who are TOTALLY teetotal? 

Just say you don't drink.

Some will find it strange, but a lot of women will respect this.

[Anotherkiwi]

Just say you don't drink.

Some will find it strange, but a lot of women will respect this.

Thanks Boethius.  Judging by the responses to my original thread on the subject, I get the feeling that everyone will find it strange!

[Muzh]

Thanks Boethius.  Judging by the responses to my original thread on the subject, I get the feeling that everyone will find it strange!

I wouldn't count on that.
 
As Boe says, just tell them you don't drink. Nada, nichivo.

[Faux Pas]

I'll add my non-PC advice. As FP states, the trick is to have a bite after a sip of vodka. Now, here is the way to do it. It is customary for everyone to make a toast. The more drinks consumed, the more toasts. After the toast, you HAVE to clink your glass and drink. It is of very bad manners to put your glass down after you clink and NOT drink. SO, clink => drink (actually sip) => eat (little bite) => PUT down the glass. Now, the non-PC. It is more effective to eat fatty stuff (kielbaska or sausage, salo, fish) than veggies or bread. Fat tends to absorb the alcohol much better.
 
This is going to be a drinking marathon, so it is in you best interest to follow the above. No one can force you to drink massive quantities. What you HAVE to do is go along with their tradition and you can SIP your way out.

I wouldn't disagree with that. There is usually plenty of food on the table and I tend to go with what I want to taste at the moment. Often it is a meat but, for me personally, I find the rich in sweet foods that make a difference for me although, I don't shy away from anything. I've had a couple of guys tell me that they eats pats of butter and it works for them. Just the thought of eating butter like that puts my stomach in turns and I like butter.


I have a pretty high tolerance and it's not a problem for me. There are only a few serious drinkers in my wife's close circle of family and friends and those were a bit surprised that I can maintain. There seems to be a common consensus in the FSU that Americans have a problem holding their booze