trip to odessa

[JP5380]

Well, I made my second trip to Ukraine last week.  Back to Odessa again, but not to meet the girl from my trip last September.  The new girl is from Kherson, but we decided to meet in Odessa.  We met on Elena's site and it has been a pleasure getting to know her.  I have to say this was a pretty good trip.  I went there with minimal expectations and just tried to have fun.

We agreed to stay in the same apartment in Odessa.  Kind of surprised me, but I thought okay.  Then, the day I am packing my bags, she tells me her family is really worried about her traveling alone.  And they want her cousin to come with her.  I thought, oh boy, here it comes ... she is getting cold feet and I'll spend the whole time on a chaperoned date.  This happened to me on my first trip to Odessa.  But as it turned out, just the opposite.  After a lunch with the cousin, we had the whole time to ourselves.  Her cousin just did her own thing at the apartment while we would go out and enjoy the town. 

We had a great time.  And all the green lights seemed to be there.  Interesting, fun conversation.  Appropriate physical affection for a first meeting.  A visit to the grand old opera house, lots of very nice walks together, and a trip to Arcadia.  I have to say, this experience was so much better than my first trip.  This was fun, relaxed, and seemed to have the right amount of chemistry between us. 

We didn't have a lot of time.  She only had three days off work.  So obviously, not enough time.  But at least it is a place to start.  I waited a few days after returning home to write this.  I wanted to see how things would shake out once I got back.  But so far, so good. 

Not sure what else to say for now.  I just know I miss that gal

[ML]

OK, enough about this Opera House stuff.

Most important thing . . . what were the sleeping arrangements for this 'threesome' in Odesa?   

How many sheets were involved, etc.?
 

[JP5380]

The girls took the master bedroom, while I got the loft.  Sorry to disappoint ML    But, having two attractive RW in the apartment made for a nice view!    I can't complain!

[ML]

Then you may have to turn in your 'man license.'

OK, well next best would be to tell about the restaurants.

Did you go to the Steak House across from McDonalds?
Or nearby Fidel's.
Ekstrellita had good ham and eggs.
 Hutorek over by Shevchenko Park.

Did you walk down . . . and back up . . . the Potemkin Stairs?

[LAman]

Then you may have to turn in your 'man license.'

OK, well next best would be to tell about the restaurants.

Did you go to the Steak House across from McDonalds?
Or nearby Fidel's.
Ekstrellita had good ham and eggs.
 Hutorek over by Shevchenko Park.

Did you walk down . . . and back up . . . the Potemkin Stairs?

Close but not quite.....there is a restarant across from Mcd's ...Eladio's or someting like that........
Funny, last time there, they put wings( plane wings) on the Bull out front of steakhouse!!!!
Good call on Estrellita......if i don't cook, I have breakfast there....have to explain how i like my eggs!!!!!
There is a good inexpensive japanese restaurant on Rishelyevskaya  not far from Deribasovskaya , not sure of name, maybe yakitoriya. Same street is Buffalo 99....grab an outside table and watch the girls stroll by.....maybe catch one for a drink!!!

[CDW]

Then you may have to turn in your 'man license.'

OK, well next best would be to tell about the restaurants.

Did you go to the Steak House across from McDonalds?
Or nearby Fidel's.
Ekstrellita had good ham and eggs.
 Hutorek over by Shevchenko Park.

Did you walk down . . . and back up . . . the Potemkin Stairs?

When I was in Odessa, I stayed at an apartment above McDonald's !!

[LAman]

On another note, JP.....any reason you couldn't accompany girl back to kherson for a few more days to get to know more about each other since she had to go back to work? I figure you had at most 5 days together in Odessa. Or was your schedule tight.

[LAman]

When I was in Odessa, I stayed at an apartment above McDonald's !!

Would that be executivesuites???? Prices have really gone up with them!!! Nice though.....

[JP5380]

Let's see ... we ate at a sushi place on Alexandrosivsky Street.  Not a fan of sushi, but if that's what the lady wants, I'll give it a try.  Loved Kompote on Deribasovskya.  We had some Baskin-Robins ... which according to her is not as good as true Ukrainian ice cream.  We had breakfast a few times at the food court/restaurant in the bottom floor of the Afina shopping center.  I always liked that because I can see what I am getting.  And we definitely walked down (and up) the Potemkin Stairs one night.  Went to the port area that night and enjoyed the water by the hotel (Hotel Odessa I think).  I definitely would have liked to follow her back to Kherson for a week or so.  I just didn't have the time or money to continue the trip.  Seemed like a shame, but I figured if things are meant to be, I'll find my way to Kherson in a few months. 

Oh, and I got sick again upon arrival in Odessa.  I didn't think it would happen this time since I avoided ingesting the lavatory water on the Russian airline.  But I had the pleasure of another 12-24 hour stomach virus at the beginning of the trip.  Does this happen to many of you?  Any suggestions?  Exact same symptoms as my first trip. 

[fathertime]

Let's see ... we ate at a sushi place on Alexandrosivsky Street.  Not a fan of sushi, but if that's what the lady wants, I'll give it a try.  Loved Kompote on Deribasovskya.  We had some Baskin-Robins ... which according to her is not as good as true Ukrainian ice cream.  We had breakfast a few times at the food court/restaurant in the bottom floor of the Afina shopping center.  I always liked that because I can see what I am getting.  And we definitely walked down (and up) the Potemkin Stairs one night.  Went to the port area that night and enjoyed the water by the hotel (Hotel Odessa I think).  I definitely would have liked to follow her back to Kherson for a week or so.  I just didn't have the time or money to continue the trip.  Seemed like a shame, but I figured if things are meant to be, I'll find my way to Kherson in a few months. 
 [size=78%] [/size]

Hi JP,  I'm not claiming to be the expert on these things or know anything you personally except for what you have written, but I do have some thoughts for you.  I began this overseas venture when I was a few years older than you so I also found their was no real urgency in the whole process.  What I discovered later is that, a little urgency is good.  Maybe not this trip for you, but in future trips you should give it ALL you got when you find a lady.  It is a long long trip for you and I think spending just a few days with a lady isn't enough bang for the buck.  MY feeling is that you have to REALLY want it bad in order to get through the whole process.  When I saw my lady for the first time, I gave her all I could, she got off of work at around 7pm, but she came right over and I was waiting and didn't pretend I was doing anything else.  If a woman gives you all the green lights then one of the biggest green lights you can give is giving her more time, heck If I was feeling a connection I might have rescheduled my flight and called in sick to work.  Maybe that isn't realistic in all situations, but that is the type of desire/commitment it takes to bring a relationship like this to fruition, at least that is how I see it.


Good luck,
Fathertime! 

[TheTraveler]

great, great post, fathertime!!

[CDW]

Would that be executivesuites???? Prices have really gone up with them!!! Nice though.....

Yes that's!  I was there about 5 years ago!!!   Highly recommend to use this agency, but as you say that prices have gone up ???  !!!

Beautiful interior

[JP5380]

Hi JP,  I'm not claiming to be the expert on these things or know anything you personally except for what you have written, but I do have some thoughts for you.  I began this overseas venture when I was a few years older than you so I also found their was no real urgency in the whole process.  What I discovered later is that, a little urgency is good.  Maybe not this trip for you, but in future trips you should give it ALL you got when you find a lady.  It is a long long trip for you and I think spending just a few days with a lady isn't enough bang for the buck.  MY feeling is that you have to REALLY want it bad in order to get through the whole process.  When I saw my lady for the first time, I gave her all I could, she got off of work at around 7pm, but she came right over and I was waiting and didn't pretend I was doing anything else.  If a woman gives you all the green lights then one of the biggest green lights you can give is giving her more time, heck If I was feeling a connection I might have rescheduled my flight and called in sick to work.  Maybe that isn't realistic in all situations, but that is the type of desire/commitment it takes to bring a relationship like this to fruition, at least that is how I see it.


Good luck,
Fathertime!

Thanks for the message FT.  I appreciate the positive feedback.  If I could have changed my schedule, I would have done so.  It just wasn't possible for me.  But I definitely understand what you are saying about giving it your all.  In this endeavor, it feels like mountains and oceans have to be moved for two people to be together.  And I agree a healthy sense of urgency is good.  I believe I am doing all I can to make this relationship work.  But I also know I can't force anything to happen ... it has to come about naturally.

[JP5380]

On a different note, any of you have experience with getting a lady into the U.S. on a student visa?  I have come across a number of English language schools.  They often have programs that run 4, 8, 16 weeks, etc. ... depending on the goal in mind.  Apparently they can qualify a person for a student visa into the U.S.  Since the tourist visa is almost impossible to get, it seems like the only option for her to visit me.  I've posted on Visa Journey, but so far not a lot of feedback.

[Faux Pas]

On a different note, any of you have experience with getting a lady into the U.S. on a student visa?  I have come across a number of English language schools.  They often have programs that run 4, 8, 16 weeks, etc. ... depending on the goal in mind.  Apparently they can qualify a person for a student visa into the U.S. Since the tourist visa is almost impossible to get, it seems like the only option for her to visit me.  I've posted on Visa Journey, but so far not a lot of feedback.

It's not impossible. It can be difficult, or not, depending on her individual circumstances (mostly). You won't know until you try. With that said, attempting to circumvent the process or "lie" and getting caught likely will have more ramifications in the long run.

My personal advice is to plan on several more trips before attempting to get her either a tourist or student visa. You've had one meeting and it was a vacation for her and her cousin. There's not much definitive yet from a 3 day vacation. Make a few trips to her hometown and plan your next moves along the way. You've still got about 20 lbs of caca and only a 5 pound box.

[ML]

On a different note, any of you have experience with getting a lady into the U.S. on a student visa?  I have come across a number of English language schools.  They often have programs that run 4, 8, 16 weeks, etc. ... depending on the goal in mind.  Apparently they can qualify a person for a student visa into the U.S.  Since the tourist visa is almost impossible to get, it seems like the only option for her to visit me.  I've posted on Visa Journey, but so far not a lot of feedback.

Yes, my Gal is here with me now on a Student Visa.  Read "ML and Ukrainian Women" in the Trip Report section.

Also, Gator, KenC and Simoni have experience with this.

But I agree with some others who posted . . . best you go see her a couple more times before trying to get her any kind of visa to come to USA.

[JP5380]

Thanks, and I do agree with the advice.  Although, she has already expressed interest in visiting to see what my life is like here.  So, I'm just trying to get my facts straight and explore the possibilities ...

[Faux Pas]

Thanks, and I do agree with the advice.  Although, she has already expressed interest in visiting to see what my life is like here.  So, I'm just trying to get my facts straight and explore the possibilities ...

I'd only warn, be careful there Cowboy, slow down, heed caution. But, I'm only reading tea leaves. You spent a 3 day vacation with her 

[JP5380]

I hear you FP ... I'm doing my best to take it one step at a time.  The big head must prevail