Last month I made my second trip to Russia this year to spend some more time with the woman I met on my previous trip in May/June. This time I planned nothing more than spending time with her in her hometown of Izhevsk (home of Kalashnikov for those who didn't read my previous TR). This was a simple trip to plan since my sole role was to get to Moscow. My Cox'n met me at Sheremetyeva and we took the marshrutka back to the train station to catch the evening train back to her city (she purchased the train tickets ahead of time). We were lucky in that we didn't have to share our train compartment with anyone, without paying the extra cost for a private compartment (I know this sounds cheap, but this was a mutual decision based upon a cost/benefit analysis of taking the train vs. me flying to Izhevsk and the gamble paid off as we got a private compartment at half the cost).
The next step was for me to get an apartment. She had set up time to meet with a guy to show us some apartments the day after I arrived. We had some discussions about whether I should spend money on this when I could stay at her flat, but I was adamant that I have another place since she lives in a 3BR flat with her mother and babushka (as well as 2 cats). As much as I enjoyed being around her family, I felt it was important to have an alternative location to flee to if, God forbid, things went bad (or if we just wanted to have some private time). I thought an apartment would be a better alternative than the hotel I stayed in last time since it would allow us the option of preparing some meals together. After all, this trip was all about us and how well we would get along as opposed to my initial trip which was as much about seeing Russia as it was about meeting her. We looked at one place and it was small and not comfortable. The next place was better so I said it was OK, especially since it was close to the central square area. If I had to live in it solely for one month, I would've hated it, but I don't think I spent more than 2 consecutive nights there. The rest we spent at her family apartment.
She managed to get a lot of time off from work during my visit, so we spent a lot of time together seeing some of the more "local" attractions of the city (rather than the more "tourist" sights we saw on my previous visit). I got my first exposure to rollerblading and we went ice skating (my first time in probably 30 years). We played mini-golf (I think that was her first time) and we went to a local riding school for horseback riding . I was introduced to the Russian version of a BBQ (just park in the middle of some open field and set up your grill) as well as public safety (a 2x6 across a construction ditch in the central square at night with no type of safety warnings). In short, I got a flavor of her life and the things she enjoys doing in her city. Since she is a winter person (her favorite activities are snow sports), I would like to go back in the winter and see how we relate then, but I'm not sure how practical that will be. Right now we are planning a trip together to Fiji over the New Year holiday. I think she would prefer a trip to Mt Elbrus in the Caucasus, but I made these reservations a year ago, before we met. This will be our first trip together to neutral territory and a chance to see how we get along when we are both out of our comfort zones. We did take a 2 day trip to Kazan this time, but since that is where she went to university, it was familiar ground to her. It was a great trip and I recommend anyone to see the city. It plays a significant role in Russian history.
At the end of the trip, I was more convinced than ever that she was the woman for me, so I made it official and proposed. I thought it might be better if we were married there so her family and friends could share the experience, but her main desire is to be with me as soon as possible and the advice I have gotten so far is that the K-1 fiance visa is more expedient than the K-3 spousal visa. As I mentioned earlier, we are looking to get together again in Fiji. That may be my last chance to see her before her visa is granted (if all goes well). If not, I will probably plan a quick trip there in the Spring/Summer.
That is the latest from me.
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