JollyRats and Daveman's Most Excellent Adventure ! ! !

[OlgaH]

It is not easy to find love.

"Love comes accidentally, when you don't wait for it..."

"The Heart" by a Bulgarian singer Biser Kirov (could not find the song performed by Leonid Utyosov)

[youtube=425,350]VNhuZPzzYu0[/youtube]

There're so many nice girls,
There're so many endearing names,
But only one of them excites me,
Taking my rest and sleep away when I'm in love.

Love comes accidentally,
when you don't wait for it,
and every night becomes
so wonderfully nice, and you sing:

Heart, you don't want any rest,
Heart, the living is so great,
Heart, it is so great that you are like that ,
Oh, thank you , heart, that you can love like this.

[RussianWind]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc6FQScxDhI[/youtube]

Here some of him

[OlgaH]

Thank you, Russian Wind,  what so interesting there are many songs performed by Leonid Utyosov on youtube but "The Heart" from "Jolly Fellows" only with edits. I really like the song and the movie 

[Sculpto]

Hi Nat,

I dont think anything changed.  I think Dave met a nice girl that simply happened to live in Donetsk.  I chose to go there 4 years ago because it was my first trip to Ukraine and I wanted to go to a place without tourism.  I like Donetsk a lot.  It is a nice place and I hope to visit again one day.

Fortunately the MOB business is small in Donetsk and I personally hope it stays that way.

BTW.. do you paint your fingernails with gold paint?  I love that about ladies in Donetsk. 

[Daveman]

Don't worry Nat, next time they will have t-shirts with their names printed, you will recognize 'em 

LoL, yep.. we have those T-shirts printed with my name "Stupid" and her name "I'm With Stupid".

Well... what can I say this time?  The Maiden (TM) and I (Idiot) have patched up The Relationship (TM)

Gator pretty much pegged me a while back, and then JR saw it like a billboard while hanging with me.  I won't go into further detail than that really, but suffice it to say, it's just time to grow up a little, accept responsibility, and be a freakin' man. Enough said.

We're still taking it slowly, but the big difference now is that we, together, have no fear of whatever the future may bring. That's a very peaceful, easy feelin'.

This trip rocks in many ways... whatever the future holds, this experience has literally changed my life for the better. I have an internal peace with myself and with life. That's a very comfortable place to be.

Nat: Yep, Donetsk doesn't seem to be very big on the MOB radar for sure, but I love this place.  Eric is correct in that I did just happen to meet a girl from here rather than come here to search for something. 

[Nat]

We found out you live there

Hehe, huntin'? I'm not a good target unless you're willing to relocate - I like living in Donetsk 

I like Donetsk a lot.  It is a nice place and I hope to visit again one day.

It's really nice to hear that If you need and tips and hints about where to go next time when you're here - feel free to send me a PM (though after spending here a month going out every day you probably know all the places worth seen even better, than me )

BTW.. do you paint your fingernails with gold paint?  I love that about ladies in Donetsk. 

I prefer pink

Nat: Yep, Donetsk doesn't seem to be very big on the MOB radar for sure, but I love this place.  Eric is correct in that I did just happen to meet a girl from here rather than come here to search for something. 

Oh, I see Well, in any case you'll get to see the busines capital of Ukraine

[Gator]

Well... what can I say this time?  The Maiden (TM) and I (Idiot) have patched up The Relationship (TM)

FANTASTIC!!!

There is nothing like a disagreement for testing a relationship, then focusing on differences, and eventually strengthening the relationship if the differences can be resolved in a productive manner.  Something that was in the clouds is brought to earth and made crystal clear.

It must have been a "Big One" to compel you to walk away. More than a misunderstanding?  A rhetorical question; I am not asking for details nor does anyone need to know.

My only question:  Is this the way life will be with this woman?  Will you have to sleep on the coach or move to a hotel every time you disagree?  Then you think about everything and slowly get back together?  Don't answer it now.  Just file it away and ask yourself later.

Gator pretty much pegged me a while back, and then JR saw it like a billboard while hanging with me.  I won't go into further detail than that really, but suffice it to say, it's just time to grow up a little, accept responsibility, and be a freakin' man. Enough said.

You are just 46.  I did not complete my growing up until well after that.  I am being serious, not sarcastic.  It is all about deciding what you want and understanding what is required from yourself to achieve it and especially to keep it.

Again, congratulations.  Enjoy the remainder of your trip.  An eventful trip, huh!  One that will stay etched in your memory.

[dogspot]

 

I sense great joy and relief in your words, Daveman. Props to you for sticking with it and not aborting the trip a couple weeks ago. I wish the two of you the best in your future and look forward to hearing more good news about the development of your relationship.

[RussianWind]

The Maiden (TM) and I (Idiot) have patched up The Relationship (TM)

Understand and admit your mistakes. You have to talk to her about this on a serious basis.

[JR]

Day two:

If memory serves me correctly I spent is alone. The lady, Lena who was my primary reason to go to Donetsk sms'd me saying "not today, tomorrow." Grrrrr.

I wandered around for awhile happening upon a path that follows the river. It was nice and seems that when the weather is pleasant it would be a great place to stroll with a date. I finally found a market and picked up a few items then headed back to my flat.

Damn, I should have made notes. It's all kinda blurry now...and because of vodka intake But I think I called one of the ladies, Sveta whose phone number I had and arranged to meet her on the next day. I was also supposed to meet Lena the next day.

Hmmm, lets see what happens tomorrow...

[Muj]

Hi JR,  Dave,

Good trip reports. 
JR, uh oh you're now sounding like your run to catch your plane .

Dave, good to hear it works for you. 

[Daveman]

Well here's an update. Back home for about a week to take care of some things here, and then going back for another visit - this time for 9 weeks. Dec 1 - Feb 2.  Let's see what wonders life will bestow upon us.    

Understand and admit your mistakes. You have to talk to her about this on a serious basis.

We've been doing a lot more in depth communication which does make a big difference.  Trust has grown considerably and that does make a huge difference in the quality of the communication.  

There is nothing like a disagreement for testing a relationship, then focusing on differences, and eventually strengthening the relationship if the differences can be resolved in a productive manner.  Something that was in the clouds is brought to earth and made crystal clear.

It must have been a "Big One" to compel you to walk away. More than a misunderstanding?  A rhetorical question; I am not asking for details nor does anyone need to know.

My only question:  Is this the way life will be with this woman?  Will you have to sleep on the coach or move to a hotel every time you disagree?  Then you think about everything and slowly get back together?  Don't answer it now.  Just file it away and ask yourself later.

You are just 46.  I did not complete my growing up until well after that.  I am being serious, not sarcastic.  It is all about deciding what you want and understanding what is required from yourself to achieve it and especially to keep it.

Again, congratulations.  Enjoy the remainder of your trip.  An eventful trip, huh!  One that will stay etched in your memory.

Thanks Gator,
I think more of those questions about life will be answered on this extended visit.  I definitely have those questions filed away in the memory bank.  We'll see what happens.  That last visit was absolutely a growing experience and really, I enter the process of the next visit completely grounded and with a very positive yet more mature attitude about life, relationships, santa claus, det morose, and the tooth fairy.  I think I can sum it up by saying that I have finally completely accepted that roses will always have thorns, as well as needing maintenance and pruning to grow.  Now I am willing to put in the real work (time/effort/communication/understanding) rather than bolt when I see the thorns.

So, we'll see...  

[MatryoshkaMan]

Daveman that is so awesome! I can't imagine being in the position to head back again so soon and 9 weeks to boot! Man you are really making sure that you (perhaps) marry the right woman! Best of luck. You are a brave man to spend the coldest months in Donesk. Well then again I will be going to Siberia in late winter so I guess we are both gluttons for punishment!

[Daveman]

Daveman that is so awesome! I can't imagine being in the position to head back again so soon and 9 weeks to boot! Man you are really making sure that you (perhaps) marry the right woman! Best of luck. You are a brave man to spend the coldest months in Donesk. Well then again I will be going to Siberia in late winter so I guess we are both gluttons for punishment!

Yeah,this trip should either be the eye opener of doom, or the time of growth which can solidify the relationship. In this case, I feel going back quickly and taking action immediately on the progress we've made in many ways is the right way to go.  Building blocks and making the best of them.  Luckily I am in a position to do it. The winter thing kinda bothers me a bit as I've not lived in a cold climate, ever.  But what's a little frostbite compared to the possibility of developing a relationship which could evolve into a life partner? I'll sacrifice a hand, foot, or nose for the cause.  

I did the Siberian trip in late winter a couple of years ago.  It really wasn't all that cold, but rather that solid sheet of snow ice made walking quite difficult for me. I'd be lying on the ground after another cartoonesque slip and fall (sometimes requiring several attempts to actually stand again as my feet would slide out from under me while trying to get up),all the while watching the ladies fly past me in their high heeled boots.  Good lord.  There must be a trick to walking on that stuff which has completely eluded me thus far.  Once while simply making a few steps over to get on the marshrutka, I slipped and slid completely under the damn thing, holding on to the step so I wouldn't entirely vanish into oblivion.  At that point I was ready to say "just drive, I'll hang on here".  

So, if it does work out, we're moving to Florida dammit.  :evil:

[remiel6]

Growing up the the "Land of frozen people" as a friend of mine once referred to Minneapolis as, I found your ice tales very funny.  Yes there is a trick to it and yes you do learn it, kind of like driving on ice. I'm glad to hear your going back soon and hope everything goes well for you.
Oh and Small steps, and think about where on your feet you are putting your weight. 

[SANDRO43]

Oh and Small steps,

The Ice Shuffle ?

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOkIU8BCxgU[/youtube]

[apple47]

Yeah,this trip should either be the eye opener of doom, or the time of growth which can solidify the relationship. In this case, I feel going back quickly and taking action immediately on the progress we've made in many ways is the right way to go.  Building blocks and making the best of them.  Luckily I am in a position to do it. The winter thing kinda bothers me a bit as I've not lived in a cold climate, ever.  But what's a little frostbite compared to the possibility of developing a relationship which could evolve into a life partner? I'll sacrifice a hand, foot, or nose for the cause.  

I did the Siberian trip in late winter a couple of years ago.  It really wasn't all that cold, but rather that solid sheet of snow ice made walking quite difficult for me. I'd be lying on the ground after another cartoonesque slip and fall (sometimes requiring several attempts to actually stand again as my feet would slide out from under me while trying to get up),all the while watching the ladies fly past me in their high heeled boots.  Good lord.  There must be a trick to walking on that stuff which has completely eluded me thus far.  Once while simply making a few steps over to get on the marshrutka, I slipped and slid completely under the damn thing, holding on to the step so I wouldn't entirely vanish into oblivion.  At that point I was ready to say "just drive, I'll hang on here".  

So, if it does work out, we're moving to Florida dammit.  :evil:

         I'm unsure if they are available anymore,but, there used to be a line of shoes that had Gum soles. They are very soft which causes them to wear fast. The advantage is their softness allows them to form around any imperfections in the ice.  You could probably run on the ice with these things and they are the best for walking on a shingled roof.  If IIRC they were made by Hush Puppy back when I used to buy them many moons ago.



.........................................................................L arry

[Gator]

Daveman,

Don't just look down.  Those icicles and ice sheets falling from a roof 30 feet high can be deadly.  :hairraising:

This is an informative and amusing thread about winter travel in the FSU, including several excellent posters such as JB:

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=2923.0

[SANDRO43]

How about a line of winter shoes with sole suckers, like octopedes and geckos have ? Any imaginative entrepreneurs around?

[boaterguy]

The trick to walking on ice is to walk flat footed and never get in a hurry! I only hit the ground 1 time in my month in a Siberian Winter. The bad part was I took my sweety with me. 

[Daveman]

Well, today's the day. I'm off again!  Thanks for all the cold weather tips. Let's see if I can walk this time without the need for medical attention or the marshrutka rescue team.  At least for the time being, the weather there is still mild so the bad stuff probably won't hit until that precise moment I arrive. 

I'll check in a couple of days from now.

See y'alluns in a bit!
Dave

 

[Faux Pas]

Good luck to you Diamond Dave. You can navigate the ice. I did and I am as uncoordinated as one can be without golf shoes. Just slow down, take shorter steps and watch the footing. I've never slipped although came very close a number of times. Usually when I got careless and quit watching

[Nat]

People, relax, there is no ice yet!   Sunny, foggy, rainy, but +5-+10 for a couple of days more

[BillyB]

First time reading this but damn JR, you were scaring me when you contemplated visiting scammers. I recognized their photos on page 1. Good thing they weren't your main ladies and you weren't doing a WOVO with her/him. With a WMVM, you have options so it's less risky if one or more ladies turn out to be fake, insincere, or just not interested.

I cringe when I see people give the advice to just hop on a plane an go, especially if the guy is doing a WOVO. It only takes a few solid weeks of phone calls and emails to figure out who's real and who's not real, and who's truly interested in you if you know what to look for. If a guy had a choice to buy a ticket and roll the dice with someone he has doubts about or spend extra time communicating, he should spend more time communicating even if it so long that the lady, man/scammer dumps him.

The lady in your photo #2 gave me her number. She sounds like an older lady when talking with her. She like many other scammers have problems in life that is solved with money. I've spoken to 3 scammers that sound like older ladies.

[GQBlues]

People, relax, there is no ice yet!   Sunny, foggy, rainy, but +5-+10 for a couple of days more

Too late. Daveman was last seen lugging around a full on Arctic winter wear, spiked moon boots and ice picks....