Out of the vurtual world and into reality in 6 days

[cranehand]

Well in 6 days I will find out if all the letters,  sms's,  phone calls,  flower delivery's and hours in skype are all what they seem to be.  I will endure sub zero temps and trains, planes and automobiles to find my way to the woman that over the past 4 months,  have found myself thinking about every day.   She is meeting me in Kiev at Borispol and from there we will travel over night back to her home.
   This is my first international trip and her first meeting of western gentleman.  I have been practicing my Russian and reading lots and lots of info.  I will present myself as myself and hope she will accept me in life as she has done on line. 
  This is a WOVO trip.  I have no true BU plan ( i am not looking for opinions on this subject just giving what works for me)
  I feel very fortunate to have found what appears to be a genuine and sincere individual with whom I share common goals, family values and life interest. 

 Taking it to the next level.  Here we GO

[groovlstk]

Good luck, cranehand. Regardless of what happens, the experience will change your worldview and you'll never be the same 

I felt similar in the days leading up to my first trip - I couldn't focus on anything at work, my mind was always like that old Ramones song, I Wanna Be Sedated.

[GregfromGa]

Good stuff here...Hope everything goes the way you want..Nothing can prepare you for when you walk though those electric doors at Boryspil especially if you've never been there. Enjoy yourself and keep us posted.

[ECOCKS]

Good luck!

[cranehand]

TY all for the well wishes.  Yes I am a bit scatter brained right now,  Trying to make sure I have all my ducks in a row.  But regardless of what transpires between her and I it will be an experience of a lifetime.  Win or lose its one to speak about for years to come.  Been checking weather forcast and it looks as if it will be a clean flight baring any jackass that goes the wrong way through security   But hey ,  two things you can't controll. Mother nature and other people.  I will be happy to let this run it's course and with a little luck and prayer after about 30 days I will return with good news.

[GregfromGa]

So you will be there almost 30 days? That's great. Do you have your own apartment or will you stay with her family? If you dont mind me asking, what city is she from? You'll be fine. It seems you've done your homework.

[shakespear]

I will be happy to let this run it's course and with a little luck and prayer after about 30 days I will return with good news. 

I've been at this for a long time.  I wish you all the best luck and a happy visit.

Only one piece of advice - do an internet search and jot down the contact information for an agency or two in her home city and/or the cell number for Jack Bragg and put it away someplace in your luggage or toiletry kit.

I hope you have no cause to use this information but you are wise to have it at your disposal just in case.  Imagine how "fish out of water" you'd be if things didn't work out and you were stranded there in a strange city in a strange country.  Ounce of of prevention is worth a pound of cure.   

[GregfromGa]

I've been at this for a long time.  I wish you all the best luck and a happy visit.

Only one piece of advice - do an internet search and jot down the contact information for an agency or two in her home city and/or the cell number for Jack Bragg and put it away someplace in your luggage or toiletry kit.

I hope you have no cause to use this information but you are wise to have it at your disposal just in case.  Imagine how "fish out of water" you'd be if things didn't work out and you were stranded there in a strange city in a strange country.  Ounce of of prevention is worth a pound of cure.   

I wasnt going to say that but I wanted to say that. I do hope everything goes perfect and according to plan. Sometimes things happen that are not within our control. The thing is if that wheels sometimes do come off and they do come off more times than not, you will need an option or two. If the girl fixes your scarf and is always worried if you are warm and not hungry, then you probably got a keeper. Good luck again.

[cranehand]

Yep Yep 30 days.
   I figure if we hit it off,  That amount of time spent together we might get to see some qualities that haven't shown there head in cyberspace.  Good or bad,   and no one is perfect so we will find out how we handle conflict or otherwise with each other.  
  I asked if she would help me locate an apartment there in Kherson and since I will be there 30 days I was not looking forward to the daily rent.  She obliged and I will be about 10 min. from where she lives.  Think I got a local deal 10 $ a day for the month and it is modern apartment.
 
 We have been away from agency where we met,   for 3 months now.  However,  once a month I have sent flowers to her through them and have gotten some outstanding photos from it.  Not to mention the smile on her face the next time we hit skype.  I think she really enjoys the surprise and the attention.
  She tells me the other day that she dose not like the agency any longer because they are angry we are not there giving them more money  . apparently something was said when they delivered for Christmas the 7 roses, box of chocolate, teddy bear and card for 125$.  Call me stupid American man,  but I bet they got there cut. (FACT)" agency's want your money"  My advise to anyone who meets some one they are interested in,  If it is at all possible is to remove the agency ASAP from the picture.  
  
She has met me half way on everything ( PREREQUSIT for my search) If you can't give a little to get a little it just ain't worth it.
 
 I have tried to do my home work.  My russian is  o-chen  plo-kha   but I am able to at least introduce myself and say please and thank you.  Her English,  which she took upon herself to pay for lessons,  is far superior to my Russian so the communication will be translator free.  No third wheel got to love that.\
 
 Now if I can rembember to keep my mouth shut when it is time to keep it shut.  Better to say nothing and be thought a fool.  Than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.  Good and sage advise there.
  
These women will not put up with BS. They are survivors and tough as nails with the patience of a sniper.  And believe me I have tried to scare her away. She is the only one that still talks to me every day out of 50 that I contacted in the beginning.  Im not rich, just normal job,  normal life here. Just have not been able to find what I want in my own sand box.
  TY Shakespear that sounds like a good idea.   And it really does not conflict with being sincere about OWV.  I never planned on meeting more than one person.  I narrowed my search from a field of maybies to possible to probable to this is the one I want to meet.

[GregfromGa]

$10 a day...LOL. That's great.

[KenC]

cranehand,
Wow dude, VERY impressive plan.  You do seem to have put all your ducks in a proper row.  I only wish you the very best of luck.

The Jack Bragg contact is a very wise move.  Think of it as an emergency number just in case.  Jack is from Texas and you might want to give him a call before you go.

Of course we are all nosey and want more details, if you wish to share.   Have you been married before?  Ages would be nice to know too.
KenC

[cranehand]

I do not mind at all sharing SOME details.
 Me 39 yo divorced for 2 years married for 11 no real big issues there we just grew apart.  I was away from home working and we kind of lost touch with one another.  I have no children.
 
 Her 28 yo never married no children.
  The age difference is not a great leap.
 Ive dated as young as 23 here at home but that is where I notice a gap in goals and intrest in lifestyles.

  Things have changed a bit in my life in two years and now I am able to be at home on a daily basis.  I really miss being married and now I have some life experience to have learned from previous mistakes.  Ive never been a skirt chaser.  Kind of always been the guy that works hard plays harder and enjoys life.  Not into the bar scene kind of a home body ( NOT COUCH POTATO ) I TCB 7 days a week.

  Started this search about a year ago and it is all coming to fruition at this point.  Been lurking in forums reading the good the bad and the ugly.  Kind of formulated my own plan.
  Been scammed once.  Nothing major knew it was to good to be true but did it anyway.  What can you say " live and learn"

Jack sounds like a good contact to have. I'm in Texas myself.  If someone wants to point me in his direction it would be greatly appreciated.

[Jumper]

cranehead  -
good luck!

you seem to have a great atittude going in..
so regardless any outcome ,it will be  a  experience you wont forget  

Not much can prepare you ,the best laid plans always go sideways there!
(i mean logistically,not necessarily romantically)
best advice i can give-
 just expect that nothing will be the same,look at that as a positive,
accept the differences , and laugh at any inconveniences..
repeat "eta Ukrania " to yourself  with a smile, like  a native , and carry on..


as far as Jack-  google firstdream  ,
that's his agency.

[GregfromGa]

So are you going to meet the family? Remember to take your shoes off at the door.LOL No holes in your socks. Is she taking of from work during the time you are there? Learn how to enjoy hot tea. Keep a copy, not the original passport with you. Don't get drunk and become a soft target. You'll do fine and dont take what we're saying about Jack or whoever as being negative. You'll know in about an hour how things are going. Hopefully you will have found your sudba.

[dogspot]

Best wishes to you, Craneman! Remember to eat those snacks they put out for you when drinking vodka with the guys...and don't try to drink every time they do.

[Gylden]

Good advice Sharikov!!
 

[I/O]

cranehand: You're about the same age as I was when I was at this caper. You seem pretty realistic and pretty open with the good and bad of how it's been thus far. At the get go, if it goes well, go hard and if you find you need to exit stage left (doubtfull by the sounds of things), then exit pronto and enjoy the 30 day show. I found it usually took about 4 days to get to the crux of it and if you find yourself whatiffing after that point, don't. My first major trip was 180 days or more over 15 countries. It was one helluva show I can assure you. Not one my wife and I discuss often.

[Simoni]

Cranehand, good luck on your trip!  You have received some excellent advice here, especially about having a backup plan.  WOVO can work, and I hope it does for you.  But the percentages are not with you, and a month is a long time.  I know-- I spent an entire one week with a WOVO girl I did not like in person.  But Skype has changed things now, and you know her much better than us guys that had to depend on email and phone calls.  At any rate, I have some contacts in Kherson I will PM you.

Remember to think up a lot of toasts in advance, including some in Russian.  Also good advice from Greg about not getting drunk.  Practice your slight of hand--it worked for me.  As you are drinking vodka with the men, watch them carefully.  As they become drunk, start dumping your shot at your feet :-)

Have the time of your life!

~Simoni

[Gylden]

This is something new to me??  Is it common to travel to fsu to see a woman and end up drinking with a bunch of men?? Throwing vodka on the floor?? Interesting and not exactly what I would recomend as a back-up plan. However to each his own, just sounds funny to me.

[UTRO]

Take that phone number and bury it deep in your luggage. Don't phone it, or write to any other Women unless your WOVO goes 180 degrees. No distractions allowed!
Her 28 years of age is one very good indicator that she is mature enough to know what she wants in life.
Vodka advice well taken. I would however further advise that you don't drink from a strange bottle from strangers while you are travelling with your luggage and valuables. Things have been known to happen....

[Simoni]

This is something new to me??  Is it common to travel to fsu to see a woman and end up drinking with a bunch of men??

Yep. In a WOVO relationship you will meet family and have parties.  And drink vodka-:)

[Gylden]

Ah OK I understand now, I though it was some sort of a back-up plan.
 

[Faux Pas]

This is something new to me??  Is it common to travel to fsu to see a woman and end up drinking with a bunch of men?? Throwing vodka on the floor?? Interesting and not exactly what I would recomend as a back-up plan. However to each his own, just sounds funny to me.

Quite common, in Russia anyway. Not so much with all with a "bunch of men" but anyone at the meal or celebration that drinks. Not just vodka either. Brandy was popular also some homemade stuff, I referred to as "the recipe". I would have never tossed it out or on the floor. Perhaps I am a bit more experienced drinker than most here but, I've never declined or had a need to pour out a shot. I do highly recommend to eat the snacks and other foods on the table while drinking especially if you have low tolerance to liquor. I've heard some talk about eating pats of butter and other things to keep from getting drunk. That would make me sick. Don't sweat it. It's no huge insult to decline when you don't choose to drink. It's always good to take a shoot or two and then decline what you don't want. I would think it would be a much bigger insult to be discovered pouring it out.

[GregfromGa]

Yep. In a WOVO relationship you will meet family and have parties.  And drink vodka-:)

I never had to do that thankfully.I'm not much of a drinker. My wife never saw me drink until after she arrived and had been here about 3 weeks. I brought home a 6 pack of Corona and she hit the roof. She was afraid I would become an alcoholic. She was relentless with this. It was a fight and one that I won but still a big fight. This is one of the things she looks back on and laughs about and thanks me for being patient with her about. Of course there were hundreds of others as well.LOL

[shakespear]

Jack sounds like a good contact to have. I'm in Texas myself.  If someone wants to point me in his direction it would be greatly appreciated.

Jack may or may not be in country at the time of your visit.

Since you're going to be in Kherson, I'd recommend you make e-mail contact with Kevin Hayes of Khersongirls.  He's from the USA but livings there and would be available if you happened to need him in an emergency.  www.khersongirls.com  his cell is (352) 505-8211 and you can skype him at khayesfla.  Write this info down and then pack it deep in your luggage and only use it if everything goes to hell.