Leaving on a Jet Plane..I don't know when I'll be back again

[AC125]

ERC.   Outstanding TR..... thanks for the well versed insight you provided... your story of the BR Brat was not completely a suprise now was it...?  Better luck will surely find your next choice, especially now that you realize your adventure actually went how you probably thought it would go, though maybe not exactly as you hoped.  Proper planning on the contingencies I applaud your performance ... spot on...  Somewhere in the back of your frontal cortex you had to know this was probably not the one you should be traveling great distances for....?  So be it but I sure enjoyed the heck out of reading your excerpts.   Share another brew with us and tell it like it is..... God Bless   

[Rubicon]

ERC.   Outstanding TR..... thanks for the well versed insight you provided... your story of the BR Brat was not completely a suprise now was it...?  Better luck will surely find your next choice, especially now that you realize your adventure actually went how you probably thought it would go, though maybe not exactly as you hoped.  Proper planning on the contingencies I applaud your performance ... spot on...  Somewhere in the back of your frontal cortex you had to know this was probably not the one you should be traveling great distances for....?  So be it but I sure enjoyed the heck out of reading your excerpts.   Share another brew with us and tell it like it is..... God Bless   

if he had known she was not the one to travel great distances for I think he would have never purchased such nice presents for her and her family.  his trip report is a warning to those who keep throwing good money after bad.  get out of the situation immediately!! do not try to salvage a "relationship" by trying to buy a woman's affection.  doesn't work.  never has, never will.

[GoodOlBoy]

4 month's later..........and we are still waiting for you to "finish". 

GOB

[JohnDearGreen]

4 month's later..........and we are still waiting for you to "finish". 

GOB

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=angi1vwUkQc[/youtube]

[GoodOlBoy]

It is not clear to me whether ecr plans to finish the TR or not. At one point I believed he planned to continue, but based on his comments in Reply # 80 upthread, I am uncertain. It is his prerogative to leave it as-is in an incomplete state, as ungratifying as that may be to our members.

- Dan

I've now written on multiple occasions in more than one thread that it will continue. How would you prefer I phrase it to be more clear than I already have? Is there another form of delivery you think would be more effective?

Well it's your "6th" month anniversary ecr844.....and we are still waiting.

GOB

[Rubicon]

If the young lady who he visited is currently stuck in Belarus I will wager that she wishes she had treated the OP with a lot more respect!

[Eduard]

If the young lady who he visited is currently stuck in Belarus I will wager that she wishes she had treated the OP with a lot more respect!

Belarus survived under the USSR, the people will survive this crisis as well, although they might become part of Russian Federation when it's all over.
But Eric, I came over to read the final chapter and discovered that after almost a year of my absence you still haven't finished your TR?!?!

[ecr844]

It’s been far too long and life has gotten in the way of my finishing this TR. Since the thread has been quite for some time I’m hoping that those whom felt the need have gotten their vituperous responses out of their system.
In the time since my last post lots has happened.

So let’s get on with it shall we and put this chapter ‘to bed’, so to speak.
In the midst of the trip and through the next installment I kept in contact with the agency. I kept calling and they kept stalling. Stating they had some ladies who wanted to meet and they could call and that they would be in touch.

Really it’s ‘funny’ they had 2 email address my skype, my YIM, etc…etc.. multiple phone numbers and ways to get in touch with me. Not once did they do so. I always ended up  having to call them at $4/min.

I had told them before my trip if things didn’t work out I would be happy to go on my own to Moscow, or Lithuania, Minsk or whatever tickled my fancy. Incidentally I never left the country because they kept telling me they were working on things and would have ‘something soon’. Now on with the trip.
 The next day started with sunshine and clear skies. I called the latest lady and confirmed the meet. She actually decided to move the meeting up so we could spend more time together. She was about a year younger than me and we met a café in the city center about 5 mins walk from the hotel. I got there early and got a table with a view of the door. I decided to wait for her before ordering and about 5 mins later she arrived a little early and got some silent bonus points for it. We ordered coffee and had a great time. She spoke decent English and the conversation flowed easily.
After chatting for an hour we decided to go for a walk and walked the streets talking and getting to know one another. Another 30 minutes later and she had to leave as she worked the evening shift at the local shoe factory and had some things to do.
We made plans for the next day and off she went. I was near a park and it was a warm and beautiful day. So I decided to take a seat and relax in the sun. After about 45 mins. of hanging out an attractive older lady asked me in Russian if the seat next to me was occupied.
I said no, and told her she was welcome to take sit there certainly. She was easy on the eyes so of course I had no issues with it. After a short time she asked me a question in Russian and I didn’t understand what she said. I asked her if she spoke English and she said ‘some’ <as it turns out in this instance, some meant next to none.>
Something clicked and many things lead to many other things. It was on so to speak and there was an instant attraction and laid back chemistry there. We spent the next 14 hours together and had a great time. We parted ways early in the am exchanged contact info. and making plans to meet again the next day.
The next morning I awoke, headed down for breakfast did some work, and posted on the forum abit. Then I got ready to meet the same lady I met early in the day yesterday. Rather than continue on with the minutiae of what went on minute to minute. I’ll summarize my last week in Vitebsk.
I spent my days with the lady who spoke decent English and my nights with the ‘Russian cougar.’ Really in all of it we all knew there was little more than ‘short term’ holiday fling going on. So we all just had fun. At the agency failed to come through with only excuses and platitudes. I did well and had a great time with the 2 ladies met and producing my own results ‘in a pinch.’
Soon it was time to leave and that I parted ways early with the English speaking lady. We agreed to keep in touch. I then spent what was left of my time with ‘cougar’. We reluctantly parted ways at the last minute and off I went to the airport with the agency driver.
As the Klicks passed in the early morning hours on my way to Minsk. I felt happy that the rest of the trip wasn’t a wash and looked forward to what the future would bring. I wondered if I would be back to see ‘the cougar’ or the ‘daytime lady that spoke English?’ There were lots of questions which I knew would only be answered later after rest and ‘decompression’ from the trip. A lot had happened. The future was only going to get more interesting.
Days passed into weeks and the English speaking lady disappeared, presumably because of the effort required for both of us to keep in touch. The cougar tried to stay in touch and we kept in touch by email and the occasional phone call. The labor and effort also became too much for her and she disappeared as well.

[ecr844]

Life after my trip returned to ‘normal’ and I spoke with the agency a few times afterwards and expressed my displeasure at how things turned out. After that experience with them I was more than hesitant to give them another shot at fleecing me of more of my capital. Overall I was <to be polite> ‘disappointed’ at their service and how they failed to deliver on any other support in country or on my trip. Especially as they were well paid.

I took some time off from the pursuit to regroup, make money and other things in life came up that kept me busy….

[ecr844]

Since we've had a few folks share some of their successes with their K-1s and marriages recently and had even more punters I thought it would be nice to add a bit to the forum.

Fast Forward a year. I changed jobs to one that would allow me to travel and still make a decent living. I also met and made multiple trips to visit one very special lady. Things between us grew and I made a plan for a long term trip back to BY to be with her. We wanted to be together as much as possible and see if there was going to be ‘future’ for us.

Just last weekend we got married and for the foreseeable future we’ll be living here until our other plans for the future come into play.

Here are some updates from the last few months here in BY.

Admittedly I'm still settling in, but have the basics taken care of. We've got a quaint 'old' apartment not far from the city center and I'm starting to get back to normal post the jet lag fever.

This morning was a beautiful fall morning and you can easily feel the 'crisp' cold hint of the coming winter.

A view of a common 'soviet block' style apartment complex


A kindergarten class out playing in playground around the corner from our flat.



There are also 'university' dorms and a musical grade school nearby. We were out for an evening stroll the other day at about 2000 and we noticed a bunch of the children just leaving school. My lady explained that due to overcrowding some schools have 2 'shifts'. Some of the children start their day in the morning and finish about 1400.  At about 1400 the afternoon 'shift' and second set of students come to school and go to classes until 2000 or so. After that they go home and with their parents do their homework. This must be quite the chore for those families whose parents need to be at work early in the AM.


A local street, you can see the leaves 'turning'



Apparently the city chose not buy their workers lawnmowers so instead they use gas powered weed whackers for the job instead.


An interesting late model Mercedes conversion to an EMS response vehicle




A local photographer who shares retail space with a wedding dress shop. Apparently instead of buying a dress here interested ladies can do a 'one time rental' for those who don't wish or can't afford to buy one. As it was explained to me the rental price is based on the number of time it was previously worn. The more times it has, the cheaper it is for the interested party.


An open air freezer with a selection of various frozen goodies in the local magazine.


The Belarussians have a habit of 'copying' American branding. Here's a blini mix package with the Belarussian version of the Pillsbury Dough Boy.



I'd forgotten how much life as a human pack mule could be fun. Lugging multiple bags of groceries and 12 liters of water whilst the stopping and doing other 'shopping' in various locales gets old quick.


More to come....Perhaps :coffeeread:

[ecr844]

Here are some of events form the last few months...

Today we were invited with Momma and Poppa to go out to the Dacha, harvest some vegetables and flowers and also enjoy the Banya and shashlik.

Here are some pictures


A pumpkin












Shashlik


On the ride back

[ecr844]

Took a jaunt out this am to do some shopping. Our 'flat' is located in a decent area and near a 'small shopping mall' and a 'magazine, aka. small super market."

I rounded the corner of the building to the mall and found these two lovely ladies enjoying a smoke around the corner from the entrance.


On my way back from running errands I saw this babushka stockpiling cardboard. I wonder if she's building a 'condo' somewhere?

[ecr844]

This morning was a beautiful, clear, sunny, and warm fall morning. The kind that was made for a leisurely stroll through the city. So about mid-morning I headed out for a coupla klick jaunt on foot to one of the larger central markets in the city center.

I have been there before on some of my last trips and it's usually open Thurs-Sun. with lots of vendors out and about from around the region. It's literally a 'farmers market.' There are also some ancillary 'regular folks' unloading some of the 'extra' from their dacha  harvest.

Here are some shots from on the way to the market.

While passing a 'trolley bus stop' on the way I saw this Dyev in knee high pleather boots and thought of '1msmoby's' story of his wife's pair. Although admittedly her's are better tiphat



Some scenery












A high school class out in the amphitheater mid-morning. No idea why they were there and not in school...


Saw the black boots and thought of 'Donhollio's' infatuation with them. She was better going than she was coming...

[ecr844]

I really enjoy taking a stroll through the Eastern European open air markets, and I like their 'neighborhood feel'.

A morning nap in the market...Looking out for a friend...


Some 'farm fresh' produce and prices outside the 'market'.


A kitten lounging in the sun in the doorway of a 'fake flower' kiosk


They are starting to erect and make covered kiosks with garage like enclosures to allow for 'all season' use and make things a bit more pedestrian friendly as well in the bad weather.


I mentioned in another thread a bit about 'fish' in the markets. Here are some pics with prices.


You can see a little of how 'gamey' and dried out the fish is in the case.


A little something I didn't expect to see. They also had Squid but I didn't take any pictures of those.


Some eggs

[ecr844]

For those that enjoy or worship all things which come from pigs . Whether it's Salo, tenderloin, ham, bacon head, or any of the wondrous foodie loved goodies in between. This is a place where you can get pretty much whatever you want. If they don't have it, not to worry, they can butcher it up for you right there.

Hearts, Lungs, livers, and Kidneys. Andrew Zimmern would love it here...


A smorgasbord of delights...Oh how I wish I had my smoker here... I think I'll have to build another one.

[ecr844]

Don't forget to pick up some bundles for the Banya on your way home!


A potato Oligarch


It's a hard knock life for some. For me his face said it all, he's weathered and wandered a tough road through life. They're trying to get by selling used things most have no interest in. I wish them luck.

[ecr844]

How many BYRW Does it take to wash a window?

[ecr844]

Answer:



2..... One to hold the stool and the other to actually do the washing. I've yet to figure out why it made sense to put the fat one at a precarious height and over the skinny one...?

[ecr844]

I've always admired Mrs. Mendeleyev's talent as an artist. If anyone here enjoy's art they should get in touch with him and buy some of her works! :

I stumbled on this small private studio selling works by some local artists. The proprietor was a very nice lady and the business was called 'Salon Phest'

[ecr844]

While cutting through a park I stumbled upon this young couple out after getting married and taking pictures in the park.







A local Monument

[ecr844]

Yesterday it rained non-stop here. Today it was cold and cloudy so we decided to go for a stroll through the Octobroskaya area of the city. Here amongst the shops, and the new construction. One can easily stumble upon  a 'private area' of the city where old houses mix with new ones.

Here are some pictures of the old, the new and a bit of something in between. As I understand it, in certain areas of the city 'new' construction' is forbidden but reconstruction of an old property that is bought is allowed as long as something from the old structure or property remains up. So the more well to do folks buy an old house that is falling down from a babushka or dedushka. Then they construct a modern much larger place on the lot retaining a half of a percent of something from the old house to make it legal.



A shot of the neighborhood church


Burning the fallen leaves on the side of the road in front of the house.

[ecr844]

One of my ladies client's was nice enough to give her a pair of tickets to the city theater as a 'tip' and thank you for some work she did for them.

So we went off to the local theater for an evening of entertainment. I've been to the theater before in some of the regional cities of Russia and had prepared myself for the the condition of what I may encounter.

They don't allow pictures inside of the theater so there won't be any of those to show you. However here are some of the tickets. Unfortunately all the client was able to get was for 'split' seats as that is all they had available.




As you can see the price is a cool 25,000 BYR, which at the current exchange rate is about $2.95 per ticket.

The theater was very nice inside, well appointed and tastefully decorated, the seats were modern and comfortable. The acting wasn't great one of the leads was clearly carrying the other. During the show there were a few musical numbers and there was a young lady who sang solos and duets and she had an incredible voice. She was quite talented and beautiful. Really she made the show and I look forward to going back in the near future and seeing some of their other offerings.

All in all an enjoyable evening, and next time I'll smuggle my camera past my russka and in to the theater and take a few shots to share with you all.

[ecr844]

Typically I take most things on the TV news here with a proverbial 'grain of salt'. However my lady swears the weather is accurate.

Well yesterday evening they predicted pouring rain for today and instead we got a cloudless, warm and beautifully sunny day.

Here are some pics of the sunset today

[ecr844]

The last 2 days have been absolutely warm and gorgeous here.

[ecr844]

The last few days have been beautiful, sunny, crisp fall days. They remind me of an average beautiful fall day in New England. So I went out and took a lengthy hike through the city on foot both because it was such a nice day and it'll complement my FSU Diet

Night shots



A local construction site


Marko City is well on it's way to being finished







The Church on the hill


The river









A set of new wheels for the train cars