Destiny, Fate, and Big Box of Karma

[XMan]

Prelude:

I just could not come up with a good title for this trip report.  But since virtually every Ukrainian woman I have ever encountered believes in destiny or fate, I decided to integrate that into the title.  Not a big believer in fate myself. 

A lot of time, energy, emotion, cash, etc., went into my previous visit to Chernovtsy.  I had extremely high hopes.  But things came unglued during summer.  I had already committed to traveling in September so I decided to move forward and visit my friends and possibly meet someone if the opportunity was there to do so.  Honestly, I felt that the last time would be the final time, but I went this time with a modified view and attitude, and looked at in part as vacation, which made it more palatable and lessened the sting of abject failure in the previous months.  Sic Vita Est. 

There was absolutely no writing, Skype, texting, voice, smoke signals, sign language, telepathy, or anything else.  So this was a WNEL (Write None Expect Little) trip. 

My friends were strictly business acquaintances in the beginning.  They run a very small, full-service agency, and I trust them, having known them several years now.  (They also do other types of work, which may be anything from translating official documents to guiding a tour bus of Israelis.)  Good folks with years of experience, some great stories to tell, and sense of humor equal to the task of running an agency. 

[XMan]

Day 1:

Four flights required to get to my destination.  Few problems, except strangely being required to prove the envelope in my pocket actually had cash in it when I went through Amsterdam security.  Walked to private room, took the envelope out, never let it leave my hands, displayed the contents, end of story.  Why?  I am completely sans clue.  I have traveled that way 7 times previously, always with cash in an envelope in my front pocket, and it has never been an issue before in any airport.  

Otherwise, I like flying through Amsterdam.  Sizable airport, always fun to look around for a few souvenirs, buy some crazy expensive juice and snacks, chat with folks, etc.  I decided to take an evening flight to Amsterdam thinking “I will sleep on the plane this time.”  Wishful thinking.  I apparently am incapable of sleeping in flight, regardless of time of day, how long the flight is, or where I am traveling to.  

The Kiev airport was exactly as I remembered it.  I was surprised to get through customs quickly and get my luggage equally rapidly.  

As mentioned in another thread, I was given an immigration form on the KLM flight from Amsterdam to Kiev.  I filled it out, handed it the official in Kiev, was asked to confirm my destination, but the form was not stamped or anything.  When I left Kiev, the official did not even look at the form.

I highly recommend the restaurant on the 2nd floor of the International terminal in Kiev.  I got my borsch fix while using free wireless.  A handy way to pass a few hours, with the only drawback being that one must carry luggage up quite a few stairs, and down as well, of course, when leaving.  Second time I’ve visited that restaurant.  It is climate controlled, so it was not fantastically cold as other parts of the airport were in winter (during my previous visit), nor terribly hot.  Few people seem to be aware of the restaurant, so often waiters/hostesses are wandering around on the main floor of the airport with 10% discount cards.  

For those traveling to another city within Ukraine, the domestic terminal is next to the International terminal.  There is little within the domestic terminal.  A small café is about it.  However, if you want to avoid hauling your luggage down a long flight of stairs to the restroom in the International terminal, there is a decent one in the domestic terminal.  

Security check in was laughably simple.  I think taking my laptop out of my bag was extent of what I had to do, other than remove my belt.  

Even though it was a Saab 340 turboprop from Kiev to Chernovtsy, it was in excellent condition cosmetically, and seemed so mechanically.  About a 75 minute flight, and a great deal better than 9 hours on truly awful roads.  

I was up for 29 hours before reaching my apartment.  Great place, assuming you do not mind 4 serious flights of stairs.  I do not, and it was a good time running up and down the stairs during my tenure there.  

[XMan]

Day 2:

Largely unpacked the previous night, though I was a pseudo-zombie by the time I got inside the apartment.  Slept fitfully, even having been up for such an extended period of time.  Had a hot breakfast cooked for me as part of the aforementioned full-service.  Very enjoyable.  Jet lag was heavy on me for the first 3 days.  Walked out to a market to pick some things up.  My Russian is novice level, but good enough to communicate basic things without a problem, and I know my way around from visiting a couple of times previously.  I like Chernovtsy.  It feels like the “right size” for me – about 250,000 people – and has an interesting history as well. 

A large quantity of lovely ladies were evident everywhere, as is often the case.  I took my time and picked up the things I was after (food and drink, not the lovely ladies, unfortunately). 

Truthfully, I had made very limited plans, which is contrary to my general approach to life.  I knew I wanted to do sightseeing, and that there were several churches and 11th century fortresses I wanted to travel to, but it was weather dependent, so I was going to pick a few days somewhere along the line and do it.
 
Had a relaxing afternoon, met with the agency owner / friend, and met a woman I had met twice previously who I was interested in, but did not think it was necessarily mutual.  Good conversation.  Had a nice meal later and tried to go to sleep at a reasonable hour.  Well, that did not work at all.  I think it was 4 in the morning before I slept, and then only for about 3 hours. 

A few apartment photos attached.  Largely quiet, nicely furnished, and in what I believe is a safe part of town.

[XMan]

Day 3:

Had wireless access, so did some work in the morning and repeated my breakfast routine.  Beautiful day, 60-ish degrees.  Went for a long walk and did people watching.  Theater Square is a lovely spot and I hung out there for a while.  There is also a pedestrian-only cobblestone street that is quite long with a large number of shops, café’s, and restaurants.  I found myself walking there a lot throughout the trip. 

I had set up dinner with the woman I met on Day 2 (and had spent time with previously) for this evening.  A high-end restaurant called (translated) “The Count’s Mansion.”  I am not sure what I was expecting.  A copy of Dracula’s castle, I suppose, but it was nothing like that.  It was out in the country, on roads so bad that I would not take a vehicle on them, but the taxi driver made it happen.  I imagine it was akin to riding over the prairie in a Conestoga, but without the whole cholera, marauding Native Americans, and giant herds of bison happening.  I arrived with spleen intact somehow and no serious injuries.  I figured that put me way ahead of the game right there.

Very lovely place, pleasant enough to sit outside “in the nature” as the ladies often say.  Very good food, and even better service, but a bit expensive in comparison to some other equally nice far easier to reach restaurants.  A very, very, nice evening, but I knew it was going nowhere by the end.  It did not really bother me, even though this particular woman is truly stunning (as in jaw dropping, black hair, green eyes) and well educated. 

Nice conversation on the way back. 
It’s far easier to relax when one knows that a particular situation is hopeless. 
 

[XMan]

Day 4:

Early in the day I walked to a pedestrian-only street filled with shops, cafes, etc.  There is also a place where one picks up marriage licenses, apparently, and I took a short video of a group of folks (including bride and groom) doing a traditional dance in the middle of the street. 

The agency owner/friend (I’ll go with AOF henceforth) set up a few meetings for me with women she has known for quite some time (as in several years or more).  Well, why not.  She didn’t ask me, she just made it happen.  Love this woman. 

Honestly, I think she felt a bit sorry for me (break out the violins here) because of what transpired earlier in the year.  She really enjoys her success stories, sort of personal pride thing, if you will.  She also does a great job talking about the horror stories (the literally crazy people, both men and women) she has dealt with in the past.  It would make a book well worth reading for just about anyone.  Trust me. 

I had brought photos, postcards, the usual things one wants to share when doing the dog and pony show for meeting someone new.  Was not sure how often I would need them, if at all, but it was wise to keep the options open.  I also write music in a variety of styles, so I played bits of different recordings I have done (everything from pop to a formal waltz).  It impresses the ladies (usually) and I’m fairly certain it’s much more interesting than talking about my work.
Met one truly standout woman, which was quite surprising.  On paper a perfect fit – music teacher, speaks 4 languages, etc.  That evening I pondered seeing her again.  I did not have to ponder for long.

I was uncertain as to what her first impression was of me, but I decided I would at least attempt to see her again. 

A few general photos of Chernovtsy.


A few photos of the cobblestone pedestrian street.

[XMan]

Day 5:

Arranged to meet the music teacher for this evening.  I spent my day wandering about the city and taking in the sights.  Really nice day, and I felt relaxed and was really enjoying it. 

She was dressed to kill.  Have never seen anything quite like it.  She has a very sultry look.  She moves like a cat, and I really think that it comes naturally to her.  Went to a restaurant, “The Royal Steak Club,” which had the best food I have ever eaten in Ukraine, and that is saying something.  Beautiful place inside as well, decorated elegantly in black and white.  Stellar.  Chernovtsy (Chernivtsi, depending upon who is spelling it) is an out of the way city, but if you are there, I strongly recommend visiting this place. 

The night went well enough, but I did not feel I was hitting on all cylinders.  We walked back to my apartment and chatted a bit more, then I got her taxi and called it an evening. 

Would love to include photos of the restaurant, but all the photos have the lady in question in them, and I do not feel it is appropriate. 

[XMan]

Day 6:

Had a couple of meetings, although frankly I was not all that interested and felt I needed a break.  The AOF urged me on, and she is pleasantly convincing, so I went along.  It was fine, really.  Two very nice women with wildly different backgrounds, each with children.  I liked lady 1 quite a bit, but at the time she did not fit the laundry list of things I had in mind for future partner.  (This laundry list idea, by the way, is an idiotic approach, IMO.  Sure, there are some basic requirements that someone wants in a partner, but I think I had gone more than a bit overboard with my mental list I was checking off each time I met someone.) 

Ah, but then it got interesting.

Late in the afternoon I met a woman that had I would never have written of my own volition, I am sure of it, because she did not match that aforementioned laundry list.  Well, it took all of 20 minutes for me to be duly impressed, and within a couple of hours it was like we were old friends, which in fact were her words to me at the end of the evening.  (I’ll refer to her as LaceGirl, since she was wearing it when we met.)

What an unpredictable turn of events.

She had a ready laugh, which allowed me to open up more as more quickly. 

I invited her out to coffee and dessert, so we walked to the equivalent of a nice coffee shop and talked a bit more.  It was late and I insisted on getting her a taxi and sincerely hoped we would meet again. 

[XMan]

Day 7:

Beautiful morning, walked about 10 miles.  Some truly radiant beauties out and about.

Had an unremarkable meeting in the very early afternoon. 

So what to do next.

I found the music teacher very interesting and crazy sexy, but LaceGirl's personality made her incredibly attractive (although she was certainly physically attractive as well).  I can honestly say I had not met anyone like either of these interesting ladies before. 

It was a coin toss. 
Literally. 

Called the music teacher first, who was unavailable that evening, but available the following evening.  Set up the following evening with music teacher and contacted LaceGirl, who could meet me the following evening but not tonight. 

Rotten luck.  She works long hours and had family issues as well.

So I thought about it.  Really wanted to see her.  I couldn’t communicate well enough over the phone, so had the AOF contact her.  Even if I could only see her for a few minutes, I wanted to meet her again, take her flowers, chocolates, army fatigues, I didn’t care, any excuse to see her. 

So, I should have remembered something about the AOF. 
She will happily repeat my exact words, which she did, which in turn got a laugh, and somehow convinced LaceGirl to alter plans.  So, she met me at 6:30 for dinner and insisted she needed to be back home by 8:30 to start preparing mushrooms for freezing. 

No, I am not kidding. 
She had acquired 5kg, yes, 5kg of mushrooms and wanted to freeze them for winter (soup apparently, although perhaps other uses as well). 
OK. 
Well, I hate mushrooms, so I know there is one thing we definitely do not have in common. 

She was exhausted, and it was a much farther walk to the “Reflections” restaurant than I remembered.  I apologized and felt very awkward, but things improved very quickly when food arrived and conversation picked up.  I felt strangely connected to her again. 

I always think that humor doesn't translate very well, but I am rethinking that now, because we were getting each other even when translated.  I wanted to take a few photos, so we took a few goofy ones, and the Canadians nearby thought we were more than a bit odd.  Whatever. 

So I jokingly said "why don't sit on my lap for a few photos?" 
And she did. 
Hoo Rah. 
 
This was now officially my favorite part of the entire week. 

We walked outside to wait for the taxi that we called, and it was unusually chilly.  So she leaned back against me for warmth (I was so disappointed, not), but was still cold, so turned around and I wrapped myself and jacket around her.  It was strange, because it felt perfectly normal.  Taxi arrived, and we headed out.

[XMan]

Day 8:

Spent the morning wandering again and seeing sights.  And it was again relaxing and extraordinarily pleasant. 

Had lunch at Kvinto, a great restaurant bar, and highly recommended by me, for whatever that is worth. 
For the uninitiated, see attached photo of borsch, pork fat, and dark bread. 
Ass kicking good.

I did some pondering as well.  LaceGirl had a very strange affect upon me, like we had known each other far, far longer than we actually did.  And I felt almost as if I were cheating on her by keeping my plans with music teacher that evening. 

I walked back to the apartment, hooked up with the AOF, walked to a florist, bought an orchid, got a taxi, and swung by where LaceGirl worked.  I stayed a few moments, dropped off the orchid, which seemed to be much appreciated, and said I hoped we could meet again soon.  I had no idea if it was the right thing to do or not, but without a time machine my thinking about it was moot, as it was unchangeable at that juncture. 

Went to a restaurant that evening with music teacher.  It was unremarkable.  She was again fantastically sultry in a beautiful dress.  In virtually all ways, she should be the one I should be pursuing.  But truthfully, I just did not feel she was terribly interested in me.  I had no doubt that LaceGirl had an elevated level of interest.  It was a nice evening, and I was questioning my sanity when it was over, but I thought I really had to try to see LaceGirl if there were any way to arrange it. 

[XMan]

Day 9:

Went for quite an extended hike. 
See attached photos. 
Turkish Square, University, the Romanian Embassy, etc.  Walked with a friend and joked most of the time.  It was great, especially with people watching us as if we were insane, laughing and speaking English.  Whatever.

Had a meeting with a very nice woman later, but my thoughts truthfully were elsewhere. 

Not possible to meet LaceGirl, so I focused on other things. 
Went out later that night with a friend and did vodka shots, pork fat, dark bread, some sort of fish, etc.  It was a tremendously good time, though I am not a drinker and had to be careful with my consumption. 

[XMan]

Day 10:

Arranged a special evening to see LaceGirl.  Dressed up, went out, and enjoyed it immensely. 

She was dressed in a killer white dress, hair up, knee high black boots, etc. 
It was, frankly, awe inspiring.  But as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I was indeed biased. 

Since she had the day off the following day, we decided to go see the forts/castles that day. 
All went well until the end of the evening when a misunderstanding or misinterpretation occurred that left me wondering what exactly had occurred.  Actually, she called me shortly after I returned to the apartment and asked me why I was mad, in so many words, when I was wondering vice versa.  We did not communicate well on the phone, too many gaps in language.  So it was an unsettling night. 

My friend was an hour late picking me up the next day, in turn making me an hour late picking up LaceGirl.
It is a universally bad idea to be late picking up any woman, regardless of nationality, race, or any other factor. 
But, she did not complain. 

Unfortunately, she failed to mention the night before that she was taking some stomach medication that is not supposed to be mixed with alcohol.  We had champaign, of course.  Later in the evening she became very ill and slept almost none.  I was thinking we should cancel the entire adventure, but she folded her jacket, I folded mine, made a pillow out of them, and she laid her head in my lap and stretched out as best as possible in the back seat.  The roads, as usual, were horrible.  No possible way to sleep, but she rested with eyes closed at least.

The forts were interesting, but in the back of my mind I was thinking this is one hell of a lot of walking for a woman who is still not feeling well and had a terribly sleepless night. 

One notable thing is that she can dress up like a princess one day and dress like she's going jogging the next and seems perfectly comfortable either way.  Also, I never heard a single complaint or negative remark the entire time.  In fact, she spent a fair amount of time smiling for photos.  Conversation was limited.  I felt uncomfortable due to the overall situation and found myself at a loss for words. 

At the second fortress it was getting late.  She insisted on trying the shashlik at an open air grill.  I've had plenty of shashlik, but I had my doubts about the sanitary factor at this place.  Thankfully, I ate a small amount.  Ah, but she on the other hand consumed a great deal, as did my driver / friend.  I was mildly ill much later.  She began to feel it sooner, but did not tell me. 

On the drive back she was quiet, as was I, and I was feeling somewhat down about how things had gone. 
We called it an early evening, though I had originally hoped otherwise. 

Some photos attached.

[XMan]

Day 11:

I suppose I have been typing too long, since I just combined Day 10 and 11 together in the previous post. 

But I'll take this opportunity to say that I left gaps in my notes, because somehow I missed an evening where LaceGirl came by for dinner wearing this intense zebra stripe dress that was quite impressive.  We watched an American movie in Russian and had a mushy romantic evening (which was exactly what I was hoping for). 

Afterward I walked her to her friend's apartment, where she was going to stay for a bit before going home.  I insisted on giving her cash for a taxi, and I do mean insisted, because it was already late.  Well, in the process of getting hugged and kissed goodnight, I short-circuited and forgot to give her the cash.  At the time I did not have her cell phone, and I did not realize my error until I had walked half-way back to the apartment.

So I called the AOF, she called LaceGirl, etc.  I walked back and waited about 30 feet from the door.  She came down with her friend, introduced me, and it was not that big of deal after all. 

I will also mention a funny bit about the second fort.

They had soldiers dressed in period costumes -- German mercenaries, Turks, Russians, etc. 
The Turkish soldiers are marching by me, and one of them breaks into song, "Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton...."  I burst out laughing and had to try to explain why a 12th century Turk singing 19th century US civil war song was funny. 

[XMan]

Day 12:

An uneventful, rainy, gloomy day.   (I had remarkably good weather for nearly all the trip.) 

Mostly I sat around wondering why I missed someone so much that technically I still barely knew. 
She had to work today and had ongoing family issues to deal with, so no chance to see her. 
I was also concerned about how the previous day had gone.

[XMan]

Day 13:

LaceGirl had the day off and we met in the late morning.  It was a pleasant day again. 

Took some photos at Theater Square, and did some shopping.  I really wanted to pick up something nice for her, but I knew it would be better if she actually did the choosing.  Found a nice sweater dress and some jeans, so she was very pleased, and I got an individualized fashion show as we wandered around to different shops.  Hard to beat. 

Cooked dinner and it turned out well. 
Really, it was a nice evening. 
Had a serious discussion about communication, meeting again in the future, etc.  Discussed a lot of topics. 

Next day would be the last of my trip. 
She had to work again, but hoped to come by for a while before having to take care of a continuing family issue. 

[XMan]

Day 14:

I can hardly remember what happened during the morning and afternoon. 
I was entirely preoccupied with thoughts of her and wondering why I was feeling the way I was after a relatively short period of time together. 

Unfortunately about 5:00 p.m. I got a call.  She was having difficulty getting off work.  So, she talked her boss into allowing her to leave for a while, took a taxi, came by the apartment, spent a short while with me, then had to go back to work, then on to deal with the ongoing family issue. 

Well, it could have been a disappointing last night together. 
But instead, it turned out to be some of the most precious time we had together. 
It was upbeat and fun, and just what I needed. 
When she left, I found myself feeling more hopeful than I had in quite some time. 

[XMan]

Day 15:

Trip back was 26 hours including layovers, but mostly uneventful, except for JFK airport. 

In summary, I had to run from the time I rechecked my bag (post customs and security) until I reached the gate. 
The last few hundred yards were a dead run, which was rather awkward with a 20 pound bag in one hand. 
At one point I leapt over two rows of chairs because aisles were blocked with meandering travelers. 
Brought back memories of Hertz Rent-a-car commercials in the pre-trials pre-prison days of O.J. Simpson.

[XMan]

Epilogue:

I wrote her shortly after I returned. 

So today I got a message. 
The important part was five words.
"I am waiting for you."

Well now.  I may have to conjure up some way to return as soon as possible.

[3T_Ventus]

XMan!

Great trip report! Are you the first to do a WNEL? I like the casual approach, from a different angle and still very productive. You could afford to do this for you have friends there who run a small agency. Great pictures and good composition. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport seems to be a much visited airport. Some members on this forum have visited Holland (I live in The Hague, a couple of miles from Amsterdam) 

Good luck and much success!!!

Ps: did you write more trip reports? I will check them out.

[XMan]

XMan!

Great trip report! Are you the first to do a WNEL? I like the casual approach, from a different angle and still very productive. You could afford to do this for you have friends there who run a small agency. Great pictures and good composition. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport seems to be a much visited airport. Some members on this forum have visited Holland (I live in The Hague, a couple of miles from Amsterdam) 

Good luck and much success!!!

Ps: did you write more trip reports? I will check them out.

Seriously doubt I am the first, probably just the first to use the goofy acronym. 
I cannot recommend it. 
I did it because:
a) I had made multiple previous trips that were WMVF, WMVM, WOVO, etc.
b) my hopes ran aground in summer
c) I had time and plane tickets
d) the agency owner is a friend and I was familiar with the city

Frankly, after the previous trip --

(discussed here)
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=11088.0

-- and things going awry afterward, I had near zero expectations for anything.  Actually, that previous trip was going to be the last roundup for me, unless we moved forward together.   I was surprised I was even going back at all. 

Now, however, I feel I may have found the silver lining, and considering the price of silver today, thus far it seems to be quite valuable.  Seriously, I can honestly say that while I left out a tremendous amount of personal detail from the trip, I feel that what I have seen up to this point is a very different woman from any I have met previously (there or here in the USA), largely because I allowed myself to look outside these specific categories or boundaries that I had in my head. 

Meeting her was like walking out into the sun after weeks of cold, gray, mist and rain. 
Whether anything comes of it in the long-term remains to be seen. 
But without question it is promising enough to pursue further, and that is my intent for now.

Cheers.

[Chicagoguy]

Wonderful report !   Just goes to show you never know.

I have never been able to sleep on a plane so a Russian woman friend who is now American M.D. and has a sleep speciality gave me Rx. One for Sonata [ Zaleplon - generic ] which is only good for a couple of hours. Enough for a plane. Plus I have used Ambian and Lunesta for my first couple of nights to try and break that time change problem. I do not use anything at home.

[Aloe]

largely because I allowed myself to look outside these specific categories or boundaries that I had in my head.  

What are those categories and boundaries that you had and let go? I used to have a list of 24 qualities about my future husband, had to let go of only 1 out of the 24 for my hubby, he isn't rich!  

[Faux Pas]

Xman,

Good stuff! Thanks for posting it. I had about given up on you. You seems pretty jaded after your last TR. A good lessen here in lowering expectations all while keeping a good fundamental attitude. Often things do happen when you least expect it.

I can't sleep on a flight, any flight either. No matter the duration, the reading, the boring movies, the ambien, the pain pills or how much Jack Daniels I mix with them. Sleep just does not come on an airplane for me.

Was that pork fat smoked?

[3T_Ventus]

XMan!

I just finished reading the other trip report taken in January....It read like a book!!! You try to paint a vivid picture of you and her, your feelings and hers. Like a member stated on that particular report: 'It was like if I am there...'. Felt the same, took the words right out of my mouth. Most things written in there I have also experienced and am experiencing with RW. Your proficiency in English and the way you write...just great is an understatement.   

I never complain when taking a long trip and will never do so, especially after hearing that my American brothers take more than a full day, 24 hours, to complete one. I have to hand it to all of you: incredible!!! I am serious in my endeavor but simply cannot beat this. And to say that you took two in this year adding to a total of eight? I am calculating and should be able to make at least six in a year...maybe...

Much success and hope to hear more!!!

[XMan]

Wonderful report !   Just goes to show you never know.

I have never been able to sleep on a plane so a Russian woman friend who is now American M.D. and has a sleep speciality gave me Rx. One for Sonata [ Zaleplon - generic ] which is only good for a couple of hours. Enough for a plane. Plus I have used Ambian and Lunesta for my first couple of nights to try and break that time change problem. I do not use anything at home.

Thanks much, and I will check into that for future. 

What are those categories and boundaries that you had and let go? I used to have a list of 24 qualities about my future husband, had to let go of only 1 out of the 24 for my hubby, he isn't rich! 

24 sounds like a short list in comparison.   
It isn't that I decided to cut certain ones.  I should be more clear.  I basically threw the entire thing out the window and opened myself up to whatever possibilities there might be.  For example, if someone had a child older than 6, I figured it would be too difficult for the child to adjust to such a big change.  How would I know one way or the other?  I've heard examples (positive and negative) of each. 

Xman,

Good stuff! Thanks for posting it. I had about given up on you. You seems pretty jaded after your last TR. A good lessen here in lowering expectations all while keeping a good fundamental attitude. Often things do happen when you least expect it.

I can't sleep on a flight, any flight either. No matter the duration, the reading, the boring movies, the ambien, the pain pills or how much Jack Daniels I mix with them. Sleep just does not come on an airplane for me.

Was that pork fat smoked?

Thanks FP. 
Actually I think I had pretty much given up on me as well. 

Regarding the pork fat, absolutely, smoked it was. 

Must say I have liked every rendition of borsch I have ever had, and solianka as well.  Interesting how every person or restaurant makes it differently. 

XMan!

I just finished reading the other trip report taken in January....It read like a book!!! You try to paint a vivid picture of you and her, your feelings and hers. Like a member stated on that particular report: 'It was like if I am there...'. Felt the same, took the words right out of my mouth. Most things written in there I have also experienced and am experiencing with RW. Your proficiency in English and the way you write...just great is an understatement.   

I never complain when taking a long trip and will never do so, especially after hearing that my American brothers take more than a full day, 24 hours, to complete one. I have to hand it to all of you: incredible!!! I am serious in my endeavor but simply cannot beat this. And to say that you took two in this year adding to a total of eight? I am calculating and should be able to make at least six in a year...maybe...

Much success and hope to hear more!!!

I very much appreciate the kind words. 

Folks on the east coast near a major airport hub are probably able to cut some significant time off their trips, but from where I am at it's tough to manage it in less than 24 hours, and often goes longer with delays, etc.  (Longest for me was 32 hours without sleep.  Not something I care to repeat.) 

I am doing my best not to be premature, but something feels very different this time.  I hope to continue communication in all ways.  Assuming things go well, I will do whatever it takes to return relatively quickly, perhaps by Christmas holidays.  Doubt there is much chance I can manage a trip earlier than that.  For me, once every 6 months is far easier to arrange. 

Good luck with your pursuits as well.

[JR]

Go

GO

GO!

GO!

GO!

GO!