Hello from New England

[artisan5308]

Me, Ksyusha, Anna and Sasha just off the train from Kiev to Volnovakha

[Vaughn]

Nice snapshots, Artisan. Welcome to RWD. I've had some catching up to do - having been away for a few days. Check your PMs...

[GQBlues]

Very cool pics, artisan. Good looking family, too. A Kiev bar with a 66? Dang!
 
 
I also can't make out the ink on the right forearm...Body ink have very different meaning in Russia and that's one of the interesting thing I learned my first trip there....

[artisan5308]

Yes, owned by a biker club called the Crazy Ho Ho's and aptly name Rte 66 for our famous roadway here in the US. The president of the club is a serious Cossack who is pictured here with me along with some other pics in the club.

My ink on the right forearm is the opening bass rift for the blues song "Changeling" by the Doors off their "LA Woman" vinyl from '72. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen.

When I first met my fiance's father he asked if I had spent time in prison.

[GQBlues]

Yes, owned by a biker club called the Crazy Ho Ho's and aptly name Rte 66 for our famous roadway here in the US. The president of the club is a serious Cossack who is pictured here with me along with some other pics in the club.

Awesome. Yes, grew up on it's extended original point, Sta. Monica. Anyway, I was told a story in passing (Bartel's Marina Del Rey) and wasn't really sure if there's any truth to it but allegedly all along 66, there really are only a few 'real' 66ers i.e. places that are actually historical stops for the early riders. All the other 'hangouts' that are 'new' are only there for the money. They call them 'Pisstees' (piss stops)...

My ink on the right forearm is the opening bass rift for the blues song "Changeling" by the Doors off their "LA Woman" vinyl from '72. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen.

 
I'm good with JMorisson. Love all his tunes. Riders on the Storm.

When I first met my fiance's father he asked if I had spent time in prison.

 
LOL. Too funny! They must've wondered what crime you committed with that ink! I had a run-in with one my first trip. He had multiple ink he was trying to show me as though, or so I thought, I should appreciate the work. They were pretty raunchy. I can make out what they were but they weren't 'good ink'.
 
I learned later that he had violent multiples before and those were his brand. To let others know who and what they are. I was supposed to respect and fear him because of it. News to me, man. So it goes...
 
Anyway, ride high, man. I would like to know you can remove the noise and at least give what I said here and on your other thread serious consideration, if nothing else. Take care of the family but above all else - take care of #1. Have a great trip back and good luck.

[Muzh]

Wow, that was unbelievable!!
 
Finding the sweet spot, that is.
 
Artisan, nice pics. You sure don't look like an old man. Your lady looks great too. I wish you guys the best.
 
Let us know how it goes. 

[guangje]

She has three children, 5,7, and 14. One lives with the biological father. So my expectations were that she would b

[Gator]

Artisan,
 
Nice photos. Nice future family.  Everybody looks perfect.  (Somehow I missed the photos when you first posted them.)
 
I see that Vaughn is sending you PM.  Vaughn married his Russian family many years ago and he would have special insights with taking care of a FSU family.  Plus he is an allaround good guy.  Please pay close attention to Vaughn.

[Chicagoguy]

When I first met my fiance's father he asked if I had spent time in prison.

From what I have heard very many of Russians who were/are in prison have tatoos so it is not a stupid question.

[Faux Pas]

From what I have heard very many of Russians who were/are in prison have tatoos so it is not a stupid question.

In most places in the FSU, tattoos have a very specific purpose and tells a specific story in the underworld. Most of it related to criminal activity, hierarchy  and prison time. If you know this, it is very easy to see why her father would ask that question. In many circles in the FSU, having a tattoo that wasn't earned is a death sentence.

[artisan5308]

Hi everyone and thanks for the kind words. I am eager to be with the lady and to be celebrating the New Year with her family and friends. Last year we partied in Kiev, this year we are staying put. Hopefully I'll have a story or two about my trip.


On another note, did anyone experience being locked out from the RWD site for a couple days or so? I was not able to download the site and thought there might have been tech difficulties. I'm leaving for Ukraine on the 26th and decided to give it another shot and now things are working.

[JohnDearGreen]

I've tried to post a few pics already..to no avail. Maybe they are too large. Funny that i can post them on other sites though, suggestions anyone?

ImageShack is free to store your pics online.  Unlimited space, but 5M limit per pic.  Then you can post a link to the pic.  Or you can create an album of multiple pics and just post the one link to the album.
http://www.imageshack.us/


Enjoyed your posts. 


I sadly remember another guy in trip reports that didn't want to date the Ukraine lady with a teenage child because he would have to give up his Porsche to pay college bills.

[Faux Pas]

artisan


I haven't experienced any problems lately but, history shows us from time to time some people do. There is a section where you can report problems and hopefully deduce what the problem is. I know that's difficult to do if you can't in but, do it while you are in now.