From Ukraine with Love

[noelscot]

To-day starts my travels. I have never traveled internationally, and am sure I will learn many new things, meet many new people, and have a nice vacation overall.
 
I made sure to call Katya this morning (2pm her time) and wish her a Happy Women's Day and to tell her that i will be praying for safety during her travels to Kiev. She's taking a night train to meet me. I have a few special things for her packed for a belated IWD gift. We're both traveling on IWD, so before the chorus chimes in about how I should have done this and that..............
 
Tried to print my KLM boarding pass this morning. No luck whatsoever. KLM tells you on their web page that MAYBE you'll be able to print international tickets 30-1 hour(s) before the departure date. I fully expect to have a wonderful experience with KLM. Not. It's 2 hours before departure and I cannot even print a friggin' boarding pass! What B.S.
 
I'll arrive Kiev 3-9-12 @1:20PM. Then my lady and I are going to have a late lunch together. Both of us are very excited about meeting.
 
The full implications of all this are just starting to dawn on me, and I am thankful to God for bestowing so many blessings upon me. 
 
P.S. I remembered to pack plenty of toilet paper and prepared against waterborne brain eating amoeba, etc. Please do not talk about toilet paper and a bunch of gloom and doom type stuff. We've done that to death. Happy, happy, joy, joy.

[noelscot]

For KLM you have to go through Delta's web page, but they do not tell you.

[Daveman]

Did you know that pretty pastel with flower pattern toilet paper makes a great women's day gift?   


Good luck and wishing you a smooth flight, happy meeting and a great visit.

[noelscot]

Спасиба! In Detroit wAiting to go to Amsterdam. At the duty free shop I purchased more toilet paper, but with flowery patterns and lilac scent.  Hit the Mickey d's and am listening to Emmylou Harris during the layover.

[Hammer2722]

Good luk during the trip and hoping all goes well for you!!!!

[noelscot]

Good luk during the trip and hoping all goes well for you!!!!

спасиба. My first snafu has been that I forgot my iPod charger. Got hosed at the gadget shop in Detroit. Now I am in Amsterdam for a 3 hr layover. These people have tulips everywhere. I changed a twenty at theoney changer to get some snacks and took a 50% loss! These mother flippers will rob you blind! The KLM flight was packed with coeds going to Europe as a class. Must be nice. Here I am 34 yo and just now going to Europe. Of course things are different when your parents pay for it. The ninja generation--no income, no jobs, no assets. I'm pretty wired from traveling. Poka do skorova.

[noelscot]

In Kiev. About to go out to eat. I've been up for over 24 hours and feel like I've been tripping on acid from a mix of coffee, cold airline food, and various junk food along the way. Jack's man Val helped me out with a ride, flat, a little money-changing, and a mobile. Great guys.
I just finished chasing some charcoal pills with Immodium AD. I'm not necessarily sick per se, but all the flying and sitting in cramped spaces has had its toll on me. Figured I'd throw that in for the gloom 'n' doom crowd. Even us whippersnappers are not invincible.  

[LAman]

In Kiev. About to go out to eat. I've been up for over 24 hours and feel like I've been tripping on acid from a mix of coffee, cold airline food, and various junk food along the way. Jack's man Val helped me out with a ride, flat, a little money-changing, and a mobile. Great guys.
I just finished chasing some charcoal pills with Immodium AD. I'm not necessarily sick per se, but all the flying and sitting in cramped spaces has had its toll on me. Figured I'd throw that in for the gloom 'n' doom crowd. Even us whippersnappers are not invincible.

I call it the 'pin ball' feeling.......battered and bruised!!! Nothing a couple good nights rest will cure....easy on the meds though. For me, it takes 3 nights to finally get to sleep at resonable time. Late to sleep means late to rise.
Wonder who decided on overnight train to odessa? Unless you just wanted the 'thrill' of a backward feeling of time or just cheap.........very overrated. Hard to sleep, lots of noise and lights flashing....worse than any 20 hour flight I ever been on.......i prefer that nice one hour flight, land and be resfreshed and ready to go!!!JMHO
 

[SteveOR]

In Kiev. About to go out to eat. I've been up for over 24 hours and feel like I've been tripping on acid from a mix of coffee, cold airline food, and various junk food along the way. Jack's man Val helped me out with a ride, flat, a little money-changing, and a mobile. Great guys.
I just finished chasing some charcoal pills with Immodium AD. I'm not necessarily sick per se, but all the flying and sitting in cramped spaces has had its toll on me. Figured I'd throw that in for the gloom 'n' doom crowd. Even us whippersnappers are not invincible.

Welcome to the gray, fuzzy world of jet lag.  Wide awake at 2am and falling asleep while standing at 2pm are next.  Great fun, but eventually you start to feel human again.
 
Val's a great guy with lots of stories to tell.  Did he talk your ear off during the ride from the airport?  I think he does that to keep his customers awake.  What did you think about the Kyiv traffic and driving experience?
 

[noelscot]

Ok, so Katya and I finally met. we went to some sort of Ukrainian steam table type of cafe. The music was so loud we could barely here each other, then she had already eaten since she had waited me to get showered etc. after arriving. She picked out about two trays worth of food for me. (This is after I've been chugging Immodium AD and eating charcoal pills like tic-tacs, mindyou.) One dish was sort of purplish on top with beets, then there is fish underneath. I ate a BIG spoonful of it, and I fought with every fiber of my being to get it down. I waved the white flag on that dish, but she likes it and ate it.
 
We returned to the apartment to talk a little bit more, and she gave me some gifts. Some books for Russian language. A nice chai mug, some picckled cabbage, and some freshly smoked salo for bread. She made me some crunchy waffle type deserts with sweet milk in them, and it is the best food I've ever eaten in my life. So yummy!  I gave her some gifts I had for her too.
To-morrow we will do some more exploring. Tonite was awkward because I am so tired and we're just meeting each other.
Oh here is my stupid mistake #2 for the day. I asked the bar waitresses for "dva botilki vada" without emphasizing the second syllable of "vada" or changing dva to dvi. The put two bottles of vodka on the counter. and I was like, "nyet, nyet-VaDA" after I'd realized what I'd done. Then I sat there flaberghasted that two bottles of water were 14 hrivna and tried to cinvince them that it was some sort of mistake. Angry babushka had the better of that argument, and I think it is time for me to sleep.
Val's a great guy. Recommend him and Jack to anyone who wants to deal with honest, professional people.
 

[LAman]

Ok, so Katya and I finally met. we went to some sort of Ukrainian steam table type of cafe. The music was so loud we could barely here each other, then she had already eaten since she had waited me to get showered etc. after arriving. She picked out about two trays worth of food for me. (This is after I've been chugging Immodium AD and eating charcoal pills like tic-tacs, mindyou.) One dish was sort of purplish on top with beets, then there is fish underneath. I ate a BIG spoonful of it, and I fought with every fiber of my being to get it down. I waved the white flag on that dish, but she likes it and ate it.
 
We returned to the apartment to talk a little bit more, and she gave me some gifts. Some books for Russian language. A nice chai mug, some picckled cabbage, and some freshly smoked salo for bread. She made me some crunchy waffle type deserts with sweet milk in them, and it is the best food I've ever eaten in my life. So yummy!  I gave her some gifts I had for her too.
To-morrow we will do some more exploring. Tonite was awkward because I am so tired and we're just meeting each other.
Oh here is my stupid mistake #2 for the day. I asked the bar waitresses for "dva botilki vada" without emphasizing the second syllable of "vada" or changing dva to dvi. The put two bottles of vodka on the counter. and I was like, "nyet, nyet-VaDA" after I'd realized what I'd done. Then I sat there flaberghasted that two bottles of water were 14 hrivna and tried to cinvince them that it was some sort of mistake. Angry babushka had the better of that argument, and I think it is time for me to sleep.
Val's a great guy. Recommend him and Jack to anyone who wants to deal with honest, professional people.
 

Yes...no freebies with water...costs same as soda....or even beer is cheaper!!
Better be careful with your russian!!Can get in big trouble!!! Why not basic russian vaDA no gas(goss)?
Congrats on first meeting!!! A good start!!
 

[Gator]

Noelscot,
 
I hope you had some sleep. 

Two waters (or two vodka bottles)?   If the former, one was for Katya of course.
 
Sounds like you had some salty fish.  Usually some potatoes are at the bottom with that dish, but perhaps you did not get that deep into the dish.

You sound overmedicated which is not good for your health.  Imodium?!  My biggest  problem when visiting the FSU is constipation because the food is so bland.   So I drink lots of red wine, eat vegetables and brown bread, and avoid starches. 

I wish you good stools.   
 

[Daveman]

I wish you good stools.   

 


I knew we'd make it back to the forbidden topic one way or another...


Sound like a typically excellent beginning for a first trip.. get some rest and looking forward to more of the story..

[Faux Pas]

noelscot

Whats with all the immodium and charcoal? Is this a preventitive measure or has the bowels been making ungodly noises? Be careful with that stuff or it will ruin your trip. Jetlag is a way of life for most. A shower and 8 hours of sleep will make a difference. That is if you're not OD'ing on the meds 

[Anotherkiwi]

... Then I sat there flaberghasted that two bottles of water were 14 hrivna and tried to cinvince them that it was some sort of mistake. Angry babushka had the better of that argument, and I think it is time for me to sleep...

You're complaining about spending $1.75 on a bottle (or two) of water?  It's not tap water in a glass like you might get in a restaurant at home (if that's what you ask for) - any bottled water at home will cost way more than this.  Sleep is definitely called for!
 

...I just finished chasing some charcoal pills with Immodium AD. I'm not necessarily sick per se, but all the flying and sitting in cramped spaces has had its toll on me. Figured I'd throw that in for the gloom 'n' doom crowd. Even us whippersnappers are not invincible.

Maybe it's just me - I'm old enough to be your father, and I've never had jetlag on long international flights.  Try 54 hours from Moscow to Auckland (including a 12 hour stopover and sightseeing tour while waiting for the next flight) with no sleep, then maybe you can complain about "flying and sitting in cramped spaces."  You guys in North America just have it so easy!      And I must confess I'd never heard of Immodium before seeing it mentioned on RWD a few months ago (I still have no idea what it is, and I'm too lazy to look it up!). 
 
However...with that little piece of physiological superiority out of the way, I do truly wish you the best of luck in your quest.

[noelscot]

Noelscot,
 
I hope you had some sleep. 

Two waters (or two vodka bottles)?   If the former, one was for Katya of course.
 
Sounds like you had some salty fish.  Usually some potatoes are at the bottom with that dish, but perhaps you did not get that deep into the dish.

You sound overmedicated which is not good for your health.  Imodium?!  My biggest  problem when visiting the FSU is constipation because the food is so bland.   So I drink lots of red wine, eat vegetables and brown bread, and avoid starches. 

I wish you good stools.   

Mne zvaty Scotty.
Today we visited the caves and saw the bodies' remains, but before that we went and bought train tickets to Odessa for the nite train tomorrow.
(The metro is easy enough to navigate, but here is one caveat to guys who haven't been here in Ukraine: DO NOT JUST MEMORIZE E.G.,"REDLINE #120"--YOU MUST MEMORIZE THE NAMES OF YOUR STOPS, THE COLOR OF THE LINE, AND EITHER COUNT THE STOPS, OR GO BY THE TRAIN CONDUCTOR'S VOICE--YOU CANNOT TRUST THE MONITORS OVERHEAD. MOST ARE BROKEN, NOT GONNA BE FIXED ANYTIME SOON. IT'S UKRAINE; DEAL WITH IT.)
Old babushka almost caught me and Katya on fire with candle, and I had to throw elbows to keep her hair from getting caught on fire. We ate at the same cafe to-day and I had sladki veranikii bez smetlana, solianka, bread, more sladki veranikii, chai, and Katya had varenniki s kartoshkoi ii smetlana.
FYI, if you do not like sour cream, you'd better memrozie the phrase bez smetlana or they will drown your food in it. It is good for the health, I am told.
Now we just returned from Kofe Time near Orange Revolution place, and we will meet tonite to order pitsa, watch some movies and spend the night together. For to-morrow we will travel Odessa in the evening and will need a good nite's rest.
More to be posted soon.
Again, Val and Jack are awesome. Highly recommend their services to anyone planning a trip. Stop writing about going and just go. Simple.

[noelscot]

noelscot

Whats with all the immodium and charcoal? Is this a preventitive measure or has the bowels been making ungodly noises? Be careful with that stuff or it will ruin your trip. Jetlag is a way of life for most. A shower and 8 hours of sleep will make a difference. That is if you're not OD'ing on the meds 

Suffice it so say, I feel wonderful now and the meditsina was because I truly felt bad first nite. Flying always does it. This moring I drank huge glass of.........wait for it.......TAP WATER, and I feel FINE. Now is the part of the trip where I really shine and focus like a laser beam.

[noelscot]

You're complaining about spending $1.75 on a bottle (or two) of water?  It's not tap water in a glass like you might get in a restaurant at home (if that's what you ask for) - any bottled water at home will cost way more than this.  Sleep is definitely called for!
   
Maybe it's just me - I'm old enough to be your father, and I've never had jetlag on long international flights.  Try 54 hours from Moscow to Auckland (including a 12 hour stopover and sightseeing tour while waiting for the next flight) with no sleep, then maybe you can complain about "flying and sitting in cramped spaces."  You guys in North America just have it so easy!      And I must confess I'd never heard of Immodium before seeing it mentioned on RWD a few months ago (I still have no idea what it is, and I'm too lazy to look it up!). 
 
However...with that little piece of physiological superiority out of the way, I do truly wish you the best of luck in your quest.

Dude, I'm the first person to make fun of myself for complaing about paying roughly 2 bucks for 2 water bottles. Now, I automatically think in DOLLARS, not HRIVNA. I wasn;t "all there" last nite anyway. I'd been awake for over 24 hours.
I'm an international travel virgin and just got my cherry popped. I'm 200cm tall and I get cramped and tired on domestic flights.
Immodium (loperamide HCl)--wow, we really are obsessing on meditsina and bathroom stuff here; this should be called the "potty report"--is an intestinal sedative. If you need it, it will literally save your life in bad situations. The British SAS commandoes swear by it and keep it in their survival kits.
Ok that is quite enough about "the potty report" for now.

[Anotherkiwi]

...I'm an international travel virgin and just got my cherry popped. I'm 200cm tall and I get cramped and tired on domestic flights...

My apologies - at that height you're entitled to complain about cramped spaces!  But I have no idea how you're going to cope with the train - I'm "only" average height and I only just fitted into the bunk.  I realise that you're probably already on your way as I write this but, having experienced both train and bus, I would seriously recommend that anyone going by land from Kyiv to Odessa takes the luxury coach instead (115-135 UAH, including tea or coffee and snacks [and a toilet], plus a proper break half-way through the trip).  It's motorway for the whole 480 kilometres, although the first half southbound is pretty bumpy.

[noelscot]

We're taking the night train. @11pm. We got a pvt car. I'll scrunch up if I have to in the bunk. I haven't slept well since I got here so it will be par for the course. Last nite Katya's brother forbid her from staying with me overnite. So I told her that he was right to protect his sister, bcs there are bad ppl in the world, but that I should meet her family to prove I am good man who wants serious relations. Ita Pravda. So we will go to Sevastopol  next weekend unless things implode. Overall feel good and am going to bet the farm here.

[Anotherkiwi]

...Last nite Katya's brother forbid her from staying with me overnite. So I told her that he was right to protect his sister, bcs there are bad ppl in the world, but that I should meet her family to prove I am good man who wants serious relations.

How old is she? 12?     Surely she, who has already spent time with you, can make up her own mind as to how trustworthy you are likely to be in that situation.
 

...Overall feel good and am going to bet the farm here.

Slow down!  You've only had two days with this lady (email, phone and Skype do NOT count), and you've been forbidden from spending time alone with her away from the distractions of a restaurant or tourist attraction.  No matter how you feel, you seriously need a LOT more time with her before you can even begin to think like this.  Sure, she may turn out to be all that you hope, but...
 
Good luck!

[Daveman]

We're taking the night train. @11pm. We got a pvt car. I'll scrunch up if I have to in the bunk. I haven't slept well since I got here so it will be par for the course. Last nite Katya's brother forbid her from staying with me overnite. So I told her that he was right to protect his sister, bcs there are bad ppl in the world, but that I should meet her family to prove I am good man who wants serious relations. Ita Pravda. So we will go to Sevastopol  next weekend unless things implode. Overall feel good and am going to bet the farm here.

Always best to start with a few scraggly chickens! 


Sounds  like you are having a great time, even with the lack of decent sleep.  It always takes me several days to adapt and feel normal with the time change and jet lag.  I'm working in my basement to develop a pill that will overcome that Travelectile Dysfunction... I call it Flyagra...

[noelscot]

Just as a general note. Women have to be cautious about being alone with strangers and they do not want be thought promiscuous. If they have told their family that they are going to meet foreigner, then if family loves them they will urge caution. A person is not allowed inside the circle of trust overnite. I would be suspicious of such a situation. However, any way u slice it, it hurts to be thought of ad the dangerous foreigner by ppl who have never met me. My family urged me not visit Ukraine, but I did bcs I give benefit of the doubt. So there are classy ways to do things. I never tell that. I use discretion to not make ppl feel like they r rotten.

[Anotherkiwi]

Just one little thing noelscott - can you please write properly, not using "txtspk."  There are plenty of people reading this whose first language is not English and who won't know what on earth you mean - and there will also be some of us for whom English IS our first language, and who STILL don't know what you mean! 

[ghost of moon goddess]

u - you
ad - as
ppl - people
bcs - because
r - are


Noel, I WISH YOU GOOD LUCK !!!