Ice Cube's Chance in Hell ...

[Gator]

A comment on aging... 

MANY women there don't age well... and I can tell you there are many that emigrate here who don't age well either.  I used to think it was about the poor quality food or the hard life there but my wife has friends who remain beautiful into their 40's - BECAUSE they care and work to maintain their appearances.

 
Older men on average don't look so good either.  Thankfully the exceptions exist.  My Cossack woman (47 yo) is gorgeous, and her father is very well preserved.

Likewise the improved diet options here and variety of food means the women that emigrate should find it easier to avoid so much potato, oil and mayonnaise... but they don't choose to eat well.

You forgot smetana (sour cream) on your list.  I once had a McDonald's hamburger in Moscow.  It was inedible until I removed the layer of special sauce concocted for Russian tastes, laden with mayonnaise. 

[LAman]

BTW - anybody with worthy good information on Poltava TELL ME.  Here or on PM.  I don't want to waste any time with half truths!
I am leaving by train tomorrow.


 

Suprising to me.....are you just trying to mix in with the kin-folk? Maybe to check out the pastures?  Maybe it is just you have the time...to take your time.....
A 2 hour drive for 90 miles......and get taken directly to flat/hotel? Easily spent $50 bucks on lunch and boose....what is another $50.....
Don't know much about Poltava other than a friend of mine told me many girls he met there spoke good english...not much else to see...

[GQBlues]

BTW, I think the word 'beautiful' is tossed around by many wayyyyyyyy to much.
 

Why yes, yes, yes it is.  It seems the FSU is often played up as the Land of Endless Tens.  Of course the notion is subjective but really the overwhelmingly vast majority of women (or men), here, there, everywhere are "average" with a little leaning toward either opposing end of the curve.  There are a few who fall off the bell proper into beautiful or butt rippin' fugly but those are the exceptions....

I think you have to take consideration of the origin/author of these assessments and their overall past experiences. To many, any *willing* woman, even one that borders fugly, is beautiful.


Rivardco-

A very nice and fresh reporting.

[LAman]

BTW.....I have a site that is very good at giving you a map, distances between cities and directions for travel in FSU  and is in eng/rus/ukr
http://www.della-ua.com/distance/

[IAmZon]

Would you mind elaborating?  It's interesting because at first glance, the meaning would turn a sharp 180 from (hundreds of) thousands of years of evolution - from women being the "pursued" (until they catch us that is) into being the active competitors doing the chasing.

Why would she fight for you prior to your having noticed her seriously?  Or do you mean a specific facet of her showing genuine interest?  What exactly?

SORRY, poor word choice.  There is a point in which a connection is made, or not.  If, after that, a woman falters, or I sense that I am not as important to her as she is to me ( I mean, in light that I have traveled half way around the world, have expressed correct interest, and am otherwise worthy), then I will, if there is not a good reason, say NEXT.  God made alot of possibilities.  I doubt I will forget this.  I doubt that I will loose my mind and judgement.


We will see.

[LAman]

SORRY, poor word choice.  There is a point in which a connection is made, or not.  If, after that, a woman falters, or I sense that I am not as important to her as she is to me ( I mean, in light that I have traveled half way around the world, have expressed correct interest, and am otherwise worthy), then I will, if there is not a good reason, say NEXT.  God made alot of possibilities.  I doubt I will forget this. I doubt that I will loose my mind and judgement.


We will see.

So you have gotton over the 'RW turn my brain into poop' ?

[Eduard]

I was once met at Kharkov airport by a terp who also did meeting and greeting and escorted foreign men to their apartments. She was around 5’ 11, very slim and dressed immaculately in a suit and chatted non stop to me in fluent English during our taxi ride. Most healthy straight men would have had similar thoughts flashing through their minds …….


Later that evening it is fair to say I was dumbstruck to learn that the said lady was aged just 15!!!! ‘Welcome to Ukraine’ as they say.



It’s good to see that Dasha’s looks haven’t declined with age and at least now all such thoughts are legal.

It's a small world, Vinn! 

[IAmZon]

Why am I getting quotes of 60 - 80 a night in Poltava and 30 - 50 in Kharkov?

[HiTech]

Good luck rivardco,

This is the first TR I have enjoyed in a long time. I find my self having very much the same thoughts as Kuna.

Like you I was 47 when I started looking. And on my 3rd trip I was basicly going cold. My wife had never heard of me until 30 mins before we met in Pushka  on puskinskia Street in Kharkov.

I have a few question you may ask yourself.

Do you really want a wife, if so don't believe the "wisdom" of not looking for one. Just because you know what you want, does not make you desperate.

As kuna suggest ask yourself what qualities and goals the woman you are looking for must have to make a future with you.

Then do not settle, go find what you want. But if you wish to find a wife, don't fool yourself that you are just there to have fun. Look for a wife, and have fun while trying to attain your goal. But don''t get side tracked if that is your goal.

It appears you are starting to learn a few things about the culture. Remember that even if some one is helping you, I found it very common and almost accepted that they may be killing 2 birds with 1 stone i.e. working another angle.

Looking forward to your continued posts.

[IAmZon]

Agencies are money making service businesses.   When an AM comes into the office ... there is the gravy train.    I contacted travel agencies - someone there speaks English, and the margins they work with are normal.  The margins agencies work with are based on what the market can hold.


I had a great time on Victory Day in Kharkov.  Parade, Concert, late night parties.   To think that I can date anyone in that city is not true.  Just like anywhere, most of the time to get the woman's attention, you have to up your game.   This is the case for me with the receptionist at the new Kharkov Palace Hotel (I will keep you posted).


In the meanwhile, I have gotten off "gringo trail."   The rest of the group has traveled to Lugansk, and I took a train to Poltava.  This seems to be a charming place.   I ought to stay here a while and catch up on my work.  Depending on what I find here, I will return to Khrakov, and will likely stay until the mid of June.


All's well.

[ECOCKS]

Keep your game on then.....

Great play reporting and commentary!

[IAmZon]

First impressions ...

Poltava is bigger than a village (that is what many in Kharkov call it).   It is charming.  It seems more clean and organized.  It makes me realize that there was some glitz around the center of Kharkov that I took for granted - designer shops; restaurants; etc...   Here there are a mixture of people, everyone is not beautiful. It seems much more "normal".

The women?  Oh, high heels and short skirts are here too. Maybe not as many, but I am not looking for more than one.  Things seem more available/ possible?  Bigger fish / Smaller pond.

I have visited one agency this morning - not so strange afterall.  It is like most things, once you do it, it feels normal.   The agencies here get more traffic than I would have guessed.  They are more developed.  A pit of 10 computers with translators writing correspondence.  Hmmmm.  I asked, don't worry.  "Are those letters real".   Everybody laughed and said yes.   I saw 4 or 5 new female clients arrive to become registered in only 2 hours.  Who would of thunk it?

After having a long breakfast with the agency manager, she made 4 recommendations to me.  They were already the girls i had on my list of 7.  A good sign?

[IAmZon]

accepted that they may be killing 2 birds with 1 stone i.e. working another angle.

HAHAHA


Yes, I am allowing myself to be "slightly" taken advantage of financially.  However, I am impressed with the personnel so I will permit it for a couple days.

[Eduard]

The rest of the group has traveled to Lugansk, and I took a train to Poltava. 

I didn't realise that you were there with "The Group". What group is that?

[Gator]

I didn't realise that you were there with "The Group". What group is that?

Please let sleeping dogs lie.

[IAmZon]

Roger that on sleeping dogs.   I find it more interesting to post here than to call a friend in the USA that would not believe me in the first place.


So, I just met "I".  She is AS BEAUTIFUL in real life as her photos at the age of 30 - and frankly, I thought that highly unlikely. She is nice, and seems like a quality person.  She seems somewhat shy and guarded, it will require more time to know.  1 hour only first meeting.  I think it is best to cut these initial meetings off, so they are just glorified first emails.  All becomes obvious to both parties upon separation.  Yes, I just learned she would like to see me again.  I am not likely to get blown off course (whatever course that is?)  But, this woman is very worthy of greater attention and care.

[Hammer2722]

Please let sleeping dogs lie.

Most definitely agree with this!!!!! LOL

[Eduard]

I guess that answers my question! LOL 

[IAmZon]

Just got back from dinner with "M" - it was my fault!  I was thinking with my eyes (she had these pics of her in a bathing suit.  You know the drill).  Anyway, enjoyed the night.  She was nice.  No worse for the wear. 


No magic with "M".  More to follow

[IAmZon]

I woke up in the center of Poltava.  They put up a concert stage 50 yards outside my flat.  Concert tonight?  No problem for me.

I was suppose to have additional "appointments" today (this agency manager is treating me GREAT).  So, she called at 10:00 AM - that is about when everything starts.  She said that "I" has invited me to go to the beach with her sister for the day and maybe I should cancel my other appointments.  Hmmm.  An agency moving against its financial interest to sell meetings (take note of that).

Well, to be honest, that is EXACTLY what I would have preferred.   But, it is far better for the woman to initiate such things.

So, "I" picks me up with her little sister to go to the beach (river).  It is a private club.  We buy a picnic.  I like her little sister's personality and it helps me to understand "I" in interacting with others.   Frankly, "I" is dangerous to me.  But, I did think she was guarded in our first meeting.  I certainly do not want a beauty queen that is even slightly cold / aloof.  But, I saw "I" all day interacting with her sister and her friends.  She does have a spark and a warmth.

REMEMBER, I have never wrote or spoke to her before 24 hours ago. 

She asked me what my plans are tonight.  I answered. I have none.  She responded, "no agency appointments?"  I said, "If you are giving me an opportunity, then I will give you an opportunity."   The worst thing ever is for us to fall in love and marry, and then, every little fight we have, you remind me that AFTER I met you I had 5 dates with other women.   She looked surprised and happy.  "Da, it is best".

I told her I want as much of her free time as she can give me over the next couple days ... so we can know. She agreed.

AND, through the whole process, I have been cool as a cucumber, and she has been responsive, and curious why I have not jumped and became unglued.  SHE IS WAY HOT.  During diner, instead of asking "I", I asked her sister if she approved of me for her sister.  And, she laughed and gave me a big thumbs up and said 100% ( her sister speaks English as does "I")  During the next few times we meet, things will escalate and I will be watching for red flags VERY closely.

I am going to set up shop here in Poltava for about 1 month.  I have time to give worthy people an honest chance without pressure.  AND this woman actually has potential.  From the moment I met here, I forgot "game".  I did not view her as an object or attempt any measure or critic.  We go to the beach and she tastefully unwraps the package - I see a perfect woman.  Or, conversely, she wanted to screen me?

So, I am in the batters box with a person who at first and second glace passes with flying colors.  She is 30 and is so beautiful to me that I can not imagine wanting to look at another woman.

I will be surgical over the next 5 days - and a tough grader.  BUT, I am not on Mars!  Men must be wise, but we can not treat this like buying a car, house, or car.  I will not post any personal photos of her here.  If any of my friends want some pics, email me here, and include your real email, I will accommodate.

[Gator]

It is good that you have found a woman worthy of the ".... I want as much of her free time as she can give me over the next couple days ... so we can know."
 
It is odd that 85% of your description of her is about her physical beauty.  What else do you know?    She is 30, speaks English, has a sister, and   has "a spark and a warmth."   That separates her from the rest of the women you met?   Please do tell after the weekend.

[IAmZon]

It is odd that 85% of your description of her is about her physical beauty.  What else do you know?

Hahaha - I am sorry. It's her eyes.   That which I wish to express is NOT physical beauty in fact.  For example the woman I met with after "I" would have a better chance of being a bathing suit model.    About "I" ... she has a physical manner, a countenance, that affected me.

What I know about her?  Very little.  She is close to her family.  She seems to have many friends, and has an authentic warmth about her when seeing them.  She is a teacher of Ukrainian language at the university.  She also teaches private classes.  She seems serious about simple details of life.  (She seriously read a book on cloths making at the beach and took copious notes - she said this is very important)  She does not drink alcohol - only on rare exceptions.  She has never been married.   She has no children.  She does not think she knows English, but in fact she does.  So far only building basic trust has been my objective.  After yesterday, she is open to me. Things will become obvious to both of us over the next few days.  That simply will create a direction.

( I have pissed off the tour owner.  I have disappointed some agency folks too.  Sorry, this is MY LIFE. I am marching to my own beat, using them as service providers.  I think my approach thus far has been self serving TO ME, and HONORABLE to whatever woman I may find. What more would any adult do?)

More About Poltava / villages"

In Kharkov, my friends said I was going to a village.  And, when I walked into the train station, all alone, at midnight, without knowing anybody ... I felt like I just walked into a old soviet town (a war movie that would not end well).   But, the center of the city is absolutely  charming.  There is a bigger and more active theater here than in my city.  There is a new four story mall with restaurants, cafes, etc...    There are many parks.   A good road system with trolleys in the center.   It is not a large metropolitan city like Kiev, Miami (but this is not why I, or anyone else comes here)  On the outskirts are the large soviet era apartments.  I think they are middle class, but would be considered low class in the USA.

Here is an interesting thing!  The cost of living a prosperous life here; for example Sushi for 3 on a picnic, was 50 dollars, US.  The cost of a diner for 3 (including a bottle of wine) was 70 dollars US.  Taxi to the river club, to a restaurant, and then again for the girls to go home, 13 US dollars.  Cost of a European style flat in the center of the city for one month (big screen, current appliances, etc..) 900 dollars US.  While these things are 20% - 30% below normal US prices ... how many Ukrainians can easily afford them, as normal, every week practices?  not many, I think.

Also, I have met 3 girls with whom the internet is NOT a daily part of their life?!?!?   Remember, much of this (if not ALL of this) has to do with traditional living / choices and limitations in life.    Staring with first world women: They do not necessarily look or act feminine.  They do not necessarily "need" a man.  In cities such as Kiev; Prauge; Medellin, where there is great transformation and movement, people are quick to evaluate looking for there optimum situation. (this is what many refer to as "the girls are spoiled.")  Kharkov was in a different position; fewer people at the top, fewer choices for most ... but there was still a rat race of upward mobility.   Here, in this "village" there seems to be a greater degree of an "acceptance" of things. 

I have heard (over and over again ... and certainly by virtue of meeting women through agencies) that it is very hard to find a good UM with whom one can create a prosperous life.   I got the sense that very attractive and smart women in Kharkov and Kiev were / or could become ambitious (materialistic and status climbers).  I do not get that sense here.

Albeit, I am still early in the process. I have only been in Ukraine for 14 days.

[calmissile]

rivardco
You are starting to experience the 'real' Ukraine.  Life in the villages is so much different than the large cities.  If you have an opportunity, have one of your dates take you to an ordinary house in Ukraine that is located on a former collective farm. It will give you a real feel for life in rural Ukraine.  Being in apartments still is many steps above living in rural farm homes.  You will also probably develop an appreciation for how hard they work in order to supply most of their food.

BTW, they call it a farm, but it is really like most old cities with houses next door to each other except there is a large garden area in the  rear (maybe about 5 acres at each house).

[IAmZon]

pics with nobody else - permission issues.


It started early, then parade, then concert, then party, that is me at 5:30 AM just before the sun rose - success.  Victory Day in Kharkov.  It was 4 days ago, and I am only now getting over the hang over.

[JR]

Go Rivy!!! )))