Introduction

[alien_whisperer]

Greetings to all group members. My name is Dave. I am 56 years of age at present. I am a caucasian male living in Los Angeles, California. I am a retired soldier and now work for the US government as an information technology specialist. Have a BS in Information Systems and an MS in Computer Science. I have been following this board for a while off and on and finally decided to register. Widowed with 3 adult children. I enjoy travelling and experiencing other cultures (kind of an amateur anthropologist), reading, listening to music, cinema, tv, making computers and systems work. I have spent time in various places in the world (Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, France, Belgium, Egypt, Granada, Iraq, Saudi Irabia, Morocco, Mexico) and also most of the United States. Looking for a partner from the FSU, so far kind of keying on the Ukraine but its not written in stone. That's me in a nutshell.

[ML]

Welcome Alien (I can't believe I am typing a welcome to that name)! 

But why did you say 'the Ukraine' when you didn't use 'the' in front of any other country, except correctly for Philippines and USA?'

You have been to many countries, however not Ukraine.

But yet you are keying on Ukraine.  A bit strange; wouldn't you say?

[calmissile]

Greetings to all group members. My name is Dave. I am 56 years of age at present. I am a caucasian male living in Los Angeles, California. I am a retired soldier and now work for the US government as an information technology specialist. Have a BS in Information Systems and an MS in Computer Science. I have been following this board for a while off and on and finally decided to register. Widowed with 3 adult children. I enjoy travelling and experiencing other cultures (kind of an amateur anthropologist), reading, listening to music, cinema, tv, making computers and systems work. I have spent time in various places in the world (Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, France, Belgium, Egypt, Granada, Iraq, Saudi Irabia, Morocco, Mexico) and also most of the United States. Looking for a partner from the FSU, so far kind of keying on the Ukraine but its not written in stone. That's me in a nutshell.

Welcome to the forum Dave.  I am in Redlands just east of you.  As you probably already know, you will get a lot of opinions here about what is the 'best' place to visit.  I have never been to Russia but have been to Ukriane two times and going back to Ukriane next week for a 6 week vacation.  I got really interested in the culure and the history of the Ukrainian people.  I learned a lot and am going back for more. lol

I don't know if you are a military history buff, but Ukraine and Russia are rich with history from WWII.  There are monuments everywhere including tanks, guns, etc. if that sort of thing interests you.  Thanks to the Military History Channels, I have learned a lot about the Eastern Front between Russia and Germany and a lot of the battles took place in Ukriane.  I now recognize many of the cities names which makes it all the more interesting.  I am not sure what branch of the service you were in, but there is a Soviet ICBM missile base that is now a museum and open for tours.  I am opening a different thread about the tour, so you might wantn to check it out if you are interested.

There are several good, inexpensive books about the history and culture of Ukraine. The not only cover the present culture, but the history during communist times.  To some degree it provides a background that explains some of the customs that seem 'strange' to those of us in the west that never lived under these conditions.

If you choose to go to Ukriane, you will find a variety of nice things to see and enjoy.  In the late summer you can enjoy beautiful beaches on the Black Sea as welll as the Sea of Azov.  Also, Crimea is a big attraction for vacationers and Sevestapol is an interesting naval base.  The Russians ran the Germans into the sea at Sevestapol.

Feel free to PM me if you wish.

[Daveman]

Greetings to all group members. My name is Dave. I am 56 years of age at present. I am a caucasian male living in Los Angeles, California. I am a retired soldier and now work for the US government as an information technology specialist. Have a BS in Information Systems and an MS in Computer Science. I have been following this board for a while off and on and finally decided to register. Widowed with 3 adult children. I enjoy travelling and experiencing other cultures (kind of an amateur anthropologist), reading, listening to music, cinema, tv, making computers and systems work. I have spent time in various places in the world (Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, France, Belgium, Egypt, Granada, Iraq, Saudi Irabia, Morocco, Mexico) and also most of the United States. Looking for a partner from the FSU, so far kind of keying on the Ukraine but its not written in stone. That's me in a nutshell.

Welcome Alien (hopefully legal and also not from another planer) 




One thing to remember in all of this.. no matter where you go.. there you are...

[The Natural]

Welcome Alien.
 

I have never been to Russia but have been to Ukriane two times and going back to Ukriane next week for a 6 week vacation. 

Are you deliberately mocking the ML here? 

[calmissile]

Welcome Alien (I can't believe I am typing a welcome to that name)! 

But why did you say 'the Ukraine' when you didn't use 'the' in front of any other country, except correctly for Philippines and USA?'

You have been to many countries, however not Ukraine.

But yet you are keying on Ukraine.  A bit strange; wouldn't you say?

He is widowed and must have heard that's where the beautiful women are!  Makes sense to me.  LOL

[calmissile]

Welcome Alien.
 
Are you deliberately mocking the ML here? 

Actually it went over my head... not hard to do at my age.  Just noticed the typos.   LOL

[CDW]

looking for 'Russian' Jennifer Love-Hewitt? 

[Muzh]

here she is! 

Is she one from your stable?