First timer headed to Ukraine

[Patagonie]

To the OP :
There are six things which never leave me : my passport, my money, a credit car , my ukrainian phone, my french phone, a usb key with all necessary data, even on summer, even if i go without jacket, even to go to the grocery four minutes. And i surely not let one of them in a taxi.

[Belvis]

Eva is a Russian woman. Does not matter that she was born and raised in Lugansk. But....here is where it gets confusing. If Eva were to go more east...say Kiev...they would not like her there because she is Russian. If she were go to the west...in Russia...they would not like her there because she is Ukrainian.
...
And many Russian women are"ugly". Its all because not as much race mixing. Russian women have small eyes and less beautiful features.

I don't think Russian vs. Ukrainian has anything to do with the ethnic differences as there are none really. It's rather metropolis vs. provincia conflict or political polemics.  I never observed  UA/RU confrontation between men concerning racial distinctions but women want to escalate this issue because of female competition is much stronger. So you may see here: many Russian women are"ugly".   
As for race mixing, I've investigated this topic to write an article about in Russian Wiki.  Gene pool is practically the same in both breeds, and the only difference is that Russians are intermixed with Finno-Ugric peoples to a larger extent.

[calmissile]

   My plan for my return trip is to stay awake all night. That way when I am on the flight across the Atlantic...I fall asleep. I was not able to stay awake all night,but I did pretty good.

 My contact comes over at 6am and I am ready to go. This time I will get the real taxi price. When we arrive at Donetsk he does his calculations. 530 Grivna So I just give him 700.

 The taxi ride did have it's moments. We are about 30 minutes outside Lugansk and the driver pulls over at a small bus stop and motions me out. I'm thinking " No wonder my contact said the price is good.....I am getting dropped off...who know where..certainly not the airport" So I call my contact and he talks to the driver. He is just getting gas. Ok...good....but then the driver motions me back out...so I get out and he drives off and goes behind a truck where I can't see him. My luggage and money is in the car.....but it turns out for some reason at this particular filling station passengers are not allowed. Weird.

We get near Donetsk and it seems we are lost. I pull out my phone and look up the airport. I can see we missed a turn about 10 kilometers back. I show the driver...but no luck...he drives around and eventually pulls up to some gate and asks some guys there for directions. He is talking to the guys and then they look at my phone. I'm thinking "Well damn....I am an idiot from America  but I have to show this guy how to get to the airport?" He has a GPS and lives around here...plus very little traffic and it was an easy destination. Oh well.....we make it there fine after that.

 Now back to my first taxi ride when I arrived in Donetsk. I am out of the country so I feel more at ease talking about it. I had set it all up and pre-paid 125 for the ride to Lugansk. I knew it was high...but it would have been worth it to arrive at the airport at 8pm and have somebody waiting for me to take me straight to apartment. When I first talked to the drivers that night I made it clear that I was going to pay 100. But....now I know they had no idea what I said. The problem came in when I called my contact. He should have told the driver what I was going to pay...but he did not. He must of just told the driver that I would pay in and I was trustworthy. It was my contacts mistake and I have since learned that he is a good contact....just was not thinking clearly and or does not have enough experience. Everything else he did was exactly as he said and I could reach him 24 hours a day.
 As we were driving to Lugansk I could see the meter running and it was well over 100 bucks. I told my contact right away because I figured there was a misunderstanding. Total the driver needed was 187.00. So we were in a mexican standoff. He wanted 187 and I was offering less. Eventually he agreed upon 170.00.  During the negotiations....I have no clue what is being said.  At this point I even suspected they were in on it together But...I believe differently now. If I return to Lugansk I will use the same contact. To many other things he did were very good.

OMG!  I was nearly rolling on the floor laughing when I read this.  If you want to compare taxi experiences take a read http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=15123.75 Reply #82 The Day From Hell.     LOL

I suspect that the reason you had to get out of the taxi at the filling station is because he is using propane or LNG rather than gasoline.  I never had to get out a taxi that burned gasoline, but had to every time for the ones that use LNG.

Your thoughts about the taxi dissapearing and all your belongings are in the truck were identical to my fears.  In my case it was in the middle of the night out in the boonies.  LOL

Your GPS navigation to assist the lost taxi driver was also identical to my experience.  Now that I have had a good laugh, I am going back to bed.    LOL

[Shadow]

I am not an electrician, but I have no problem hooking up 110 volt switches and outlets even while hot. It sounds like one of the wires just broke and it probably just needed to be stripped and reconnected.

 

First of all the electrics in Ukrainian apartments are not something to be touched without experience. They are not laid by American standards.
Second the voltage there is 220/240, which will give a much nastier 'bite'.

I am very capable of fixing any wiring at home, but still remember that when applying this in an office in Turkey we had the hit seemed to be a bit harder.
And by age the heart gets in trouble taking such hits....

[CDW]

To the OP :
There are six things which never leave me : my passport, my money, a credit car , my ukrainian phone, my french phone, a usb key with all necessary data, even on summer, even if i go without jacket, even to go to the grocery four minutes. And i surely not let one of them in a taxi.

and no plane ticket? lol

[Daveman]

Our plan was to take a Taxi drive out into the country. ...

 I looked on Google earth and decided I wanted to head north of Lugansk about 20km to a little village. From there we would either go east and loop back around to Lugansk....or just turn around....depending on roads conditions,time etc.

So I show Eva the route and and I know she understands where I wish to go. We get a taxi. The driver is older than average and appears to have much knowledge of the history of the area. Now I was finally hoping to get out of town and see what the terrain,wildlife, farming practices are like around Lugansk. So off we go.  Did we get out of the city? Nope...we just basically drove in circles and I was pointed out different building...most of which I had already seen. Keep in mind I had my phone GPS on and could see we were getting nowhere near the road that leads out of town. Eva and the taxi driver are talking a lot and all I can think is they are saying "We will just drive around in circles because Steve does not know where we are at anyways. He will think we went to where he wanted to go" I am just thinking...why can't I just go see what I want to see?Why? Why? The sun eventually sets so we go back.  170 grivnas later...still no look at the countryside

 Maybe there are good reason not to go where I wanted to go....and my safety was just looked after...but it was not meant to be. I realize I have different interests than the average person...but I am who I am.

 


That's hilarious....  and rather typical... there are a few possible explanations, but one you'll run into on occasion with certain ladies (who fully understood what you wanted) is, after pushing the issue,  something along the lines of "... but this is better"


The hilarious thing about it is they appear to think you'll be so mesmerized by their change in plans that you won't remember what you wanted in the first place. 

[cc3]

I don't think Russian vs. Ukrainian has anything to do with the ethnic differences as there are none really. It's rather metropolis vs. provincia conflict or political polemics.  I never observed  UA/RU confrontation between men concerning racial distinctions but women want to escalate this issue because of female competition is much stronger. So you may see here: many Russian women are"ugly".   
As for race mixing, I've investigated this topic to write an article about in Russian Wiki.  Gene pool is practically the same in both breeds, and the only difference is that Russians are intermixed with Finno-Ugric peoples to a larger extent.

Would Ukrainians be more "Slavic" than Russians?

[cc3]

  Jon,

 Thank you :clapping:It may be brave.....but it may also be a lot of more colorful words stupid comes to mind right away.

 A good part of my decision to write a journal style was that I want to contribute a little to RWD. Many others contribute so much info and help others out each and every day. I have learned so much from this website. I hope someone else can learn a little from me.

My trip was a success for me.One of the feelings/emotions I have that I really didn't anticipate is guilt.

LD, thank you for your detailed journaling  ...makes me feel very grateful and fortunate to have my Lug(h)ansk fiancee.

If you return to Lug(h)ansk, learn the few Russian phrases to buy a train ticket. For the price of a long distance taxi ride, you can rent a nice apartment in Donetsk, have a good meal in the city, decompress from the long trip overnight, and catch the morning train to Lug(h)ansk the next day. Returning to the US, I do the reverse: train down to Donetsk, have a pleasant 'big city' evening with my fiancee, and fly out the next day. If you develop a good pre-trip connection with a seemingly worthy woman, she will gladly come to Donetsk to meet you. The locals travel up and down the Donetsk to Lug(h)ansk  'elektrichka' line at the drop of a hat. Second choice to the train is taking the bus. 

[Patagonie]

and no plane ticket? lol

No, no plane tickets. This is not necessary.

[lonedrake]

 I had read jone's thread about fighting with a FSUW and I can relate to it but with an AW. It's only related to my trip report because she texted me on Jan 16th.  Some background info is that I went out with her inJune 2012. Our breakup was due to the fact that I was going to be working in Minneapolis during November and December. She wanted someone around every night of the week...and she literally meant every single night of the week. No exceptions. I had not seen her since early sept and had zero contact with her since late oct.

Here is the conversation.

Her:Is this u??
Me: yes
Me:What's wrong?
Me:Is my phone weird?
Her: U have 2 diff #son ur website! lol  the first gave no answer
Me:I will have to look into .....but I guess its no big deal as this will be my last spring
Her:the other is 763# How are u?
Me:Yea...that should be gone.      I am in russia
Me: Its a long story and I will tell you all about it when I get back on monday. Calls and texts are like 1 and 3 bucks per minute. Plus...huge delay. Thank you and I hope you are good
Her:OMG! Please telling me ur not there getting a wife!! I will kill ur brother if so! PLEASE TELL ME!
Her:Just a yes or no? im worth the cost
Her:I need you.... 
Her:Ok so ill owe u some money 4 ur phone bill! So ur going to make me wait I see! PLEASE Be safe Steve!!! Muah
Her:Its monday....lol did u make it back safe?
Me:still in chicago
Her:honeymoon? lol
Me: Ohh...I see you are still funny. NO
Her:Well...if u went to get a subservient wife....u may have stopped for 4 a honeymoon
Me: Thats true. Maybe get her a nice cleaning outfit for present
Her: right!! Does she speak any English? Bet uve taught her "Yes Master" Did she learn quick?
Me: She was a very slow learner....two broken rulers so far....but she learns.    She is very good with mop
Her:LMAO! Why r u still in chicago? Getting some pizza?
Me: Reggio's
Me:Thats funny. I just got done eating pizza. My flight departs to mnpls at 8:40
Her: was it out of a can?
Me: You sureare sassy today. How may Ihelp you?    How are you?
Her:Ive been waiting a llll day for ur story! Cuz its MONDAY! lol very mean of u as u know patience is not one of my strong points! lol  Im still kickn....but barely! How bout u?
Me:Ok...I am still on my way home and a little tired. I will just give you the very short version.   I met a woman on internet that liked in Ukraine. I become ill. Twice.   I break woman's hert and come home. She is not the one.
Her: U became ill?
Me: Yes. First rash...then diarhea
Her:R u joking about going all the way there for a chick? I was just mess in w/u....but odly i was right?
Me: It was no joke....I have a sore ass to prove it
Her: Wow...dont even know what to say..kinda scary
Me: Its not to bad. Crazy...yes
Her: wtf steve? Kinda makes me feel like shit i guess. U musta really thght she was it
Her:Josh musta been so proud
Me: You just relax over there. I had the whole month of Jan off and it was better than sitting home. Plus...it was a challenge for me to even fly over seas
Her: Hope she didnt give you a disease. Kinda feel like I never knew u know. Travel safe
Her: Was missn u....thoght we could talk.this however is not a twist I can understand
Me: Yes. I will be boarding the plane shortly
Me: I am not a bad person for doing this.I have nothing to hide.And I do understand how is info could be very upsetting to you
Her: Doesnt matter....maybe the next one will be it. Maybe pick a closer country next time. Take care n sorry to have bugged you
Me: Ok...I still miss you. Have a good night
Her:Chances are slim of the good night thing as I'm already crying....no worries
Me: Well I will always be honest with you
Her:Yeah...prolly felt good to stick it to me.
Me: It was nothing to do with sticking it to you. For all I know you have been seeing someone...maybe engaged...I dont know
Her: Nope...tried to date....typical fuck over job i got. I quit
Her: This worlds tooooo fucked up for me.
Me: I understand
3 hours later
Her:I cant let this go w/o saying a bit more....not that its my business. I ve done some research....it is a published fact that scamming western men 4 money is one of ukrainian womens biggest professions!(not that I didn't know that)there is about 200+ publish web sights on obtaining ur beautiful urkrainian/russian bride! Really? Im physically sick! U say theres nothing wrong with this yet...that is not what u exuded to me when we were 2gether. What makes u so desperate is all im wondering? So lacking in good judgement? I cant help but think w/ur desire to "look" that it was all about a "showcase". This is the huggest slap in the face i think ive ever experienced! makes me realize how full of secrets this world is. And that being mediocre and real as myself doesnt mean a damn thing in this f-up world! Im sad 4u that u would settle for such unrealness 4 a woman. And i am sickened that i do not know u at all. And worried 4 myself that this is what our american men and women do! No longer do the words "proud to be an american" have any merit.
Me:I can understand your feelings on this. Trust me that Ilooked into it and was very worried about being scammed. I stayed away from the websites that had all the beautiful glamour shots. I signed up on a website that costs 30 bucks per month. It is verysimilar to pof or match.com. Sure there are scammers out there......just like pof and match. I have been let down to many times on pof match etc. Go scan the profiles of the women in my area. Most are fat with 3-4 kids and many of them dont care. Theyeven say things on theirprofiles such as....my rules...my way...or the highway. There are so many men chasing to few women around so they feel no need to change or comprimise at all. Plus....most will say their children come first no matter what. Ayways Ukraine is different. There is a shortage of men. It is the opposite of here. It has nothing to do with you. Last time i remember you fell asleep on me and dropped me. What am I supposed to keep begging and changing till you accept me? Lets not forget that you also dated your roommate after you gave me hell about a similar situation....and you have beendating since. What kind of message are you sending me?
Me: I went to Ukraine to try and develop a relationship and see if there was a possibility for marriage. It did not work out Its not a crime and Imlearned about foreign travel,Ukraine and myself. Don't forget.....what you know about ukraine and russian women....you have only read about. I have read...and been there. If you want to know more about it just ask...but understandI believe you only have part of the picture.
Her:I know all i need to....defend it all u want. What I know is there was a good woman here wanting a "real" life w/u....and you made it clear that "your way" was the only way. As u were willing to leave me....u quickly flew across the god damn country for a face? Who the hell are you? its just sickening......for someone who said maybe they were just meant to be alone.....it is insane that u would go to such fucking extremes! for what? Ud always know in ur heart that u had to "buy" what? Love? dont fool urself! I for one would love my god damn country back.....and people like u are just helping those of us that struggle to pay our way everyday to become the minority in our own country! Tell me steve....u didnt want to leave work when we got back.....what the hell was she going to offer you financially? Or didnt it matter cuz u liked looking at and fucking her? Thank you for the personal slam. It truly makes me ill realizing how lil i meant.
Her: Do ur self a couple of favors. Stay the HELL off line and quit listening to your brother! I am just so sickened...
Me: Well....I think your side of the story is inaccurate. Once again....this was nothing to do with you. You had already made it clear that you were not interested in me. Is it so wrong to want to find somebody who will love me no matter where my work takes me?
Me: I never talked to my brother once about it. He has no clue i went....unless my sister told him.
Her:Wow....do u even hear urself? who didnt want whom? Who said my way or the highway...YOU. YET u think love is some foreign ....jobless...user going wherever you wish? What planet are u on? Get help....PLEASE!
Me: that was women on POF.
Her: U keep talking about love.....do you have any clue what it is? it is NOT something u buy Steve! Christ...if nothing else....have respect enough for whats left of our country and leave the foreigners where they belong! I 4 one cannot afford to support anymore!!!
Me: You have the wrong info.This is just dating. I now only write to English speaking girls. You need to open your ears if you want to understand
Her: Nothing to understand! Not our country....=foreign! I have to sleep now as i have to get up in less than 5 hours as i have this thing called a job w/real money that helps support all the foreigners.....as i do not have the pretty face that brings dumb ass men wanting to buy my love! Night.
Me: Ok...but just to let you know...you are hot. Take a look at other women in our area....there is a reason they only show their face.
Her: So hot that u didn't want to keep me? Get off those damn sites! Im sad for u ....and pissed....i reached out to you and now i know what ur all about.
Me: Ok...calm down and go to sleep
Her: What makes you think ur so deserving of some hot woman anyway? Quite the ego have! Why don't u try learning to have some respect for women and stop ur exploitation on looks!!
Me: Im not...but i did learn more about myself. Some good some bad.    Go to bed!


 She held back in this discussion. 

[I/O]

Hell hath no fury like the woman scorned.

[calmissile]

Drake,

OMG what a funny conversation.  I had not followed all the thread and thought you were chatting with a FSU woman.  This gal has all the characteristics of some of them.  LOL

This is the kind of drama that men head to the FSU to get away from (even though there is plenty of it there also).   Judging by her conversation, my guess she is in her 20's or for sure not older than 30.  Am I correct?   Very juvenile and a drama queen.

I hope you can forget her and get on with your life.  You really don't want to be married to a drama queen!   LOL

[calmissile]

Hell hath no fury like the woman scorned.

One of best quotes in history.

[pokerintherear]

 WTF, I have never had that long of phone conversation with a woman in my life.

Perfect example of the female shaming tactic.

Use this situation to gain some self-respect. When she starts in again cut her off and tell her you won't tolerate that type conversation. Politely say bye. You will feel 100% better.

[Belvis]

I have to sleep now as i have to get up in less than 5 hours as i have this thing called a job w/real money that helps support all the foreigners.....as i do not have the pretty face that brings dumb ass men wanting to buy my love! Night.

I love her humor sense unless it turns on only when 
Thanks for sharing.

Very juvenile and a drama queen.

Is she a drama queen? Just a scorned women, not over top there. Women in USA and Ukraine make Lonedrake feel guilty, make him Don Juan 

[Daveman]

I love her humor sense unless it turns on only when 

Yeah, it'll be very humorous when she searches and finds him on the internet and winds up here!


 

Is she a drama queen? Just a scorned women, not over top there. Women in USA and Ukraine make Lonedrake feel guilty, make him Don Juan 

Seven months later...


Perhaps not a drama queen but maybe juuuuuuuuuust a tad something? 

[Larry1]

That AW has all the usual slams on FSUW that constitute the general AW consensus on FSUW, plus some she thought up on her own.  As I read the transcript of the conversation I thought to list them all but there are really too many to list.  Here is a brief sample I've highlighted:

1. Well...if u went to get a subservient wife....

2. all FSUW are either scammers or Green Card Girls

3. all you want is a hot girl to have sex with

4. "Why don't u try learning to have some respect for women and stop ur exploitation on looks!!"

To be sure, this AW is extreme, but it's interesting how many single American girls think this way.

[Shadow]

Sound like Steve should call her for a date. After all it seems they both still have feelings for each other.

[CDW]

WTF, I have never had that long of phone conversation with a woman in my life.

I have never had ANY phone conversation with ANYBODY in my life     I won!! 

[SANDRO43]

One of best quotes in history.

Often misquoted, and erroneously attributed to Shakespeare . Actually, it was written later by William Congreve (1670–1729):

in his tragedy The Mourning Bride, as:

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned,
Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned,"
(Act III, Scene VIII)

Other less famous Congrevian quotes:
"Music has charms to soothe a savage breast"
"O fie, miss, you must not kiss and tell."

[cc3]

LD, that phone call transcript has made my day, month , and year. I am elated to be with my Ukrainian fiancee; your ex-girlfriend's rant exemplifies many of the negative aspects of AWs' mentalities. Our fellow female citizens are soulless and clueless compared to average (non-scamming) UWs and RWs. 

[GQBlues]

Very funny exchange there, Lonedrake. I can empathize with some of things she mentioned as those were also thrown my way by my friends...male/female. It's just a cursory notion *most* think of about MOBs. Perfectly understandable and quite harmless IMO.

I remember one of my friends actually requested those sample AFA tapes and catalogs after my first conversation with him and then told everyone about my *plans* during one of our friend's party. What a riot!! I kept saying I wasn't nuts and the whole MOB thingy was legit. Then one of the gals took the catalog and opened a page to show one of the gals pic that was wearing a necklace that said *sex*, LOL. Oh, then we all actually stopped the music, gathered around, cause everyone just had to watch the AFA VHS social. That of course didn't raise the 'legit' meter at all.

I never laughed so hard in my life!

My female friends, dear as they are/were, said..."Honey, you're the last person I would think who would even think of doing this, but if that makes you think you'll be happy with, then more power to you. But if you just want to shag and this si some strange temporary trip you're on, you always have friends, and sweetie, that's what friends are for, you know!"

Americans, men and women, do believe mostly the negatives about the MOB. But to be fair, so do most, if not all, of Russian/Ukrainian ex-pats who arrived to this country other than through the MOB. You think what your gal said was *bad* or amusing? Wait till you get the honest opinions from Russian men and women already living here think of those who got here by way of the MOB.

If this is the path you'll take head-on from here on in, best you prepare yourself for that reality.

[calmissile]

Very funny exchange there, Lonedrake. I can empathize with some of things she mentioned as those were also thrown my way by my friends...male/female. It's just a cursory notion *most* think of about MOBs. Perfectly understandable and quite harmless IMO.

I remember one of my friends actually requested those sample AFA tapes and catalogs after my first conversation with him and then told everyone about my *plans* during one of our friend's party. What a riot!! I kept saying I wasn't nuts and the whole MOB thingy was legit. Then one of the gals took the catalog and opened a page to show one of the gals pic that was wearing a necklace that said *sex*, LOL. Oh, then we all actually stopped the music, gathered around, cause everyone just had to watch the AFA VHS social. That of course didn't raise the 'legit' meter at all.

I never laughed so hard in my life!

My female friends, dear as they are/were, said..."Honey, you're the last person I would think who would even think of doing this, but if that makes you think you'll be happy with, then more power to you. But if you just want to shag and this si some strange temporary trip you're on, you always have friends, and sweetie, that's what friends are for, you know!"

Americans, men and women, do believe mostly the negatives about the MOB. But to be fair, so do most, if not all, of Russian/Ukrainian ex-pats who arrived to this country other than through the MOB. You think what your gal said was *bad* or amusing? Wait till you get the honest opinions from Russian men and women already living here think of those who got here by way of the MOB.

If this is the path you'll take head-on from here on in, best you prepare yourself for that reality.

Funny story.  Also how true about the opinions you refer to at the end.   LOl

[calmissile]

First of all the electrics in Ukrainian apartments are not something to be touched without experience. They are not laid by American standards.
Second the voltage there is 220/240, which will give a much nastier 'bite'.

I am very capable of fixing any wiring at home, but still remember that when applying this in an office in Turkey we had the hit seemed to be a bit harder.
And by age the heart gets in trouble taking such hits....

Actually the line voltage doesn't matter..... you turned it off before working on the circuit.  LOL
What is really scary is the wiring in most of the Ukraine older homes and apartments.  It's a small wonder that more of them don't burn down every year.

[lonedrake]

  I was not sure of what this AW reaction would be....other than ranging from a little negative to nuclear.

 But....nothing she says surprises me to much. Drama queen? 100%. Possible bi-polar.

 My family was much more supportive.