Begin to get nervous about trip

[Pkeel]

Hello all,

I am about a Month and a half from a WOVO vacation trip to Sevastopol.

I am getting very nervous about the trip.

My nervousness is due not to fear of her, it is fear of travel to a foreign country.  I have done much homework, I have read and studied as much as possible.  I have begun to learn some Russian.  I will be bringing either my computer with a translator program or an electronic translator. (probably both)

I read with great interest calmissile's (sorry if I got poster wrong) post about his trip and how he liked Sevastopol.  I hope I will really enjoy myself when I get there.

I have never traveled to a truly foreign country.  Canada does not count for an American. 

One major part of my worry is the flight will go through Istanbul.  Turkey scares me greatly as an American.  Just recently there have been stories about an American woman being murdered there.  I will stay in the airport, keep my head down, I like to read so this should not be difficult.

Biggest fear:  That I will not be able to relax enough to really enjoy myself.

[Shadow]

Your biggest worry in Istanbul is going to be if you will make the next flight in time should it be a busy day. You will find more people speaking English on the airport there as in Sevastopol.
Do not worry about the trip, just use common sense. The worst thing that usually happens is that you get over charged for something.

[GoodOlBoy]

Dude it is OK to post your fears here on RWD, but for God's sake don't show any of this behavior to a RW.

Trust me, she will have zero respect for you.
 
GOB

BTW... I agree about Calmissle's TR. His technical writing skills are very good and precise. I wouldn't have given a second thought back in 2004 using his TR as a blueprint on my first trip to the FSU. I blueprinted members posts from the old RWG forum for my first FSU trip.

[Patagonie]

Don't be too much nervous in Turkey,
Before murder you you, they first cut your balls, so you will know what to expect if they grab it.

Welcome

[Pkeel]

Damn, I only got them back from the ex-wife a couple years ago!

[Belvis]

Dude it is OK to post your fears here on RWD, but for God's sake don't show any of this behavior to a RW.

I can't agree here, a woman with good intentions will feel drawn to a man with visible soul. "Real man" is not one made of stone and steel. Showing emotions is an important part of relationship. I believe she may suspect a calm man as a WMWM dude or at least someone who is not interested much in meeting her. Of course, I mean fears about relationship, not about Turkey.

I am getting very nervous about the trip. ...
One major part of my worry is the flight will go through Istanbul.  Turkey scares me greatly as an American.

You shouldn't fear turks, fear RW. I heard а bogeyman tale which is circulated among turks at resorts. They think RW can entrape a man, lull to sleep him with pills, and then cut out his kidneys. You've been warned 

[Larry1]

There is very little to worry about.  Shadow is correct that your biggest risk might be missing your connection in Istanbul or being overcharged.

Just use common sense and do a little preparation in advance of your trip.  Call the bank that issued your credit card(s) to let them know you'll be in Ukraine and on what dates.  If you don't call the bank there is a risk that your card won't work there.  You're already learning a little Russian, so you'll probably be able to communicate with taxi drivers when you are not with the girl you're visiting.

Focus on relaxing, having a good time with her, and seeing how the two of you get along.  It might be helpful to read more trip reports.

[CDW]

My nervousness is due not to fear of her, it is fear of travel to a foreign country.

You do not need to be fear of.........  you won't get wrong turn.  There is never an Halloween on Friday The 13th, so you do not need to scream for the ring

Just be yourself, and good luck

[cc3]

Istanbul is a major international air transport hub. Do not dwell on imaginary fears! Check out the Ataturk Airport website if you haven't already done so.

[ML]

Interesting fact:

All over Turkey, and particularly in tourist trap areas, you will be asked constantly:  "Where are you from?"

In airport, the roving security guards will ask you:  "Where are you going?"

[lonedrake]

One major part of my worry is the flight will go through Istanbul.  Turkey scares me greatly as an American.  J

 Here is what you need to do to avoid death. Do not look anyone in the eyes! Do not enter the restroom! Do not move into any corners!Do not smile! Wear dark and old clothing!

If you do this things it is possible to not be robbed or murdered....but there are no guarantees!


















JK. There is nothing to worry about.

[LAman]

I have a friend Chris, who is in sevastopol, his site is http://www.travel2sevastopol.com/
If you need any help with anything, have his number handy. Maybe send him a message and introduce yourself, can't hurt!!!
Pkeel....you should be more worried about girl showing up.....or that communication would be difficult!!
Turkish airlines through Istanbul is piece of cake....most connecting flights are short waits...

[Pkeel]

I am quite certain Elena will show up.  In fact, she is paying for her own train ride down.  I told her yesterday how I was getting nervous and excited about the trip.  She is too.  I figured it out... We have been in contact (email and or skype) for 72 days now.  I met her on Elena's models.

The only time we weren't in daily contact was when she had to go home for her godmothers funeral.  We missed each other so badly that we have promised each other to skype each day. 

I have a bunch of pictures of her in Crimea from a trip last year with her daughter.  She loves the area and wants to show it off to me.  She studied there in college even.  Her train will get there at 2:00 in the morning and I will get there at 9:00 that night.  We will stay the first night at the hotel Ukraine and then move to an apartment.

As for Turkey, my father served in North Korea with some Turkish forces.  He always said they were a very tough bunch and that he would never wish to mess with them.  I realize most people are actually kind and actually eager to help, but it just takes one of the wrong sort to ruin a whole day.

[ML]

[quote author=Pkeel link=topic=15707.msg324371#msg324371
As for Turkey, my father served in North Korea with some Turkish forces. 


WOW, that must have been a very secret mission that even the North Koreans never found out about.

[Vaughn]

Inside the airport ?  Dude, you'll be fine. Just don't pull a Billy Hayes and have a kilo of hashish taped to your legs. His Turkish prison stay gave birth to Midnight Express... 
 

[Pkeel]

http://www.historynet.com/korean-war-1st-turkish-brigades-baptism-of-fire.htm

[Makaku]

As for Turkey, my father served in North Korea with some Turkish forces.  He always said they were a very tough bunch and that he would never wish to mess with them.  I realize most people are actually kind and actually eager to help, but it just takes one of the wrong sort to ruin a whole day.

As long as you avoid Eastern Anatolia you'll be save. In fact personally I'd be more worried travelling to the US than the western part of turkey.

[Shadow]

Inside the airport ?  Dude, you'll be fine. Just don't pull a Billy Hayes and have a kilo of hashish taped to your legs. His Turkish prison stay gave birth to Midnight Express... 
 

That picture is on a quiet day. On a busy day you can quadruple the amount of peopl and half the amount of staff...

[JayH]

Airport in Istanbul  is  easy as possible anywhere.How long for your connecting flight?If you think the airport there is difficult-- Ukraine is going to shock the hell out of you!!
You said you are going to Sevastopol-- are you flying into Simferopal ?
Is the  Hotel Ukraine you mention there or in Sevastopol?
You said that Elena(?) is catching train-- from where? To where?

[jone]

That picture is on a quiet day. On a busy day you can quadruple the amount of peopl and half the amount of staff...

Then it would look like LAX on a non-holiday day, Jibabs and all.

[Pkeel]

Yes Hotel Ukraine in Sevastopol.  Just until we are together and move to an apartment.

Elena is from Shebekino and will travel from there to Sevastopol by train.  She arrives at 2:00 in the morning.  I will arrive at Simferopol airport at 9 that same night.  She is coming to meet me at the airport. 

We are going to have a nice mutual vacation. 

[onlyFSU4me]

You picked a great place to meet, Sevastopol was my favorite place to visit when we toured Crimea last year. Enjoy your trip!

[JayH]

Yes Hotel Ukraine in Sevastopol.  Just until we are together and move to an apartment.

Elena is from Shebekino and will travel from there to Sevastopol by train.  She arrives at 2:00 in the morning.  I will arrive at Simferopol airport at 9 that same night.  She is coming to meet me at the airport. 

We are going to have a nice mutual vacation.

Far be it for me to rearrange anyones travel plans--but!!
If it was me and you had plan like this in place-- it will be late by the time you clear immigration in Simferopal.There is a lovely Hotel Ukraine in Simferopal  and  I would stay there the night.
Your lady could leave train at Simferopal and go to hotel--it is not far from the station( too far for me to walk!! --buses go past there from station no problem). You can arrange with hotel to have taxi bring her to airport to meet & collect you and return to hotel-- stay the night and proceed at leisure the next day to Sevastopol .
You are asking WHY?  Sevastopol is over and hour by road-- maybe 1 1/2 hours--by car and longer by other methods.
Your lady is covering ground only to retrace steps a few hours later in going Simferopal-Sevastopol-Simferopal-- and then Sevastopol again !! Makes no sense to me. The distance she will have already travelled by that stage of her journey  is considerable-- at a guess probably longer in time  than you are travelling to get there.
So--the logic is to do as I suggest!!
From a practical point of view-- you can pre-arrange nearly all the details.
EG -- having a car waiting to collect you is some advantage. It is not a big airport and not many more flights due in later than you-- so taxis can get scarce.If you are trying to negotiate price and it is the last taxi-- good luck!!I also had another thought-- sometimes the terminal is closed early so that arrivals can exit--but those waiting are outside-- not so bad in summer-- but now?
Covering a lot of unnecessary ground makes no sense to me and you want it to be quality time on meeting-- not both of you exhausted.

[jone]

Far be it for me to rearrange anyones travel plans--but!!
If it was me and you had plan like this in place-- it will be late by the time you clear immigration in Simferopal.There is a lovely Hotel Ukraine in Simferopal  and  I would stay there the night.
Your lady could leave train at Simferopal and go to hotel--it is not far from the station( too far for me to walk!! --buses go past there from station no problem). You can arrange with hotel to have taxi bring her to airport to meet & collect you and return to hotel-- stay the night and proceed at leisure the next day to Sevastopol .
You are asking WHY?  Sevastopol is over and hour by road-- maybe 1 1/2 hours--by car and longer by other methods.
Your lady is covering ground only to retrace steps a few hours later in going Simferopal-Sevastopol-Simferopal-- and then Sevastopol again !! Makes no sense to me. The distance she will have already travelled by that stage of her journey  is considerable-- at a guess probably longer in time  than you are travelling to get there.
So--the logic is to do as I suggest!!
From a practical point of view-- you can pre-arrange nearly all the details.
EG -- having a car waiting to collect you is some advantage. It is not a big airport and not many more flights due in later than you-- so taxis can get scarce.If you are trying to negotiate price and it is the last taxi-- good luck!!I also had another thought-- sometimes the terminal is closed early so that arrivals can exit--but those waiting are outside-- not so bad in summer-- but now?
Covering a lot of unnecessary ground makes no sense to me and you want it to be quality time on meeting-- not both of you exhausted.

What a stud.  He is SSOOO smooth.  That's why the women all love Jay.  He figures out the details.

[cc3]

As long as you avoid Eastern Anatolia you'll be save. In fact personally I'd be more worried travelling to the US than the western part of turkey.

First, Makaku, you have been a member of this forum months longer than I have, but have not yet introduced yourself to the membership. So........  .

Secondly...." In fact personally I'd be more worried travelling to the US than the western part of turkey." How often have you traveled to the US and which cities did you visit to arrive at this observation?