Begin to get nervous about trip

[Hammer2722]

One of the questions I always ask a lady of interest is what are her favorite perfumes. No need to to complicate things!

[Faux Pas]

Faux Pas:  I won't lose sight of the only reason I am going.  To look at a woman and consider if she and I can be husband and wife.  This includes any and all family she may have.

So far you have a nice, intriguing internet pen pal, nothing more. A marriage is something most people progress to after they have developed a meaningful relationship. Some good advice for you whether you choose to hear it or not, is remember, work on the relationship and let the "husband and wife" thing take care of itself. Good luck to you either way P.

[Daveman]

So far you have a nice, intriguing internet pen pal, nothing more. A marriage is something most people progress to after they have developed a meaningful relationship. Some good advice for you whether you choose to hear it or not, is remember, work on the relationship and let the "husband and wife" thing take care of itself. Good luck to you either way P.

Absolutely...


This is a very  expensive commute to first real date.  Just have fun getting to know someone in person. Remove every single bit of pressure to make/force this into something that it will (or not) grow into naturally.


This first trip will be a bit surreal, and if you hit it off-- euphoric.  So enjoy it for what it is.  The only decision to be made on this trip is basically the same as any other first dates - "do we want to see each other again"?

[Pkeel]

Very true.

And... it is the first step along the way.  The second step will occur next month.  A third step will wait until after that.  All things come with time.

But if you lose sight of the goalpost you will never get there.

[Daveman]

Very true.

And... it is the first step along the way.  The second step will occur next month.  A third step will wait until after that.  All things come with time.

But if you lose sight of the goalpost you will never get there.

If you focus on the goalpost you'll miss the 250lb linebacker angling in to drive your face into the dirt.. 


Concentrate on making first downs!

[mendeleyev]

The FSU is a prime honey producer with a long history of exotic varieties and therefore it is a wonderful idea because the type of honey you produce will be of great interest to most Russians. I'd take several small jars and promise that whether to parents, grandparents, friends, etc, it will be a hit especially since it is from your region and even more especially since it is from your own production.

Honey is thought to have special healing and spiritual properties to many Russians and you can buy it at churches, at monasteries, any local market, etc. Monasteries often keep bees and not only produce honey for sale at churches, but supply churches with candles. Every candle you see in a Russian church will be made of beeswax from a local monastery (see photo below).

In rural areas, many homes not only have large gardens but also large flower gardens and hives for bees (2nd photo).


Any local or regional gift, from post cards to local craft items to t-shirts with your city or state name are good for a first date/visit. If there are children around American candy/gum will also be a hit. They can get most candy/gum there, but for kids having it really come from the USA can be special.

[BillyB]

On the perfume... simple if I get the wrong one she doesn't use it. 

Get a few gifts in case she doesn't like the perfume. I got my wife perfume, chocolates, and a book with scenic pictures of the state I live in. Her favorite gift is the book. A woman may take the meaning of a book like that as if you are trying to get her familiar with her future home. Make sure all gifts are made in your country. Doing these things have meaning and meaning is more important than the gifts...

[ML]

As you might know, we humans, amongst other things, choose our partner unknowling by their scent, therefore we instinctively choose our fragrances so that they amplify our own scent.

Buy the perfume that gives you the hardest erection.

Then convince your gal that it is the perfect scent for her and that you love it.  It shouldn't be that difficult to do.  Even if she resists, keep repeating how it is the greatest smell (on her) since fresh baked bread.

As a last resort; even show her what it does for you . . . could any woman resist (wearing the perfume) after that ???   

[Pkeel]

I just sent an email to Chris at travel2sevastopol about an apartment.

Forty days before the trip begins.

I will rent a two bedroom apartment in Sevastopol as my lady wishes.  She has promised to cook me some delicious meals.  I am not sure what she will make for me.  Does anyone have a favorite dish I could ask her to make.  I have been making Borsch for a couple of months and I think I would like to see how she makes it.

I love to try new dishes, so anything goes.

[ML]

There really isn't too much special about Ukrainian food.

It's actually pretty much like the standard farm family food served up every day in the mid-west of USA.

Despite all the hulla-balloo about it, borsht is just vegetable soup; albeit with some different vegetables than commonly used here.

Just hope you don't end up with a gal who puts sour cream and/or mayonaise on everything.

[Boethius]

Salad Olivier (a type of potato salad), and "herring under a fur coat" (cеледка под шубой).  The latter is a layered salad of potatoes, carrots, beets, eggs, herring, and mayo. 

There are lots of different kinds of borscht.  Most people are familiar with beet borscht, but one of my favourites is "green borscht", which is usually made with sorrel. Dill pickle soup is another favourite.
 

[Gator]

There really isn't too much special about Ukrainian food.

Peasant food. 
 
However, some FSUW make the best of it.   For example, is there anything worse sounding than congealed bacon fat (aka salo).  Yet, I helped myself to a second and third serving.    On cold days,  borscht is fantastic.     But not everyday, and not swimming in smetana.
 
Warning:  never criticize the cuisine.   Many UW don't know better, plus all UW have much pride.
 
The truth becomes evident when deciding a restaurant for the evening.  I have never heard anyone in America say, "Let's do Russian."   I rest my case.
 
 
 
 
 
 

[Pkeel]

Seriously... Sour Cream and Mayonnaise... Yummy

Peasant food, yummy!

Bacon fat anything, yummy!

I love to try new things so I will like anything she is willing to cook.

And Russian food is awesome.  I love buck wheat, pelmeni, blini, cabbage, wild mushrooms, those amazing marshmallows, aerated chocolate bars, and I have never met a potato I didn't like! 

[Muzh]

Salad Olivier (a type of potato salad), and "herring under a fur coat" (cеледка под шубой).  The latter is a layered salad of potatoes, carrots, beets, eggs, herring, and mayo. 

My favorite two. Yum, yum.

[Daveman]

My favorite two. Yum, yum.

Same here, except for the "fur coat"... I hate salt fish.. no, that's not exactly accurate.. I despise salt fish.  Nahhhh, that still doesn't describe the sheer animosity I have for salt fish...


So, to curtail my desire for some form of Ribocide, we make "chicken under a fur coat".. and it is fabulous! 

[SANDRO43]

Just hope you don't end up with a gal who puts sour cream ... on everything.

When living in  London, I discovered to my surprise that sour cream and strawberries are a delicious combination. Unfortunately, sour cream is hard to find easily here .

[mendeleyev]

I must be surrounded by excellent cooks, and that includes myself. I love the Greek, Italian, French and just general Mediterranean influences on Russian/Ukrainian food.


Shameless self promotion

Main dishes: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/russian-cuisine-main-salads-soups-desserts/main-dishes/

Salads: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/russian-cuisine-main-salads-soups-desserts/russian-salads-olivie-carrot-crab-corn-beet-vinegret/

Soups: http://wp.me/PeVMt-H

Meal traditions and etiquette: http://wp.me/PeVMt-dg

[onlyFSU4me]

Salad Olivier (a type of potato salad), and "herring under a fur coat" (cеледка под шубой).  The latter is a layered salad of potatoes, carrots, beets, eggs, herring, and mayo. 

There are lots of different kinds of borscht.  Most people are familiar with beet borscht, but one of my favourites is "green borscht", which is usually made with sorrel. Dill pickle soup is another favourite.

 I really like the Salad Olivier but wasn't too crazy about the herring under a fur coat, kind of found it bland tasting. But my wife made it for me here at home and used those herring fillets pickled in wine sauce... gave it some bite and was really good!
 And the green borscht is my favorite too, especially when you eat it along with bread spread with garlic butter!

[Pkeel]

She bought her train tickets today.  She will get into Sevastopol at 02:45 on April 14th.

My plane will arrive in Simperofol around 21:00 on April 14th.  She will meet me at the airport with a driver and the interpreter.

Nervousness is giving way to Excitement.  Moving into a new stage!

 

[JayH]

She bought her train tickets today.  She will get into Sevastopol at 02:45 on April 14th.

My plane will arrive in Simperofol around 21:00 on April 14th.  She will meet me at the airport with a driver and the interpreter.

Nervousness is giving way to Excitement.  Moving into a new stage!

 

Who arranged the apartment? Who arranged the Taxi? Who arranged the Interpreter?

[Pkeel]

I arranged the apartment through Chris at travel2sevastopol dot com.

I arranged the taxi for her to the apartment.  She is arranging picking me up at the airport and the interpreter is someone introduced to us by a friend.  I have been told I can exchange money at the airport to pay the interpreter and the driver.

She has not asked for, nor have I given her any money towards this trip.  I will see how the trip goes and how well we get along before we discuss any kind of financial help for her.  I don't really know anything about her finances, she owns her apartment, has internet at home on a desktop computer, does not have a smartphone, does not drive, and the most extravagant thing she has done since we have chatted online is to go to the movies with her daughter.  Even that isn't actually going to happen until March 8th.

We have been emailing and skyping since November!  I had to go back to look as I did not realize it had been that long.  I find the highlight of my day is our daily skype session.  She is very conscious of the time and won't let me talk for more than an hour during a workday.  I work for myself so it isn't really a problem for me, but I like that she pays attention to the time we talk and gets off skype so I can go back to work.

[JayH]

Highly unlikely to be able to change money on arrival at that time of night. It is not a very big airport at all  and not many flights in after yours at night/. I am not 100% certain of all that-- but it would be my best guess.You may be able to get UAH at Istanbul-- I have only rarely been able to get outside of Ukraine.Make sure you know exchange rate( approx 8 to $1). If you are stuck and cannot exchange prior to arrival or on arrival-- make sure you have you have range of US notes to pay exact money  --most likely they will accept USD . Also be sure to advise credit card company where you will be-- many US providers will not pay out unless informed prior.
All you say about her sounds fine to me-- all plausible.
What price are you paying for apartment? What price for the respective taxis? What price for interpreter?

[LAman]

Hey Pkeel...which apt did you get...I like #1!!!
Just keep Chris's number handy, don't hesitate to ask him any questions...he'll tell you what is reasonable costs.
If things go well, can I recommend a day trip to Yalta. Of course, any side trip can depend on weather.
Have a wonderful time!!

[Pkeel]

JayH: My flight gets in around 9:00pm.  She arrives in the early am at the train station in Sevastopol.  I have already talked to my bank for the debit card and I will call the credit card company if I can't do it myself over the internet.

LAMan:  I took Apartment 25.  She asked for a two bedroom apartment when we began planning the trip.  The one I first chose Chris tells me is a little worn down from when it was first offered.  He offered several others I think only 25 was a two bedroom.  funny thing is she asked what else was available and said they all looked fine to her.   I will look into a trip to Yalta.

You know as much as we here all worry and wonder if the woman is for real and if she will actually show up... I think the women are just as worried about us showing up.  This is a really risky thing for a woman to do.  She has to travel  for 12 to 14 hours and she is taking a week off from work with no pay.  She is doing this based on a man she really doesn't know telling her he will fly halfway around the world to see her. 

I will be getting my plane tickets later this morning.

[Pkeel]

Got my flight booked.

Going through Amsterdam into Kiev then on to Simperofol.

Also found out Elena has told her mother about me.  She tells me her mother is scared and worried for her.