Photoguy's 2nd trek to Kyiv

[Photo Guy]

I just returned from 6 days in Kyiv, Ukraine. This was my
second trip and in many ways it also revolved around Larisa,
the woman I had met during my first trip in April of ‘05,
after corresponding with her for four months via translated
emails through Anastasiaweb.

During that first trip I did not meet any other women. I had written
a few women and traveled to meet only her. It was Larisa, our interpreter
(Natalie), and myself for eight days straight. A couple of
months after that trip, we decided to do a K-1 visa.

Those three months with her in Phoenix were probably some of
the best days of my life. I’d describe her personality as emotionally
uneven, quirky, fashionable, humorous, ironic, feminine, strong,
and dependent. Always exciting and interesting. During her stay, I would
describe her outlook as very pragmatic, constantly weighing the
implications of a possible life in Phoenix. She wasn’t sure how to handle
all of her inner conflicts. Most of those conflicts were not self-created,
but just horrible complications that life had thrown at her.

With mixed emotions, she decided to return to Ukraine, in May
of this year - ‘06.

My goal with my second trip, was to meet her and see her
current mindset, her current emotions, …and probably to say
our last goodbyes. I NEEDED to see her again, to close this
chapter of my life. I wanted to see just how bad her health was.

Wednesday, October 25th  ‘06

Just like the first trip, I couldn’t sleep much on the plane. Luckily
this flight was much shorter. After a few days in New York,
I took the non-stop from JFK to Kyiv -only eight and a half
hours. Aerosvit. The meals were pretty good and they served
free drinks - in my case, Cognac. Thank you very much.

I walked through customs at Kyiv without declaring anything
and was greeted by my interpreter/guide, Natalie, and her trusted
driver, Val. We hit a lot of traffic as we proceeded into Kyiv.
Everywhere, I noticed Ukraine’s official bird - the construction
crane. There were many new apartments as we approached
the city, but I also took a good look at many of those older Soviet flats.
During my first trip, I was only semi-conscious, badly suffering
from jetlag. That trip was overwhelming from a sensory
perspective. Strange language, beautiful women everywhere,
a woman who had traveled for 16 hours just to meet me,
and a constant need to evaluate my environment from the
standpoint of safety.

This new trip was a whole lot EASIER. More relaxing.
I felt at home now in Kyiv. I even used the same hotel, the Hotel Kozatsky.
I was now a kind of born-again Cossack, using my entire limited repertoire of
Russian phrases.

Natalie helped me check in to my hotel. Then we rushed
over to a nearby restaurant and went over my schedule for
the next week. Earlier in the day, Natalie had spoken with
Larisa by mobile phone. She would be arriving by train Friday afternoon.
She had agreed to see me then and also on Saturday.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from her. We were meeting in Kyiv
to see each other, but she was also there to be evaluated
by a doctor.

I told Natalie that I needed to setup meetings with local
women before go to local dating agencies before Larisa’s arrival. Yes,
for this trip I needed to have a plan ‘B’ within arm’s reach.
Yes  …that is the sensible thing to do. The folks
and friends at RWD have taught me a valuable lesson -to be pragmatic
and less the romantic idealist. Another part of me
realizes I was destined to spend those three months of my life with Larisa.

I had suggested to Natalie the idea of visiting Elena’s Models
and Kiev Connections. We would go there tomorrow and
I would glean some romantic prospects. With a little luck,
I would find someone as exciting and intriguing as Larisa.
…In the back of my mind I knew there was a glimmer of
hope for my relationship with her, but yes, I needed to
be pragmatic now. Before leaving Phoenix, I had decided
to schedule meetings around my limited time with Larisa.
I was curious to see what these agencies were like, in
real life, as actual offices rather than the familiar websites.

Thursday, October 26th ‘06

I emerged from the Kozatsky early. It was a mild day with
a feeling of rain in the air. It was great to be back in the
center of this city. I wish Phoenix had a city center like
this. Independence square makes you feel like you are
walking in the center of a strangely beautiful stadium,
surrounded by monumental structures and roads funneling
in from large hills. I really enjoyed taking photos this
time around.

Natalie arrived and we walked over to Kiev Connections.
For some reason I expected a regular storefront, but
the door was inconspicuous and we pushed a code to
unlock it. Inside there was a dimly lit waiting area and then
an open doorway to their office. Marina showed me to
a computer terminal. I was an experienced at perusing Ladies’
Profiles, so I sat down and began looking. Natalie asked
me if she should wait outside and I chuckled and told her
yes, she would need to stay in the waiting area until I was
finished. She sat down next to me and took out her
notebook and watched me google gals, jotting down the
details of my favorites.

I narrowed my choices down to five women. Most of them
had excellent English abilities. Most of them were either
moderately attractive or very beautiful. I don’t have a problem
dating or appreciating ‘average’ women. Some of the sexiest
women are not beauty queens. I wrote down the ID number and names
of each woman, and my order of preference. Marina told
us she would phone the women and try to setup meetings for
me the next afternoon between 11 and 4. I specified that time
frame -before Larisa would arrive at 5. Each meeting would cost $40.

Next, we trekked over to St. Andrew’s Str.  We followed it
down toward the historic Podil district. On the right side of
the street we entered one of my favorite cheap restaurants.
I had borsh…it was ‘okay’, but I had enjoyed Larisa’s
superior cooking at home in Phoenix. There’s nothing like home cooking
and you guys who do not like Ukrainian food are wrong. <wink>

We crossed the street on our way down to look at some
local gallery art - paintings and watercolors.
Further down, we found some interesting sidewalk
art- books and photos by an interesting old gentleman.
He sold a book to me and signed it. Natalie is a great
bargainer and talked him into giving me an additional
small photo book.

Down in the Podil area, we entered Elena’s Models’
office in the Impressa Hotel. Like Kiev Connections,
this office had about four women sitting at computer terminals.
They were quite busy, quickly typing. I took a little longer
there, about an hour to narrow a bunch of choices down
to two women. One spoke fluent English and the other
had a little bit of knowledge. Here the contact info cost
me $15 per lady. We took the funicular back up the hill.
Along the way, Natalie got a call from KC, informing me
they had setup a meeting for the next day at noon with
my 3rd choice, Anna. My fourth choice also was interested,
but wanted to see my photo first. …I never got it to her.
We dropped by KC’s office and I paid them for tomorrow’s
meeting.

Friday, October 27th ‘06
 
Today was an exciting day for me. Larisa was coming to town
and at noon I was scheduled to meet Anna. I was supposed
to look for a lady with a black bag and also a white bag, just
outside of McDonald’s. I got there a few minutes early and
decided to run inside for Coffee Americana, which in English
means I’d get the real deal, not the Folger’s or Nescafe crystals,
that I found at the hotel’s (included) breakfast bar.

I emerged and found her out there on the square. She
looked like her web photos, maybe a little better. Anna is
of medium height and slender build. The weather was a
little bit cold, so her body was mostly hidden. She was on
the phone as I approached her. She gave me a curious
look and an impish smile. …She was ‘cute’. That was my
definite first impression. I walked over to her and gave her
a gesture that said 'Are you her?' Yes. We introduced ourselves
and I told her, matter of factly, that she was beautiful. Hey, it
was true and what did I have to lose? I was in Kiev for the big
goodbye with Larisa.

I introduced myself and then suggested my hotel’s café.
It’s a nice place with comfortable booths, but it’s small
and the menu isn’t that large. She quickly countered with
an idea of her own -a buffet style restaurant inside the arch
off of Kreschatyk Street. It took us ten minutes or so to
walk there and I liked it so much that I went back there
numerous times. The food was traditional Ukrainian.
I got Kvas and she got pivo. We chose a moderate amount of
food and it came to around 45 gryvnias. An excellent
dining experience. She was conscientious about my
expenses and was certainly not the sort of woman who takes
advantage of a foreign guy's finances.

She spoke to me about the history of Ukraine and Russia.
I had read the material, but it was brought to life by this
fascinating woman. She had a passion for her knowledge.

She spoke fluent English. By the way, she also spoke
French and German fluently. She had a steady job with
a boat retailer while going to school for International Law,
while doing real estate deals on the side.

Was there chemistry? Yes, I think there is something
exciting in the works. I told her she was quite intellectual
and she replied that guys often tell her that. She complained that
men are often intimidated- afraid of her powerful intelligence. I looked
into her eyes, smiled, and firmly stated that I was not afraid of her at all.
She liked that. This woman is ‘stern’ and ‘comical’ at the
same time. A very interesting combination. I also had seen
those qualities in Larisa. Maybe the entire Ukrainian culture
is colored with an ironic wit.

She confided in me, explaining in detail her difficult relationships with her
family. She seemed sincere and it was easy for me to empathize with
her troubles. Was SHE the difficult one in her family squabbles?
Her mind is very logical and for now I hold the opinion that she herself
is NOT difficult. I found her quite accomodating, fun, and reasonable.

After an hour or so, we left the restaurant. I told her I was interested in
visiting an Art Museum. I followed her a few blocks to a fine museum a short
distance from the Dnipro Hotel. I tried to talk her into going in with me,
but she needed to study international law. We hugged and parted.
At the restaurant she had given me all of her contact info and I was
looking forward to using it. Maybe I could fit her into my schedule again...

[KenC]

Good to hear your back on the horse, so to speak.
KenC

[PeeWee]

Good to hear your back on the horse, so to speak.
KenC

Agreed and anxious to read the entire report.

Peewee

[Turboguy]

I too will be looking forward to the rest of it.    I am happy to see you getting your life back where it needs to be.   Things take time.  You write a great trip report PG.

[Bruce]

Great start to an intriguing trip report.  I look forward to the rest of it.

[tim 360]

Hey PG,  a nice read wish you well, tim360

[Sohkay]

Doug,
Don't keep us waiting too long for the next installment.
Sohkay

[Photo Guy]

Friday...con'td

The Art Museum was interesting- paintings from every era.
I arrived back at my hotel at around 4 and phoned Natalie, my interpreter.
She asked me where I had been and told me Larisa would come to my
hotel at 5. She would be there too.

Natalie and I waited, making small talk at a table just outside of the
hotel's lobby. Natalie was worried because it was 5:20 and no sign of
Larisa. Finally she showed up at 5:30 and I walked over to her and gave
her a big hug. She was all smiles, but had trouble walking for some
reason. We went inside and got a cozy booth in the small cafe.

This part was a little difficult for me. She was very touchy-feely and
smiles while delivering a message of 'best of luck in the future' and
she was sure I would 'find another woman'.  She said I should look
elsewhere for a wife because she did not know how long she would live.
In fact, she had just had surgery two days ago and the doctors advised her
to stay home and not go to Kyiv.  She had trouble walking. She was in
pain. Larisa ordered a Long Island iced tea. (Naturally)
I ordered a beer and Natalie had her usual miniature coffee.  I asked Larisa
if she had cancer and she said no. She's secretive. I don't know what her
exact condition is. Maybe it is something horrible, like AIDS, or a STD
that had ruined her reproductive system. I don't know. Her secrecy is her worst trait.

I gave her a bag of presents, including some DVD movies, chocolate, tea
we often drank in Phoenix, a basic Pimsleur CD course, and some photos.
I loved being there with her, but this was the Big Goodbye for us.
It was sad for both of us. She was protecting me from her 'damaged goods'
status, her status of being very ill.

About an hour later we hugged goodbye and she and Natalie left for the Metro.
Larisa was staying with a friend, who I had met in '05, in the same part of town
as Natalie's flat. I took a random stroll with my trusty Canon 20D, trying to take my
mind away from Larisa. ...There's always the joy of photography and a delicious bottle
of pivo from a street vendor. Chin up.

[Bruce]

Now you could get us all depressed but I am extremely happy because you are starting to get it.  I hope you finally not only closed the door, but slammed it shut and threw away the key never to go back there.   More than chin up, it looks like the light is finally starting to flicker on for you. 

[Photo Guy]

Saturday,  October 28th  '06

Today was to be my second and probably my final time together
with Larisa.  I talked them into going to the same restaurant that
Anna, the linguist, and I had enjoyed the previous day. Natalie was
with us to translate, but Larisa really did not have much to say to
me now. After yesterday, she knew I was sad. Our meal was
enjoyable. I felt a certain pleasure in simply being with her for a
few hours, even if I was constantly aware of her post-surgical pain,
while mulling over her decision to tell me to move on.

After dining, we strolled along Kreshatyk Street which was closed
to vehicles for the weekend. There was a car show- Soviet cars,
and assorted antique autos. I asked Larisa to pose in front of one
and this made her smile, reminding me of the good times we had, the many
photos I had taken of her in Vegas, San Diego, the desert, various
swimming pools, and at the beautiful Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.

Overall, she was in a sullen mood. I think she felt life had cheated her.
It was her obligation to stay at home with her difficult/needy father. We
stopped at the hotel's cafe for desert and coffee where I learned Larisa's
parents are divorced. I asked her for more info about that, but this upset
her and told me she was not ready to talk about it. Something very recent?
Did this happen right after she returned to Ukraine? Or during her time with me
in Phoenix?  I didn't know. Her parents live apart and she lives with her
father, who she says needs her more than mom because he is the weaker of the
two. Her father had a career at the local steel mill. He accidentally stepped into
some molten iron. Skin grafts were necessary. Larisa once had a career as a nurse
and I suspect that is her role with her father- his caretaker. A miracle may be
required to separate her from her father. It may never happen...It's out of my hands.

I thought about her advice- I must find another good woman now.
So, I told her about the woman I was going to see the following day.
She absorbed it and didn't say much.  I realized our time was coming to
an end, so I excused myself, ran up to my room, grabbed an
Entenmann's cheese coffee cake, and brought it down to her in the
cafe. She was delighted. We often had that in Phoenix. I had hoped
we could enjoy it together, just the two of us, up in my room, but
the mood was not right for that. Her surgery was causing her pain
and her mood was relatively distant, cold.

Natalie and I walked her to the Metro and said our goodbyes.
She was way too non-chalant, too unemotional, as if avoiding
the reality of saying a final goodbye. Her goodbye was quick. She
was gone, down into the dark Kiev underground. She never did say
exactly when she would be leaving for Mariupol and I didn't quiz her
about it. Yes I was disappointed. I thought there was the possibility that she
would see me and then realize she belonged in Phoenix with a kind man who
loves her, and the beginning of a new life.

Natalie empathized with my situation throughout this trip. Besides
translating and interpreting, she offered moral support and her
feminine perspective on things. For this day her services were no longer
needed. I wished her a good night and went back toward my hotel. Along
the way, I bought  a nice tall pivo on the street to help numb the pain.
I would need to work with Natalie again tomorrow. What would tomorrow
bring?
     A woman from Odesa would be arriving by train at 11 AM.

[David1963]

Dude, get off this Larissa thing and move on.  Do plan on spending the rest of your life like this?

You are in no shape be looking for a woman in this messed up heartbroken state.

[BC]

Dude, get off this Larissa thing and move on. 

Yeah.. the first thing I thought reading the last post was 'glutton for punishment'..

IIRC Natalie the interpreter was Larisa's friend.. wonder if this is like one of those magic birthday candles that just won't blow out.. 

Always that 'link'.. one step forward, two back.

Oh well, lets see what happens next.

[Turboguy]

For the record Natalie never knew Larisa before she worked for Doug.  She was my interperter on several trips and I hooked Doug up with her for his first meeting with Larisa.  It is not a case where she has any reason to motivate Doug in any way.

I think it is a great trip report but sad so far.  I agree, it is time for Doug to move on with his life.  I am sure he knows that.  It is a lot easier to get over a realionship with little real feelings involved.  We all want to find someone to love and Doug did, just unfortunatley the wrong girl or the right one who happened to be in the wrong circumstances.   It sounds like the TR is moving towards Doug's moving on.  I am looking forward to hearing more.

[KenC]

Doug,
Life is full of choices and Larisa has made hers.  And you are not in her future picture.  No matter how sad her story may be, she chose not to be with you.  You are not her priority, quit making her your's.  Suck it up and move on.
KenC

[KenC]

For the record Natalie never knew Larisa before she worked for Doug.  She was my interperter on several trips and I hooked Doug up with her for his first meeting with Larisa.  It is not a case where she has any reason to motivate Doug in any way.

I think it is a great trip report but sad so far.  I agree, it is time for Doug to move on with his life.  I am sure he knows that.  It is a lot easier to get over a realionship with little real feelings involved.  We all want to find someone to love and Doug did, just unfortunately the wrong girl or the right one who happened to be in the wrong circumstances.   It sounds like the TR is moving towards Doug's moving on.  I am looking forward to hearing more.

I wonder how much Doug's choice of Larisa really had to do with anything.  What I mean is that I think he was just ready to fall in love with the next woman he met or the next woman that would allow him to get close enough to fall in love.  Picking the "wrong woman" goes back to the "know it all" attitude and selecting a woman without spending enough time and energy to fully know her.

I say this in hopes that others may learn from Doug's errors as I have no hope or desire to change Doug's ways.  He simply will do things his way no matter the consequences (and they will be his comsequences too).  I do hope that newbies beginning their search can fully appreciate the lost time, money and the emotional price they may have to pay should they follow Doug's example of "how not to make a lifetime commitment."  No one should have to go through the agony and disappointment that Doug has.  And they most likely will not, if they take their time during the selection process.  There are no good short cuts as proven by Doug.  I wish Doug no ill will and sincerely hope he has gotten his act together this time, but my sympathies for his broken heart are minimal.  The wound was self inflicted through his hasty actions and his stubbornness to accept competant advice.
KenC

[Albert]

. . . . I think he was just ready to fall in love with the next woman he met or the next woman that would allow him to get close enough to fall in love. 

- - - - - -

Ken, as I recall, she didn't actually even let him get close enough to fall in love . . . . prior to her coming to USA.

But, I also wish Doug well and hope he follows different tactics this time around.

[Albert]

When I was an early teenager, I spent about $50 to buy a young calf to be raised on my Grandparents' farm where I often spent time at during summers, school vacations, etc.  They had the grass fields and grain to feed it (along with their own cows and calves), and I looked forward to doubling or tripling my money over a period of time.

But strange thing was this calf never did grow and only put on about 10 pounds over a year when other calves were doubling and tripling their size.  No one could explain why this calf would just not develop, and I finally had to sell the calf and just barely got my money back.

More recently, I bought and had planted several good sized beautiful maple trees on one of my properties.  They cost like $400-500 each.  Over a period of about 3 years most of them doubled in size.

But one is still the same size as when it was planted.  It gets the same care as all the others, but it just won't develop.

Despite the best of intentions and care, some things just will not develop.

[Photo Guy]

Sunday, October 29th  '06

Natalie would meet Irina and they would arrive at my hotel after 11 AM.
I got the call in my room and went downstairs to meet them.

I had found Irina's internet profile a month earlier and we exchanged
a couple of friendly emails. I had told her I'd be in Kiev at the end of
October.  I asked her to leave her phone number with my hotel's
front desk. She did this and my 'terp, Natalie, phoned her and setup
today's meeting.

On Saturday I had gone over the schedule with Natalie and asked her
if I was crazy to encourage a woman to travel all the way from Odesa
just to see me for a couple of days. After these two emails, Irina was
'fond' of me.  Hey, it's a numbers game and maybe she'd be the one for
me or at least we'd have a good time.  ...She'd take my mind off of
Larisa.

Now she was here and it was time to meet her.  I approached her in
the lobby. She was all smiles, sitting next to Natalie on the sofa.
We introduced ourselves and then I directed Natalie to help us
get her checked into her room at my hotel. My first impression of
her was 'very nice', pleasant and fairly attractive, but her photo was
a little better than her real life appearance. 40ish. Since I would be with
her for the better part of two days, I was happy she was attractive.

Again, I decided to go to the same Ukrainian buffet through the arch
near Kreshatyk Street. We had a pleasant time talking about her
home city, her family, and life in general. She was more open than
Larisa, but then again, Larisa's circumstances were much more
negative.  Next, we had desert which was some fantastic sugary torte.

We decide to go to the Operetta. (West end of Kreschatyk and then
a little further, on the left side of the road) Natalie helped me buy the
tickets and setup a taxi that would pick us up at 6:30.

At about 4:30, we said goodbye to Natalie and went back to our hotel.
I took a shower, changed clothes and knocked on Irina's door at 5:30.
She looked good, very elegant black dress. We sat together on her
sofa and she showed me photos of her city and her family. She gave
a few of these photos to me. She was nice, intelligent, but without
an interpreter, difficult to talk to.  She was enthusiastic. She was
definitely ready to find a husband, but was 'readiness' her only
criteria?

It was now a rainy night and we were on our way to the theater.
She checked her coat into the coat room. We found our seats and
they weren't bad. Excellent singing! I enjoyed the high level of the
musical performances. My Russian is not good. The story was
unclear for me.

After the show, Irina hailed a taxi and we quickly got out of the
heavy rain. We raced into the hotel and up to my room. I offered her
a massage and we enjoyed an enjoyable exchange. Then she walked
on my back and it wasn't ..that soothing. She wanted to adjust my neck,
but I was afraid of re-injurying it- in July I had smashed my head into
the sea bottom while body surfing in southern California last summer.

Irina was coming on strong. It seemed she was infatuated with me from
our first minute together. For me, it just didn't feel right...  In the back of
my mind, I was wondering about the cunning multi-linguist, Anna, who I
had met on Friday. Irina was full of energy and enthusiasm, but I told her
I was tired and would see her the next morning.  We said goodnight.
Spekoine noche.

I settled into bed and the phone rang late at night. I checked my clock.
It read 1:10 AM. Every night before, I had gotten a call late at night.
A woman would say 'Do you speak Russian, and then something like,
'Do you want a beautiful girl', I was stunned the first time and
said 'No thank you.'  No, I'm not a sex tourist and not into prostitution...

This night was different. It was a very soft voice that I didn't recognize
at first. She said, 'Hi, this is Larisa.'  I was half asleep and trying to figure
out what date I had setup with a woman with that name. I replied,
'Where are you?' She told me and then I knew it was MY Larisa, but why
was she so soft-spoken, so different, so sad?  'Are you okay?' she asked.
I replied, 'I am okay... I am sad. How are you?'  Then she told me her mother
had phoned her and told her about her friend's passing. She had died of
Cancer in Mariupol. I simply said 'Mariupol' and she knew what I meant,
'Yes, Mariupol', she said. The city(pollution) had killed her.
Next she asked me if I could speak with her for a couple of hours before
her train would leave, at 3 PM. I agreed.

Monday,  October 30th '06

I found a note on the floor near my door the next morning. Irina had
written, 'I not sleep.'  I took a shower and got dressed. I phoned Natalie
and had her make arrangements with Larisa for a third meeting and
final train station goodbye. I knocked on Irina's door and went in. We hung out
for a little while. She jumped on my lap. Okay! She was definitely affectionate.
Then we went down to the lobby to meet Natalie. We went back to my
favorite restaurant and had a nice friendly chat about all sorts of things.

Looming in the back of my mind, was my unscheduled meeting with Larisa
at 2 PM.  We had a long dinner with Irina and then it was difficult telling her
I would now have to leave her to say goodbye to Larisa. I told her a very
short version of our past history. We'd phone her around 3:30 to re-connect
with her. Before going Irina asked me if I loved Larisa and I told her I did.

Traveling to the train station was strange. Natalie and I wondered what she
was up to. What did she want to say to me? Did she phone me at 1 AM to see
if I was with someone in my room?

We met Larisa in the train terminal. Her mood was somber. Her friend had died
and now we sat facing each other so she could reiterate her idea about me
moving on and finding a nice woman. She asked me to write to her and to
phone her occasionally.  I agreed. She told me that she did not know what
the future would be.  I helped her with her stuff and we made our way
to the right train. I had Natalie take our photo there.  Larisa bought some
snacks for the trip and took her luggage onto the train by her seat.
She came outside for our final goodbyes. She got back onto the train
and we watched her through the train's dirty window. I could barely see her
inside. When the train began to move I placed my camera near her window
and took a photo. Next, I placed my hand on her window for a few seconds
as the train gained speed and moved on, to Mariupol. She was gone now...

I quietly walked with Natalie back to the Metro.  I guess she just wanted to
say goodbye in a more sentimental way. She's a romantic. I know she
must've felt bad about her abrupt goodbye, two days earlier. That's why she
wanted to say goodbye again. I took a moment to phone Anna, to see if she
might be available that night. She answered and told me she did not hear
from me and was disappointed- she had already made plans for later that day.
I told her I was sorry I did not call her sooner. I enjoyed meeting her and
wanted to stay in touch with her. She liked that idea.

We met Irina back at Independence Square and I now was not in any mood for
dating. I just wanted to go home to Phoenix and recuperate. Irina sensed my
mood and was very gracious. She had checked out of the hotel that morning,
and had arranged to visit a friend of hers in Kiev for the rest of the week.

At around 4:30, I said goodye to the two women. Irina took a taxi to her friends.
I would be leaving for the airport in the morning.  It was beginning to stop
raining. I grabbed a pivo on the street, took a few photos, and made my
way up to my room.

At 6 PM, I was about to get into the deep bathtub. The phone rang. A female
voice said, 'Doooglas, you have a decision to make. You can stay in your hotel
room, or ....I am down here in the lobby. This is Anna.'  I smiled and said, 'I have
a question for you. Can you give me about 7 minutes, so that I can put my clothes
on?' She chuckled...'Yes, it would be better if you came down here with your
clothes on.'   So, ten minutes later I went down into the lobby and sat next to her
on the sofa, as she spoke energetically on her mobile.  She finished her conversation
about five minutes later and apologized- she was in the middle of a business
negotiation involving legal haggling. Her phone conversation was in English.

We were pleased to see each other. She explained why she was suddenly available
to see me again. I was psyched. She had a great idea for a place to get dinner, another
buffet-style inexpensive restaurant that had a nice selection of food. My only complaint
about the evening was that it was a little too short. Our goodbye was a warm embrace
and a nice kiss.  Bon soire mon amie. Anne was the highlight of my trip, along with
the bittersweet hazy image of Larisa behind the train's window. It was a week of
extremes for me.

I have no regrets for having chosen Larisa. She is a child who is on a dark
treacherous path. And Anna holds some hope for me, for the future. We'll see
where it leads.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN?  Tuesday,  October 31st  '06

I hugged Natalie, my trusted guide, goodbye at Borispol. It was a long wait,
but boarding finally began. My assigned seat turned out to be okay, on the isle,
good for my long legs. I hoped nobody would be in the seat next to me by the
window. Then I would have more room.

As luck would have it, a wholesome 27 year old, Lana, from a small town near Lviv,
looked at me and communicated the idea that her seat was next to mine.
Oh. Yes. Very interesting.

About an hour later, we were in the air and I had her laughing. She was easy
to entertain, despite the language barrier. Wine for her and cognac for me
really loosened us up.  She showed me her new belly button ring and I never
saw such a cute belly, but this woman was only 27.  At this point, after this
week, I felt I had nothing to lose and just gave her my entire personality, which
can be quite quirky when left uncensored. She ate it up and near the end of
the flight she gave me her contact information on a napkin, with a cute
drawing of a heart.  Hey, maybe I'll phone her. She's in the US for 3 months
to visit her parents and go to Disney World.  She boosted my ego.
The Holy Spirit gave me that. Thanks.

Hey, life is an adventure! 




[/b][/color]

[Photo Guy]

My last two images of Larisa:

[Turboguy]

Nice TR Photoguy and nice photos.   

[BillyB]

Before going Irina asked me if I loved Larisa and I told her I did.

PG, these women came from other cities to meet with you yet you are not ready for this. Irina wanted to get physical and you turned her away. You don't have to go all the way but you could see how attractive she is to you. Physical attraction is important in a relationship. If you keep turning women away, turning them off, do not be surprised if you have a hard time attracting women in the future. You should get your priorities straight. In your state of mind you should've dedicated this trip solely to Larisa since you still love her instead of misleading the other ladies to think your heart and mind is focused on them.

[Photo Guy]

Larisa did not want me to travel all the way to Ukraine, just to see her. So I setup meetings
with other women. My communications with Anna are still going well. I'm happy I met her.
Larisa limited her time with me. I originally planned to go see her in Mariupol.
Her doctor appointments were her priority. ...I paid for Irina's train fare.
If it doesn't feel right, I'm not going to pretend I want a woman, after knowing
her for a few hours. 

[BillyB]

You don't have to pretend PG, but stay focused on the ultimate objective. Your feelings aren't the only one involved here, other women have invested their efforts corresponding with you and probably taken time off work to meet you. If you are to be considerate of their feelings and efforts, you'd give them a maximum effort when you are with them instead of thinking of Larisa. Larisa has made up her mind and you are not the #1 priority in her life. You need to find a woman who'd consider you #1 and you are jepordizing your opportunities by not focusing on the women in front of you. They can see it, they can feel it. How else did Irina feel the need to ask if you are still in love with another woman?

[Photo Guy]

Billy, yes, you are right. In many ways this particular trip was too unstructured,
too spur of the moment. I had two conflicting goals- to see Larisa again
and to meet new prospects. I agree about devoting more time, more energy,
and without the distraction of that particular woman. I wanted to see
Larisa because I still love her, and while I was there I found out she just had
surgery, and her good friend died, and her parents divorced. This was a lot to
handle on an emotional level. I really was in no condition for starting a new
relationship, but how often do I go to the FSU? I made the best of it and next
time I will go there with conditions more favorable for romance and I will
give these women the kind of attention they deserve. I'll probably fly there
again next June for at least three weeks. ...I saw 'Borat' so now I know a lot
more about the FSU...   <wink>

BTW, only ONE woman travelled to Kiev to meet me. Larisa was there for
a medical consultation and Anna lived in Kiev. Anna and I continue to
phone and email. She's very nice.

[Vaughn]

PhotoDoug,

  I know you've received some very harsh feedback in the past,
and even suggestions that an FSU bride is probably the last thing you need; that having been said, it seems you are commited to the pursuit despite all odds and critique.

Billy, yes, you are right. In many ways this particular trip was too unstructured, too spur of the moment. I had two conflicting goals- to see Larisa again and to meet new prospects.

  IMO, this "unstructured" visit was exactly what you needed - closure to the past, and new beginnings on your horizon. I sense your found patience - no screaming agenda to cram into your limited time abroad - and the promise of a future journey.

I really was in no condition for starting a new relationship

  Agreed - and you didn't blow smoke up other ladies' fannies. When you're ready to eventually cut the cord, tickets to the FSU will still be available. Nice TR - and an honest one at that.