Thanks

[epf]

Hi;

First timer. I have read the site. Follow the good advice. It has helped alot.

I have made my first trip to the FSU.

What most say or all is correct, don't talk about it, go do it.

Talked with a lady. But, talking is only part of the picture. Went to visit. Mostly to understand the people and country. Spent 2 hours with her and asked her to marry me (kidding of course). I don't think she is for me. I am not concerned. I learned alot. That will help me find the right person for me. I am the "boots on the ground type".

I really like the people and (of course woman). They really, really, really like fireworks during New Year.

It was very fun and interesting, very interesting and  very fun.

If I had two choices between understanding a woman from FSU and performing Open Heart Surgey. I would pick  performing open heart surgery, I think it would be easier.

Well, Hello and Thanks where ever this journey takes me.

epf

[BillyB]

Hi;

First timer. 

There's a first time for everything and we'll be gentle with you.

Hello and Thanks where ever this journey takes me.

Enjoy the ride.

[catzenmouse]

Welcome epf!

 Sure hope you'll write about your trip. We love to hear about other experiences.

Ken

[epf]

BillyB;

Thanks.


Catzenmouse;

Ok, I will give you my raw impression, without rambling.  Remember, be easy. I wrote to a woman. For about 30 days. The letters were surface material. She seemed nice. But, most important to me was, I can not write or connect with a person or people that I can not feel with or know what they walk on or what their signs look like or their food or living like them. I think you can not understand people until you spend time and thought of the people you try to understand.

I have traveled alot. Just not to the places in the FSU. I am glad I did, even if I do not find a special woman. It was an experience and I am going to live it again. It was so funny, the Kiev domestic terminal has a black cat that takes a $h!t in the planter. It was not funny about the cat and him doing his business, it was funny because he was so normal. I said man this would not fly in the US, Sweet.  Anyone pass this cat give him big up's. He or she is one cool cat.

Do not worry about the airlines, they treat you better then US airlines. candy, papers (reading) & water.
Both Ukraine AL and Areoflot. I Love Areoflot, they have crazy fast domestic airlines, Delta should buy some of those.

Number one rule, IMOP, If you are traveling inside of the Ukraine only get VIP at Kiev, or you will be standing in line forever. If you have to travel domestic inside of the Ukraine and have less the a five HR layover, good luck with your connection. No person behind the glass is in a hurry. Also, do not pick the shortest line. Instead count the number of women in groups of two. I say this because when you get to the front, there will be about 5 guys coming for those two women that were drink at the bar.

More later, if you want.

[ScottinCrimea]

epf,
     Interesting first impressions.  I try to think back to what my first impressions were and it's tough because it was three years ago and I have lived here in Ukraine for two now.  I wouldn't even blink at the cat thing now.  Many things sem normal to me now that would have had me doing double and triple takes before.  I think I'm still better at open heart surgery than understaanding FSU women, but I'm getting there.  I hope I can help.

[catzenmouse]

epf,

 Thanks for the observations. Yes, more please. It is always a big help here to have as many diverse viewpoints as possible, especially of time in country, as there are still a lot of folks who haven't made the trip yet. And for those that have they can relate to stuff quite easily and also learn some things as well as each of our experiences is a bit different.

Ken

[groovlstk]

Do not worry about the airlines, they treat you better then US airlines. candy, papers (reading) & water.
Both Ukraine AL and Areoflot. I Love Areoflot, they have crazy fast domestic airlines, Delta should buy some of those.

Dude, the frequency with which those domestic airplanes fall out of the sky makes me much more comfortable taking a train.

[ScottinCrimea]

When was the last time an Aeroflot or Ukraine AL plane fell?  How about British Airways, United, etc.  I think your concerns are unfounded and my experience with these airlines has been nothing but first rate.  After my last experience on Delta, I wouldn't fly with them if it was first class free fare.

[Gator]

Scott,

If you were concerned with Delta's safety, you concerns were unwarranted.

http://www.planecrashinfo.com/rates.htm

 Delta service through JFK is another matter.


I may be wrong but I believe Siber Air (S7) has had two accidents in the past year.

[epf]

Areoflot, is nice, I was in business class, maybe it was the drinks. The domestic plane from Kiev to Moscow was crazy. Sure, the Stewardess does not sit down during landing and the cockpit door was open. But, I am telling you, I have no fears flying again. I look forward to flying again.  The whole world knows Russians make some kick a$$ planes and they know how to fly.

OK, I will start again. Please do not hijack my thread, plane safety is not my point.

Scott, The cat was no problem, It was the guys on the inside of the terminal wearing a leather jacket with the leather "Kangoo" and there was at least 2 at both exists. That made me worry alittle.

I was late for my connection in Kiev from Amsterdam. I had no idea that you had to clear customs there. I though you had to clear at you point of final landing. So, I was like a fish out of water. I talked to the man with the walky talky at the end of the ramp coming out of the plane and of course he said no problem with the connection. Every one on the bus. I double check with another person with a walky talky going into the terminal. Again he said no problem. I walked through the double glass doors. I saw a pretty girl wearing a green army suite. She could not speak English. So, being new, I tried to Walk back out the double glass doors. They did not open and I meet lots of people wearing a green suite. Of course I said this is not a good and turned around. Toto, you are not in Kansas, any more. You in the Ukraine and the people in the green suite don't give a sh!t.

So, I try to keep try to understand what I have done to myself. Lucky for me a nice man, not from around there, maybe Danmark or Sweden came and said forget it. Stand in line and forget where you want to go and stay the night in Kiev, that is what he was having to do before having to fly out. To my enjoyment this only added to my adventure and enjoyment.

More later, I will try to help others that do not know with my walk through. D@mn, I wish I had this information. But, wine is calling my name. One other thing, this is my thread, not one's to fight. The story only gets better.

epf

[ScottinCrimea]

My issue with Delta was not the safety but the horrible customer service.  My last trip with them is a whole story in itself and I won't hijack the thread with that.  I remember my several trips on Aeroflot through Moscow.  The first time, knowing little Russian, I relied a lot on hand signals and the tactic of just following whoever seemed to know where they were going.  One time standing in line for something or other I occupied my time watching a rat scurry around the termninal.  My last flight through Moscow to Kiev, we were about three hours late due to weather and when I arrived, someone from Aeroflot was waiting there for me and personally escorted me onto a transport to the next terminal where my connecting flight had been held up to allow me to board.  My luggage didn't keep up with me so they arranged to have it sent to Simferopol, my final destination.  After Delta's "It's your problem" attitude, it was refreshing and much different than I had been led to expect by travel agents, etc.
epf, no need to worry about the "Men in Black". All men here wear black leather jackets and I have never had one bother me, with the exception of the ubiquitous taxi drivers.  There is a very simple thing you can do if someone tries to give you a hard time.  Just repeat, "ya ni panimyo" and eventually they will give up in frustration and let you go.  If they try to speak English, just say, "ya espanski"

[epf]

Scott, I knew they were taxi drivers, I did not see any person that I thought would make you disapear.


Do not worry of the men in black. It is the women in black you must be careful of . The girls that wear black with knee high boots The girls that wear black, knee high boots and fur Oh, I am in trouble, they are all around  . This is the last for me in the introduction. I will take my story to the section where you still have training wheels on your bike. I can not give too much info, Or it would not be an adventure.

epf