Kuna's Ukraine Trip Report

[ScottinCrimea]

A few comments on your observations:  I think what you say about the girls "pushing and pulling" is in part true, but the other side is that they are reaffirming their worth in the sight of men.  They need to know that they are desirable,  This allows them to hold back and not feel the need to push themselves fully onto a man, at least until they think they are ready.  When the attention starts to decrease, they must push and pull harder to get the desired affect.

I think it's wonderful that you are getting a feel for your heritage.  As you start to see more of Ukraine you will get an even stronger feel for it.  Kiev in some ways is not typical of Ukraine as a whole.  It's only the tip of the iceberg so to speak.  The prostitution is certainly more visible in Kiev because that's where the foreigners are.  Here in Simferopol I had no clue who were and were not prostitutes until my wife started to point them out to me.  Now just why she did that I'm not really sure. LOL

So far I think you are doing everything right and seeing things, women as well as Ukraine, in their proper perspective, seeing the differences between here and Australia and being able to see the good and bad of both without judging strictly on the one or the other.

If you are entertaining thoughts of possibly working and living here, get in touch with me and I can help you with the realities so you can make an informed decision.  Many things here certainly were surprises for me, and the "minnow out of water" feeling is certainly something that has to be dealt with because it doesn't go away in a short time.  My gut impression, though, is that you have what it takes to live here successfully if that were what you were to choose.  It certainly gives you another option.

I was curious what channel your TV woman was on.  It would be interesting to see her.  As it is I'm doing the remote thing through the channels asking, "maybe that's her, or maybe her, or her?"  So help me out before I drive my wife crazy.

Now on to Cherkassy!  Go forth and conquer!

[Son of Clyde]

Kuna, nice write-up.  I have stayed a couple of times on Sofieska street just up the hill from McDonald's.  Can't find the address right now but it was on left hand side as you walk up the hill.  Apt is around back in a courtyard with a small market just in front.  Is that about where you are staying?  It had living room with pull out bed, plus one full bedroom.

This is near where I was staying. I could see very much construction going on from the window. It was near where the government officials live. I remember a guard patrolling the street outside the courtyard and a very large, impressive white building.
The Ministry of something. Wish I could remember the street name. I don't have a knack of remembering names. I have almost gotten to the point of calling everyone pal.

Kuna, this trip report is great writing, worthy of being published.

[Kuna]

As you start to see more of Ukraine you will get an even stronger feel for it.  Kiev in some ways is not typical of Ukraine as a whole.  It's only the tip of the iceberg so to speak.  The prostitution is certainly more visible in Kiev because that's where the foreigners are.  Here in Simferopol I had no clue who were and were not prostitutes until my wife started to point them out to me.  Now just why she did that I'm not really sure. LOL

Scott,  I'm excited about my Cherkassy trip even though my friend keeps telling me its not exciting there.  For me it'll be an opportunity to see some of the countryside and to spend some time in a smaller city.  When I come back later in the year I definitely want to come down your way and will be sure to contact you. 

If you are entertaining thoughts of possibly working and living here, get in touch with me and I can help you with the realities so you can make an informed decision.  Many things here certainly were surprises for me, and the "minnow out of water" feeling is certainly something that has to be dealt with because it doesn't go away in a short time.  My gut impression, though, is that you have what it takes to live here successfully if that were what you were to choose.  It certainly gives you another option.

I've been flirting with the idea since arriving because the area of technology I work in just happens to be something that will be of growing importance here.  I won't can't rush into it but Ms D did ask an interesting question:

"Would I be prepared to live in Ukraine if things did work out between us?"

I thought about it and said, "Yes, but if we had children I think they would benefit more being raised in Australia". 

She's pretty quick witted so she laughed, stuck her hand out and said, "Deal, first 2 years in Ukraine, the rest in Australia."   

[Kuna]

I don't have a knack of remembering names. I have almost gotten to the point of calling everyone pal.

Ha!  Why do you think we call everyone "mate" downunder.

When I'm dating at home I also call my girls "Princess" because it beats the hell out of mixing up names AGAIN!   :noidea:

TY for the compliments on the TR SoC.  If I could make a living out of writing I think I'd be living in UKR sooner rather than later.   

[Son of Clyde]

Here is the place. Very impressive looking .

http://www.ces.uj.edu.pl/european/masters/ukraine/ministry_large.jpg

[Kuna]

Yup...  that's just up the hill, 1 block or so away...

Right next to this! 

[El Rock]

Here is the place. Very impressive looking .

http://www.ces.uj.edu.pl/european/masters/ukraine/ministry_large.jpg

This building was designed by a Italian .
I  walked  by it just a fews days ago.

That blue church , too.
I stayed in  a apartment  a stones throw from the 24 hour McDonalds .

Rock

[Gator]

This trip initially was intended to explore your family roots, to have an adventurous travel experience, and to learn about Ukraine women.  It seems that you have taken it to another plane:  self-discovery and introspection.  Your brilliance earns my congratulations, although I read little about roots.

Kuna wrote about Ms. TV announcer,

On the phone she asked questions about the other girls and I have a feeling she’s waiting to see if I bomb out with everyone else before meeting.  Maybe she’s busy and not wanting to take time out if there are others that are already “top of the list”.

There are three other options:

1.  She is being polite.
2.  If you were having a bad time in a city filled with beautiful women, she would know that you are not much of a catch.
3.  Some of all - she is just being inquisitive (women are nosy).

I vote for the nosy option.

Let us say you and Ms. TV meet for a brief period.  And you have a great time.  What happens next?  Nothing, because she is career driven, and she will not steal time from her career to develop a relationship.  If you want someone to meet briefly when you are in Kiev, or to share a vacation in the tropics, she is perfect.  If you are looking for love, look elsewhere.

[IAmZon]

I am sorry that I have been MIA here on RWD! Busy doing my thing, ya know mate.  Just want to register my two cents:

E X C E L L E N T  being the first

P E R F E C T being the second.

Have fun. Be safe.

[Michelangelo]

You guys never said it was going to be easy!

Later I ventured back to the markets to stock up the fridge.

This time it was much easier but after reading Scott’s post about kalbasa I’m curious about what it is so maybe I can try to find it! 

WARNING!  Kalbasa!  That stuff made me sick as a dog.  Later, Vik told me to never eat it...it's made of paper and rats! LOL

 A joke of course, but it's artificial meat...

Don't eat it.

[Michelangelo]

when she arrived I was really touched when she gave me a gift.  Not “just a gift” but she gave me a scarf “that was knitted with my own hands”.  It’s really beautiful, not just the physical item but the look of pride and pleasure on her face when I first unwrapped it and whenever I wore it.

Kuna--my Vik says it's a VERY VERY GOOD SIGN that she made you this scarf.  She is giving you part of her heart.

Only one girl ever knitted anything for me, and I'm living with her now! LOL

In "Jerry Macguaire" the girl (Rene) said to Tom Cruise "You had me at hello..."

You had this girl even before you met her in real life!

[SANDRO43]

my Vik says it's a VERY VERY GOOD SIGN that she made you this scarf.

Another interesting cultural difference. My fiancée knit me a whole BEDSPREAD (took her 6 months, and me a not-negligible sum to keep her supplied with knitting wool).

We subsequently married ... and divorced .

[catzenmouse]

remain sane and (relatively) balanced!

Poor Kuna.... by now it is much too late for any semblence of sanity...

The moment you started thinking about a FSUW your sanity was done.... 

[Kuna]

This trip initially was intended to explore your family roots, to have an adventurous travel experience, and to learn about Ukraine women.  It seems that you have taken it to another plane:  self-discovery and introspection.  Your brilliance earns my congratulations, although I read little about roots.

Hmmmm....  when I read that you've "read little about roots" I was a little taken aback, but then I remember you are American and not an Aussie.   

In Australia a root can be the portion of a plant that's underground, or an intimate encounter with a lady.

Using "root" in a sentence might go something like this...

"The sweet potato is a root vegetable that is delicious when roasted to the point of having caramelised edges and a soft seductive centre".

OR

"Mate, I had a root last night and I was awesome ay!  Straight after I was done I feel asleep and snored my head of.  It was great!"

Seriously though... sadly I didn't get my grandfathers immigration documents from the National Archives office before I left Oz so all I have is the summary info.  Next week I hope to go to the Archives office here and with any luck I will be able to get his birth certificate.  If I can get his birth certificate I could eventually apply for a P2 (or is that P1) Visa in Ukraine, offering me much more freedom to travel, live and work here if I choose to.

Kuna wrote about Ms. TV announcer,

There are three other options:

1.  She is being polite.
2.  If you were having a bad time in a city filled with beautiful women, she would know that you are not much of a catch.
3.  Some of all - she is just being inquisitive (women are nosy).

I vote for the nosy option.

Let us say you and Ms. TV meet for a brief period.  And you have a great time.  What happens next?  Nothing, because she is career driven, and she will not steal time from her career to develop a relationship.  If you want someone to meet briefly when you are in Kiev, or to share a vacation in the tropics, she is perfect.  If you are looking for love, look elsewhere.

Gator,  you're right, she isn't relationship material but I'm curious about meeting her.  Our correspondence BEFORE she knew about the other girls was excellent but when she asked that fatal question, and I gave the fatal answer, the style of communication changed.  I'm wondering if I should come out and "confront" the other two favourite girls with the same information and see how they react.  I won't, because I know it would upset Ms D and I see no point in creating anxiety when my trip is all about meeting a few girls.. NOT "meating" a few girls!

[Kuna]

Kuna--my Vik says it's a VERY VERY GOOD SIGN that she made you this scarf.  She is giving you part of her heart.

Only one girl ever knitted anything for me, and I'm living with her now! LOL

In "Jerry Macguaire" the girl (Rene) said to Tom Cruise "You had me at hello..."

You had this girl even before you met her in real life!

Michaelangelo,

I think you're right.  You know one thing I will always remember about this trip was the look of anticipation on her face when she handed me the gift wrapped scarf and told me she'd "made this with her very own hands"... and the look of pride and utter exuberance when I opened it and loved it. Honestly, THAT look was really something to see!

I agree with Vik...  the gift was really from the heart and it's nice to think (or know) that while she was knitting it she would have been thinking about our meeting and trying to anticipate what might happen. I wonder if she was still touching the handprint I'd sent her in a letter before my arrival?   

[Kuna]

Another interesting cultural difference. My fiancée knit me a whole BEDSPREAD (took her 6 months, and me a not-negligible sum to keep her supplied with knitting wool).

We subsequently married ... and divorced .

HAHAHAHA.... Sandro, thanks for the vote of confidence.  The D word is of course always on my mind but it's one I'm definitely trying to avoid in future.

Poor Kuna.... by now it is much too late for any semblence of sanity...

The moment you started thinking about a FSUW your sanity was done.... 

Ken, (It is Ken yeah?  You've confused me since you changed your profile pic)...

Anyway, we may joke about it but being here really does do your head in! (As you'd know...)

I've stopped a few times and thought deeply about what I want and at times have had to re-focus on my goals for this trip.  At home it's been a "dating frenzy" at times and that's why I didn't think the "Write None Visit Many" approach would work for me. I can imagine some men would come here and meet a great girl but then think they can keep "trading up".

There's no doubt there are some absolutely stunning girls here but at the end of the day her true beauty will be defined by what is inside, not what is outside.

[viking]

Kalbasa is Polish Sausage. If purchased properly, and cooked correctly, it is very tasty.

[ScottinCrimea]

     I happen to love the Kalbasa here.  There a a lot of different varieties, a couple of which resemble pepperoni enough to make a decent pizza.  Just don't forget to take the paper wrapping off first.
     My wife knitted me a sweater for Christmas and yesterday finished a matching sweater for our dog.  Any comments on what this might mean?  Maybe she missed me in more ways than one while I was away!

[I/O]

My wife knitted me a sweater for Christmas and yesterday finished a matching sweater for our dog.  Any comments on what this might mean? 

She bought too much wool in the first instance and was bored?  I wouldn't worry too much until she puts a lead on you when you go for a walk together.

I/O

[jb]

Hummmm,,, I picked up one the hand made scarf but didn't want to derail an excellent T/R with a somewhat trivial comment.  However since it's been pointed out already, I will.

This girl has had you on her mind for a while.  So much so that she's probably been racking her brain for an idea of what to do, or how, to impress you on the 1st meeting.  Frankly, I'm guessing she succeeded. 

A lot of advice centers on how a man must meet many women to be sure he's with the "right" one.  That is to say, if you haven't tried a bunch on, how do you know the one you've picked is a good fit?  To this notion I say,,, that's prolly a good idea if you have had little or no dating experience, however the man with good social dating skills might actually recognize a good catch when he sees her.  You would not be *settling* if you married the 1st girl you met and lived happily ever after.  If you are the type who would agonize endlessly over the idea that, "maybe I could have done better if I'd held off a little longer", then maybe the problem is not with the woman.

Just something else for you to worry over...

[Son of Clyde]

  You know one thing I will always remember about this trip was the look of anticipation on her face when she handed me the gift wrapped scarf and told me she'd "made this with her very own hands"... and the look of pride and utter exuberance when I opened it and loved it. Honestly, THAT look was really something to see!

This in itself is a huge GREEN flag. She was actually thinking of you first and herself second. I didn't read 100% of your trip report, but I would never dismiss this woman. This was a truly special gift she made for you. Good luck with the remaining adventure but always remember this woman is very special. I met a woman in Kiev who, before we met, went to the store and bought me a cake. That was a no brainer in my opinion, a last minute gift.
Yours was a gift you can always remember.

[Rvrwind]

Kalbasa is Polish Sausage. If purchased properly, and cooked correctly, it is very tasty.

Unfortunately Russian Kalbasa is bland in comparison, I for one prefer a little more spice & flavour, which can be had in Canada, made by Ukrainians. Of course Germany also makes some very tasty Kolbasa as well as some great sausage.

[catzenmouse]

Ken, (It is Ken yeah?  You've confused me since you changed your profile pic)...

 It's good to do that occassionally to mess with folks.  That's our boy Sergei on the left and Start2's boy Ihor on the right from last Spring.

Anyway, we may joke about it but being here really does do your head in! (As you'd know...)

 I sure hope you had that 360 degree neck swivel implanted before you went! Lots of neck injuries before that invention. 

I've stopped a few times and thought deeply about what I want and at times have had to re-focus on my goals for this trip.  At home it's been a "dating frenzy" at times and that's why I didn't think the "Write None Visit Many" approach would work for me. I can imagine some men would come here and meet a great girl but then think they can keep "trading up".

That is the "kid in the candy store" mentality that in the end does not get you a fulfilling and successful marriage. It can get you divorced many times though!

There's no doubt there are some absolutely stunning girls here but at the end of the day her true beauty will be defined by what is inside, not what is outside.

 This last sentence is what it is all about. When you find this then you have found a treasure far more valuable than anything else in the world!

Ken

[Kuna]

Guys,

I can't write for long because I've just arrived in Cherkassy and I'm meeting my 2nd "favourite girl" in 15 minutes but I've gotta tell you...  THE DRIVE SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME AND THE HOTEL LOOKS LIKE IT'LL BE AN EXPERIENCE.

One thing that's "unusual" is that I asked for the Internet and they walked me through hallways, through doors, and another hall and I'm sitting in someones office at their desk.

Hmmm... I suppose they don't have wireless don't have huh!

Anyway,  the girl I'm meeting tonight has been wonderful in email and judging from her photos she's BEAUTIFUL.

Ms D is everything I wanted to find in Ukraine (Disclaimer: Based on what I know from the detailed correspondence and short time we spent together) but this weekend will add some contrast to the picture.



jb:

Ms D has succeeded in impressing the pants off me (so to speak) and I was tempted to cancel this weekend with Ms C BUT my correspondence with Ms C has been as good if not better than Ms D.

I know exactly what I want in a partner and the detail and complexity of the correspondence with both girls has made me feel that one of them may be the one. Face to face will confirm many things... More time together later in the year AGAIN will give me more confidence.  I/O recently brought up and excellent proposition regarding the girl spending time in my world too... That's something else to consider.

Anyway... really gotta run!

Gotta run,

Kuna

[Michelangelo]

One thing that's "unusual" is that I asked for the Internet and they walked me through hallways, through doors, and another hall and I'm sitting in someones office at their desk.

Hmmm... I suppose they don't have wireless don't have huh!

Congrats on surviving that bus ride!

Hint- I carry with me the little Mac airport express-- it's 3 inches by 3 inches and 1 inch wide.  You plug it into power and then plug the line from the computer into it-- and you have your own wireless network and can use your notebook.  I did it in agency offices and in hotels, and it worked great.

Have fun with Ms. C!!!