Back in Samara - Third visit this year. Going on a three day cruise and then???

[MaxxumUSA]

Ok.

I left Wednesday morning from Albany, NY.  FINALLY I had great flights - all three of them.  I slept part of the way on the JFK to Moscow flight for the first time.  This is the first time all flights were on time giving me enough time to transfer without panicking.  Even from Moscow to Samara I slept.  I was well rested when I arrived in Samara.

I arrived in Samara Thursday.  Elena met me at the airport.  Same as my second visit we hugged a long time and kissed before we started talking.  Damn...  She is so much more beautiful in person than those webcams.  We went to her flat and I relaxed a little more as we got reaquainted for a while.  She had spent the day preparing the flat and cooking us a nice meal which was much appreciated.  She's very humble and says it's nothing.  LOL.  It's SOMETHING for her to do that!  After a couple hours private time we went to get a massage at a fitness center here in town.  I typically get a massage after the long flight to help get the body back into normal mode.

I worked after that until about 2 am Samara time after the massage.  Today (Friday) I'm taking the day off from work.  For those of you that don't know I have my laptop and cell phone here so I can run my business from Russia.  Almost all my work is email and telephone so this allows me the freedom of spending time away from a set location as long as I can communicate.  My work hours here are about 5pm to 2am.  I have posted information in different threads about the communications portion but FYI I also get incoming calls from the USA to my russian cell phone for about 4 cents a minute.  PM me if someone needs this capability.

Here in a few hours we depart on a three day - two night cruise on the Volga.  When I return I will have pictures and I'm sure a few interesting stories.    I hereby designate tonight as party on the boat night!  Elena doesn't know about this yet but based on experience I'm sure she knows we're in for a good time with me around!

OK...  She'll be here any second back from her two hours she needed at work...  So I better get ready for her.

I'll post more after the cruise on Monday.

Not sure what adventures lay in store for us after the cruise...  but this trip I want to write a good report.  My last visit was a total fun/party/enjoyment fest but I didn't post a full T/R.

[Lily]

I hope you enjoy long walks and rollerskating along the magnificent Volga embankments during the short summer nights 

[catzenmouse]

Dave? Hello? Anybody home?

Just because you're off having a blast with your lovely lady does NOT mean you can ignore us!

<feet tapping, scowl in place> We're waiting..... 


Ken

[MaxxumUSA]

Dave? Hello? Anybody home?

Just because you're off having a blast with your lovely lady does NOT mean you can ignore us!

<feet tapping, scowl in place> We're waiting..... 


Ken

OK Ken...

So...  Some good things and some bad things.

First - Me and Elena are like peas and carrots as Forrest Gump would say.  We get along wonderfully well.  Even through the delays in K-1 procedure our frustration with the process has not taken us to a point of arguing or anger at all.  When we are together we support and help each other.  We both comment that life together is SO much better than being apart.

Now...  The cruise left port about 6:00 pm friday.  We're not quite sure what time because we took a little nap as soon as boarded the ship.  We wake up at dinner time - 8:00 pm.  Dinner tasted good.  Chicken with rice and veggies.  So after this we go to the bar and sit and talk and talk and talk.  Her english skills are probably a 4 out of 5 now compared to a 2 out of 5 when we first started communicating.  It was fantastic to sit with her in person and just talk about life and enjoy each other.

The ship had a "Night Club" which was the top floor of the ship and the back part was open air had a dance floor on the deck with disco lights and all that.  Also was a bar on that floor also.  I have photos but forgot that silly camera cable to xfer the photos to computer - sorry you'll need to wait for photos.  I was not only the only American - but me and Elena were also the only english speaking people.  We had our usual "Fan club" of people asking me questions and people that struck my curiosity as well.  I talked to a man who volunteered for the Chechnian sp? war.  We compared notes on my experience with Desert Storm and my opinion about the current Iraqi conflict.  Elena played translator as usual.  The DJ played some music for "David the American" so of course I took Elena to the dance floor and made tried to not make a fool of myself.  LOL

Saturday early morning Me and Elena awake about 6 am a bit hung over.  I had saved an orange from the previous evening so we ate that and went back to sleep.  THEN...  A stomach ache.  A BAD stomach ache.  OMG - the pain.  Now...  I have a high tolerance for pain.  It was getting worse and worse.  Every 2 minutes I would have 30 seconds of pain high in my stomach muscles.  I suspect it was from the chicken from the previous night.  I come to find out that many people on the ship have this same pain.  I go to ship doctor and they give me some pills and some powdery stuff that I suspect is similar to milk of magnesia when mixed with water.  That seemed to help but then 30 minutes later the pain starts again - but more intense.  I have had stomach aches before in my life but this was different.  I think it was food poisoning however I don't have proof.  Elena had stomach problems also but not as intense as me.

On my second visit to the ship doctor she wanted to give me a shot - for the pain.  Yikes!  I said I don't want a shot for pain - I want to fix the food poisoning issue.  This is all she had to offer.  I said NO.  She offered me some strong pain pills which I did take one.  Immediately felt better - stron pills.  Then two hours later I needed another.  Saturday night a fever started to hit me and I got chills.  I hit 37.2 celcius.  Elena was freaking out and insisted on medicine to reduce my fever which they did provide.  Saturday and Saturday night was almost all wasted due to my illness.  There were 3 hours on an island that was nice - I will tell about that in next paragraph.  Basically my Elena was great throughout the whole ordeal and took good care of her man.  (That's me.  Hehe)

Saturday afternoon- this was the ships one and only stop.  We stopped at an island to enjoy the nature.  They had local vendors come on boats and set up shop to sell beer, smoked fish, nuts, etc.  Only about 5 vendors.  I was on my first pain pill so I was feeling DAMN good.  LOL.  I had two .5 liter beers to add to the high.  I know...  I'm bad.  Oh well, that's part of who I am.  Me and Elena had a nice walk on the sand-dune type beach.  The weather was very nice.  After walking we sat close to each other and talked and talked and talked some more.

Sunday - Morning was uneventful and I felt better than Saturday night.  The chills finally left me and I gained my appetite back.  We ate breakfast then went on the top deck - sun deck in day - disco deck at night.  No hang-over like most of the others on the ship.  Hehe.  About noon we arrive back in Samara.

Sunday after we rested we went for lunch to a cafe and to walk by the river here in Samara.  It certainly is nice around here.  Many active people and vendors selling all sorts of trinkets, food, and beer.

We go back to the flat to drop the car off because we decide we want to drink since we could not on Saturday.  So we walk from the flat to the beach on the volga - bag of champagne and beer in hand.  We sat and talked and talked and watched the sun set.  After we went to Kin-Up which is a bowling center.  I insisted we race each other on go-carts.  Hehe.  Elena actually beat me because I was nice and I didn't want to ram her.  Damn...  carts were fast on the long runs - 40 KM they said.

Inside one of her girlfriends shows up so her and Elena are blabbing so I go have my 7th or 8th beer of the afternoon with some men I met on previous trips.  Same area - just about 40 ft away so the girls could chit chat.  I'm not interested too much in the "Girly" types of conversation so I'm very pleased that I don't know Russian and I'm able to bow out gracefully. 

That rounds out everything except today.  Today we went to mom's house.  Mom and sis were there and we had tea after I took a short nap.    Not sure if it's just a Samara thing or if all Russians eat a ton of strawberries.

Today I also have very unexpected bad news concerning my business.  Without getting into detail I may need to cut my trip short.  Like - get back ASAP.  Not sure yet.  I'm sitting here waiting on phone calls.  True to form Elena is supportive and while she hopes I don't need to leave - she is not angry or unreasonable.  If I need to leave - I need to leave.

Me and Elena are relating to each other on a deeper and deeper level.  It is so fantastic and we both can't wait to be together and married.  We are waiting for her packet 4 and interview date which should arrive any day.

[catzenmouse]

Dave,

 Wonderful to hear that you two are doing so well together! Glad you're feeling better! I'm just getting over a bout of food poisoning I got from eating at O'Hare airport two weeks ago!

 Hope things work our with the business so that you can stay the whole trip. Elena sounds like a great lady!

Ken

[MaxxumUSA]

Dave,

 Wonderful to hear that you two are doing so well together! Glad you're feeling better! I'm just getting over a bout of food poisoning I got from eating at O'Hare airport two weeks ago!

 Hope things work our with the business so that you can stay the whole trip. Elena sounds like a great lady!

Ken

Well...  I know it was food poisoning but I did not have major issues other than the stomach pain and one night of fever.

I am not 100% sure whether I need to return early but I have not received phone calls yet so I have changed my flight.  Earliest I can get out without paying too much penalty is this Friday...  which TOTALLY sucks because I will not really do anything for business until Monday.  Basically a weekend without my darling just for stupid paperwork at a bank.  This totally sucks.  I am the only officer in my corporation able to sign these papers and I must be there in person and it must be done as soon as possible.  This blows.  I'm very upset about this but like all problems so far we will make it through without loss of limb or life, God willing.  LOL

Oh well...  We DID also get some great news today!

Elena's interview at the Moscow Embassy is on August 21st!  I checked our MOS number on the Moscow embassy appointment schedule today.  They added her interview date today.  So in about two months she will (probably, if all goes well) be free to enter the US. 

I am very happy for myself, for her, and for us as a couple.

Oh...  Trip report for today since last post:

Made about 1,000 phone calls trying to stop myself from NEEDING to return to USA.  Finally reluctantly changed flights.

[Wayne B]

Dave, I hope that you and Elena are having the time of ya'lls life together and I wish the two of you speed... in becoming Husband and Wife....together forever....moy drug :kissing:

[catzenmouse]

Dave,

 That's wonderful news about the interview!!! I'm sure it will go well. Somewhere here we have some posts/threads about the types of questions she will get asked at the interview. Might be a good idea to have a look through those and send them on to Elena to give her an idea of what may be coming.

 Sorry you got stuck having to come back. That Sucks Big Time! Just enjoy your next few days and look forward to a September Christmas Present!

Ken

[jj]

Glad you got to see your Elena, Maxxum and sorry to hear about the stomach thing, and cutting trip short.  Congrats on interview date, but you were at least 2 months less than me in waiting. I started K1 in early December and finally got interview date for Marina August 30.  (so lawyer says).   I hope they go thru with flying colors. Got to get my sweetie here as soon as possible. 

One my third trip to see her back in March, we decided to meet in Kiev , instead of   Volgograd.  I ate some greasy looking pastry at cafeteria in Kiev Airport. Next day, at apartment, chills, vomiting, pale.  First time in 2 years I had anything like that.  She insisted on  going to get me some "medicine".  I had brought some ammonium AD per experience , but did no good.  She got me some puky tasting powdery stuff, took good care of me , but finally got out of my system in a day or two, and got my big appetite back again, but eating only at recommended restaurants. 

Hope remainder of your trip is great.

[CaptB]

Dave,

Glad to here your good news about the interview date. I have had food poisoning enough times to recognize the symptoms early......the last time was in Moscow.....sharvma.....from a street vendor. I don't fight it.....the sooner you get it out....the better. A "finger" is cheap and effective.

I visited Samara a few years back.....with a "doc" I was dating.....from Moscow. The doc did'nt work out.......but I met alot of nice people there. Actually......before my first trip to Russia......a young interpreter was the first woman to catch my eye. She was in her late 20's
.....Elena was her name........and she was from Samara. I was 47 at the time....and although her profile said "age.....up to fifty".....I determined she was way too young for me.
I never contacted her.......but I've always hoped she found a nice guy.

Nice beach.....beautiful view of the Volga. I went to the go-cart track.....near the beach....a few times. The look-out spot.....high-up overlooking the Volga......where alot of marriages are performed......and most newlyweds visit on their wedding day. Lots of trees in town. I like Samara very much. I told my wife I would like to take her there for a visit.

Congratulations. It wo'nt be long now.


Capt B

[MaxxumUSA]

Ok all...  Good news!

I will be able to stay for my full scheduled visit.  I faxed the requested papers to my bank with my signature and this in addition the branch manager recognizing my voice was enough for the Bank of America Legal department to accept the faxed signature.  This means I do not need to return in person just to sign a silly piece of paper.

Thank goodness!

So...  I will have more TR to post.  I spent the last two evenings (because of time zone differences) changing my flights (twice) and making a million phone calls to bank and my attorney to get things worked out with paperwork.


On with the trip report:

Tuesday and Wednesday during the day:
Tuesday me and Elena spent the daytime at the beach.  HOLY cow...  ahem...  if there are any men tired of looking at the cows back in the USA on public beaches - come here.    Tuesday was beach day with a few cold ones.  We laughed, sunned, and enjoyed each others company.

Wednesday daytime was spent with sis and nephew.  We walked at the beach - but did not sun.

Today (Thursday) was "Fix the Lada" day.

Me and Elena were heading to the beach but it started to rain.  So she had a few things to get done to the car.  I post this because there are some slight differences in this Russian shop from the normal USA mechanics.

So...  We go to the "repair shop" which is basically a big upside down U-shape with about 10 bays facing the inside of the 'U'.  In the front of one half of the U is a parts store.  In the other front is a small cafe.  For every part of her car that needs fixing she needs to visit a different bay.

One bay is suspension and driveline.  Another for paint.  One for alignment.  One for body work.  You get the point.

So she takes her Lada to bay 1.  They inspect her car and tell her what parts she needs.  She negotiates which parts they will actually replace.  Then she walks to the Auto Parts store - buys the parts - and gives it to the men in the bay after she approves the work.  Odd I think.  THEN...  She has them remove the starter.  She takes the starter to the bay that rebuilds starters and generators.  Of course again she needs to go to the auto parts store up front to get a part for the starter.  They replace ONLY what's broken in the starter - not the complete starter - per her specifications.  LOL

NOW...  all is done with work and she pays labor.  Labor is a Totally different window to tally, then yet another place to pay.

Hmm...  FWIW I told her that in USA we simply drop the car off and pick it up when it's done.  She looked at me and said "David, this is Russia.  If you want get work done you need stand here and tell them what need be done."  Hehe.

Boy...  I think my usual mechanics and vendors are going to be in for some HUGE differences.  LOL

Ok...  tonight out with friends.  I will post about this after I recover from my (Hopeful) hang over.  Hehe

[Thor]

Dave,

This is a good trip report!!! Keep up the good work!!

[ecr844]

Congratulations dave on getiing a final date for your interview! Enjoy the rest of your trip.
 

[MaxxumUSA]

Well,  Here I am.  I have been on land after that cruise for six days today.  I have Mal de Debarquement.  Basically this means my body thinks it is still on the ship and I am "Rocking."  Simple tasks while standing up are a bit of a chore.  The other day I washed dishes and I had to anchor my hip to the sink to keep from falling over.

Thursday it was not as bad.  Friday was very good.  Now today it's worse than day one.  I did not mention this because I did not want to seem like a wimp - which I am far from.  After reading some other forums from cruise ships - I found out it is fairly common with people who take cruises.  I have had minor episodes of "Rocking" after I spend a couple days on my boat back home - but never lasting more than a day or two, and never this intense.

I think it is more intense this time because I caught fever and slept on the ship while I was sick.

In any case...  I have been driving forward trying to enjoy myself as good as possible.  It is less problems when I am moving, so I have kept active or lying down.  It is difficult to stand or sit in one place and just relax.

Ok...  enough of the crying and on with the trip report. 

Thursday evening Me and Elena met her friend's new boyfriend.  Her friend, Natasha, is blond hair and extremely beautiful.  She has no problem attracting very successful or very attractive men - even here in Russia.  His name is Uri.  Uri is a successful business man here in Russia.  Has two businesses and travels often for business.  They pick us up in his car - he has a driver/security detail with him.  Of course we drive in a Mercedes.  Not sure what model mercedes it was but it was one of the nicest, biggest Mercedes I have ever seen.  Lots of cool gizmos on the dash for navigation, stereo, dvd, etc.

So the driver takes us to the "Beerhouse" tent on the Volga.  This is a restaurant in Samara that puts a sattelite restaurant on the river during the summer.  We walk in and it seemed like everyone knows Uri.  He is about my age and carries himself in a good manner.  I thought it was very interesting to see how a successful businessman is treated in Russia.  Similar to the respect I get back home.  At the restaurant - very nice food.  We ordered a bottle of wine, and ate sushi.  I had a beer plus a little wine for some toasts.  Uri has an outstanding personality and we had some good laughs and exchanged some short stories about our lives.  The four of us stayed and talked until they closed at about 1:30 or 2:00 am.

Me and Elena didn't want to go home yet so we let Natasha and Uri take off without us.  We took a cab to try and find a night club open but everything was shut down.  We settled for one last drink at a sidewalk cafe then headed home.

Friday - Elena does nails for work - a manicurist.  She has many clients.  Because I changed my flight earlier in the week to leave Friday morning she already had 1/2 of her day booked with clients to visit her at her flat for their nails.  So from 12:30 to 5:00 in the afternoon she was home working while I had no plans.

I spent a small part the afternoon doing a bit of work on the computer inside.  I also took a few "walks."  On my walks I basically went downstairs (she's on the 5th floor of her building) and went to the corner on a busy street about 100 meters away.

I bought a little fast food.  Not sure what they call it but Elena would NEVER let me eat it before.  Hehe...  I was alone so I got me one of these deep fried bread things with a piece of meat in it.  Pretty good when washed down with a cold pepsi. 

As I sat there I watched about a million people walking up and down and left and right.  There are SO many beautiful woman in this city it is amazing.  Some things that I noted during the couple hours I spent watching people:  1.  Woman here almost all dress feminine.  Even the older women and women that look like they would be better off wearing jeans and a t-shirt.  2.  Damn...  These women are hot.  3.  These people do A LOT of walking.  4.  Some people drive like jackasses.  LOL  I wanted to take pictures but I don't think it would be fair to post pictures of unsuspecting people to post on the Internet.  Also I forgot my camera cable so every single picture I take this trip gets the "Elena" approval as she reviews all the photos in the camera.  That would not be fun to explain to her.  LMAO.

So Elena finishes with her last client at 5:30 or so.  We had planned during the week to attend a beach party that was happening Friday night.  It was hosted by Kin-Up.  Lily may recognize that name.  It's a bowling/fun/bar/center here in Samara.  We spend an hour or so getting ready and then we walk about 30 minutes to the party.

At the party - we go the the gate which has 4 employees and about 4 security guards.  They ask our name.  Me and Elena look at each other with dissapointment.  "Forget it" Elena says.  "It's impossible.  They are sold out and the party is invite only."  Hehe.  I say "How much?"  But the gatekeepers will not let us in.  I ask Elena if she really wants to go to this party and she says of course.  We both want to get in even more now that we know it is private.  HEhe - human nature I guess.

SOOO...  I tell Elena to follow me and simply translate.  She tells me we are wasting our time.  I shush her and ask her please just translate.  OK.  We go to KIN-UP which is about 200 meters from the beach party fenced off along the Volga.  I ask for the manager.  We get sent downstairs to talk to two girls.  Thank goodness!  Girls.  Russian girls (At least in Samara) get all giggly around me which is a good thing.  I talk to them a bit and they give me the name of the real manager who is already at the beach party.  A woman!  Great.  My chances are getting good here.

So we go back to the gate.  They call the manager to the gate.  She takes a look at me as I start talking.  She grabs the list of names that security had, added Elena's name, and let us in.  Elena was amazed we got in.

We're now at the private beach party.  They actually built a pool and a covered bar for the party.  Like something out of MTV's spring break shows - to that effect.  There are people in there you can definitely tell are Samara elite.

We had a BLAST!  We drank a ton of booze, ate a bunch of food, and partied there until there was no more partying left to do.  Elena is so fun to be with.  We are so close and definitely a great couple!  She is such a good sport and just LOADS of fun.

Saturday - Today during the day Elena had to work at her normal place of work.  So I stayed home and recovered from last night most the morning.  I also spent the afternoon cooking home made chili for our dinner.  Elena likes my chili very much so this is a treat for her.

Elena just showed up from work.  Time to eat now.  A friend of hers that we met yesterday invited us to a private camp on the other side of the Volga.  She is sending a boat to ferry us to the private camp.  So...  I will post about this little adventure when I return on Monday or so. 

Lily - where are you?  Do you recognize any of these places?

[IAmZon]

All your posts are good ... this one is EXCELLENT.

[Mir]

Looks like you are having a lot of fun, great

I am shocked that an American man could not recognize the Automobile he was driven in, maybe cause it was German?

[Lily]

I am here..yes, that sounds familiar.

The Kin-Up..actually, to me it is still the KINAP, the 'Zavod KINAP',  a Soviet factory that used to produce cinematography tools like cameras, equipment for sound, lightning, etc. It was quite a chain of 5 plants in the USSR, one of which was in Samara and had its office at the most favorable locations, right at the Volga. The employess enjoyed a privilege to do some swimming even at their lunch break in the summer!

After perestroyka the Zavod KINAP was privatized and business apparently re-directed. Due to its beneficial location, the owners probably made it a recreational center and renamed to Kin-Up

In fact, I know more of the history of Samara and less on its bars, clubs, etc.
Did Elena show you the old city? Have you seen the building where the U.S. embassy was stationing during the WWII? And the former British Embassy residence at Strukovsky Garden? This is an amazing old building. How about the Stalin's bunker?

I'd have one question...what do you mean by 'cows' here? 

   if there are any men tired of looking at the cows back in the USA on public beaches - come here.    

[SANDRO43]

I have been on land after that cruise for six days today.  I have Mal de Debarquement.  Basically this means my body thinks it is still on the ship and I am "Rocking."  Simple tasks while standing up are a bit of a chore. The other day I washed dishes and I had to anchor my hip to the sink to keep from falling over.

It takes a while to recover your "land legs", particularly after you have firmly acquired your "sea legs". Years ago I was on a 2-week sailing cruise with friends in the Eolie archipelago (Tyrrhenian sea, north of Sicily), and back home I "rocked" for a couple of days whenever I went for a leak .

Considering the recent popularity for sunset photos, here's a couple of them .

[SANDRO43]

I'd have one question...what do you mean by 'cows' here? 

Lily, I think Maxxum is alluding to the "ample" beauty of certain AW, and not to some quaint cattle-respectful tradition as they have in India .

[acrzybear]

I'd have one question...what do you mean by 'cows' here? 

Actually is not a very nice reference, but it's describing an overweight unintelligent woman that just wants to eat and sit around doing nothing towards the relationship.

  Usually when I see one of these types of individuals eating with their mouth open I think of a cow chewing it's cud. 

[Lily]

Okay, thanks, now I got it.  Actually in Russia people also call that sort of women cows. I just thought Maxxum describes something other than that.

[MaxxumUSA]

Okay, thanks, now I got it.  Actually in Russia people also call that sort of women cows. I just thought Maxxum describes something other than that.

Nope...  I'm a simple man.  Cow is cow.


Sorry to dissapoint but I am a basic run of the mill man in many respects.  Almost all respects now that I think about it.

In any case...  Just got back from the weekend with Elena's friend that invited us to the other side of Volga.  OMG...  I have a lot to tell.  Coming soon ---  Saturday night and Sunday.  Wow.  Too wound up to type now.  Plus Elena is getting ready for bed...  so I gotta go for now. 

Hehe  Life is grand.

[MaxxumUSA]

Just wanted to round up this last trip report.  And...  this will be my last trip report.

Me and Elena had a wonderful weekend and last few days together.  We are definitely happy together and get along beautifully.

Her friends and family all were so nice and welcoming.

I had excellent flights home.

Sorry for the short ending - but me and Elena have decided we will no longer post intimate and personal details about our life on the Internet.

[ecr844]

Just wanted to round up this last trip report.  And...  this will be my last trip report.

Me and Elena had a wonderful weekend and last few days together.  We are definitely happy together and get along beautifully.

Her friends and family all were so nice and welcoming.

I had excellent flights home.

Sorry for the short ending - but me and Elena have decided we will no longer post intimate and personal details about our life on the Internet.

"MaxxumUSA,"

  You seem like quite a level headed, common sensical, gentlemen and Il respect and understand your decision. Thanks, for taking the time to share your TR here and finish it. I have enjoyed reading it. Best wishes to both of you for continued success in the future.
ECR844