Ukraine Again: Something Old, Something New...

[Simoni]

WC LADIES

Do you ever bemoan the loss of human contact on the phone?  You call a business and hear a recorded voice and then choose from 5 menu items.  Five minutes later you finally reach the person or department you wish to talk with.   Maddening!  Even more maddening from Ukraine when I am calling the US an paying international phone rates.   I wish these companies would pay a person to answer the phone!  A job created, and much better customer support.

I'm in another section of dnepr this morning, having coffee and pastries at Dafi mall as Marina and a friend shop.  Wifi is free here, but the WC is not 
But as I paid the lady at the WC 25 cents and told her "good morning" in Russian, I realized her job was like that of the company switchboard operator.  Not long for this world.   

The WC is free at the newest mall in town (MOCT), and I'm sure that in time, WC ladies will be a thing of the past. 

[Kuna]

Now she won't  be saying Everything is better in Ukraine.  Just Most things :-) LOL

... or things from Мост???

WC LADIES
I'm in another section of dnepr this morning, having coffee and pastries at Dafi mall as Marina and a friend shop.  Wifi is free here, but the WC is not 
But as I paid the lady at the WC 25 cents and told her "good morning" in Russian, I realized her job was like that of the company switchboard operator.  Not long for this world.   

The WC is free at the newest mall in town (MOCT), and I'm sure that in time, WC ladies will be a thing of the past. 

Simoni,

The WC is free at Мост but whatever you do don't clean your shoes there!!! 

I'd been ut walking and my shoes were dusty so I grabbed some paper towel and wet it so I could clean the dust off my shoes.  The attendant told me off because paper towels are for hands only - NOT shoes.   ???

[Simoni]

... or things from ???????

Simoni,

The WC is free at ???? but whatever you do don't clean your shoes there!!! 

I'd been ut walking and my shoes were dusty so I grabbed some paper towel and wet it so I could clean the dust off my shoes.  The attendant told me off because paper towels are for hands only - NOT shoes.   ???

Most.  Moct.  :-) nice pun 

No use of paper towels on shoes?  Old USSR mentality still alive and well 

[Mir]

Some Humor from Ukrainian media

RE: http://www.ukraine-observer.com/cgallery.php?p=14#

[TigerPaws]

Mir,

 Good comics but propaganda with the declining male population in Ukraine it is furtile hunting grounds for any western man and the media is fighting back.

TigerPaws

[Wayne B]

Mir, those are good   I want to know how many times you pushed the 'button'

[Simoni]

LET'S GET PHYSICAL

Guys, if you are coming to Ukraine later this summer, I have some advice for you...

work out now!

It's very physically draining to be here.  For the typical middle age american guy of 40 to 50 who is used to air conditioning at home, this environment will be a shock.

Imagine walking 10 miles a day in 95 degree F weather with the sun roasting you, on rough terrain, and dodging cars as you cross streets.  Imagine unfamiliar food.  Imagine riding a bouncing bus, with no seat, trying to maintain your balance.  And the temperature inside the bus, with no windows and 40 hot bodies, is over 100 degrees F.

It's 4:30 here now, and Marina and I just got back from a day shopping, seeing Harry Potter (AC was not working in theater), and then walking and marshrutka-ing our way home.  

The AC is on in our flat, the shower is running, and then it will be cool...but more physical activity!!!    LOL

[Mir]

I think the fatigue can be reduced by using taxis instead of bus or metro.

[sensei]

LET'S GET PHYSICAL

Guys, if you are coming to Ukraine later this summer, I have some advice for you...
work out now!

It's very physically draining to be here.  For the typical middle age american guy of 40 to 50 who is used to air conditioning at home, this environment will be a shock.

Imagine walking 10 miles a day in 95 degree F weather with the sun roasting you, on rough terrain, and dodging cars as you cross streets.  Imagine unfamiliar food.  Imagine riding a bouncing bus, with no seat, trying to maintain your balance.  And the temperature inside the bus, with no windows and 40 hot bodies, is over 100 degrees F.

What is the weather like in September? I will be going to Ukraine in that month. 

TIA
~ sensei

[Simoni]

Much nicer in September...cool mornings and warm afternoons.  Should be pefect.

October can be cold.

[Simoni]

I think the fatigue can be reduced by using taxis instead of bus or metro.

We tried to take a taxi.  I hung back so Marina could get a better price.  But the driver sensed me and demanded 10 bucks, which Marina refused.  Just the day before we paid 4 bucks for the same ride.

The bus cost less than a dollar.   Taxi is not air conditioned either.

[sensei]

Much nicer in September...cool mornings and warm afternoons.  Should be perfect.

October can be cold.

Awesome! 

The way you described the wicked hot weather at this time of the year reminded me of a lot like Florida - very very hot in the high 90's.

~ sensei 

[Simoni]

But in Florida everyone has AC.  Here most people don't :-(

Good thing you are coming in October :-)

Where are you from in Florida?  What city or cities will you visit in Ukraine?

[sensei]

Good thing you are coming in October :-)

Where are you from in Florida?  What city or cities will you visit in Ukraine?

I actually live in upstate NY, about 3 hours north of NYC. Every now and then, I visit a good friend of mine who lives in W. Palm Beach, FL. He (and his wife, kid) was originally from Syracuse, NY. They got sick of winters and packed up immediately to move to FL in a heartbeat! 

The exact date that I will be going to Ukraine is September 10 - 20. I will only be visiting Kharkov because a lot of the ladies that I have had corresponded with are from that city. The reason for this is that I had written and corresponded to ladies from all over Ukraine: Kherson, Nikolaev, Vinnitsa, etc. (I avoided Kiev, Odessa and Donetsk.) To me, Kharkov stood out at the top of my list. Most of the Kharkov ladies have serious intentions of finding the right man for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage.

I am excited yet somewhat nervous for my first trip to Ukraine.

~ sensei

[groovlstk]

As promised, we had drinks there today....here are some pics...look familiar?

Boy, does that bring back a rush of memories... Iceberg is a great place to bring a date before or after dinner (or both .

[sensei]

We tried to take a taxi.  I hung back so Marina could get a better price.  But the driver sensed me and demanded 10 bucks, which Marina refused.  Just the day before we paid 4 bucks for the same ride.

The bus cost less than a dollar.   Taxi is not air conditioned either.

Aren't there any rent-a-bike places in Ukraine? When I did a search for any discussions related to "bike" or "bicycle" on this RWD forum, there were no results. This made me somewhat perplexed. 

Instead of relying on a taxi, train or bus for transportation, riding a bike would be more fun to get around the city. Then again, it might be impractical and unsafe due to crazy-a** drivers. 

~ sensei

[Thor]

I actually live in upstate NY, about 3 hours north of NYC. Every now and then, I visit a good friend of mine who lives in W. Palm Beach, FL. He (and his wife, kid) was originally from Syracuse, NY. They got sick of winters and packed up immediately to move to FL in a heartbeat! 

The exact date that I will be going to Ukraine is September 10 - 20. I will only be visiting Kharkov because a lot of the ladies that I have had corresponded with are from that city. The reason for this is that I had written and corresponded to ladies from all over Ukraine: Kherson, Nikolaev, Vinnitsa, etc. (I avoided Kiev, Odessa and Donetsk.) To me, Kharkov stood out at the top of my list. Most of the Kharkov ladies have serious intentions of finding the right man for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage.

I am excited yet somewhat nervous for my first trip to Ukraine.

~ sensei

Sensei,

Yes Kharkov is a great city to go and visit girls in. You must have done your homework since you avoid Odessa and Kiev . A lot of fun to do in Kharkov too, and september is a great time here in Ukraine.

It is normal to be nervous before your first trip to FSU, it is different to back home, but don't worry it will be a great stay here in "my" city . Feel free to ask me any questionsyou want about Kharkov and I will help you!!

[Wayne B]

sensie, there are scooters in Kharkov.....but, I would not try it 'crazy drives'

[Simoni]

Sensi- I have only seen one bycycle since I got here.  A few motorbikes.  But traffic is dangerous and potholes terrible.  Marina says "he would be better walk.". :-)

[sensei]

Sensei,
Yes Kharkov is a great city to go and visit girls in. You must have done your homework since you avoid Odessa and Kiev .

Yep, it still still a part of my homework!  I had to use my brain a lot by doing lots of reading and research in the last two plus years. I can tell that Kiev and Odessa are already westernized and very expensive. With Kharkov, I feel it has a lot of potential and better chances of finding a lady. The city doesn't get mentioned much.

A lot of fun to do in Kharkov too, and september is a great time here in Ukraine.

After reading your trip reports and photos, I know it will be a lot of fun!

It is normal to be nervous before your first trip to FSU, it is different to back home, but don't worry it will be a great stay here in "my" city . Feel free to ask me any questionsyou want about Kharkov and I will help you!!

I do have a lot of questions that I'd like to ask you so I will definitely ask you under the Kharkov trip reports section you created. 

~ sensei

[sensei]

sensie, there are scooters in Kharkov.....but, I would not try it 'crazy drives'

No thanks....scooters are not for me. *lol*

~ sensei 

[sensei]

Sensi- I have only seen one bycycle since I got here.  A few motorbikes.  But traffic is dangerous and potholes terrible.  Marina says "he would be better walk.". :-)

So that means skateboard, roller blade and scooter are now out of the picture! 

*lol*

~ sensei
"Bricks don't fight back."

[Simoni]

So that means skateboard, roller blade and scooter are now out of the picture! 

*lol*

~ sensei
"Bricks don't fight back."

Or you could bring a SegWay from the US and shock everyone! :-)  LOL

[Simoni]

Boy, does that bring back a rush of memories... Iceberg is a great place to bring a date before or after dinner (or both .

Thanks, groove!  I've been to bars all around the world, and this ranks as one of the "coolest!"  Kinda felt like we were on the holodeck of the Starship Enterprise!

[Simoni]

PRETTY WOMAN

It happend to me last night...

A beautiful woman locked eyes with me, and smiled...and stared into my soul...

and she was NOT my wife...

And the lyrics of Roy Orbison burst into me...

Pretty Woman

Pretty woman, walking down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I like to meet
Pretty woman
I don't believe you, you're not the truth
No one could look as good as you
Mercy