My first TR ... from USCFAN

[USCFAN]

Hello Everybody!

I am in Kiev at an internet cafe. I can't believe I'm finally over here. I am getting on a train heading for Kharkov tonight.

Took over an hour to get through passport control. Thankfully, the last 15 minutes were spent talking with a beautiful russian woman standing behind me. Let's just say I was in no hurry after that ... LOL!

Wow the way people drive over here! And the parking, all over the sidewalks! And the pedestrians ... just jumping out on the street with no regard for safety.

I ended up at a Friday's (taste of home ... kinda) Tuesday afternoon and was simply in amazement for all the absolutely beautiful women that were walking by. What do they put in the water? I saw 10 ladies within a span of 35 minutes that could have easily been on the cover of Vogue, etc.  And all the tight jeans with high heels walking up and down the streets ... I don't know how their feet do it!

I did find it interesting that as poor as this country is, there are tons of Mercedes, BMW's, Range Rovers, Lexus, etc. Maybe it was just the neighborhood I was in.

I also noticed that people don't look at other people here while walking. They all seem focused on where they are going. I tried a few times to interact with passerby's and it just didn't work.

I have had several people come up to me and start talking to me in Russian, like asking for directions. I have been told by a couple of people here that I look a little Ukrainian (maybe) so I don't stand out like a sore thumb.

I'm anxious to get the rest of my trip started ... but wanted to stop by here for those that might be interested ... and share some thoughts. At least now I can say "I've been there"   

... but I still have so much to learn.

I will try to drop a line from Kharkov. I hope all my friends here are well 

[Shadow]

Welcome to the real experience USCFAN.
You will soon discover that Ukraine is not as poor as some people think.
Don't try to talk to strangers that do not talk/look to you, most will not understand English and you might interest some Militia.

Have a great time.

[ccarten]

Hey Steve,

One of my wife's friends estimated that 75% of the cars in Ukraine were stolen from another country, whether that is true or not, don't know as an explanation about the cars you see.

As far as they people not interacting with each other, that the culture, it is normal.  Strangers do not talk to each other unless they have some business with each other.

Is the Canadian TV crew with you?

Clay & Tanya

[docetae]

cars are an external sign of wealth. And Ukrainian seems to attach a high importance to brands.
You will find people who live in small appartments but who have a new japenese or german car. German manufacturers are since 2 years importing more and more car to Ukraine.

The most funny is that they don't know a lot of american brands (I must add that I am an european living in Canada since 10 years now). So the best will be to have a photo with you ... (I told my girlfriend that I changed my ford explorer for a Navigator and she had absolutely no idea about what it is until I send her a photo)

[Simoni]

I'm glad your big moment has finally arrived, and you are now in Kharkov.

Best of luck, and have a great time!!!

~Si

[Makkin]

Hey USC,

  I'm very happy for you and hope all things go well for you.

  Yes...now you have the credentials of having set foot in FSU..lol

Makkin

[Bruce]

Best of luck.  It is always great to get current, fresh perspective on what is going on in any given section of the FSU.  We all look forward to the TR  .

[USCFAN]

Greetings from Kharkov! 

Ever try to sleep on a train?    I took the over night from Kiev and didn't sleep a wink! It doesn't help that it has been so muggy and humid here either.

As great as I thought the scenery was in Kiev, it's almost double here in Kharkov. I simply cannot believe how many absolutely beautiful women there are walking the streets.

Clay, the Canadian crew is here and will be with me on a few dates later in the weekend. They say 'hello'.

I'm adjusting well and feeling more comfortable each day. I've had a few dates but nothing special yet. I've had two that didn't speak any English, though their profile eluded to the fact that they did, so dating someone 3rd person is interesting. (with an interpreter)

I had one fun night last night when a taxi dropped me off 3 blocks from my real destination ... and my cell phone was dead! It was a nice night and there were a lot of 'college' age people out and about. So I tried to relax, blend in, and eventually I found a beautiful young woman who spoke English and set me on the right path.

Still getting over the way people drive over here. It's like by using the braille system 

So far, even though I haven't met anybody special yet, I am enjoying my trip and already have thoughts of returning. I appreciate everyone's feedback 

On to a party tonight ... and then maybe dancing at some clubs afterward. I've met a guy here from California who is pretty cool so it's nice to have a fellow American to swap stories with.

Take care everyone ... catch up to you soon!

Steve

[I/O]

Ever try to sleep on a train?    I took the over night from Kiev and didn't sleep a wink!

Ya wooss...!!! It's a piece of cake...............after the first 20 trips.

I did find it interesting that as poor as this country is, there are tons of Mercedes, BMW's, Range Rovers, Lexus, etc.

Lesson number 1, it ain't anywhere near as poor as many would like to think. There is a great disparity between the haves and the have nots, but never come in for thinking it is a poor country. Russia likewise.

Still getting over the way people drive over here. It's like by using the braille system

Yep...!! Drive by feel. 

I also noticed that people don't look at other people here while walking. They all seem focused on where they are going. I tried a few times to interact with passerby's and it just didn't work.

That's Europe my man.....all over.  Maybe more so in the central east, but all over. They always look such a sad lot to me, like they just lost their mother or the world is going to end in 5 minutes. If you go far enough east, then it seems to loosen up a little again.

Nice to see you with your feet on eastern ground. Enjoy the journey.

I/O

[Simoni]

Greetings from Kharkov! 
 So I tried to relax, blend in, and eventually I found a beautiful young woman who spoke English and set me on the right path.

Steve, such chance encounters are golden.  Always try to get the phone number or email of such girls.  Sometimes they pan out, big time.

[KenC]

USCFAN,
I hope you know that you are now ruined for life!  You will never settle for an AW ever again!   Enjoying your report and best of luck to you.
KenC

[Muj]

USCFAN,

Common in larger cities in the US as NYC or San Fran business areas that no one looks at each other or attempts any discussion.  Eye contact in a NYC subway may be an invite for a mugger from a flush tourist.
Sounds good so far and happy journeys!

[Thor]

Greetings from Kharkov! 

Ever try to sleep on a train?    I took the over night from Kiev and didn't sleep a wink! It doesn't help that it has been so muggy and humid here either.

As great as I thought the scenery was in Kiev, it's almost double here in Kharkov. I simply cannot believe how many absolutely beautiful women there are walking the streets.

Clay, the Canadian crew is here and will be with me on a few dates later in the weekend. They say 'hello'.

I'm adjusting well and feeling more comfortable each day. I've had a few dates but nothing special yet. I've had two that didn't speak any English, though their profile eluded to the fact that they did, so dating someone 3rd person is interesting. (with an interpreter)

I had one fun night last night when a taxi dropped me off 3 blocks from my real destination ... and my cell phone was dead! It was a nice night and there were a lot of 'college' age people out and about. So I tried to relax, blend in, and eventually I found a beautiful young woman who spoke English and set me on the right path.

Still getting over the way people drive over here. It's like by using the braille system 

So far, even though I haven't met anybody special yet, I am enjoying my trip and already have thoughts of returning. I appreciate everyone's feedback 

On to a party tonight ... and then maybe dancing at some clubs afterward. I've met a guy here from California who is pretty cool so it's nice to have a fellow American to swap stories with.

Take care everyone ... catch up to you soon!

Steve

Steve,

Yes Kharkov is just great, and now in September the univesetys has started up again and the Kharkov is packed with girls:)). MANY many devochky from the small villages surrounding Kharkov move to Kharkov to study.

If you want to go to a club so go to club Bolero, it is the best disco in the worldn packed with the most beautiful girls in the world!!!

Are you in Kharkov meeting agency girls?

[jb]

USCFAN,

I had to chuckle over your comment about the way they drive.  Personally I think they do pretty good when you consider that 90% of the people driving there had zero experience behind the wheel prior to 1991.   They've come a long way in the past 15 years.

[USCFAN]

Thanks for all the replies ... I am in Lugansk now ...

I've kind of 'hit the wall'' right now ... not used to being gone for so long. Just really exhausted. I am totally burnt out ...

One thing I remember hearing about this kind of trip was the friends that you would develop along the way, and it is so true. Everything that is going on for me, but the ups and downs, have been helped out by meeting some real good people and I feel like Ive developed some life-long friends.

Some may wonder if I've meet anyone special ... well I'm heading back to Kharkov in a few days to spend the weekend with the most amazing woman. She is 29, and while she is simply one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, it is our conversations and the connection that we developed over several nights that has me 'buzzing'  Quite simply, she is so tender, has such a giving heart, has such a pure soul ... and is serious in her search for her other half ... we are both Gemini's born 3 days apart ... I don't think I've ever been taken so much by a woman in my life. I know I might be sharing a bit to much ... but when I pictured my trip to Ukraine and who I was looking for ... she embodies everything I was looking for. So we are going to spend the weekend together and see if the connection continues to stregthen ... because it will be at least Christmas before I can return.

This whole experience has been such a learning experience. I've had some really bad luck with some things ... like having met a lady for a drink, only to have her tell me she has to leave 20 minutes later to head home 20 miles away ... only to see her 3 hours later walking hand and hand with her boyfriend on the street. I will say this ... this journey is not for the 'faint of heart' ...

And while my eyes have been opened in many ways ... and though there have been some serious disappointments ... I feel like I am on the right path. So yes KenC ... I am ruined for life 

Thor - One of my buddies went to Bolero several times ... and told me about all the scenery 

I know I'm kind of new here ... but I do appreciate your comments ... I will be posting one more time from Kharkov before heading home. Then I will share some pictures ...

Take care everyone ...
Steve

[ScottinCrimea]

I always love hearing the impressions of first time visitors to the FSU.  It brings back memories of my first experiences and how the things that now seem pretty normal to me were so unlike anything I had seen before.  If you think the girls you are seeing are hot, try going to one of the Black Sea resorts during the summer.  Be sure to wear sunglasses and a drool bib though.

Whenever I travel to another country I compare the driving habits to those in Acapulco and nothing comes close, not even the FSU.  Of course it didn't help matters there that the car given me to drive by the resort was a pink jeep with the words, "The Love Jeep" painted on the side.

[acrzybear]

Of course it didn't help matters there that the car given me to drive by the resort was a pink jeep with the words, "The Love Jeep" painted on the side.

Scott

Actually I would think that would be the perfect vehicle for "The love Doctor" 

[jb]

Shades of Oahu Hawaii during the late 50's, early 60's, where the only rental cars on the Island were Henry J. Kaiser owned jeeps,,, all painted hot pink.  The rental cost per mile was so high tourists were seen driving everywhere in reverse gear so as to not rack up mileage on the odometer.

TFF, I hadn't thought about that in years.

[gabrielo]

Whenever I travel to another country I compare the driving habits to those in Acapulco and nothing comes close, not even the FSU.  Of course it didn't help matters there that the car given me to drive by the resort was a pink jeep with the words, "The Love Jeep" painted on the side.

Well I believed which in the FSU was the worst drivers,  but maybe I has a wrong impression from the boards about the FSU driving style and its worst here, but seen Acapulco I can say Acapulco driving style is really good compared to Monterrey, here think  as Raul Julia told in Gumball Rally movie( maybe the title is inexact) when trow away the rear mirror "what its behind me doesn't matter at all" only the people here added the front and sides to the phrase

I hope you enjoyed your stay in Acapulco

ps. maybe your driver was a tourist too, some time ago the police cars has the legend "In Acapulco don't give tickets to the tourist"

[Thor]

Ken,

Maybe I promote Kharkov, but I just love this city . There are so many things to do in Kharkov, and first now after 12 trips to Kharkov I see how big this city are. This summer did I find Arizona pool resort, with my US friend Rich (RK) did I go there several times to have a good time. And of course there are a lot of hot girls in Kharkov like mostly all members of this site who goes to Kharkov seems to notice

Steve,

Enjoy your stay in Kharkov and keep posting!!!

[Makkin]

Steve,

  Great to hear your adventure as it rings of truth and probable destiny. Thanks for the honesty and heart felt emotions. I have a feeling your gonna doing very well with the FSU ladies.

Good Luck,

Makkin

[catzenmouse]

Thor,

 I wasn't picking on you. I know you love Ukraine and Kharkov very much and I am happy for you that you have found such joy there and also a wonderful woman to be your wife. I was just making a little joke.

Ken

[USCFAN]

Maybe you've heard the expression "swinging for the fences" ? Well, basically that's where I'm at right now ...

I got back to Kharkov very early Saturday morning on the train from Lugansk. I basically came back here to spend all of Sunday with the lady I have told you about before. She is so amazing, so loving and tender, has so much to give to the man in her life. In fact, when I talked with her last time, I talked to her about this fact, that in order for her to feel comlete and happy within herself, she needs to be able to share her heart and give herself to her one true love ... and she teared up as I shared these things with her.

Once again, maybe this is too much info for a message board, but I wear my heart on my sleave as well and can't help but share how wonderful this woman is. She has touched my life like no other. And what makes it even more special for me is that this isn't a situation where I ran into a short skirt, we got a little 'wild', and my heart followed 'that' head. As of right now, our start has been soul to soul ...

I know this, there is no place in the world I have ever seen, both in person or on TV, that has so many absolutely beautiful women. I hit the McDonalds (a taste of home) and again sat in amazement in the ladies walking by. Damn, I HAVE to learn some russian 

I already have plans to return, even if things do not progress with my lady in Kharkov. I know this is not an easy path, and I really respect those here that have made this journey successfully. My hope is that my journey will have the same result.

Take care and my best to everyone ...
STeve

[KenC]

USCFAN,
Like I said before, you are now "ruined" for life!
KenC

[Thor]

Thor,

 I wasn't picking on you. I know you love Ukraine and Kharkov very much and I am happy for you that you have found such joy there and also a wonderful woman to be your wife. I was just making a little joke.

Ken

Hi Ken,

I know that you was not picking on me so that is ok . FSU is just heaven when it comes to girls, I keep wounder why so few men comes to FSU to lok for a girl. I guess that you need to have a breavheart to go so fare to find your princess .

USCFAN,

I am glad that you have meet a very special woman!! And I totally understand your feelings about the Ukrainian girls , they are so hot and beautiful, and also have style!!! Just the best .

Do you  go to the Mc Donalds restaurang in Lenina or Petroskaya? ALWAYS many girls at this restaurangs...