My visit from Irina from Moscow to Virginia BeachVA! It was great!

[virginiajoe]

My friend Irina was here in America visiting her friends in New York City.We had been e-mailing since January.We never really talked about romance or love too much just basic conversation about the news,weather,work and basic stuff.
I asked her if she would like to visit here in Virginia Beach,VA.She said of course! That's when I started to get excited.
I researched the airfare from NYC to Norfolk and it was $200 and up and then she said she wasn't sure if she could come.she called me and I mentioned Amtrak.She said she would have her friend in Brooklyn check on the tickets and prices.We shared some good laughs on the phone and I think she was suprised at how well our conversation was going!
Next day,she tells me she has the tickets and will be at the Newport News,VA Amtrak station!!!!
I arrived 2 hours early,the train was delayed because of the hot weather.Finally I saw the light of the train,suprisingly I wasn't nervous! Passengers started to get off,and there she was!!!!!!!! She looked much more beautiful in person,she said,"Hey Joe!" We smiled and hugged,it was one of the most romantic moments of my life ever! I gave her flowers,and she said,"Joe you know the Russian tradition,thank you."
We drove to Virginia Beach,she was amazed at all the trees and flowers.New York City was the only place she had been before here in America.We arrived at the oceanfront,she loved it.We walked on the boardwalk,and talked about everything in life,we really connected and I felt like I had known her all my life.She was tired and wanted to go home,so we went.I fixed up her room and she went right to sleep.
The next morning we woke up early,went to the beach.The weather was really hot.She had her bikini on and I had to try so hard not to lose it!!! Oh my god!!! She is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen! I was a gentleman though to her.People were staring all around,it didn't bother me or her.By now I had fallen for her big time.I was on cloud 9! We went to lunch at a cafe by the boardwalk,had some white wine and talked again,it was simply amazing.
Then we went by the Naval Air Station to watch the fighter planes,she was mesmerized by them! Then we went shopping for awhile,went back to the beach and took a sightseeing cruise around the ocean and bay.She looked so beautiful,like a angel on the boat.She had on a scarf to keep the sun off her.I wanted to kiss her constantly the whole time but there were too many people around.We saw the dolphins and she loved it!
We went back home,cleaned up and then went back to the beach for dinner.She wanted to go back to the same cafe.The food was great,she got chicken strips.She didn't seem to eat much while she was here though,only a soup for lunch one day,she seemed to care very much about her diet,that's great! We shared a few glasses of wine and we were feeling pretty good by now! We walked on the beach some more,went home and shared some great moments.
Then the next day she had to go back to NYC to get ready for the flight to Moscow,it was the saddest day of my life,I have tears in my eyes now thinking about it.We shared some coffee,both of us were quiet.You could see the pain in our eyes.I dropped her off at the station,I told her from the bottom of my heart,"It is very hard to say goodbye to you,she kissed me and I kissed her back and she said,"Please come to Moscow." It was over.
I had told her I will visit Moscow before,how could I not! Irina is very lucky to be able to travel,she works for one of the top companies in Moscow so they help her with the travel,visa,etc.Saying goodbye to Irina was the hardest thing I had ever done.I miss her.I will visit her though.
One thing that concerns me,I don't think she is looking for marriage,she has a good life in Moscow,she says she loves Russia and America.Maybe I am a sucker for falling in love with her.I have never connected with anyone like her,I didn't plan on it,it just happened.The same day I had to work,and I was fighting the tears all day.Now I just feel kind of lonely and confused.
Can anyone help me post Irina's pictures on here,I tried to put them on here but the files are too large.My e-mail is joefisher1972@yahoo.com I can send them too you.I appreciate any advice you people can give me.
I know this is not the usual way for the first visit,a Russian women coming her to America first,that's why I'm a little confused.I think me and Irina have alot to talk about when she gets back to Moscow,thanks for listening.

[Bruno]

Very good start... and don't worry about marriage now... you have already a little place in her heart and she will see you again... take some holiday and visit her in Moscow... and maybe during the meeting, you can ask her what she think about marriage...

Maybe she is not ready now, but when she will know you better and feel some love for you, she can change his meaning... For a so short time, i can say that you date is a success... imagine if you stay 2 week together...

And really, if all is right with you and her... why not think about the reverse situation... is it possible for you to quit USA and life in Moscow ??? Of maybe his top compagny have some office in US ??? ... you know the situation, use your imagination for find a solution... and be happy...

[Turboguy]

It sounds like a great visit.   The Virginia beach area is a great tourist spot.    It is great to fall in love but you might want to find out what her ideas are on the subject.   I am sure you would love to spend time with her in Moscow.    It is better to do that knowing where you stand and what the future holds.

[virginiajoe]

Thanks for the advice,I think after she left,I was just a little overwhelmed by her.She was just so beautiful and so much more beautiful as a person on the inside.That's why I was a total gentleman and didn't act like a idiot when she took her top off to sunbath.I treated her with respect.
I will definitely visit her.I think we should take it slow.I don't want to lose her friendship first of all.She is such a beautiful person.I did feel a strong connection with her.My father even liked her.He couldn't stop talking to her,it was kind of funny! Irina understood though.
I definitely appreciate any advice you can give me.Thanks.

[virginiajoe]

Have any of the members of this board been to Va Beach before I am curious to hear what you think of my city.I read New York,Chicago,Philadelphia have the largest Russian populations in the US.We have many foreign exchange workers,students here and a few local residents too.Virginia Beach is the perfect city to take your woman too.Many of the workers at the restaurants speak Russian,so they will fell at home here and it is very beautiful here.

[Turboguy]

Hi Joe,  Way, way back in my married days I used to vacation every other year in Virginia Beach.   I am sure it has changed a lot.   I always liked it there.    I hope to get down there around the end of August for a few days.   I hope the Summer Russian help is still there.  I think my gal will like that. 

In the days when I came there every other year, I went to Ocean City, Md the other years.  It was nice too.

[virginiajoe]

Yes of course the summer Russian help will still be here.They will be more than happy to talk to your lady in Russian and help you! I even thought Irina felt kind of sorry for them,here she was here having the time of life on a vacation and these women are here busting their tails for minimum wage.I  am trying to find a Russian women or man to help teach me Russian here.It is so hard trying to learn the language without having someone to talk with one on one.
Again I wish you all the luck in the world with your sweetheart.The day after Irina left for Moscow,it was the people on this board who gave me hope and made me feel so much better and not want to just cry.I will apply for my passport,visa now and buy the plane tickets to Russia.I will take the plunge for better of for worse! I saw the Live 8 concerts and they showed Moscow,it was so beautiful,I can't wait to see it for myself and to take pictures of me and Irina there! It looked so great! I am hoping to go there as soon as September!
I am not sure what the future will hold for us,but I made I promise to her that I will come to Moscow to see her,it was her last words to me.It will do my soul some good just to go over there and experience it for myself.The whole culture just intrigues me.It is so intersting.I definitely want to visit a village outside of Mockba.Irina said she was so happy to visit a different area of America besides New York,that was a honor for me to show her Virginia,my great state,she also wants to go to Philly! It is also one of my favorite cities!
Thanks again for your advice,since I decided to date a Russian women I have never been so excited about dating and sharing a friendship,and to think my first introduction to Russian women was a scammer who asked for visa,plane fare,I am greatful to her because she is the one who taught me all about the culture,etc all the way from Biysk,Siberia.Marina Smyrnova,she was a total scammer! -40 temps no wonder she wanted to get out of there,I don't blame her!
Well good luck with her,I am sure once she gets here everything will be okay.Just like when I met Irina in person,everything was different from that first hug!

[Turboguy]

It is an awsome experience seeing red square for the first time.  I am sure you will be impressed.   The tour through the Kremlin is pretty neat too.   I am sure you will have a great time and I hope it goes how you want romantically.  Just remember everything takes time so don't wait too long to start working on your trip.

[virginiajoe]

Don't worry I am starting the passport on my next day off tuesday and as soon as that arrives,then I will buy the airline tickets and visa!!!!!!!!!!! It will be awesome!!! I also hope to visit another Euro city like Berlin or Vienna,travel has always been my main interest.I think I will use Atlantic Fellowship or Russia house for my flight.Thanks again for the advice,it is priceless! It reminds me of my favorite U2 song Stay(Faraway So close) London,Belfast,and Berlin,and if you listen,I can't can't call,and if if you jump I just might fall and if you shout i'll only hear you.I was singing this to her on the way after I picked her up from her trip to New York,she really liked it!
This also reminds me of our visit to the bar that night where my father was singing karaoke,I knew she was ready to get out of there,my father kept talking to her and the people at the other tables were staring at her.It made her feel a little uneasy.Then we went to the seaside cafe where we had a very late dinner! and the Russian man who worked there carded her when she suprisingly ordered a bottle of wine for us! I thought it was very funny! She said,"I am a 27 year old woman okay." He was only doing his job. Use your imagination after that!I will treasure these moments I had with her,it was a total dream! I can't wait to go to Moscow and repay her and share some more romantic moments with her! Also she can't wait to come back to Virginia Beach!!!!!!!!This women really seems to keep me excited! Again I can't wait for my trip to Russia!! Thanks again for the advice! It has been a most wonderful year for me since I discovered Russia and how great my city of Virginia Beach really is!

[Todd]

Joe,

If you DO go to Moscow in the near future, I have one big recommendation.  I waited until the last day to go to the Bolshoi Ballet.  In my opinion, this was a HUGE mistake.  I have been to ballets in the US, and there is really no comparison.  Totally amazing and well within the budget.  If I had it to do over again, I would have went at least twice while I was there. 

The other thing that amazed me about Moscow was how incredibly expensive everything was.  However, if you are in a hotel loyalty program, it really pays to use points instead of $$'s to pay for rooms.  Another great way to sample the food is to have your big meal at lunch and go to a nice business lunch buffet.  Prices at lunch are significantly cheaper than at dinner and could easily save you a couple of hundred dollars over the course of a week.

Like everyone else said, you will enjoy the Kremlin...just make sure you budget enough time there to really enjoy and appreciate it. 

Finally, I had a bad experience with the taxi drivers in Moscow.  They are always playing an angle...so be VERY careful.

Best of luck,

Todd

P.S.  If you are going to be visiting her parents or friends, it may help to bring as a gift a nice picture book of Virginia Beach.  I know that Kate and her mother have looked through what Boston looks like.

[Turboguy]

I have been to the Bolshoi a few times myself and it is awsome.   The thing that I liked even better was the Moscow Circus.   It was really awsome.   Wondering around Arabat street is great.  Just being in moscow is awsome.