looking for travel advice from the experienced

[Jack]

Welcome back Igor!
 
Igor, if I might reply. In my opinion you want to look at things only one way, thru your rose colored glasses. YOU are the one you went un-glued when I made one post, not to you or directed at you, as to the prices many of our clients pay for interpreters. I was merely stating a fact. I think it is good for guys to have a ballpark figure for what they might expect to pay for any and all services. I never thought or expected you would get sole upset for me quoting the $5 an hour many of our clients happily pay. So what do you do? Make allegations you have absolutely no foundation to back up that the people who we use who charge $5 must be of bad quality, or very poor and starving and that I am taking advantage of them by only paying them $5 an hour. Just pure unfounded hogwash coming from you Igor.

[Bruce]

I agree with Bruno - Dan is doing a super job.  It is our fault for disagreeing too strongly and perhaps getting each others ears up a bit.  However, a little banter is healthy.  Alot of us have strong opinions and there is nothing wrong with questioning and exchanging ideas.  Thats how we all learn about and better our relationships with women / people, especially from the FSU!

[Evgeni]

Dear Dan The Administrator,

You mentioned reasonable apartments in Kyiv.  I have been corresponding with a few ladies in Kyiv and Dnepropetrovsk.   I will travel to Ukraine in June with hopes that one will become my полувину (soulmate), but I cannot seem to find a decently priced apartment in either city.  Do you have any suggestions?  I can speak and understand a little Russian, but I am by no means an expert.

Thanks,

Evgeni

 

[Elen]

become (кем? чем?) my (моей) полувину(половиной)  

[2tallbill]

What Igor didn't explain and I have used both him or Pavel on my three trips is that he provides much more than a stict translation service. He looks out for you, advises you on a multitude of things that you would never think of or get from a young college girl who lives with her parents and charges less. Also you will never be tempted to look at Igors breasts and upset your girl friend. To explain all of the advice that he gave me some of which was free when I got back and had a question would take forever. He provides a service that I am willing to pay for. I am not going to argue with anyone because I can't see any benefit to it. Igor saved me money at least a half dozen times a day. I don't know if he made up for his higher and reasonable fees but his superior service was well worth it. His real value that he provides is his vast experience, advice, various services which range from low cost cell phone rental, driving me around, stopped me from mistakes that I was about to make and the fact that he is completely on your side. I could go on and on.

[Michelangelo]

[user=911]2tallbill[/user] wrote:

What Igor didn't explain and I have used both him or Pavel onmy threetrips is that he provides much more than a stict translation service. .

I have used Pavel on three trips, and he DOES provide much more than translation..he is the best I have ever seen.  He has a good sense of human character.  He gives you sound advice and directs you in productive ways.  I consider him a friend...and not just a translator...

[2tallbill]

but plan to go to some other areas of the Ukraine. This is our first trip. Is it
easier/better to use public transportation or to rent a car? Is it true that
I will be able to use my ATM card there? Cell phones,

Credit cards work in Ukraine these days, but in Russia they don't.
(I have inlaws in Russia so I had a work around). You can simply
buy a local sim card and swap it into your smart phone. I never
tried to rent a car in the FSU, my FSUW takes me around wherever
I want to go buy the lowest cost methods available. Sometimes I
stick my foot down and say, NO! we are not going by a bus route
with 20 changes! We will take a taxi! She will nearly always agree
without a fuss.

My Angel Eyes can save me $5 per day but the extra 3 hours isn't
usually worth it.

Udachi!

Bill