Travel to Kiev and Day 1 BOTG (Boots On The Ground)

[dneid]

Traveling to Ukraine and Day 1

After many months of reading and researching the whole idea of looking overseas for a life partner, I am on my way to Ukraine.  It has been a very interesting journey to get this far.  I was fortunate to have found a couple of great web resources in my quest and this is one of the very best!!  I did have a couple of WTF moments, but I was able to get them squelched easily.

The plan is to meet with one woman in Kiev.  I will refer to her as Lady A.  We have been communicating via e-mail for about 2-3 months.  So far she is very sweet and I am quite impressed with her.  I will be in Kiev with free time to meet with her on the 2 Apr to 5 Apr.  My only concern as I am flying over the Atlantic is I have not heard from her for about 3-4 days confirming our first meeting.  She has usually been very good about replying within 2 days.  I do not think she is avoiding me, I think she is busy and has not been able to reply.  I was hoping to get her confirmation about meeting at Picasso on 2 Apr at 19:30.

Well, I am here in Kiev.  Hot damn!!!  A little overwhelmed.  Kiev is something to see even if it is cool and gray out.  The flat is nice and Pavel has been great.  We had a good discussion after I got to the flat.  Very straightforward and easy to deal with.  I like him so far.  And you guys were right…. you cannot swing a cat and not hit a drop dead beautiful woman here.  Holy snickeys, Mikey!!!  If more AMs came here we could make this the 51st state!

Now, on to the real deal.  LadyA and I are meeting in about 30 minutes for dinner.  Her agency is sticking their nose, but I’ll play the game tonight.  I’ll write up the initial meeting when I get back in and have had some sleep.  Damn, I am tired.  Been up 22 hours already.  However, I am showered and refreshed.  Finally, after all these months, my first meeting with a Ukrainian lady.  This should be interesting.  Wish some of you guys with some real experience were here to coach me through this first meeting.  I am just going to be myself and see where the conversation goes.  I can be very candid at times and I will probably be so tonight.

One possible issue for the return.  Heathrow does close over night, so I will have to find a place to sleep.  Need to get on line and see what I can find.  If anyone has any ideas, it would be appreciated.  Pictures to come!!!

Just got in from my first RW meeting.  Man, was I nervous walking over with Pavel.  Pavel spent a few minutes and coached me through it.  Just be a gentleman and be myself.  The gentleman thing is not too hard as that is the way I was raised by a southern lady.  Be myself….. well we would need to see how that goes.  So, Pavel and I meet Lady A and her ‘terp only to discover that Piscasso is closed for a private party.  So off to another place Pavel knew of….. I’ll get the name from Pavel tomorrow.

So, we all sit down and just start saying hello.  Lady A hits me as being as sweet as I found her to be in our letters.  Well, I started off with a few “jokes” about my boys and their carnivorous eating style.  I then gave Lady A a Longhorn t-shirt for her son.  I found out later that that simple Wal Mart special really hit her between the eyes.  So we order (the lamb was great) and then we just talked.  Not a long list of questions.  Just sharing tales about our families.  I told a few Texas stories and one about fly fishing Alaska with my oldest and the brown bear he hooked.  At one point, Lady A was laughing so hard she was almost crying.  The rest of dinner continued in that spirit.  Lots of fun.  It was only during the end of the meal that we waxed a little philosophical and even that was fun.  So, we wrapped the night up and I asked if Lady A wanted to meet again tomorrow night.  She said Yes!  Then I asked about where she would like to go and she asked if I would like to meet her mother and son for dinner tomorrow night at their flat.  Now, you guys have said that something like this is a good sign.  So, I am taking you all at your word and Pavel agrees.

If there is one negative, it is the fact that Lady A is a touch on the heavy side.  Heavier than her pictures indicate.  Not obese, just a tad bigger.  Is this a reason to discard her?  By all means, no!!!  She is sweet and charming. She made sure I had food on my plate (ala carte), and her hand was brushing mine through out the night.   At one point, she was laughing over my tale of my first longhorn (the animal, not the student) breeding and she just leaned over laughing and ran her hand down my neck and back.  Damn, it feels good to have a woman appreciate you!!  Then towards the end of the meal she started playing footsies with me.  All in all, she is a wonderful person and a very feminine woman.  She dresses to the Ts, her smile is so warm and her green eyes are so engaging.  Does this mean I am going to stop my search now?  Of course not!!!  What this means is I have been graced with the company of a delightful lady and I so appreciate that fact.  I guess my biggest fear is I am going to find myself in the position of having to pick among two or more wonderful ladies.  That is something I am not relishing.

Well, it is off to bed.  I have been up right at 24 hours.  I know I am falling far short of groove’s TRs.  I am beat and I want to be refreshed for tomorrow.  I’ll try to post daily or every other day.  You guys were right, I am spoiled for life.  AMs just will never measure up again.

[tim 360]

Your first installment of your trip report has a good beginning and I'm sure you will have a great time.  You have an excellent attitude Dale, keep it up.

Heathrow overnight?  I'm sure someone will chime in with a place.  Cheers,

[Shadow]

I hope the rest of the trip will be equally good. If you get to the picking part, pick the one that is most responsive to you. 

[I/O]

she asked if I would like to meet her mother and son for dinner tomorrow night at their flat. 

I/O

[AugustD]

In my reading of this site...I may be wrong...but...is Dale like the nicest guy ever or what?!  I get a feeling he will charm every woman he meets.

Very enjoyable to read Dale.  I am looking forward to the next installment!

[Gator]

she asked if I would like to meet her mother and son for dinner tomorrow night at their flat.  Now, you guys have said that something like this is a good sign. 

No!  It is not a good sign; it is a great sign.

If there is one negative, it is the fact that Lady A is a touch on the heavy side.  Heavier than her pictures indicate.  Not obese, just a tad bigger.

 

She will lose weight from you chasing her around the house 2-3 times per day.

She made sure I had food on my plate (ala carte), and her hand was brushing mine through out the night.   At one point, she was laughing over my tale of my first longhorn (the animal, not the student) breeding and she just leaned over laughing and ran her hand down my neck and back.

The old expression comes to mind - you will know if a RW likes you.  You have discovered a new ploy to turn RW on - discuss the cow breeding.

Excellent report Dneid.

Serious question.  It sounds as if you did most of the talking?  Somehow get her to speak more than you.  You will learn more about her other than she likes you.  

Her mama will probably want to talk a lot.   But first mama will study you and listen to what you have to say.

[catzenmouse]

Her mama will probably want to talk a lot.   But first mama will study you and listen to what you have to say.

All while she is stuffing ever increasing amounts of food in you! 

Excellent beginning to your trip and I'll look forward to hearing more about your adventures.

Ken

[KenC]

dneid,
You charming dog!!  Um, I guess I could point out the obvious: she is hot for you boy! (She couldn't stop touching you) Taking you home to Momma is a great sign too.

A quick question for you.  Did you reciprocate the touchy feelies with her?  People who are into touching a lot are also open to being touched back, you know.

Very good T/R so far!  Who knew you were such a stud muffin?
KenC

[Simoni]

Excellent beginning to your trip report, Dale!

All signs are good, and that is great! 

Get some sleep, and enjoy yourself tomorrow.

Marina says hello and "good luck!"

~Simoni

[BillyB]

Wish some of you guys with some real experience were here to coach me through this first meeting. 

It's show time and time to perform. Don't need a wingman for this solo act.

One possible issue for the return.  Heathrow does close over night, so I will have to find a place to sleep.  Need to get on line and see what I can find.  If anyone has any ideas, it would be appreciated. 

Between Heathrow's gates 25 and 26 there is a bathroom. make sure nobody is around. Go into the third stall and you'll see a vent near the ceiling. The vent cover screws are loose and you can open and enter. It's dusty and stinky but you get what you pay for. Other than that, I'm sure an airport taxi driver can take you to a hotel nearby.

Then I asked about where she would like to go and she asked if I would like to meet her mother and son for dinner tomorrow night at their flat.  Now, you guys have said that something like this is a good sign. 

You came, she saw and she's not embarrassed to be seen with you stud muffin so she is accepting you physically and comfortable introducing you to family.

I guess my biggest fear is I am going to find myself in the position of having to pick among two or more wonderful ladies.  That is something I am not relishing.

Nothing wrong with having choices. Just pick the best one that will compliment your life and someone who's life you'll compliment too. When you have no choices in women, then you need to start worrying.

[Faux Pas]

 

I guess my biggest fear is I am going to find myself in the position of having to pick among two or more wonderful ladies.  That is something I am not relishing.

Hey dneid!
We all have our crosses to bear. Enjoying the TP

[Serebro]

Does this mean I am going to stop my search now?  Of course not!!!  What this means is I have been graced with the company of a delightful lady and I so appreciate that fact. 

Thank you for the report,
I am sorry for being a little pess...realistic...but
Her reaction on the first date like inviting you to see her parents can also be a bad sign:she is desperate to leave the country and is trying to "attach" any man she sees.Most girls I know would never act like this:loud laughing, playing footsies, inviting you to see her parents...either she is too emotional or it's a well performed "play".


There's one thing I can't understand:if the meeting went well and she liked you and you liked her company who are you going to look for?!

[dneid]

Trip Report – Days 2 & 3
Well, it was a very interesting day yesterday.  I slept in late as I was exhausted from the trip over and the first meeting with Lady A.  I slept in until around noon.  The flat is comfortable, but has no internet access.  However, this is not a real problem as there are many places very close with WiFi access for free.  There a great little coffee shop just around the corner called Gloria Jeans that has free wifi with your purchase.  Nice shop, comfortable with coffees similar to Starbucks candy coffees.
So, day started with the quest for a power/plug converter for my MacBook.  Pavel and I walked all over Kiev looking for one.  I was looking for something that would step the 250V down to 120V.  We were not having any luck finding one.  I could find plug converters but nothing that would step down to 120V.  Then we found a computer shop that had Mac notebooks and we found a guy there who knows Apples very well.  He told me that the Apple power adapter was a “world” adapter and would handle the 250V just fine.
Now, on the way back I asked Pavel about going through Independence Square.  So, off we went.  BTW, the weather was lousy.  A steady rain and it was cool, not cold, but definitely cool.  As we drew closer to Independence Square we realized that there was a protest going on.  The folks were protesting against NATO inclusion of Ukraine.  Well, we wound up right in the middle of the protest.  Pavel stayed glued to me like white on rice.  The protest was peaceful enough, just a huge number of kids.  I wanted to stop for a few minutes to just watch and had Pavel translate some of the speaker’s speeches for me.  Man, this group is opposed to NATO!  We worked our way through the protest and finally reached clear walking.
Next stop was for a few groceries.  Some pretzels, some water, some toothpaste, and some Coke.  After grocery store we stopped back by the flat.  As we were out walking, Lady A’s ‘terp called and we arranged a meeting for the evening at a place just around the corner from my flat.  So, Pavel and I hung out at my place and we discussed politics and religion for a while.  All in all, it was a good discussion and I learned more about Ukrainian life and the outlooks here.  And Pavel did not charge me for the time we just hung out and talked.  BTW, I know Kuna had some disagreements with Pavel.  All I can say is I have been very clear with Pavel what I needed and what I was comfortable with regarding costs and he has met and far exceeded my expectations.  I am sorry Kuna had the problems he had and I did learn from them.  Thanks for your feedback, Kuna.  I would definitely recommend Pavel to anyone coming to Kiev.  And he watched over me during the protest like a hen watches over her chicks.  I never felt any need to be concerned and actually enjoyed watching events unfold.  Again, a very peaceful protest.
So, on to meeting number 2.  It turns out Lady A was a bit thrown by my bringing Pavel as a second translator.  I explained to her that this was just my own confusion and no disrespect was intended.  She was more than comfortable with my explanation and she wanted to meet again.  So, we agreed to meet at the restaurant just down from my flat.  We agreed to meet there at 18:30.  I arrived promptly at 18:30 and Lady A’s ‘terp was there.  Lady A called and said she was stuck in traffic (traffic was horrible all day with the rain and the protest) and she would be late.  So, Leisa and I decided to be seated and we visited for about 30 minutes.  I found Leisa to be charming, witty, and intelligent.  I really enjoyed getting to know her.  Just before Lady A arrived, Leisa commented that Lady A really liked me and was looking forward to seeing me again.  Well, Lady A arrived and we sat down to enjoy our evening.  It was obvious from the very beginning that Lady A was more comfortable with just Leisa and I.  She was much more animated and talkative from the start.  All in all, it was a good meal and the conversation, even through an interpreter, was great.  Lady A asked me about many things.  My devotion to my religion, my time spent in nature, the role of a husband and father in the religious learning of a family, and many more.  I answered all of her questions fully and honestly.  She seemed to be pleased with my answers.  Towards the end of dinner, Lady A excused herself for the ladies room and Leisa and I began to discuss politics and political philosophy.  It was a fascinating conversation that Lady A picked right up own when she returned.  Leisa asked me if I thought Ukraine had the “spirit” to continue to in its political evolution.  My response was that is would be her generation that would be the final deciding factor.  My reasoning is hers is the first generation (she is 23) that has not had direct experience with the Soviet regime.  And it would be her generation that would need to become the leaders of the country.  It is this generation that needs to decide if they have the fire in their bellies to move Ukraine further away from the corruption of the present system to a more transparent system that has a desire for true freedom for the country.  Bother ladies were so enjoyable to discuss this with.  Before I realized it, it was 11:30PM.  Such a delightful evening spent with 2 charming ladies.  I asked Leisa if Lady A was upset with me including Leisa in the conversation at the end and she said that she had mentioned this to Lady A and she was not upset at all and that she enjoyed the conversation as well.  It is so interesting to hear the viewpoints of the 2 different generations.  I will try to write up more of this conversation later.

So, the next day I slept later than intended.  I awoke at 12:00 and went to Gloria Jean’s for coffee.  Pavel met me there and we enjoyed a cup of coffee together.  The prior day, Pavel had given me a piece of Ukrainian candy that was one of his favorites.  It was quite good.  So, today I returned the favor and gave Pavel an Atomic Fireball.  I love the darn things and brought a small bag with me.  Well, it took him less than 30 seconds before his eyes popped wide and I got that sucking sound!!!  “Wow, these are hot!!  You eat these?”  It was funny to see his face.  Pavel, if you are reading this, I am sorry, buddy.  I did not mean to incite to a small nuclear explosion on your mouth like that.  We ran few errands together and enjoyed the time together.  Again, I would recommend Pavel to anyone.

So, Lady A has told Leisa that she wants to meet again, but is unsure of her schedule for the evening.  I am waiting for a call to figure it out.  She has a commitment with family that she is trying to schedule around and I understand that.  If we can meet, we can meet.  She would like me to meet her family before I leave to return to the US and we are thinking about spending the day (12 Apr) together when I return to Keiv on the evening of the 11 Apr.  I was thinking about a picnic with her, her son, and her mother.  She indicated that her mother is looking forward to meeting me.  She showed me a few pictures of her son wearing the Longhorn T-shirt I brought for him.  She said as soon as he saw it he said “Cool, Texas!!!” and has had the shirt on ever since she brought it home.  Now all I need to do is to teach him, “Gig ‘em, Aggs.” And get him an A&M tshirt.

Two days later – Lady A’s schedule was very tight on Friday.  We could meet on Friday so I just hung out in the flat.  I finally decided to strike on my own and just explore the few blocks around my flat and just window shop.  It was fun.  I enjoy striking out on my own.  I travel internationally quite a bit for work and I am comfortable with the idea of just heading out on my own.  I called Pavel and told him to stay and focus in his studies.  He is in the final term of his Masters and had a bug exam on Monday.  I told him I was just going to explore the immediate area on my own.  Pavel called to check on me every hour or so.  I could tell by the tone in his voice that he was concerned that I was ok.  I would up stopping back in t Gloria Jeans for coffee.  While I was there, several University students came in.  As I was sitting working on the computer, one the boys came over and asked if I was Americanski?  Da was my reply and he wanted to know if he could ask me a few questions.  Well, that led to an evening of great discussions with these kids.  They all asked what I thought about NATO and Ukraine.  I told them that I thought NATO is a good organization, but this is not my country, it is theirs and they need to educate themselves about NATO and they need to decide for themselves what is best for Ukraine.  I told them not to listen to just the politicians and the media but learn about NATO themselves and learn the pluses and minuses of NATO and then decide.  Well, by the end of the evening they were all on line and reading for themselves. .  I did tell them that while NATO is a military alliance, it is also an alliance for economic reform and governmental transparency.  They were somewhat surprised to learn that.  I asked what their sources were for their understanding of NATO and they responded with the government ministers and the opposition.  I challenged them to go research NATO for themselves and learn what is.  Well, before you know it, 2 of them had the NATO web site up and were reading and learning.  I told them to always research these things and to draw their conclusions only after they have seen the facts for themselves.  This is the foundation to an informed electorate and an informed electorate is the most powerful force that can be found in politics.  An ignorant electorate that is lead around by the nose is no better than a herd of cattle.  But, there I went waxing philosophical on them.  This lead to a long discussion about the rights and the responsibilities of democracy and what I said here in Kiev holds true in the US as well in my mind.  All in all, it was a wonderful experience.  It was a wonderful experience and I made a few new friends as we exchanged e-mail addresses.

Well, that is it for this chapter of BOTG….. You guys were quite correct, once you are here you are ruined.  These woman are charming and so interesting to talk to.  I have a couple of conversations on my own with people I have met in the coffee shops and cafes.  I have yet to be treated rudely.  Everyone has been pleasant and enjoyable to talk to.  Even the few younger kids I talked with in the coffee shop this evening were considerate and enjoyable to talk with.

More to come…..

[dneid]

OK, I have been too busy or tired to post the last few days.  My latest post was a running TR.  Let me update that one and continue the report of the adventure.

So, meeting Lady A’s family…. She told me that her son is sick and she did want me to be exposed to the flu he had.  I will take her at her word.  So, we agreed to meet again when I return to Kiev on the 12th.  This will be my last day on the ground as I leave for home on the 13th.

On Saturday morning, I met Lady S at the train station in Kiev.  She came up from Nikloaev to meet me in Kiev and to spend the weekend in Kiev sightseeing and then we will return to Nikolaev together on the train.  Lady S looked wonderful when we picked her up at the train station.  We had already discussed the plans and she wanted to go back to the flat for a few hours to nap and clean up.  We got to the flat and I showed her her room and then we sat and talked for about an hour.  Lady S is young, but she is intelligent and talking with her was even better than the letters and IMing we had done over the last 8 months.  She has a wonderful sense of humor and speaks very good English.  So, she heads off for her nap and then showered.  We headed out around 12:00 with Pavel.  We went to see several cathedrals and then just walked around for a while.  The conversation was light and fun.  All 3 of us had a good time.  We got back to the flat around 5:30PM and relaxed and discussed dinner ideas.  She finally told me she wanted to go to the market and get some salad and fruit and a bottle of wine and come back to the flat and relax.  She also said she did not want me to spend a great deal of money as I had already spent too much just getting to Kiev.  So, off we went to the Mega Market (like a Wal Mart of just groceries).  We got everything and headed back to the flat.  Lady S insisted that I sit and relax and she would prepare everything.  So, we just sat back and ate and talked about more topics than I can recall.  Then I put the movie Hitch in my Mac and we watched that.  She loved it and found herself laughing so much.  Afterward she kept saying “her last first kiss” from the movie.  She said she loved the line. We sat up and talked until 1:00AM.  She is charming and fun and intelligent.  As we were cleaning up together, she turned to me and said “Dale, you are not as fat as your pictures.  I like that.”  I just love the way people here are so upfront.

So, we get up Sunday morning and pack for the return trip to Nikolaev.  I “lost” my passport and Lady S and Pavel and I tore the place up looking for it.  After an hour of looking, Pavel walks over to me and says, “Let’s look in your computer bag again.”  Well, I open it up again and start digging through it when Pavel taps my shoulder and says “Is that it in that small pocket on the flap?”  Sure enough, there it was!!!  Well, Lady S was just laughing and Pavel joined her as well.  I had told her months ago that about once a month I put my wallet someplace where I do not usually put it and spend an hour looking for it.  She asked me if the passport incident was like the wallet thing.  I replied yeap!!!

Now that I know where my passport is, we load up and head off for lunch and then the train station.  We went to Mambos as I was dying for anything approaching Mexican food.  Lady S had her first Margarita and fajitas.  She loved all of it.  I told her this was the “national food” of Texas.  She asked if I ate this food often and I told about 2-3 times a week.  She now understands why I love Tex Mex.  So, off to the train station.  The trip to Nikolaev is about 10 hours.  It turns out that Lady S had bought 2 tickets for a 4-berth compartment.  We board and start to settle in.  It was looking like we would have the compartment to ourselves.  Just before departure, a young man joined us.  Well, the train pulls out and Lady S and I are just talking and laughing and having fun.  About an hour into the trip our roommate returns with a bottle of beer and when he opened it, he wound up wearing about half the bottle.  I dug into my big suitcase and pulled out a kitchen towel I keep in the outside pocket for just such accidents when I travel.  I offered to him and that broke the ice.  He (Victor) cleaned up, left the cabin, and returned with 2 more pivas.  He hands one to me and we toast each other.  With Lady S translating, Victor and I discover we are both engineers.  He is a software type that works for IBM in one their data centers.  Well, when you get 2 geeks together in a small compartment like that and then add pivas to the mix, well, watch out.  All 3 of us were up until almost 2:00 AM just talking and joking and drinking pivas (the matron of the car finally cut us off at 12:30… “No more pivas for you both!!”).  It was such fun.  Well, Lady S finally jumps and tells me, “Dale, get your pajamas and toothbrush and go get ready for bed.  I will make up your bed.”  I told her thank you, but she really did not need to make my bed up.  Well, I got my first lesson in that stubborn streak these ladies have.  She dug her heels in and made it very clear that I was to do what I was told to do.  OK, so who am I to argue?  I remember one of you saying to learn to pick your battles.  I figured I could run up the white flag over this so I did.  OK, my first experience with a Ukrainian train bathroom.  I have read so many negative comments about these rooms here that I approached the door with more than a little trepidation.  As I was walking down the aisle I was wishing for a fully loaded side arm.  Well, the moment to face to demon arrived…. I opened the door slowly and found…………….. Ok, it was not the cleanest thing in the world and figuring out how to turn on the water took a few minutes, but it was not the nuclear waste land I was expecting.  Now the berths are modeled on Middle Ages torture racks.  Man, my back was sore when I woke.

So, we arrive in Nikolaev, Yaroslav meets me at the train station (thanks for the lead, Dale).  I get Lady S into a cab for her place and then Yaroslav and I head out for the flat.  Now, the dance begins…. “Dale, there was a mistake with the flat.  The one I showed you in pictures was rented after you reserved it.  There is a flat available but it is more.”  Well, I dug my heels in.  The available flat was $60 a night.  The one I reserved was $45 a night.  I wound up getting the other flat for $50/night.

So, I am Nikolaev, in the very heart of the shopping district.  I can see the Municipal Offices and Lenins Statue from my flat. Damn, I would love to see this city with some sunshine and the trees in foliage.  It is beautiful!!!  Yaroslav and I head out to City Center Mall so I can do some shopping.  I am cooking for Lady S and her sister tonight.  I am going to make up a pot of my homemade spaghetti sauce.  Well, shopping was an experience.  I am glad I had Yaroslav with me, as I would have never found several things.  Back to the flat and I start in on making my sauce.  Lady S and her sister arrive at 7:30PM.  They bought me a book on Kiev and its history.  I gave Lady S her birthday present (a reformed iPod Shuffle – I have a college buddy at Apple and he got me a great deal – less than $25), a bottle of perfume for both ladies.  Well, they were both quite pleased.  So, we had dinner and they both loved the meal.  I sent them home with left over sauce and what was left of the package of pasta.  It was a fun evening,  They brought family pictures and we sat and talked and look at pictures.  They both love my MacBook computer (it truly does beat the pants off of Windoze, but there I go being a geek again).  It was a fun evening and I enjoyed my time with both ladies.  However, the click is not just there.  Lady S is sweet, charming, witty, intelligent, attractive, everything a man could ask for, except this man.  Time to move on.  I hope we can maintain a friendship, as she is delightful to talk to. I have a call into Zoya here in Nikolaev.  She is associated with Kevin out of Kherson girls.  We are going to meet at 5:00PM at the McDees in City Center.  Let’s see what we can drum up there.  I am going to see Lady S and her sister tonight.  They want to take me to Dixie BBQ in the City Center.  She has made it clear that this is their treat.  I will be curious about BBQ here in Nikolaev.

All in all, this trip is meeting my expectations.  I am thrilled I came.  Have I met Mrs Right yet?  No.  Do I think she could be somewhere here in Ukraine?  Probably.  If not, well, I have had a wonderful trip; I have met many fascinating people.  I have had experiences that will last me a lifetime.  Now, if the hostess at the restaurant I am sitting in as I write this up struts by one more time with that delightful swing, I may not be able to control myself.  Damn, you guys are right.  The women here are just stunning.  You cannot swing a dead cat here with out hitting one just drop dead beautiful lady.  These ladies are so delightful and the ones I have met (not just the girls from the agencies, but in the shops, are so charming and witty and intelligent.  If more AWs knew about Ukraine, they would be marching on DC demanding the resurrections of the Iron Curtain.

Keep you eyes peeled, more to come………

[I/O]

What a pleasant and down to earth read. My compliments.

I/O

[KenC]

deneid,
I am enjoying your report very much.  Not meaning to pry, but please tell me you gave girl "her next first kiss!"  If ever there was an opening.......

Some of these gals can spoil you in a hurry too (like making up your bed).  Um, my advice is to just go with it and let them.  It allows them to feel good about their womanly ways and is rather nice for you too.  You will see that you have been a little warped by the femnazi mentality back home and that there really is a difference between men and women.    I guess what I am saying is that this is the flip side of you being a man; her being a woman, if you understand what I mean.

So far so good.  And do not hesitate to freelance (like with the waitress).  If it appears as though she is strutting her stuff for you, she probably is.  It isn't only the men from the fsu that are big flirts!  Best of luck to you.
KenC

[Misha]

Thank you for the report,
I am sorry for being a little pess...realistic...but
Her reaction on the first date like inviting you to see her parents can also be a bad sign:she is desperate to leave the country and is trying to "attach" any man she sees.Most girls I know would never act like this:loud laughing, playing footsies, inviting you to see her parents...either she is too emotional or it's a well performed "play".

I agree with Serebro. Most women that I knew would be more cautious before inviting someone to meet with their mother. I went to my wife's home to meet her family only after 3 weeks of dating. 

[BillyB]

You're doing a good job dneid exposing yourself to a few ladies giving yourself the best opportunity to find the right woman. For the few guys that DO take a trip to the FSU, most do not find the right woman on the first trip, especially if he limits himself to meeting one. The odds are against people doing this but if you do find the "right woman" that matches well with you, the rewards are enormous.

[SANDRO43]

the Longhorn T-shirt I brought for him

Like this one ?

[KenC]

You're doing a good job dneid exposing yourself to a few ladies giving yourself the best opportunity to find the right woman. For the few guys that DO take a trip to the FSU, most do not find the right woman on the first trip, especially if he limits himself to meeting one. The odds are against people doing this but if you do find the "right woman" that matches well with you, the rewards are enormous.

Billy,
Be careful how you advise men to "expose" themselves to the ladies!
KenC

[BillyB]

You've got a naughty mind Ken! Whether or not we find out dneid did any actual exposing of himself in the flesh will depend on if he kisses and tells.

Keep the trip report cumming dneid!

[groovlstk]

Dale,

Great TR and I'm glad to see you have the right attitude in this by not expecting to fall in love on your first trip.

I had many "failed" trips under my belt before I met my wife, but in retrospect just from the learning aspect I'd never change a single detail or wish things turned out differently. The only true failed trip is one where you come back engaged to a woman who is indifferent to you.

[Gator]

I agree with Serebro. Most women that I knew would be more cautious before inviting someone to meet with their mother. I went to my wife's home to meet her family only after 3 weeks of dating. 

They are all different.  One RW did not introduce me to her parents until after we had spent three weeks together. 

My fiancee was different.  She did not make a committment to even have a second date.  I asked her in planning the trip what will we do on our second day.  She would say only, "We will see."   We know what that means. 

After a delightful first day together, she intoduced me to her grandmother (who raised her) and her children.  And she was not desperate to leave Russia as it has taken 6 years to reach that point.

[START2]

Dale,
 Glad to hear you're having a good time but it seems you need to spend MORE time with a lady/ladies.  The weather should be better by now as well.
 If you haven't done it yet, be sure that when you get back to Kyiv that you at least take a short subway/metro ride. You have to check it out. It won't take long and the ride down the escalator is worth the price of admission. It's quite an illusion. 50 kopecks.
  You're probably thinking your time is too short by now. enjoy.

[UTRO]

Dale, I'm more than impressed!   
As a Foreigner, you are a Respectful Gentleman in a Foreign Country, who's people may or may not have the same Ideals as your own!
You have an open mind to this, which is Great! You didn't arrive on Foreign Soil with preconceived opinions! You gave those Students unbiased choices and asked them to keep an open mind. .... well done! I have a Great Respect for you 
NATO? Gosh man! You are an Ambassador of Objectiveness!!