End of the line.

[Phil dAmore]

Well folks, the day has finally come. In a few hours I will be boarding a bus to Finland, and from there it's a plane to Paris, then to Houston, and after that Phoenix. After nearly 7 years of living in Russia, I am headed back to the U.S.   Notice I didn't say 'home' because after all this time Russia feels more like home.

Over the past year or so I wrote  an exhaustive retrospective of my time here.  As with any would-be writer I was never really satisfied with it and realized that all I had to show for my efforts was an 80,000-word rant on Russia with the greater part of it being directed toward Nina.  In other words, not very interesting to the average reader although I may post an excerpt or two in the near future.

However I can't just sneak out of town without mentioning a few things. 

First, both Nina and I would like to thank all the people who used our little flower delivery service. It was a pleasure to help you make your respective ladies happy. As of this writing, www.FlowersbyNina.com is no longer operating as Nina will not have the time to arrange deliveries.  For all of your gift-giving needs in St. Petersburg please visit my good friend Edwards' site: www.topetersburgwithlove.com Tell him I sent you and he will give you a discount on any purchase.

Next, I want to say how wonderful it was to meet so many of you when you visited Petersburg. I can only hope that in some small way I made your trip more successful.

A special thanks to a certain Australian (You know who you are!) who singlehandedly kept me from going broke with his frequent - and often unusual- gift orders! 

I've been in this RW thing for some time, going back to the old -old 'Russian Women Guide' where I was member number 36.  There weren't too many of us doing the FSUW thing back then. I've watched the whole foreign bride scene evolve and have done it from a unique perspective.  For the most part it's been an absolute blast and I have no regrets about moving here.

As for me and Nina... well, some things don't always work out as planned, but you can't say we didn't try.

So what's next for the Philster?  Short-term, I'm going back to Arizona where I will will work with my good friend who owns a small but successful local trucking business. (Long time members know I was an over-the-road trucker way before I ever got into RW!) The bulk of my time however will be spent caring for my mom, who has been in failing health the past few years. 

Long term?   I have a few ideas.  The proceeds from the sale of my apartment will make a lot of things possible so I am looking into some options.  I've always wanted to own a small blues club...

I won't be resigning from RWD.  While I would like to think of myself as the 'elder statesman' on all things Russian, the truth is that this country is changing so rapidly pretty much everything I know about it will be obsolete inside of a year. However if there is any way that I can help out, just ask.

Phil

[Shadow]

Phil good luck, and while I never got to use your services you are one of the most appreciated and knowledgeable ones around.
If the economy continues, you might set up a similar service for Russian men who are tired of their thin traditional wives and want to get an American Woman.

[LEGAL]

Phil Olga and I will truly miss you when we go back to Saint Petersburg it will not be the same without you. We still laugh and tell our close personal friends stories of our friend the great Phil dAmore in Saint Petersburg. I still have the video you shot at the Hermitage and it has been edited to a nice movie a great gift from my staff. The great Phil made it possible for me to be the first to propose marriage to Olga in front of a full house at the Hermitage theater, there is allot more to the story, but that is for another time. Phil thank you again for being a good friend. You are always welcome in our home don't be a stranger. Phil bring back a bottle or two of good vodka for when we get together. When one door closes many others open. Give Olga and I  a call when you get back home.

[Faux Pas]

Phil,

Sorry it didn't work out for you the way you would have liked. I found your on the ground insight very enlightening, forthright and many times entertaining. Good luck in your future endeavors and I for one will look forward to your future contributions to RWD.

I didn't know you were a blues fan?

[chivo]

7 years is a nice run. I know you'll never be the same because of it. Russia is losing one of the good ones, no question.

Even though we never met personally, I felt some sort of kinship with you at times. You might not remember, but I called you before I decided to move here. Of course I had my reasons, but you reinforced my intention and were pretty upbeat about Russia during the conversation. Things do change and life moves forward.

I'm sure we've gone though similar situations, good and bad. I know it's been one helluva ride 

Maybe you'll be back this way, never say never  . Whatever you do, the best of luck.

chivo

[Gator]

Phil,

Good luck.  You have always had something interesting to add to the commentary here.  We will miss that.

Seven years!!!  You have more patience than Job.

Please stay in touch ever now and then.

[SANDRO43]

I've always wanted to own a small blues club...

In that case, if you feel nostalgic about Russia, you could always sign up Blues Fairy for a few numbers .

Best of luck with your 3rd life, Phil .

[viking]

Phil, no matter where you hang your hat, the depth and breath of your experience is always welcome. I thank you for some excellent insight these past few years that I have been here. And BTW, your buddy Ed I consider my friend as he has helped me out in more ways than one. He is a great guy as well. Enjoy your journey.

[IAmZon]

Dido ...

Best of Luck

[AnastassiaAsh]

What in the world happened? I thought you were married...Are you parting with Nina? Why didn't it work out? Why did you get stuck in Russia for so long then? I am so sorry....

[ConnerVT]

Phil, I wish you the best in the new phase your life is taking.  I can only imagine that the culture shock moving back to the USA will be nearly as great as when you first moved to Russia.

I also enjoyed our meeting in Russia way back when, as well as your wit and insights here on the forums.  You always have an open invite in our home.

For those who question Russian vodka's ability to liven up a celebration, I present "Men In Hats".  Phil is on the left, I'm on the right, and some newly married Canadian is in the middle.   

[KenC]

Wow, Phil,
The only certainy in life is it's uncertainy.  Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do.  Don't be a stranger here.
KenC

[DonAz]

Hey Phil,
Sorry to see you giving up something you loved so much. I understand you are going to Phoenix. I live in Scottsdale , maybe we could hook up. Just shoot me a PM if you're interested

DonAz

[Phil dAmore]

Greetings all:

Apologies for the extended silence. I have been unable to access the I-net for a while. Upon my return to the U.S. I encountered a bit of trouble with U.S. Customs and they have only today released me from detention... 50 days after arriving in the U.S.

Here is a tip to any would-be travelers... If you have any outstanding legal matters, you would be well advised to resolve them BEFORE you travel abroad.  Trust me, the people at Customs and Homeland Security are an extremely humorless group of people and believe me when I tell you that extradition is NO fun.

Anastassia:  Nina and I never married.  We discussed it several times but could never really come to an agreement on what we wanted out of life.  She is a good woman and I miss her greatly.  She would make the right man an ideal wife. Unfortunately I am not that man.

Conner:  That was some wedding!   Thanks for the reminder because I have absolutely NO memory of the 'hat brigade'

Don: I will be back in Arizona this coming Wednesday or Thursday.  I will shoot you a PM when I get there.

[Jazzyclassy]

Good luck Phil I am sure you are happy at some point going back to your home place, no matter how greatly you fancied Russia, America will always be your home , that is  how i think anyway:)

Sometimes things do not go the way people want them to,but that is a good experience

Best wishes to you and I am sure you will find love with time,maybe when you least search for it