Engagement Ring Presentation

[smilingjake]

Greetings ------

I will flying to and arriving in Kiev on June 12th. This will be the trip where I will present the engagement ring to my future wife.   

Does anyone have any ideas on a nice location in the city where I can put the ring on her finger ?  She is aware that she will be receiving a diamond, just does not know where.  She has mentioned to me that one of the places we will be visiting  is the Botanical Gardens. I thought this might be a nice place, with all of the plants and flowers in the vicinity.

She will be  taking the train from Dneptroptvosk to meet me in the city. We will spend Friday and Saturday in Kiev.
We will then take the train back to Dneptroptvosk where we will rent an apartment  for  a week. We will spend time with her friends so that she can show me off  and show her family and friends her ring.

I decided to meet her in Kiev because the airfare was so much cheaper than to flying into Dneptroptvosk. Besides, I have never been on a train so it will be a new experience.

Jake

[ECOCKS]

Botanical Gardens is a good spot. Dinner also worked well for me though I don't remember where it was we went. Other good spot might be the Opera House.

Best of Luck to you!

Oh, take some TP, a light pair of pants/shirt and some houseshoes on the train. If you wish to drink or snack you need to bring your own. I don't trust the tea on the train (the water holding tanks and preparation are suspect with regard to sanitation). You might consider buying out the tickets for your compartment if you expect privacy or tell your GF to get a First Class, 2 person compartment.

[viking]

Why not the train itself? Private compartment, some wine, some candles? Give yourself a day or two in Kiev to get acquainted again, catch your breath, and when you are underway......

[Gator]

Jake,

The Botanical Gardens would be a good choice.  I have walked through it once and recall it as having some pretty spots.  UW love roses, so the rose garden would be my choice.

There is a pedestrian bridge on the bluff above the river that is for lovers.  The beauty, however, is ruined by lovers' graffiti.  This bridge may mean something to her.  At sunset the graffiti would not be so visible.

It has been 7 years, yet I recall a lifesize metal statute of a man asking for a woman's hand at the top of the famous serpentine road from St. Andrew's cathedral to Podil.  IIRC, the statute depicts a scene from a classic film.

An elegant restaurant with a secluded table is also a nice choice.

The rose garden would be my top choice.

Questions:  Does she know she is getting a ring?  Have you already asked her to marry you?  Does she know the meaning of engagement rings?

[smilingjake]

Gator ----

In answer to your questions ---

Yes, she does know that she will be receiving a ring. She also knows the meaning of the engagement ring as we discussed it at length. I know that she is anxious to show it to her daughter and her friends. Her parents are both deceased as is her former husband. So, her remaining family is her 22 year old daughter and her sister.

I am sure she figured it out when i had previously asked her for her ring size. She is very much looking forward to wearing a "small jewel" on her finger.

We made the decision to marry in February. We are one month in waiting on the K-1 and I am hoping that she will have her consulate interview this fall. I am hoping that she will be here for Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
She will be the best present I could ask for.

This trip will be to celebrate our engagement. We will also locate the consulate in Kiev so she will know where she has to go when its time for her interview. We will also spend our time together preparing for her interview. She wants to take the interview in English and has been studying very hard to improve her skills.

[Ooooops]

Why not the train itself? Private compartment, some wine, some candles?

Well, now we are talking some romantic sh...  stuff!      Yep, SV, ring presentation, padlock on the door and ...   

[viking]

I leave Friday for Kiev. She will come from Belarus to meet me there. Then a day or two in Kiev and a 7 hour train ride back to Belarus. Sound familiar Jake?    I am expecting a very nice ride back to her home and my intentions are as noted above. Big padlock on door. 

[KievHarmony]

Gator ----

In answer to your questions ---

Yes, she does know that she will be receiving a ring. She also knows the meaning of the engagement ring as we discussed it at length. I know that she is anxious to show it to her daughter and her friends. Her parents are both deceased as is her former husband. So, her remaining family is her 22 year old daughter and her sister.

I am sure she figured it out when i had previously asked her for her ring size. She is very much looking forward to wearing a "small jewel" on her finger.

We made the decision to marry in February. We are one month in waiting on the K-1 and I am hoping that she will have her consulate interview this fall. I am hoping that she will be here for Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
She will be the best present I could ask for.

This trip will be to celebrate our engagement. We will also locate the consulate in Kiev so she will know where she has to go when its time for her interview. We will also spend our time together preparing for her interview. She wants to take the interview in English and has been studying very hard to improve her skills.

Botanic garden is an excellent place for this.... walk a little from the entrance and after turn to the right, after 10 / 15 min of walk you will have view on a church below. This is usually calm place.

You can go to Pirogovo too (around 20$ by taxi). It will be more calm with less people, old houses from past Ukraine.

[Sharp]

Best Of Luck!!..........

[smilingjake]

Boy oh Boy ---- Does that heavy padlock on the train compartment sound interesting. However, as I write this post I have just returned from short procedure surgery for a hernia. I will be out of work until the 4th of July. I am fortunate that I will be able to make this trip while I recover and do not have to burn vacation for the trip.

It was interesting that I have been trying to explain to her the concept of our medicine in the United States. She does not understand why they did not keep me in the hospital for a week to rest and recuperate. I assured her the care is very good but due to the high cost of medical care, it is impractical to stay in hospitals for extended time.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions on the presentation of the engagement ring. I am leaning at this point towards the botanical gardens.

We will be staying at a very nice western type amenities hotel for Saturday and Sunday in Kiev. Although it is pricey I know that she will really enjoy it. Besides, she is worth a bit of pampering, and trying to make her feel special for her engagement.

We will be staying at Riviera on Podol, Sagaydochnogo St.

[groovlstk]

Good luck, Jake. No matter where you end up proposing, the emotions will be what you remember most distinctly.

It was interesting that I have been trying to explain to her the concept of our medicine in the United States. She does not understand why they did not keep me in the hospital for a week to rest and recuperate. I assured her the care is very good but due to the high cost of medical care, it is impractical to stay in hospitals for extended time.

Start getting used to this.    One of the initial perceptions among FSU expats about our medical system is that our docs are not as competent because they don't spend as much time w/patients and always seem in a rush. You can talk until you're blue in the face about stuff like this but until she experiences it and comes to feel comfortable, it may not be of much use 

[GoodOlBoy]

However, as I write this post I have just returned from short procedure surgery for a hernia.

Get well soon Smilingjake !! 


GOB

[ECOCKS]

We will be staying at a very nice western type amenities hotel for Saturday and Sunday in Kiev. Although it is pricey I know that she will really enjoy it. Besides, she is worth a bit of pampering, and trying to make her feel special for her engagement.

Sounds like you're approaching this in the right frame of mind SJ.

Best of Luck and I hope it is everything you have dreamed it would be.

[smilingjake]

I am doing my best in approaching this entire process with an open mind. Its not about what is best for me, its what is best for us. Afterall, she is making the majority of the sacrifices in order for us to become a family.

I called her early this morning as I awoke to take a pain pill for post surgery. She told me that she was very "gal" that I was in pain. I them promptly received my marching orders for  the day.

I am  to spend the day at rest, drink plenty of juice, eat a light meal which includes soup, and no lifting.
It is the most fantastic feeling knowing that your woman loves you and has only your best interests in her heart.

Jake

[JR]

Very KEWL  :)ingjake! I'd do the gardens too. But I'd do a picnic with some wine and candles. Set the mood, let it soak in for awhile then just sort of smoothly move right into it as the feeling become right.
I wish you two the very best!

[Gator]

Jake,

Today this photo popped up.  I mentioned this statue in my prior post.

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?ind=gallery&op=foto_show&ida=432

[groovlstk]

Jake,

Today this photo popped up.  I mentioned this statue in my prior post.

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?ind=gallery&op=foto_show&ida=432

Totally unrelated, but I wonder what happened to the guy who posted that photo, Timothe. If I remember correctly, he'd filed a K1 and was waiting on it and poof he disappeared. So many others have done the same over the years.

[Gator]

Totally unrelated, but I wonder what happened to the guy who posted that photo, Timothe. If I remember correctly, he'd filed a K1 and was waiting on it and poof he disappeared. So many others have done the same over the years.

I do not know about Timothe, yet I think most of those who went "poof" are well.  Simoni has mostly disappeared, yet he is as happy as a lark.  Posting at RWD is not high on most married men's priority list, especially if the RW wife is controlling the list.

[Candy]

I decided to meet her in Kiev because the airfare was so much cheaper than to flying into Dneptroptvosk. Besides, I have never been on a train so it will be a new experience.

trust me, Ukrainian train isn't a romantic place - you will see...

[OlgaH]

Jake,

Today this photo popped up.  I mentioned this statue in my prior post.

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?ind=gallery&op=foto_show&ida=432

This is a monument to the heroes (Svirid Petrovich Golokhvastov and Pronya Prokopyrvna) of the movie (comedy) "Chasing two hares..." that based on the same name play by Mikhail Staritsky (a man promises marriage to two different women: one woman is with money and other woman is poor but beautiful)

We have a saying: Chasing two hares you will not catch either one.

Sorry, only in Russian

[youtube=425,350]7OurGh2g9wg&feature=related[/youtube]

[smilingjake]

Hi Phil ----

Thank you for sending the picture of the statue of the guy on his knees proposing. I believe I have have seen that statue photograph somewhere else, perhaps in  the RWD gallery.

Am I correct that its location is in Kiev? If it is, then I will try to take a "couple" photograph at the location.

Its only ten more days until I am off on my second trip. This will be certainly one to remember and very special.
I talked with Tatianna this morning and she has quite the itinerary planned. I just hope I will be able to keep up with all the walking. My surgery  recovery is proceeding well.

Jake

[OlgaH]

Am I correct that its location is in Kiev?
Jake

Kiev, intersection of Andreevsky spusk and Vladimirovskaya Street, Metro station "Pochtovaya Ploshchad"

The film was directed in 1961. Very good actors: Soviet and Ukrainian actress Margarita Kriniysina (role of Pronya Prokopyevna) and Soviet and Russian actor Oleg Borisov (role of Svirid Petrovich Golokhvastov)

[Gator]

Jake,

The statue is at the top of the cobblestone street (Andreevsky?) that winds down from St. Andrews church to Podil below.   The street made for a nice walk in 2002 with its many vendors, architecture and views. 

In 2002 across the street from the statue there was a good Ukrainian restaurant named (you guessed it) "Two Hares" (although my UW date called it "two rabbits").  Prices were not expensive for items such as Chicken Kievski and rabbit, although the wine list was lacking.  Old world decor.

[I/O]

It is the most fantastic feeling knowing that your woman loves you and has only your best interests in her heart.

Yes indeed!! We parted in Russia, I arrived 40 odd hours later in Au late at night, 2 hours drive from home. I fired an advisory sms. The return sms {Please in machine careful and not fast} will never be forgotten.

I/O

[Kuna]

Jake... JAAAAAKEEEEE... have you left yet???

I'm certain there will be many wonderful places to present your (soon to be) fiance's engagement ring in Kiev but Dnepropetrovsk too has many equally nice locations.  The added benefit of Dnepr would be the opportunity to sweep your lady from her feet in front of friends and/or family.

May I suggest taking her (alone, or with a friend or two... or her parents/family...) to:

a) Up along Karl Max you can get off the trolley car at the markets (I'll find a map and post the location for you).  In the front of the markets I'm thinking of there is a large room which is a flower market - absolutely crammed full of the most beautiful blooms and the heady scent of romance.  She would not expect you to know of it or to take her there... but I can imagine you strolling in, purchasing a HUGE bunch of roses, falling to your knee in front of her friend/mum/etc and asking for her hand in marriage.

IMPORTANT:  If you're going to do this make sure you go into the flower market as there is a food market directly behind which has the foul smell of pig fat (Salo) in the late afternoons...  

b) There are several wonderful restaurants in Dnepr including "Pastoral" in centre - it's not too far from Europe Square.  This is a small, intimate and wonderful restaurant that would be ideal to host a dinner with friends/family and propose to her after a wonderful meal. It is not inexpensive but it's not likely to break the bank either... and it would be a wonderful venue for memories that last a lifetime.

c) Down along the embankment there is a huge glass globe which is very picturesque... whilst it is a poplar spot for wedding photos I could think of fewer places nicer to declare your love for her in a very public location.

d) There is a very nice casual cafe/restaurant in Globy Park called Nirvana (HIPBAHA).  It has great food (ORDER THE PORK SHASHLIK) and is always busy... it'd be a very pleasant location for a casual proposal as it's busy and public and is in a nice locaiton... and remember all woman want to be adored in public!  If you want to make it extra special I am sure you could arrange for the staff to present her with flowers after your proposal (as long as you purchased them first and delivered to the restaurant).  The staff are friendly and speak good English so you won't have a problem setting that up!

Maybe you're just going to Kiev not Dnepr???  if so it'd be a shame - but there are also lovely locations there too.  I just think there'd be nothing more romantic than a proposal to one you love, in front of other people that love her.