Recent trip to Kharkov, return is booked already

[erudite]

Having returned from a trip to Kharkov from June 4 through June 22, I felt a trip report might be in order for those of you who would be interested.  This was my first trip to Ukraine.  I enjoyed it immensely and I will go back soon.  I find the people, the country and the city of Kharkov to my liking a great deal.  Also I have found that I should have made this trip long ago, but circumstances prevented it.

My guide and interpreter was Mila Lobunko and her husband Anton.  They are a young couple and very hard working.  I found their conscientious efforts to be genuine and I certainly appreciated it very very much.  I trust Mila's services completely and I will be using her again when I return.

I left DFW airport on a Delta flight to NYC-JFK in the early morning of June 4, a Thursday.  For those of you who do not know this, the Delta system of the automated check in is not always working properly in any airport they serve.  As a result  I missed my first flight to NYC and there I was with the possibility of missing the complete chain of connecting flights to Kharkov.  A knowledgeable and kind hearted ticket agent took me aside and spent a lot of time on his computer.  He found the right flight for me to make the connection in NYC-JFK.  So I went by way of Detroit.  But I made it in time.
In NYC-JFK the terminal was very busy and I knew nothing about this process.  I was going to Kiev on an Aero Svit flight so I had to get the boarding pass for Aero Svit and make sure my luggage made the switch.  I got the pass and the luggage made it. 

I have been in cramped situations before, but I will say that the ride to Kiev on an Aero Svit 767 is not something I will ever look forward to.  They do not turn on the A/C often enough and it is hot as an oven and everyone is tense, tired and stinking.  Plus crammed into a seat that is way too little for anyone over the age of 14.  But again, I made it to Kiev.

At the Kiev terminal I had to get my luggage and go to another terminal.  I had a short layover.  No problems, except that it was like getting into an irrigation pipe with wings.  The plane was OK, but it was small, hot and crammed with people.  Again.........I made it all the way to Kharkov. 
By the time I got to the airport in Kharkov I had made some friends on the plane from Kiev.  Two were natives and had been on a tour of the US.  Another was a man from Dallas who was there business prospecting.   I collected my luggage and went to the gate and there was Mila with Anton.   They were all smiles of course and this was my first meeting face to face after over six months of emails and calls.

There was an immediate connection between us and I was very happy not only to finally be there in Kharkov, but also meeting Mila and Anton.  I was so sweated down and greasy that I refused to let Mila hug me.   But it was good to breathe fresh air and feel sunshine on my face.  And I had people to meet.   

[Taz]

So far so good. I hope it won't turn into nothing but an infomercial though...  I am not opposed to providing positive feedback for people who provide a good service for you but I hope it won't become the dominant theme. Nor would I want to see a negative them about someone's services be the entire trip report.

You could add a little background about WHY you contacted Mila. Did you plan to run an ad? Did she arrange meetings for you or just line up an apartment. Where you writing anyone before going over? So far all we know is you had 6 months of contact with Mila. What was the specific purpose?  Tell us a bit more about yourself such as general age and background.

Glad you enjoyed your trip to Ukraine. It is worthwhile to see some other cities too.

[Mir]

I was so sweated down and greasy that I refused to let Mila hug me.

A bit unusual if she was your guide/interpreter and you had never met her before IMO

[Link]

Compadre I am reading your trip report very carefully after finishing it I will give you my impressions.

[Simoni]

Sounds like a trying trip!  Thanks for the warnings about the Delta system.

I look forward to hearing all about your trip, and soon.  I know that cowdog and cat were glad to welcome you home!

Cheers,
Simoni

[erudite]

Here is the second part of a brief trip report.  As for the infomercial bit, you can make of it what you wish.  I found Mila on another forum and we began correspondence last fall. Our business relationship has worked for me so I don't worry what someone else thinks of my reasons or methods.  What works for me may not work for someone else.  As for the finding of women, I ran no ads. I contacted agency women on my own, kept up contact with them and shortened the list down before I arrived. Mila had several she wanted me to meet that I had never known about.  I did find that the women I had kept on my short list, at least the ones I met, were genuine and not frauds in the sense of letter writing and calling.  They all knew me and the ones I did not meet are ready to meet next time.  I give their phone numbers to Mila and she calls them, arranging our meetings.  

And to answer several questions about the services Mila provided:  She provided all ground transportation, arranged my apartments, took me to the grocery store (twice), bank, etc., provided internet, a cell phone sim card for Ukraine, arranged for my trip to Odessa and the ground service there along with the apartment. She was like a mother hen with me and I appreciated it very much. I felt secure all the time I was there.  So I will say this about the situation, if a man acts as a gentleman and appropriate, listens to Mila (she never told me what to do, only advised), handles himself well with the women he meets with Mila as an interpreter, you will have a good experience. If you relate to people well and give respect, they will return the favor and respect.  Of course not all people can get along due to different personalities. I am far from perfect but I did have a good trip and expect another one will happen as well.

My age is 57 and I have two college degrees, no physical debilities and am well groomed.  I am self employed with two children, one is grown.  I am open minded about the women I contact except for three things.......they must be Christian, they must be under 44 over 30 and they must be weight proportionate. Getting to know them fills in the rest until we decide to meet or we decide to part company.

PART II in Kharkov:

After leaving the Kharkov Airport we went to the first apartment that I stayed in near Poetry Square.  It was an older apartment and I felt very nice for Ukraine or Russian standards.  I do not expect home to greet me when I travel.  I can make do with little, but it was clean, dry and comfortable after I opened all the windows to get the breeze.   The water ran good and the lights worked; the bed was clean as was the apartment. I never did learn how to operate the washing machine.

I like this section of Kharkov because it is close to downtown and Freedom Square, Shevchenko Park, good restaurants, etc.  A great place to people watch and also many interesting sights along the way.   When I stepped onto the street if I turned left, it led downtown.  If I turned right it led to Freedom Square.  It was a long way from Texas, it was "old world" and I liked it.  

So I met my first lady that evening. I had been writing to her since late 2008 and we were calling regularly through Mila.  I felt I had a good connection with her.  The first meeting went well so we went into another meeting the next day with her son at the Dolphin show.  We had a good time. So we had another meeting a few days later where I told her that I did not feel that she was all that interested in me.

Her young son takes up much of her time along with her job, but a woman always allows for priorities, especially when they (the man) come so far to meet them.  With this lady she seemed to always have a reason to leave after two or three hours and she had known that I was coming to Kharkov for some time.  

 At one restaurant I saw a T shirt that really got to me.  It was hilarious.  It said "Being gay is easy as long as it's someone else's ass".  I showed it to Mila and she laughed too.  She said the guy did not know what it said in English. We all got a kick out of that guy in that T shirt thinking he was styling. I still like this woman and she apparently likes me, but I do not know what I will do about her.  I told her that I did not live in Kharkov and I could and would not make five or six trips to wait for her to make up her mind if she was going to be serious about me.  When we did not meet later the next week, she called wanting to meet.  But I postponed it and we are still writing at this point and perhaps meet when I return to Kharkov.  I will see.

I met another lady correspondent who wanted to book the dinner in advance for us.  Mila did not like this tactic and told me. So I asked Mila to just tell her that I had expected to select the restaurant (with Mila's help).  We wound up at a nice restaurant in a bottom room that was completely vacant but for us.  We ordered drinks, champagne and all sorts of snacks and our entre.  This woman was very attractive and also very self assured.  I took this to mean that she had a bit of insecurity inside and was not as sure of herself as she presented.  But we were having fun.  

Later after some champagne she decided she wanted Mila to take some pictures of her. So they went to another part of the restaurant and came back laughing, but the lady was a bit unsure of her laughter since she was embarrassed.  It seems during the posing session, she had struck a pose in her short skirt that revealed a bit too much of her well toned tush.  

To top it off I had just complimented her on her nice outfit and how attractive she looked.  I mentioned that only someone like her could get away with wearing it in the USA as it was a bit short.  I also said that many women in the USA only wear panty hose and no underwear.  She sort of giggled and maybe she blushed. I do not remember.  But we all laughed.  She was a funny woman indeed.  She also stopped taking herself so seriously and we had a good evening, all of us.  

She wanted me to delete the picture on my camera that was so explicit and when they showed it to me, I just laughed and said "Oh no, we are going to keep that one".  I said I might even put it on the internet. Of course I was teasing her and she knew it but she was not sure.  But we did delete it.
This woman asked about us meeting again and I said sure.  I knew that she was not the type I was looking for, but she was funny and good for laughs.  She asked about the weekend and I was going to Odessa to meet another woman.  So this woman said she would like to go too.  I got a good laugh out of that too.  We all did.   All the while Mila was uneasy about this woman seeming to want to "buy the menu" so to speak, but I really wasn't worried about that because we were all laughing, joking and having a good time.  It felt good to let down the walls and relax.  That is the way I am in Ukraine. I am there to have fun while I am searching, I am not there to worry over details or a big bar bill. I am this way in the US, so I am no different in Ukraine.

She continued to call Mila for several days and emailed me wanting to meet again.  I would have met her again except that things got a bit busier after our first meeting with meeting other women.  She wanted a roll in the hay and a high time, but I was hoping to find someone with a little more to offer, like long term.

[Jesterjohn]

Erudite,
From what I read so far,its sounds like you had a great time and adventure.Oh by the way.Thanks for sending me the 3 CD's.Take care Jesterjohn

[erudite]

Hello Jester John.  Of course! I am glad you got the CD's.  I gave my iPod to one woman who really liked it.  It had about 1,500 songs on it, so she is getting acclimated to USA rock, Southern Rock, blues, classical (my likes), C&W, Celtic and a few others. We set her up at the Apple store in Kharkov to be able to put the songs she likes on it over there. 

[Taz]

Interesting to read so far. Can you comment about what age women you've met so far?

So it seems basically you've only used Mila for arranging apartments and some Girl Friday type duties. Did the women speak English fairly well or did Mila translate for all your meetings?

How serious of a relationship did you have with the women you gave your iPod to? What was her reaction when you gave it to her? Did she willingly accept it?

[erudite]

Interesting to read so far. Can you comment about what age women you've met so far?

The ages have been from 27 to 38, all positive. I stop at 44 but will meet a lady who seems interesting if she is above that age

So it seems basically you've only used Mila for arranging apartments and some Girl Friday type duties. Did the women speak English fairly well or did Mila translate for all your meetings?

I used Mila's service exclusively in Kharkov and to arrange my trip to Odessa. She arranged for my assistance in Odessa with Igor Kalinin. In Odessa I used the translator Oksana Smirnova from Kherson. She accompanied the lady I met who lives in Kherson.  Only one woman spoke any English at all.

How serious of a relationship did you have with the women you gave your iPod to? What was her reaction when you gave it to her? Did she willingly accept it?

It is in the beginning stages of what could be considered a relationship I suppose.  We anticipate further developments, but I will keep my options open. I gave the iPod to her when I had left it in haste in the restaurant we were dining in on my way to the train to Odessa. She liked it and asked to keep it over the weekend. When I contacted her over the weekend she remarked she liked it very much and enjoyed me selection of music (it has about 1,500 songs on it).  So I told her if she liked it to keep it.  I doubt she could buy one on her own anyway. So she was thrilled and flattered.  We had been together most every day all week long before I left to go to Odessa.

Here is the THIRD and FINAL part of my trip report:

The next day I met  another woman that Mila knew and whom I had never met or known about.  She was a beautiful woman but when we first met I was not sure I was attracted to her.  But after she sat and we began to get acquainted, she spoke some English, I realized that her personality and demeanor was something I really liked.  Then the connection with the mind, heart and loins began.   We had a good meeting and she took me downtown with her to show me the cathedral. We spent some hours together, the two of us.  We walked to Pokorovsky  Cathedral and she made prayers, lighting candles and even gave me one to light. When she went home to her small town in the taxi, I wished she could have stayed longer.  She is warm, gentle and feminine.  I think she is what I would have imagined a beautiful  Ukraine woman would be like in the right circumstances.  

We met again and again.  All the while I knew I would go to Odessa on the weekend and meet another long time correspondent that was full of anticipation.  I would have to ride the train.  I told all of this to this lady I was taken with and I also told her some very personal things that I felt she should know if she began to have feelings for me as I was feeling for her.  I did not want to go to Odessa and the woman there waiting for me was one of the reasons I had come to Ukraine in the first place.  I wanted to stay in Kharkov.  I came within a gnat's hair of not going, but after discussing this with Mila and this lady, I decided that since I had given my word to this woman in Odessa, I would go.  But I asked this lady I will call "T" to wait for me until I got back.  

She said she would and so Mila, Anton and "T" went with me to the train station on Friday evening.  The goodbye was a bit hard on someone as sentimental as me. I had become used to all of their company and I felt at home in Kharkov. I knew my way around my neighborhood and I liked everything about it.  

As soon as the train pulled out of the station I realized that I had no interest at all in going to Odessa and that in reality I wanted to concentrate on "T".  So while I toured Odessa, took a sailboat ride, ate in wonderful restaurants, saw beautiful buildings, parks, the sea and all with a beautiful woman that says she is very interested in me and still is even more now, I was thinking about "T" and Kharkov.  I gave her my iPod later when I talked with her from Odessa.

The Odessa Weekend as I will call it was very nice and enjoyable. I am glad I went now to keep my word and also to learn more about Ukraine, Odessa and the experience of trains.  I spent a lot of money there because it is an expensive city.  It reminds me a bit of San Diego or La Jolla in some parts.  Trendy, nice, exclusive and upscale.  At least the parts where I went were that way.  That sort of thing is nice sometimes, but I like old funky stuff like the old parts of Kharkov and the parks.

I got back to Kharkov and Mila took me to another newer apartment in a newer part of the city fairly close to Hotel Mir.  This was done because the wind had blown through my apartment and slammed a door shut, breaking a glass pane.  I told Mila I would pay for this.  But she said the owner was all upset about it so she moved me.  This first apartment was also directly across the street from Casta Club.  It stays open from 10:00 to 3:00 I think.  It was a nice detraction when I would go home to the apartment and not be ready to get to sleep.  

In my new apartment "T" came to see me later that day and we were glad to see one another again.  She was riding in a taxi about 30 kilometers one way each day to see me. So she would go back at night or evening for a total of 60 kilometers.  That is not much to a man from Texas, but to someone from Ukraine it is a tiring ride.  We spent almost every day together with Mila. We went to the park, restaurants, shopping malls and all over.  I have never seen so much sushi in so many restaurants, even in Dallas a sushi crazy place. We ate the traditional Ukraine food and had a great time.  Some days we got a buzz going.  The usual culprit was the red champagne from Crimea, Martini liquor and strawberries.  I drank that plus Vodka on occasion and was always thirsty for water.  They do not value ice water in Ukraine like I do.  The standard "martini" according to these women in Kharkov is the Red Crimean champagne (three fingers) added to about the same amount of Martini liquor.  It damn sure works good, I will say that.  I like it much better than Western martini drinks.  Especially when you add some shots of specially blended Vodka.

One time at Knyazhy Terem, I guess our favorite spot, we ran up at bar and food bill of a bit over 1,500 hrivnia. Mila looked shocked when the waiter gave us the bill, but I had been keeping tabs all along the evening and I knew it would be high.  I have watered in too many holes with elbows bending to not know when a big bill is imminent.   I never flinched because it was no surprise and besides, I was there to have fun and not to worry over spoiling a good time.  I was 6,000 miles away to have fun.  Go for broke.  And I did.  But the places we haunted and visited were absolutely beyond comparison to anything I have seen in the Western Hemisphere, including the Caribbean.  It was all worth every single hrivnia I spent.  I came home with about the equivalent of $40.00 US in my pocket.  I had been like a sailor but it was great.

As days passed and "T" and I were with one another each day.  I did meet another correspondent that I had been writing a few days before I left.  I really like her and we plan on meeting when I go back.  She is a woman that "has it all together" I think.  She is professional, poised, at ease in conversation, has a new car and is just a very good prospect.  She is beautiful and was so comfortable in our meeting that even Mila liked her (and she is from an agency).  I like her very much but she does not have a hook in my heart, yet. We will have to see, I do not know.  She is very stuck in my mind at any rate. My feelings are strong for "T" and so I will have to see where that path leads.  

One evening at twilight we were on the square walking and the women were laughing and feeling very happy and very good. I was too. I walked behind them and watched them enjoying themselves and this time when we were together.  We were all happy.  When Mila was about to step into her cab, she put her arm around "T" and they stood side by side smiling, laughing and looking at me.  I don't think I have ever seen two more beautiful young women in my life.  As I said it was twilight, the sun was down, the wind was blowing through their long hair and the square was busy, active and bustling.  They sure made a pretty picture in this Texas boy's eyes and one I will not forget.  A long haired Ukraine woman walking in the wind is a very nice sight to see.  It is poetry to me. They are different indeed.  A man can admire beauty and still be a gentleman in his thoughts.

I only met with five women, one of which was introduced to me by Mila. She is the one that I took a strong attachment to.  The others I liked, but I will say that my connections with them was entirely different and seemed different in some ways.  I have no doubts I can continue to correspond and meet with these other women if I choose to do so...........when I go back I will.  I had several more women I had expected to meet from our calls and writing, but there just was no more time to do it from a logistical standpoint.   I did not meet a single woman that I would not see again and I liked them all.  They all seemed to like me as well and wanted to meet again.  Some I did, some I did not.  But I came back happy and pleased, wishing to return as soon as possible.  

My first trip taught me that it is all a matter of fate and luck.  All you can do is try to be in the right place with the right person at the right time for both of you.  For me I plan on making this happen in Ukraine.  

[Simoni]

Good trip report, erudite.  Thanks for sharing.

It looks like you have some great prospects, and I'll be you can't wait to get back there again!

And I'll bet that $200.00 tab was the biggest bang for your buck that you have ever spent!

Best wishes,

~Simoni

[erudite]

Yes Simoni.........IT WAS. What is it that they say about some things in the Mastercard commercials??????????Priceless

[erudite]

Here is some "poetry" on Freedom Square in Kharkov, June 2009.  And the answer is NO, she is not Mila or "T".

[Fogged]

Nicely written TR. Thank you for sharing.

May I ask what town "T" lived in that is 30km away? Did she pay her own taxi fare to and from?

Yes, Kharkov is a nice city. I always enjoy my trips there. Actually, I was there at roughly the same dates in June you were and will return again in a few months.

[erudite]

Nicely written TR. Thank you for sharing.

May I ask what town "T" lived in that is 30km away? Did she pay her own taxi fare to and from?

Yes, Kharkov is a nice city. I always enjoy my trips there. Actually, I was there at roughly the same dates in June you were and will return again in a few months.

Thank you for the compliments Mr. Fogged.

"T" paid her fare at first and later I paid it. I did not mind and it was worth it.  Roughly 50 hrivna.
As for Kharkov being a nice place, if I had all the money I needed to live, I would live there in the summer and here in the winter. 

[Jesterjohn]

Hello Erudite,
That was awesome that you gave her your I-pod!!!! I'm so glad that your trip was like mine. You got to meet great people in Mila & Anton as well as T. So happy for you. I'm going back next May.Take care. Thanks again for sending the CD'S. Jester John

[erudite]

Thank you again Jester John.  I am planning on going back in September, so if you wish anything piggybacked or couriered, let me know.  I took five cameras and two laptops the last time.

[MatryoshkaMan]

Erudite I really enjoyed reading that. Thanks for posting it. It was a refreshing change from some of the TR's I have read where if you read between the lines the poster was there for a bit of misgevious skirt-chasing and trickery. With your approach I am pretty sure that you will land mrs. right soon. Sounds like "T" fits you to a "T"?

[erudite]

Mr. MatryoshkaMan.......thank you as well for your compliments and encouragement.  I take it all easy mostly because I am an easy going sort of fellow. It is not hard for me to relate to the women in Ukraine even though we do not speak the same language.  Like I said, you get what you give in the first place. John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote in a Beatles song: "The love you get is equal to the love you make".  That is what I live by. I will catch you on the next TR.

[START2]

e,
   Nice report and i know you can't wait to get back. I'll be back in Ukr in a few days
and will spend a limited time in Kharkov. Since you were just there, do you remember a few names and streets of the restaurants you visited? Is the Casta club a disco? Did you go to Bolero? I have a few friends also visiting so I want to pass along that info.
  Also for those members that can remember where to find the list of places here in the forum that gave reviews can you refresh my memory? Specifically Kharkov. Already know my way around Kiev, Od, Krim etc. We get three weeks this summer. I've  had a Ukr jones for several months already. Will also be able to visit close friends I haven't seen the last two visits.
  Oh yeah, any recommendations about where to stay on short notice near Yalta, Alushta, that area? Family will be going this trip as well. Might try to shoot down there for a few days.
   I will always be greatful to Taz for giving me gumption to rent a car from last summer. Best move ever. Had to go with a bigger one this year.
   Ya'll take care.
   

[Daveman]

Thank you for the compliments Mr. Fogged.

"T" paid her fare at first and later I paid it. I did not mind and it was worth it.  Roughly 50 hrivna.
As for Kharkov being a nice place, if I had all the money I needed to live, I would live there in the summer and here in the winter. 

I hear ya.. I love most everything about that city.  It pretty much rocks, in the summer at least.  I stayed about a 10min (or less) walk from the big mr Lenin there in the square. Did you notice the radio station?  My flat was a couple of blocks behind that.. the old time feel as you describe. Quite peaceful, comfortable, and pleasant. 

You obviously had a great time and met nice ladies, even coming home with some good and one very good prospect for future visits. Excellent!  Looking forward to your September additions.

Good luck!
Dave

[erudite]

e,
   Nice report and i know you can't wait to get back. I'll be back in Ukr in a few days
and will spend a limited time in Kharkov. Since you were just there, do you remember a few names and streets of the restaurants you visited? Is the Casta club a disco? Did you go to Bolero? I have a few friends also visiting so I want to pass along that info.  
  Also for those members that can remember where to find the list of places here in the forum that gave reviews can you refresh my memory? Specifically Kharkov. Already know my way around Kiev, Od, Krim etc. We get three weeks this summer. I've  had a Ukr jones for several months already. Will also be able to visit close friends I haven't seen the last two visits.
  Oh yeah, any recommendations about where to stay on short notice near Yalta, Alushta, that area? Family will be going this trip as well. Might try to shoot down there for a few days.
   I will always be greatful to Taz for giving me gumption to rent a car from last summer. Best move ever. Had to go with a bigger one this year.
   Ya'll take care.
    

I will strongly recommend the restaurant Knyazhy Terem in Shevchenko Gardens. Wonderful ambiance, great service, outstanding food, cold beer, cold champagne, sweet strawberries, great sight seeing spot too. Supposedly they cook the same favorite recipes of the last CZAR, Nicholas. Also strongly recommend "the Mill" or Melnista (Georgian food) near the lake and river in Zhuravlivka Park.  It is especially enchanting at night but you should take a taxi to get there.

I ate and drank at some that I cannot remember the names of but one is across the street from the Shevchenko Monument. Great place, good food very nice inside and on the sidewalk for great sightseeing AGAIN! Another is a very traditional Ukraine restaurant where Mila and "T" took me to test me on drinking gourmet vodka and traditional Ukraine food. It looks like a Ukraine farm house, but that is "another story" so to speak. If you will contact Mila, she knows it well and she will tell you the name and address. She knows some of the people who work there, including a Ukraine speaking Nigerian who has worked there for years.  Personally I do not know how he has managed to survive there so long, but it is a testament to his character and personality.  He did look rather odd in traditional Ukraine costume.

The Casta Club is not a place you will want to take "mama" if you catch my drift. It is a late nighter place and the girls all walk to the bus or their rides about daylight at 4:00AM. That is when you get to see how they look in daylight with clothes. I never went to Bolero, but I did go to the club, bowling alley and restaurant "all in one package"  called Misto. That is where the "butt" picture got taken.

Just lay back and enjoy yourself because you cannot get this kind of food, attention from beautiful women and atmosphere anywhere in the USA for an equal price or even twice the price.

[erudite]

I hear ya.. I love most everything about that city.  It pretty much rocks, in the summer at least.  I stayed about a 10min (or less) walk from the big mr Lenin there in the square. Did you notice the radio station?  My flat was a couple of blocks behind that.. the old time feel as you describe. Quite peaceful, comfortable, and pleasant. 

You obviously had a great time and met nice ladies, even coming home with some good and one very good prospect for future visits. Excellent!  Looking forward to your September additions.

Good luck!
Dave

Thank you Dave. I did not notice the radio station, but for my money, staying anywhere near Schevchenko Park gets an A plus for location. Plus my favorite restaurant and watering hole is there named Knyazhy Terem (King's Hat?) and my avatar is the sign at the gate to walk in. You can make an impressive entrance there and you can witness some very impressive entrances that will take your breath. 

[Simoni]

Plus my favorite restaurant and watering hole is there named Knyazhy Terem (King's Hat?) and my avatar is the sign at the gate to walk in.

That's why that looks familiar! 

[janic]

One time at Knyazhy Terem, I guess our favorite spot, we ran up at bar and food bill of a bit over 1,500 hrivnia. [...] I came home with about the equivalent of $40.00 US in my pocket.  I had been like a sailor but it was great.

My eyebrow raises when I read this (and the in-between-lines of other things you wrote.
I'm not sure if what you do is good, because I get the impression that you were spending quite a lot more than you would do at home and this can easily give a wrong impression to the women you meet. It can be a disappointing surprise to find out that your day-to-day life is different from what they have experienced in UA. Be careful!

Thanks for the TR!

j.