Ukraine here I come

[blackknight8791]

I have decided to roll the dice and take my trip to visit my girl from Mariupol.  Because of the Euro 2012 we will not be meeting in Kiev but are deciding between Berdyansk  and Odessa.    Any members ever been to Berdyask?  What are the toughts between these two places for a 5 day trip?

[NS1]

For 5 days, your first trip! It will matter little where you go.

[mobob]

I've been through Berdyansk twice.  Does that count? What NS1 said is correct. However, since she is from Mariupol, Berdyansk is only a short and inexpensive bus ride. And fewer potential distractions than Odessa. It's just down the coast from Mariupol on the Sea of Azov. Plenty of space for walking in the city and by the sea. If you hit it off, well, her city's right back up the road. I don't remember where you're flying in, if it's Mariupol, can she meet you at the airport and then go from there? A taxi from the airport to the bus station shouldn't be more than 80 grivna, about $10. The bus ride should be about the same. Don't recommend a taxi all the way, a waste of money, and you'd miss the ambiance of the bus service.

[VIP]

I have decided to roll the dice and take my trip to visit my girl from Mariupol.  Because of the Euro 2012 we will not be meeting in Kiev but are deciding between Berdyansk  and Odessa.    Any members ever been to Berdyask?  What are the toughts between these two places for a 5 day trip?

Mariupol (Maripoophole) SUX! Most Ukrainan cities have some good clubs, but Maripoophole does not even have that. You may say that you don't go to clubs, but this is just a quick discription of this place. Read between the lines.
I have not been to Berdyask, but I think it will suck the same.
Meet in Odessa. You can have some fun there even if you two part ways.
The red flag is: (If) She does not want to meet in her home town. 

[TomT]

When you are with your correspondent, you will need every percentage point possible. Not looking at other girls will gain you double digits. Implementing that plan would be more of a challenge in Odessa because the girls there tend to walk around in an advanced state of undress.

[Donhollio]

I have decided to roll the dice and take my trip to visit my girl from Mariupol.  Because of the Euro 2012 we will not be meeting in Kiev but are deciding between Berdyansk  and Odessa.   

 Did she give some reason why does she not want you to be in her city, or was this your idea?  Don't want to raise any paranoia, but somethimes when a girl wishes to keep the foreign man from her hometown, there are underlining reasons. Odessa would be a nice stop for a overnight visit, never been to Berdyansk.

[blackknight8791]

I have decided to roll the dice and take my trip to visit my girl from Mariupol.  Because of the Euro 2012 we will not be meeting in Kiev but are deciding between Berdyansk  and Odessa.   

 Did she give some reason why does she not want you to be in her city, or was this your idea?  Don't want to raise any paranoia, but somethimes when a girl wishes to keep the foreign man from her hometown, there are underlining reasons. Odessa would be a nice stop for a overnight visit, never been to Berdyansk.

We were looking for places that would not be over run with soccer hooligans.  I had never heard of Berdaynsk but she said it nice, but we are also considering Odessa.  Booking my travel on Monday so both places seem to work.  Donetsk and Kiev both host Euro 2012 games, so they are going to be packed.

[vendelo]

Mr. Black,

I'd suggest using travelocity to find the airline with the best & cheapest flight for your trip then book directly on their web site. It will be cheaper and if you have problems you can deal directly with the airline. If you buy your ticket from a 3rd party, the airline will giggle before they hang up on you. I like Lufthansa (not sure what your route is).

[blackknight8791]

Mr. Black,

I'd suggest using travelocity to find the airline with the best & cheapest flight for your trip then book directly on their web site. It will be cheaper and if you have problems you can deal directly with the airline. If you buy your ticket from a 3rd party, the airline will giggle before they hang up on you. I like Lufthansa (not sure what your route is).

Thanks for the information.  Luthansa has some great options out of Dallas. 

[Ade]

Mr. Black,

I'd suggest using travelocity to find the airline with the best & cheapest flight for your trip then book directly on their web site. It will be cheaper and if you have problems you can deal directly with the airline. If you buy your ticket from a 3rd party, the airline will giggle before they hang up on you. I like Lufthansa (not sure what your route is).

Thanks for the information.  Luthansa has some great options out of Dallas.

Don't forget to inform your bank/CC supplier where you're going or there's a good chance they'll block all of those transactions for fur coats, handbags, shoes, and other miscellaneous fripperies you'll be buying for your bit of sugar. 

[TomT]

Make sure that you have a 4-band phone that will work in Ukraine because being incommunicado would not be adventageous.

[vendelo]

FYI, I had no problems using the ATMs in L'viv. On my trip I brought $1K in cash and used ATMs for local cash. When you arrive in UA, just go find an ATM at the airport to get enough local cash for a couple of days. Then piss off an airport cFe and buy an espresso with a large bill so you have small bills to take a bus into town 

Also, it would help if you learned Cyrillic. The train and bus stations are usually staffed with older folk who don't speak Engrish.

I would at least learn the following in Ukrainian or Russian:

Hello
Goodbye
Thank you
Do you speak English?
Bathroom

And I would dress really well. I was impressed with the young men, teens and 20s, in L'viv who wore slacks, sweaters, & lace-ups.

[TomT]

http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Russian-Phrasebook-Dictionary/dp/1864501065

[andrewfi]

http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Russian-Phrasebook-Dictionary/dp/1864501065

My fave when I started out! SO good coz it has translit everywhere you so can learn your cyrillic but still read and say stuff and ur darling will also be able to work both ways.

I think I prolly bought three or four of those over the years. These days I am on the Collins Gem Dictionary, so useful a helper for one so small.

[blackknight8791]

I have had several emails regarding my status of my planned trip.  First of all thanks for all the interest.  I had some situations arise with my business unexpectedly that made it were I was not able to go to my trip.  This really upset my lady friend from Mariupol she was not very understanding.  Currently we are not communicating, but last Friday she did call me to tell me she was going on a trip to Greece for 10 days, with a friend. 

She did discuss me still coming, but to be honest I have lost my enthusiasm.  I saw a side of her that was really harsh and cold and not very understanding.  So I am currently on the side lines.  Not really doing anything but focusing on my business.  Still trying to decide if I should go and visit her or start all over.