Russian, Ukrainian & FSU Information & Manosphere Discussion Forums
Information & Chat => Adventure Stories & Travel Reports => Topic started by: Markje on May 04, 2008, 09:14:03 AM
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Saturday – Travel Day :) :) :)
So I get up early for me. 6 Am (ouch) instead of my comfortable 8:30 AM. Yes, vacations you should sleep late instead of getting up early. Work is for getting up early, right? I start slowly, I already packed the day before so I have time to wake up. Then its off to the parents who will drive my car home after dropping me off.
The roads are nice and quiet and I get to schiphol airport 30 minutes early. I get out of the car, get my bags and say goodbye to the folks. I enter “Departure” hall 2. ... I step..... stand still...... utter chaos seems to have erupted. Massive amounts of people everywhere and noone is moving. So I try to find checkin counter 15/16 who should be czech airlines. A security officer tells me, the counter I am looking for has such a long line that they start in “Departure” hall 3!!!! I take one look at the line and realise I am not going to make it in time if I do it the “nice” way. The security guard won't budge of course, so I am stuck going to the lines.... whilst I am bored and time is ticking away I made it about 20 meters down the line by the time final luggage checkin is arriving for my flight. I exit the lines and ask the security guard more firmly, flight tickets in hand if I can cut the line and enter earlier. No he says, get back in line!...
Another person starts harassing the guard and I try to slip past, unfortunatly he notices and sticks out the arm to hold me back. Damnit. I am not pleased, A) I am a nice person and do not want to cut in line. B) I realise I have to catch that plane. So I explain to him again after the other woman left and we argue a bit, he also gets a bit annoyed. He takes another look at my papers and notice I already have my boarding pass, I used internet-checkin and only need to drop off my luggage... He lets me pass. Unfortunatly the time it took was too long and my baggage is no longer accepted. I had a bit of a distressed look on my face so the nice girl says to me, your luggage is not heavy. Use it as carryon luggage. So I depart towards customs with both my bags instead of 1. After a quick check through customs, I enter the gate hall and through the security checks towards the gates. This part of my trip apparently went smoothly (thank god). I enter the right gate and the woman there says I have 2 bags, instead of one. I tell her about the checkin line , she looks understanding and says: we will think of something, give me your bag please.
Flights please!
The flight left 20 minutes late, due to the utter chaos at schiphol airport. Unfortunatly on such a short flight, they were unable to catch up, leaving me only 10 minutes to switch planes in Prague. The main steward asked me to report to them before exiting the plane. I assumed it had something todo with my connection being very short. When I exitted the plane, I noticed one of my coworkers from my team was behind me! What a nice surprise, we chatted a bit, she went to skopje and I continued towards Odessa. I exit the plane and talk to the main steward. He hands me my second bag, he had kept it in his private cabin on the plane for me! How nice!. Rushing towards my second plane, which was on the other side of prague airport!... I enter the second departure gate totally out of breath, I go through security again and due to the limited time I once again have both my bags with me. Another man from Netherlands was also there, he was in much better shape and not out of breath. While I was rushed through checkin as the other plane wanted to leave, I was allowed both my bags in the plane as carry on luggage. I put the large one in the overhead bin and the small one between my legs under my chair. After take off, the woman in front of me pushes her chair back fast causing me some pain on my knees because of my long legs. Its a woman, a blonde... of course! She saw me pass so she knew I was a tall man and maybe she should have warned me about moving her chair. Oh well, rude people. I thought about my coming meeting Sunday though and could not be bothered to comment. I was much too nervous and I was afraid to make a scene whilst ..... yes I am a nice man and its not my style. I struggle a bit in my seat and with some work I manage to get my right leg on the path and my left leg to the middle seat. Charming! (not!)
After an uneventful trip, I managed to exit the plane in Odessa and after what seemed like an endless time with passport control, I went to the streetside. My ride was already waiting for me....
To be continued.......
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Keep coming I want to read the interesting parts. Airports just...suck unless is Boryspil or Odessa ;D
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(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0027.JPG)
Next part of my trip, is a roadtrip from Odessa to Evpatoria. We began the road trip around 15:15 and I was at my hotel around 23:30. The hotel was truly magnificent and checkin at this late hour was absolutely no problem. The front desk spoke only Russian at this late hour, fortunatly I had an excellent translator with me. Apart from 1 large hole in the road which caused a heavy bump in the car , the trip was pretty uneventful and we met no large problems on the way to Evpatoria.
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0027.JPG)
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0035.JPG)
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0037.JPG)
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Sunday – First meeting
So, I awake at 9:30 AM , my first meeting I arranged to have at 13:00 PM. I am nervous as hell though, so I start my daily routine to take my mind off things. Get up, notice its too late to have breakfast in the hotel, take shower, shave.. that sort of things. By the time I finish, its only 9:45 AM... bugger. I start to read the book my sister gave me for this trip, “Orcs”. Its a nice book and after only 2 chapters, my mind wanders to the book and I am happily reading my book.
13:15 SMS from Lena, where the hell am I???? oooh shit. I reply I shall be down shortly! I totally forgot the time because of the book! So I quickly check my face in the mirror, put on my coat and leave the key at the hotel desk. Then I head outside to meet Lena. There she is, looking at the garden on the other side of the road so she does not spot me whilst I am walking towards her. After I arrive, we head down to the beach for a long walk and talk alot. After just 10 minutes I am sure. This is my kind of lady!!! After a relaxing stroll down Yevpatoria beach, we enter a small restaurant for lunch. The food is not that good, but I only have eyes for her anyway.
I barely notice the food whilst we chat more and after we finish , its time to explore the rest of the town. Lena takes me through the parks, beaches and important streets of Yevpatoria. My photo camera has a field day with all the nice things and statues. Dinner is in a small restaurant. Lena doesn't like it here much, because of the too loud (bad) live vocals and TL-bars lighting. The food is ok though. We go back to the hotel pretty late. 9:30 PM. This was one very good day. Whilst we walk in the moonlight, Lena keeps telling me she will go home and not to the hotel with me. It is not proper. I understand completely of course, no comments here. Does she think I expect something else?
...to be continued
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The view from my hotel room
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0062.JPG)
The first restaurant
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0064.JPG)
Being dutch, i can appreciate this Bar/Cafe
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0070.JPG)
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Monday – Bakhchiserai
Today we goto bakhchiserai. Lena is meeting me early, around 9:00 AM , to catch the bus. One of those damn small ones, but slightly faster than a train. After trying endlessly to get myself between the chairs,I give up and take the isle seat and lena gets the window seat. After a painful 2 hours of pure torture on the knees, we finally exit the bus in Bakh. We get a taxi to goto khans palace.
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0083.JPG)
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0084.JPG)
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0088.JPG)
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0094.JPG)
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We enjoy ourselves and buy a tour ticket of khan's palace. I cant understand a word of Ukrainain though, so I take pictures of the various “plaque's” hanging besides the main items in every room. They have both english and native text. I don't think Lena has any interest in the tour, she keeps eyeing me when she thinks I am not looking. I soon depart the “tour” and start taking pictures of rooms they just passed or will pass shortly.
This gives me more time alone with the artefacts. The tour guide understood perfectly and left me and Lena alone, whilst we did our own version of Khan's palace. I even bought the merchendizing english tour version of “khan's palace” a self-burned DVD with inktjet color printer cover hehehe. Oh well, after we finish up in khan's palace, we head over to the only restaurant in town, for lunch. It was quite good and on lena's request I tried an original Ukrainian dish. It resembles blini, but with meat inside. I forgot the name. Lunch was basicly just eating and staring at eachother, which suited me fine for a while. Lena didn't seem to mind either!
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0120.JPG)
After lunch, Lena arranged for us to goto Uspensky monestary. We went by foot, only 3 km according to the locals. Hmmm 3 km does not sound too bad, it should be a relaxing walk. But then it hit me, the locals forget something, namely that it was a 60% slope for the last 1 km of those 3!!! so after an exhausting experience for the both of us, we finally get near the top of the slope. I turn to Lena and say: I am tired, lets go back. She laughs and we continue. On top of the slope,.... yes you guessed it, a staircase began. Step step and more steps upwards. After a look inside the monestary, where monks are praying we decided to leave again and headed back down the mountain.
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0124.JPG)
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0121.JPG)
When we got to the flat area, we took a taxi back to town. Lena inquired when the bus to Evpatoria left, but it was another one of those damn small busses. I said to her: lets get a Taxi to Evpatoria. She looked at me like I was crazy. She said it would cost me! I asked her again to inquier. Taxi driver finally settled at 300 grivna's after debating with Lena for a while. I said: ok lets go! And back we went. The taxi driver gave us a business card, shook my hand and went back to Bakh.
to be continued!
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Mark, great report.....keep it coming! If her in the photos, she's very pretty and nice eyes too.
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Great TR markje, I can't wait to read more, and see more of your pics!!
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Is that you waving Mark :chuckle: great report, can't wait to hear more.
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Monday - Bakhchiserai part 2... Dinner!
After we get back in Evpatoria, it is almost dinner time so I asked Lena what our options are. She says Evpatoria is only a small town with little amusement. they have a cinema with only russian movies, a theather (closed until high-season) and only a few restaurants. They also have a bowling center together with a kids plaything which is popular. I tell Lena we will go bowling Tuesday, it sounds like fun.
She agrees and then we select another restaurant. I liked our first lunch place, so I ask if we can go back there. We head back to the first restaurant I went to and order food at a table. What a difference with my first experience! The place was crowded and despite several non-smoking signs the entire restaurant was thick with smoke. Lena didn't like it much, I agreed with her. We ate our food quickly and headed to Planet hotel, to have a nice romantic evening together with nobody watching us.
I ordered a taxi at the appropriate time to send Lena home. I had a feeling this week was turning out great and I really liked her. She also seems to like me a lot but being a proper woman she went home early. She sent me an SMS later that her work gave her vacation the rest of the week. I imagine she liked me so much she decided to take vacation this week.
Only in Ukraine, pink food :
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0081.JPG)
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looks like Mr. Bush is enjoying Pobeda and Mr. Putin is very proud ;D
Well, it is a classic car. I enjoyed my road trip in it very much :)
you were lucky it didnt ruin while you were going :chuckle:
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Tuesday - bowling day!
I woke early after my exhausting trip to Bakh and was looking forward to my meeting with Lena. Our arranged date was 10 AM. She sent me a message at
9:45 that she overslept and wanted to meet at 11:30. Sweet revenge for her I guess :-) I said ok of course, and we met later in the morning. Lena was dressed in a lovely miniskirt looking great.... but not very practical for bowling! She soon realised the same as she tore her skirt throwing a ball. Her scores were nigh non-existant as all balls went to either gutter. After 4 turns I started to adjust my own game to be a gentleman. I still won the game, or I would insult her intelligence but I didn't get above 90 (bowlers, you know!).
Second rounds I helped out Lena with her game, when it was time for her turn, I threw a few of her balls to up her score. The second game ended a tie 74/74 (gee, you think I planned this? :-*). Lena was very happy. She said: You help me! , I replied I will always help you! our third game was easy, just finishing the time and we had a relaxing game. We thanked our hostess and left the bowling place. Lunch time again.
We had a good and quick lunch in a cafe, with a lovely romantic tea time. I ordered fruit tea and she ordered coffee. Now I absolutely hate coffee, so no kissing :-X. We again took a stroll through Evpatoria beaches and I shot some more good pictures. After lunch, Lena wanted to go home to swap her skirt. We walked to her place and she asked me to wait outside as our relationship was still very new. I killed some time shooting photo's of the surroundings. Flowers, a cat, a lada.....
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0142.JPG)
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0143.JPG)
When it was time for dinner, Lena suggested Evpatoria does have 1 good restaurant, but it is very expensive. I thought: What the hell, I can use good food by now as I am very hungry. So I asked Lena to take us there. The restaurant is named "Sankt-Petersburg". Sankt-Petersburg was a very nice surprise. The restaurant had great atmosphere, they played english love-songs all evening and we were the only guests that evening. I think it is too expensive for the locals, the pricing was comparable to a western restaurant ($30-$40 a person). I had a tremendous good time and the food was simply super. We will return here two times later in the week. We spent at least 2 hours at dinner this time, because of the nice environment. Afterwards, the night turned chilly so we took a taxi back to my hotel. We were both tired after such a nice evening, so after some hugging each other (Yes, with clothes you perverts :-X), we actually fell asleep on my hotel bed together. We woke at 11:30 PM from an SMS from Lena's mother, and I sent Lena home soon after.
(https://fotoboek.linuxfriendly.nl/galleries/Unsorted/Digitale_Fotocamera/Vakantie_Evpatoria_1/100_0152.JPG)
To be continued!
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more i say more
good read mark,await the out come :bow:
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so after some [private moments]
Very diplomatic and gentlemanly. :)
Next installment please! :bow:
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- Wednesday , Evpatoria Day.
Lena wanted to meet early again, no objections here :-). This time we explored the salty lake near evpatoria and had a great time together. Lunch was at a sushi bar, which was not very good. Pricing was moderate, not cheap so I expected more from the environment. The food was good but the service and location were below par :(. The company I was in, made it worthwhile though, again she was very nice and it probably gets boring for you guys as I keep repeating myself :)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/evpatoria2.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/evpatoria3.jpg)
Dinner again in Sankt Petersburg, and this time there was a grand total of 1 other couples eating there. I had the same food as the day before, Lena remarked that variatian is good. (yes, I know, its spelled differently!). Lena said that Thursday would be the icing on my cake. We would travel on a daytrip to Yalta, for a ride in the local cable car there. We went to the hotel fairly early for some private time, but I dropped her off at home 10 PM as we needed to get up 5 AM (yikes!!!!) the next day.
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/evpatoria4.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/evpatoria5.jpg)
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- Thursday , Yalta Day!
At 5:00 I hear a vague noise coming from my mobile phone... I realise its time to roll out of bed as Lena is waiting for me soon. I wake up with some coca-cola, as I dont drink coffee and I do need caffeine for this one! Slowly, my world comes to life and by the time its 6:00 AM I am outside and Lena meets me awake and happily. Who says Russian women have difficulty waking up early!!!! :happy0023: We walk towards the busstation and Lena tells me that it leaves at 7:05 AM for yalta. We go grocery shopping for some fruit juice, pineapple has become my favorite this week! She also tells me , her mother made us a picnic so we won't have to go hungry in the bus. I feel welcome and appreciate the effort. I thank Lena for caring and we enter the bus when it arrives at the busstation!
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaBus.jpg)
Lena still remembered what happened in the bus to Bakhchiserai suggested I take the middle seat in the last line, so I have the entire bus walkway as legspace :) She takes the seat to my left. The bus fills up quickly and a 40'sh man sits near the window on Lena's left. When most seats are taken the bus leaves 10 minutes early as they do not want people to stand in the bus. A couple of teenagers sit in the row in front of us and they have fun and are excited about the trip to Yalta. the man next to Lena starts to talk to her in Russian and Lena is amused , but she tells me later she did not like that man.
He asked Lena to accompany him on the tourist cable attraction to Yalta, she replied she was with her boyfriend and couldn't. hmmmm, I like the sound of that, boyfriend!. I made lots of good pictures in Yalta, so I will include most of them after the end of my adventure story. Our bus leaves Yevpatoria quickly and it takes the road to Saki. From Saki we goto Simferopol, where it will wait 30 minutes. But I get ahead of the story. As the bus ploughs along the bad road to saki, the teen in front of me to my right, has some Sprite. He drinks a few zips and then places the bottle in the overhead bin, which soon turns out to be a bad idea. After only a couple of turns, railway tracks and other road bumps, the bus managed to bump the bottle off the bin on the teen's knee. ouch!! That had to hurt!!
His friend who sat on the left (in front of Lena) called him "blina" and placed the bottle on his overhead bin, with his coat to hold it in place.... uhoh, I can see this go wrong again. It takes longer this time, but after 30 minutes the bottle had pushed the coat away all the way to another row of seats. As I don't want some innocent guy to be hurt because of their stupidity I tap his shoulder and point to the overhead bin. Lena talks to him in russian and he quickly grabs the bottle of Sprite and fastens it again with his coat.... oooh Blini! Lena has a huge smile and tells me I am a very nice man.
At Simferopol, the bus stops for 30 minutes, Lena tells me she wants some breakfast now, so we have the picnic her mother prepared for us. She takes the fish, I have the chicken. Her mother is a good cook and the food tastes good! we enjoy the sun and good weather and enter the bus at 10:00 AM when it starts towards Yalta. Everyone has the same seats, except for 2 people who left the bus in Simferopol.
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/simferopol-busstation.jpg)
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During our trip to Yalta, The man in the window starts chatting to Lena again. She smiles at him and sometimes laughs, but is obviously not encouraging him so he soon focusses to the nice views outside. Lena spots a gorgous picture-moment outside the bus and I try to catch it on my camera. first photo: Trees... damn. Second photo: another bus .... damn. Third photo! treeesssssss Fourth try: a gas station... I despair as the moment almost passed. Fifth try: YES!!!! finally!!!!! An amazing picture of the mountain standing tall in the distance!. Our bus progresses slowly on this winding road, up and down, hairpin curves.. It seems to take forever. I do get a couple of nice shots in this part though.
Fourth try :
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/Try-2.jpg)
And the view :
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/Try-5.jpg)
More pretty pictures:
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/view1.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/view2.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/view3.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/view4.jpg)
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When we finally enter Yalta busstation, there is no cable car to be seen anywhere. Lena inquiers a few times with the locals and finally learns we need bus 27 to go there and exit on stop 3. We take 1 look at the queue with bus 27 and simultaniously decide we will take a taxi. one of the pictures above is from the taxi. When we finally enter the cable car ticket sales booth, we see the queue and it is 1 hour waiting. Lena tells me its the first day the cart is open this year and because of the holidays loads of locals also want to go up the mountain. She learns the view is breathtaking and well worth the wait, so we wait.... Tak! (Lena yells at me: NO TAK!!!! I don't like it!) After what seems like an endless hour, made so much better by Lena, one of the security guards yells at the crowd. They need 3 people to fill up the cart about to leave but most groups near them are bigger. The russians in front of us point to us and we are pushed to the front of the queue.... how nice! So we pays our money and go up the mountain.... once we arrive at the top , I am astonished. What a beautiful sight! what a gorgeous mountain peak to walk in the sun... We both stand there for a few minutes enjoying the view. Lena takes a few pics with my camera of the departing cable car.
To be continued with pictures when I get home ......
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Is it St Petri mountain Markje?
It is it the landscape is amazing. I have been in the top of the mountain and really the site view is fabulous
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so after some [private moments]
Very diplomatic and gentlemanly. :)
We were both tired after such a nice evening, so after some [private moments] we actually fell asleep on my hotel bed together.
It's not diplomatic at all...It is very clear and obvious ;D.
I just wonder how WM think differently from us RW about similar things. I will explain what I mean.
I see WM can talk very openly about some things which we RW try to keep privately. And I see WM like to talk about it. Maybe really D_D was right when he wrote that WM miss it in a communication with RW. RW don't talk about private things publicly (maybe we talk but it is not such huge like WM want and do).
I think Lena would not be too happy to read what Markje discribes IT here.
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I see WM can talk very openly about some things which we RW try to keep privately. And I see WM like to talk about it. Maybe really D_D was right when he wrote that WM miss it in a communication with RW. RW don't talk about private things publicly (maybe we talk but it is not such huge like WM want and do).
I think Lena would not be too happy to read what Markje discribes IT here.
Everyone does it but pretend that they don't. Isn't it a bit hypocritical?
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Everyone does it but pretend that they don't. Isn't it a bit hypocritical?
1) Not everyone :) And not even every WM.
2) if someone even does it privately to some close friends, it is still privately, not publicly. I mean I see difference in these two ways and I don't find it hypocritical. As some things are private, others are public and it's ok to tell some things only to close friends and others - to post on forums.
Mark, concerning what you named as gas station there, it's not gas station, it's little shop for food :-) Typical shop from old times. Maybe it's curious for you to know :smokin:
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I think Lena would not be too happy to read what Markje discribes IT here.
Once Lena's English has improved so much she can understand everything I am sure she will be introduced to this message board.
(Damn I will be in trouble then :happy0023: :happy0023: :happy0023:)
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After spending some good time upstairs, we head down the mountain on our own, not using the "guide" route on signs. We ended up much too low in the mountains and had to go mountainclimbing back up a little bit. My mountain goat errrr Mountain woman Lena does this without effort, arriving fresh back on the known path. I am totally exhausted by the time we are back down in the little tourist town on top of this mountain. We are jumped by locals who want to sell us food, souvenirs, shashlick, etc. etc. Lena keeps holding them off and I hold her hand so they leave me alone too. When she was satisfied with a place where the food looked ok, she agreed on entering this establishment and we sat down for shashlik and fruit juice (once again pineapple!). Catching my breath meanwhile, enjoying her company and the food... Life just doesn't get better than this! We headed back to the queue for the cable cart downstairs. While we were waiting, I noticed a couple of peacocks and I thought of taking a picture. Then I noticed they were chained to a bench so I decided not to. I don't want to encourage this misbehaviour. Meanwhile a man was harassing Lena for a picture with a Hawk, which was chained to his glove. She felt the same as I do about these atrocities and said no quite loudly. Meanwhile we both spotted a kid abusing a young bear (1-2 months age maximum) we both felt bad for the poor animal but Lena remarked that after 2 more months the bear would be large enough to tell the kid to get lost.
So, we finally entered the cart and headed back down the mountain. I told Lena if she wanted souvenirs from Yalta trip, just pick them up. I got a nice natural stone with a Toyota-sign embedded in it. These guys are totally car-enthousiasts... Lena got herself a nice stone Turtle statue. We exit the tourist city and head down the path back to Yalta. I tell Lena I would like a taxi back to Simferopol and get a bus there, instead of entering the bus in Yalta. She said it would be too expensive, but I don't care. That last part of the busride was too slow. After passing a few waiting taxi's , Lena haggled over price and declined and continued walking. Then an old Lada cab asks only 300 Grivna's, I think ok, but we can get better car. Next up is 250 Grivna's in an old Opel Senator and it looks luxurious. I tell Lena to accept this deal, and off we go. Lena talked to the driver a while and I notice we stop in Yalta near a pharmaceutical shop. Lena forgot to buy something and exit the car to enter the shop. I stay in the Taxi and the driver takes this oppertunity to pop the hood and talk to some locals, I think they are his friends. Lena is back shortly, within 5 minutes. We start our journey towards Simferopol. I notice the fuel meter is nearly empty, so it is no surprise to me that after only 40 km we enter a gasstation. Big surprise, the car pulls up to an "autogas" pump instead of regular fuel! how clever!. The cabbie tells us we need to exit the vehicle because of safety regulations by Ukrainian government.
while we wait , I take some pictures of the mountains around us and take a look at the hood of the Opel. It has some airbrush painting of horror vampires on it. Lena asks me if I like that sort of thing. I tell her it looks pretty but it is not my style. I say a fast car should have an eagle or someting. My style however is a "wolf in sheep clothing". However, due to her english capacity I am unable to convey this to her. The car finished refueling and we head on the road again. Then I notice the driver looks tired, and he speeds a lot (120kph where 80 is allowed) and 2 or 3 times I hold my breath as he overtakes dangerously. We get to Simferopol safely though and enjoy some time together before our bus leaves for Evpatoria.
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/MercBus.jpg)
Lena doesn't feel like company of other people again so we agree to sit directly behind the driver (legspace for me, privacy for her). The trip back is uneventful and quite speedy due to a good mercedes sprinter bus. We talk some in English and I notice how quickly her skill is improving. It seems like only 5 days ago.... oh it was 5 days ago :) that we needed the dictionary for every other word. Now I have seen the dictionary only once today. Lena tells me my after-shave smells too strongly (hugo boss) and I should put on less tomorrow. I think this is a strange remark, she never complained before.
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/LenaFountain.jpg)
We enjoy dinner in my hotel room with the leftovers from our picnic-basket from Lena's mother. I joke that Mama K... is a good cook. Lena tells me she does not like me to call her mother K.... it is her family name but not her mothers. I assume K... is her father's family name and they did not separate on good terms. I ask Lena what her Mother's name is then. She tells me her mothers full name. I cannot pronounce nor remember it though, very long and difficult family name. I tell lena I will just call her mother "Mama" or "T..." then, :) Lena laughs and agrees. So I repeat my joke and say Mama T... is a good cook. Lena beams at me. After a wonderful evening Lena departs home again. Onward to friday!.
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Everyone does it but pretend that they don't. Isn't it a bit hypocritical?
1) Not everyone :) And not even every WM.
i don't know what Mark meant by "private moments".. Do you?
I don't like the display of public affection, I'm just not this type of person, i can be affectionate in my own space but nobody will see me sucking tonsils out of my husband. But some people do it. You said you never been to Russia, but sometimes in metro one can get stack behind such affectionate couple on some long escalator or in the carriage and you just don't know where to look.
so, what ever they did in private it is their business, and I'm sure every one has their private moments, every RW and every WM.
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== Friday , sick day :-( ==
I am awoken early by Lena's message on my mobile phone. She is very sick and does not want to meet me. I nearly faint! I tell her good health and sleep well. about 30 minutes later she sends me another SMS. "I think when a man likes a woman, he will send her gifts (not souvenirs) and does not allow her to spend her own money"... I ponder about this statement at least 1 hour and feel very humiliated. I decide to sidetrack her and reply : "I am a man, please forgive me and meet me for dinner". I had hoped her statement that she is sick is a blow-off and she is not really sick. Her answer is very clear though "I very grievance". So I was wrong, she really is sick. Damn what to do! I SMS Manny if he can arrange for flowers to be sent to Lena with a get-well-soon card. I also SMS Lena "Good health soon, sleep long". It will be easier to understand for her limited english.
My day crashes, I spend time reading a book my sister gave me (the same one from monday!) and when the roomcleaners come, I take a stroll through Evpatoria without her. The city really is beautiful with lots of nice things to see, but my mind is not with it. After 1 hour I return to the hotel and the room is clean. I had planned to spend today buying souvenirs for my family at home and let Lena buy a very nice goodbye gift, but I fear its not going to happen. While I am lost in the book again taking away my sorrow for a while.... I have simple Lunch in hotel Planeta, which tastes good. When I am almost 2/3 through the book it is nearly 4 PM, my phone beeps again. Lena slept very well and feels much better. She would like to have dinner, where do I meet her? I tell her to goto my hotel by Taxi, I will pay for it. It is not good for recently sick to walk outside. She says she will send me SMS when she leaves home. My mind is racing through the options, but I get only 1 conclusion. Wait until she arrives at the hotel.
... To be continued.
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Awww Mannnnnnnnn ...... I just hate cliffhangers.
(sigh) oh well, it only increases the anticipation.
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== Friday, the goodbyes ==
After I recieve an SMS from Lena that her taxi is with her, I put on my shoes and coat and walk to the front of the Hotel. I am there Early, but Lena arrives soon after. I pay her cabbie and she waves him away. This was a surprise for me, she doesn't look sick. I tell her we will goto Restaurant Sankt-Petersburg again, but why did she send the taxi off? She said the walk outside in the sun will make her feel better as she still has a mild headache. We walk through the park parallel to Evpatoria's main street towards the restaurant. The man who takes our coats has an ugly scar and looks like a mobster!!! how quaint! The restaurant is marvellous as always. I order Salmon this time and Lena immediatly joines me. She says fish is her favorite food, so I store this knowledge for later use. I have a feeling Lena will find some of the Dutch customs very interesting since they involve sea-food.
(http://www.rtvnh.nl/cmsroot/Nieuwsfotos/Overigen/Haring-eten-staart3bigthumb0.jpg)
We talk about fun things that happened this week and we have a good time together. I steer the conversation towards the SMS she sent me that hurt my feelings. Lena is embarrassed and says it was not her intention, it was an attempt at Humor since I took good care of her, but because of her bad english and her mind not sharp as she was sick, it came out totally wrong. Her mother apparently told her a joke about rich westeners showering their girls with expensive gifts and I brought her only a souvenir from Netherlands. We both laugh at the uncomfertable moments we had and we both agree patience is a virtue and we will both need tons of it when dealing with the language-barrier.
I told lena once again, I loved thursday in Yalta and the dinner we had (picnic ala Mama) was the best food of the entire week!. We go back to my hotel room early to say our goodbyes since I depart back to Netherlands at 5:30 AM that next morning. Lena however , does not really want to leave early. Being cute and cuddly to eachother she manages to drag time until 23:30 PM before she departs towards her own house. On my request she asks the hotel desk to wake me next day at 5:45 just in case my own mobile phone alarm doesn't wake me at 5:30.
I goto sleep very tired , but satisfied and rethink the week in my head. I never felt happier.
----
In hindsight, I think that sick day has been a good experience for me, It will help me prepare with the culture shock Lena will have if things continue to go well between us. She will feel lonely and lost in Netherlands alone without me, and this friday helps me to understand her better when that happens.
Meanwhile my work granted my second vacation, so I will return to Evpatoria 5 July for 2 more weeks of joy with a new relationship that is growing.
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A great story Mark I am glad things are working out so well for the two of you. :party0011:
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A great story Mark I am glad things are working out so well for the two of you. :party0011:
Same here. :bow:
Looks like its coming together for Mark.
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The pictures from Yalta:
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM1.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM2.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM3.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM4.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM5.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM6.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM7.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM8.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaM9.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaMa.jpg)
(http://www.scheurders.nl/~olie/Russian/Evpatoria1/YaltaMb.jpg)
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Is it St Petri mountain Markje?
It is it the landscape is amazing. I have been in the top of the mountain and really the site view is fabulous
Yes, the one and the same!
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Enjoyable reading and very nice photos, Mark. Did you get to practice any of the Russian you've been working on lately?
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Meanwhile my work granted my second vacation, so I will return to Evpatoria 5 July for 2 more weeks of joy with a new relationship that is growing.
That is wonderful news Markje. Be prepared for the time to drag until your return in July. I'm sure you are spending much of your time now sending messages and calling. Was she able to schedule vacation time from her job for these two weeks?
Take Care
Dave Maynard
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Enjoyable reading and very nice photos, Mark. Did you get to practice any of the Russian you've been working on lately?
Yes I did, but unfortunatly not more than simple meaning of how i feel (ochen charasho) and da, njet, spasiba etc. etc.
And asking Lena how she feels, simple road directions.... where is the red square in evpatoria... :laugh:
Lena appreciated the effort though :)
@Dave:
No, she can't get vacation the second time :( She said she will think of something, even faking a disease or something.
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@Dave:
No, she can't get vacation the second time :( She said she will think of something, even faking a disease or something.
Hello Markje :
Way back when I did my trip report I mentioned my UW could not get time off from work. Mainly she felt she was easily dispensable as an employee. a single female with a child. When her child was sick she needed to take time off to care for her.
I did venture out on my own a few times instead of sitting around the hotel. This shocked her. Her brother in law who had been over to Kiev 3 times never went out alone. I guess I'm a mugging just waiting to happen.
Enjoy the time you do get to spend together. It may NOT be exactly what you want. ( her by your side 24X7 for the whole two weeks ) It is however another step in getting to know each other better. Are you going to rent an apartment for these two weeks? It could be your chance to find out if she learned to cook like Ma T. I'm looking forward to the rest of the pictures.
I only got to see Kiev on my visit. It was beautiful; but there is so much more to see. thanks for the trip report. I'm very happy for you.
Dave M.
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Markje,
Great travel report !!!
Would it be possible for you to go back and edit the last set of pictures with captions ?
Thanks - jared
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I nearly faint! I tell her good health and sleep well. about 30 minutes later she sends me another SMS. "I think when a man likes a woman, he will send her gifts (not souvenirs) and does not allow her to spend her own money"... I ponder about this statement at least 1 hour and feel very humiliated. I decide to sidetrack her and reply : "I am a man, please forgive me and meet me for dinner".
I would have sent her an e-mail stating: "Fine. Go find yourself a man, I will be at the local diskoteka tonight looking for a woman." I would have dumped first, asked questions later.
If I analyze it from my Machiavellian point of view, she sent you an e-mail to see how desperate you were. You then stew for an hour and then write to her asking for forgiveness. She then knew that she had the upper hand.
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about 30 minutes later she sends me another SMS. "I think when a man likes a woman, he will send her gifts (not souvenirs) and does not allow her to spend her own money"... I ponder about this statement at least 1 hour and feel very humiliated.
why? did she spend money on you?
also, it is very rude to demand gifts (not souvenirs). :smileysherlock:
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I take a stroll through Evpatoria without her. The city really is beautiful with lots of nice things to see, but my mind is not with it.
how cute :innocent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCqgNSQgZ2s&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCqgNSQgZ2s&feature=related) :-* :-* :-*
cannot find official translation for song lyrics, so here is mine fast translated version:
It's a usual day
but for some reason you are sad
and everybody is singing around
but you are the only one silent
you lost your appetite
and do not want to go to the movie.
you go to the store,
to buy wine.
Sun is shining and the grass grows,
but you don't need it.
Everything is wrong
when your girl is sick,
when she is sick..
you walk to the store,
your head down,
as if had dried up
clean mountain spring
she lies somewhere
eating honey and drinking aspirin
and then you go to the party alone.
Sun is shining and the grass grows,
but you don't need it.
Everything is wrong
when your girl is sick,
to the party alone,
when she is sick..
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about 30 minutes later she sends me another SMS. "I think when a man likes a woman, he will send her gifts (not souvenirs) and does not allow her to spend her own money"... I ponder about this statement at least 1 hour and feel very humiliated.
why? did she spend money on you?
also, it is very rude to demand gifts (not souvenirs). :smileysherlock:
No, it was ment as a joke :) It came out totally wrong though, because of her sickness and bad knowledge of english language. Read friday evening, when I talked to her about it :)
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so after some [private moments] hugging (yes with clothes, you perverts :-X)
Very diplomatic and gentlemanly. :)
Next installment please! :bow:
Since everybody is a man at this forum, I needed to elaborate :laugh: (I hope now that all is clear, you ladies will be ok with this comment lol)
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about 30 minutes later she sends me another SMS. "I think when a man likes a woman, he will send her gifts (not souvenirs) and does not allow her to spend her own money"... I ponder about this statement at least 1 hour and feel very humiliated.
why? did she spend money on you?
also, it is very rude to demand gifts (not souvenirs). :smileysherlock:
No, it was ment as a joke :) It came out totally wrong though, because of her sickness and bad knowledge of english language. Read friday evening, when I talked to her about it :)
In every joke there is a grain of truth. That is to say sometimes we reveal our true thoughts or feelings in a "joke."
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In every joke there is a grain of truth. That is to say sometimes we reveal our true thoughts or feelings in a "joke."
Well, she said she would have liked some perfume , but when I had the chance to buy perfume , she said she didn't want a present. I goto ukraine was enough.
Aaaaah women!
I will inquire what perfume she likes and take with me next time
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In every joke there is a grain of truth. That is to say sometimes we reveal our true thoughts or feelings in a "joke."
Well, she said she would have liked some perfume , but when I had the chance to buy perfume , she said she didn't want a present. I goto ukraine was enough.
Aaaaah women!
So she wanted perfume and you brought her a souvenir instead. Hence the "joke". Still, I had little patience for such games.
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In thinking about it, I have to add an addendum. However, I must warn you that it might not come across as very nice.
If I understand everything correctly, she tells you on a Friday night that she is "sick" and then sends you a rude SMS. You then stew for an hour and apologize TO HER even though she is the one that was rude. Once you have apologized for something you should not have apologized for, she then says it was a "joke." And, at the end of the day you will buy her what she wants. All that I can say is that she trained you pretty quickly :-X I am sorry if this does not seem very nice, but that is my take on what you described.
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Right now, I accept certain behaviour because of language-barriers. I will not continue of course :innocent:
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Right now, I accept certain behaviour because of language-barriers. I will not continue of course :innocent:
Be careful not to write everything off as a question of "language barriers." You have to trust your intuition and not rationalize things.
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Right now, I accept certain behaviour because of language-barriers. I will not continue of course :innocent:
Be careful not to write everything off as a question of "language barriers." You have to trust your intuition and not rationalize things.
Yes I know. I learnt a lot from my misstakes in Kharkov.
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No, it was ment as a joke :) It came out totally wrong though, because of her sickness and bad knowledge of english language. Read friday evening, when I talked to her about it :)
Mark, I read a post... this is rude even for a joke...normally in Ukraine people dont' make jokes like this even when they are sick.. but this is just my humble opinion... ;-)
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Well, she said she would have liked some perfume , but when I had the chance to buy perfume , she said she didn't want a present. I goto ukraine was enough.
Aaaaah women!
I will inquire what perfume she likes and take with me next time
the two phrases (about presents and about don't want presents) in combination, translated from female language, - could (or maybe not) mean you need to find a present yourself, guess what she would have liked, and give it to her. Not telling her "pick what you want i'll pay"...
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Mark, I read a post... this is rude even for a joke...normally in Ukraine people dont' make jokes like this even when they are sick.. but this is just my humble opinion... ;-)
Well, if that is her only fault as a person, I will be very happy!!!!! :)
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I will inquire what perfume she likes and take with me next time
this is the best idea :-)
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Well, if that is her only fault as a person, I will be very happy!!!!! :)
and i agree with you :innocent: i personally like Lena a lot ;D
to share with you more of a cultural insight, there are two russian (also used in ukraine) proverbs, relevant to "gift jokes".
1. Дареному коню в зубы не смотрят. - People don't check the teeth of a horse if the horse was given as a present.
{meaning that peope don't critic and complain about the gifts/presents they receive, for the mere fact that it is a gift, costed the receiver nothing, and they should not judge it.}
2. Дают - бери, бьют - беги. - If you are being given something - take it, if you are being beaten - run away.
{meaning accept the good (anything, including items or good treatment), run away from bad treatment}.
Of course there are other traditions - like bringing presents when you come to visit the family. But usually people bring presents when they stay with the family - not in the hotel, - and even in this case, your souvenirs - qualify, trust me. ;-) there are no reasons to feel humiliated or ashamed.
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Mark,
Thanks for the post. Reading about your visit gives so much insight on the Ukrainian experience, even if it is just one visit. The difficulties, joys and misunderstanding, good and bad, give a wonderful peek into what it is like to meet someone and spend a romantic week.
I hope your adventure continues to blossom as it has in this post. And I can't wait to hear about your next visit!
Don
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Right now, I accept certain behaviour because of language-barriers.
You do great Mark. I just imagine what noise someone else would make from that her joke and either would run in panic to the forum or run right away to some antiscam website. But you did just right- you found out what she meant, found out about mistake because of language barrier, also gave attention to her being sick (which most guys here wouldn't take in account at all and would only concentrate on own nervousness lost in strange city). And the most important you did - was that you found out what those words really meant and what real feelings were. Well done. :party0031:
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Right now, I accept certain behaviour because of language-barriers.
You do great Mark. I just imagine what noise someone else would make from that her joke and either would run in panic to the forum or run right away to some antiscam website. But you did just right- you found out what she meant, found out about mistake because of language barrier, also gave attention to her being sick (which most guys here wouldn't take in account at all and would only concentrate on own nervousness lost in strange city). And the most important you did - was that you found out what those words really meant and what real feelings were. Well done. :party0031:
agree.
Марк молодец. А девушке судя по всему палец в рот не клади :laugh:
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Well, it is a classic car. I enjoyed my road trip in it very much :)
you were lucky it didnt ruin while you were going :chuckle:
Why would it ruin. It has never failed me on a highway. To say it has never broken down and I haven’t had to be towed once or twice would be a lie; after all, *she* is 47 years old. Yet whenever I drive to another town I know I will make it there, and back too, and if it breaks down it always happens in a town or close to it so I am safe. In fact, it is a very reliable car made to last and endure tough Russian/Ukrainian roads. I wonder how modern cars will do some 40 years later; well I am sure that they will all have been scrapped by that time or put in a museum, but not running.
(http://photofile.name/photo/stirlitz/1350354/xlarge/28709588.jpg)
(http://photofile.name/photo/stirlitz/1350354/xlarge/28709323.jpg)
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In every joke there is a grain of truth. That is to say sometimes we reveal our true thoughts or feelings in a "joke."
Well, she said she would have liked some perfume , but when I had the chance to buy perfume , she said she didn't want a present. I goto ukraine was enough.
Aaaaah women!
I will inquire what perfume she likes and take with me next time
I TOLD YOU TO BRING HER SOME PERFUME BEFORE YOUR TRIP ;D :smokin: No one ever listens to DD :-\
Markje, I rarely read TR's (although I have posted them), I couldn't wait to read yours! I had my fingers crossed for you the whole time :) I'm glad things seem to have turned out well, and I think it is so cool that Lena's mother made a "picnic" for the two of you, her not keeping you a secret from her mother tells me a lot about what she thinks of you :)
I wouldn't make too much of the text message (I would have completely forgotten about it by now).
Great TR and pics!
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Great stuff Mark. Thanks for sharing and don't listen to the peanut gallery.
Thomas
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I'm with Rasputin on the subject of gifts. Sick or no sick I don't know how she could say that. It is just plain rude in any culture.
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In every joke there is a grain of truth. That is to say sometimes we reveal our true thoughts or feelings in a "joke."
Well, she said she would have liked some perfume , but when I had the chance to buy perfume , she said she didn't want a present. I goto ukraine was enough.
Aaaaah women!
I will inquire what perfume she likes and take with me next time
Hanae Mori pink butterfly will always be a hit.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300218129581
...but get the real parfum, not the eau de parfum or eau de toilet crap.
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In every joke there is a grain of truth. That is to say sometimes we reveal our true thoughts or feelings in a "joke."
Well, she said she would have liked some perfume , but when I had the chance to buy perfume , she said she didn't want a present. I goto ukraine was enough.
Aaaaah women!
I will inquire what perfume she likes and take with me next time
Hanae Mori pink butterfly will always be a hit.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300218129581
...but get the real parfum, not the eau de parfum or eau de toilet crap.
"Markje,"
"Spring flowers" by Creed was a huge hit for me as well and my lady has already requested a 'larger' supply as it is now her fav fragrance.
http://www.creedfragrances.co.uk/site/products/fragrances_for_women/millesime_fragrances
http://www.creedfragrances.co.uk/site/contact_us/distributors
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I'm with Rasputin on the subject of gifts. Sick or no sick I don't know how she could say that. It is just plain rude in any culture.
I thought so to, hence I talked to her about it that evening and explained that she hurt my feelings. She said sorry and I am done with it.
If her only fault is that she is rude sometimes, I will be a very happy man. She is only human after all! :)
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I'm with Rasputin on the subject of gifts. Sick or no sick I don't know how she could say that. It is just plain rude in any culture.
I thought so to, hence I talked to her about it that evening and explained that she hurt my feelings. She said sorry and I am done with it.
If her only fault is that she is rude sometimes, I will be a very happy man. She is only human after all! :)
Markje, I wouldn't have married my wife if I followed the crap advice from Rasputin. I can see your girl is still learning English and things will not be said correctly or a joke may not come out right. That isn't a reason to just dump the woman. I also know that the way Russians talk can be seen as somewhat rude to western people. This is something I had to adjust to.
It sounds like everything is going great and I think you area pretty smart guy and will know when something isn't right.
Thomas
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I think Thomas is correct. When we, as native English speakers who have perhaps a vocabulary of several thousand words at our command, try to communicate with a non-native speaker with a much lesser vocabulary,,, maybe only a few hundred words to choose from, I think great consideration must be given to the one who struggles to make a thought clear in their non-native language.
What someone here thinks is rude, may just be another person trying to express a thought as clearly as possible. In that context it isn't rude at all. It's just an honest effort.
Just my 2 cents.
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== Friday , sick day :-( ==
I am awoken early by Lena's message on my mobile phone. She is very sick and does not want to meet me. I nearly faint! I tell her good health and sleep well.
Wasn't she asking the taxi driver to stop the evening before to go to the drugstore?
And YOU surely haven't inquiried what the problem is?
It can also be considered as a rude behaviour, by the way...
about 30 minutes later she sends me another SMS. "I think when a man likes a woman, he will send her gifts (not souvenirs) and does not allow her to spend her own money"...
Yes, indeed - that's what men here are expected to do!
So far you've been paying some crazy sums of money (comparing to her income) for YOUR OWN leg comfort (e.g. taxi instead of bus, drive with Igor from Odessa, etc. - "throwing money on the wind" as we say) - but you only brought her & her mother cheap souvenirs?
Fridge magnets and kitchen decoration plates are the kind of things I buy in dozens while abroad for my office collagues or casual acquaintances. But when it goes about "someone special", I look for something useful & valuable - some branded cloth item, or Samsonite backpack, or a bottle of French cognac from Duty Free...
Oh well, that's maybe just me, and WM do not consider bringing just souvenirs cheap? ???
Another question:
What was the phrase about "allowing her to spend her own money" about?
Has she had to pay her own bills in restaurants, or her own bus fare to Yalta, etc.?
Her answer is very clear though "I very grievance". So I was wrong, she really is sick.
BTW, what was her sickness anyway? Sounds to me as a period... ???
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Olga_Mouse
BTW, what was her sickness anyway? Sounds to me as a period... ???
Are you going to talk about female period with men here? :o
My suggestion is to leave similar secrets for they both (Markje and his Lena) to discuss. 8)
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Are you going to talk about female period with men here? :o
Why not? ???
A guy who never actually LIVED with a woman for a relatively long time has no idea the period can be the reason for quick mood changes and suggen tears... and will step into the jungles of cultural differences while analyzing her SMS instead of noticing that the girl has bought a pack of Libresse in the drugstore the evening before :innocent:
Markje looks quite immature to me when it goes about communicating with women - and his St-Petersburg story about forgetting the condoms proves it. Judging from his posts, he hasn't grown much since then...
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Are you going to talk about female period with men here? :o
Why not? ???
A guy who never actually LIVED with a woman for a relatively long time has no idea the period can be the reason for quick mood changes and suggen tears... and will step into the jungles of cultural differences while analyzing her SMS instead of noticing that the girl has bought a pack of Libresse in the drugstore the evening before :innocent:
Markje looks quite immature to me when it goes about communicating with women - and his St-Petersburg story about forgetting the condoms proves it. Judging from his posts, he hasn't grown much since then...
Ouch! Does it feel warm in here, or is it just me? Markje, I don't think men will ever be able to figure out everything regarding relationships like [some] women apparently can. Patience, understanding and forgiveness seems to be a universal necessity that transcends cultures. You appear to have a good start from what I can see. Just my 2 scents (I prefer Chanel)
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Are you going to talk about female period with men here? :o
Why not? ???
A guy who never actually LIVED with a woman for a relatively long time has no idea the period can be the reason for quick mood changes and suggen tears... and will step into the jungles of cultural differences while analyzing her SMS instead of noticing that the girl has bought a pack of Libresse in the drugstore the evening before :innocent:
Since you must know, I lived 5 years with a woman so I have quite good idea about periods and things like that :innocent:
As for Lena's reason to buy drugs, I knew why and what she bought. For her its very private though, so I won't elaborate. (Even though I think its not a big deal.)
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Since you must know, I lived 5 years with a woman so I have quite good idea about periods and things like that :innocent:
Our Markje is growing up so fast. I remember just not too long ago when he figured out question marks and exclamation points. :P
Thomas
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== Friday , sick day :-( ==
I am awoken early by Lena's message on my mobile phone. She is very sick and does not want to meet me. I nearly faint! I tell her good health and sleep well.
Wasn't she asking the taxi driver to stop the evening before to go to the drugstore?
And YOU surely haven't inquiried what the problem is?
It can also be considered as a rude behaviour, by the way...
Yes I knew exactly what she had. I also knew exactly what she bought. I just didn't know it could turn so painful even though it was relativly harmless.
about 30 minutes later she sends me another SMS. "I think when a man likes a woman, he will send her gifts (not souvenirs) and does not allow her to spend her own money"...
Yes, indeed - that's what men here are expected to do!
So far you've been paying some crazy sums of money (comparing to her income) for YOUR OWN leg comfort (e.g. taxi instead of bus, drive with Igor from Odessa, etc. - "throwing money on the wind" as we say) - but you only brought her & her mother cheap souvenirs?
Fridge magnets and kitchen decoration plates are the kind of things I buy in dozens while abroad for my office collagues or casual acquaintances. But when it goes about "someone special", I look for something useful & valuable - some branded cloth item, or Samsonite backpack, or a bottle of French cognac from Duty Free...
Oh well, that's maybe just me, and WM do not consider bringing just souvenirs cheap? ???
Another question:
What was the phrase about "allowing her to spend her own money" about?
Has she had to pay her own bills in restaurants, or her own bus fare to Yalta, etc.?
Remember, I never met her before. I didn't know if she was going to be special or not. It was a first-date situation, are you saying that on first date you buy tons of expensive gifts? I am having a layover in Moscow next time instead of Prague!
About her money: No she never had to pay for anything and I know I paid for expensive stuff for my own comfort. Even when Lena was obviously against the idea of paying for a taxi from Bakhchiserai to Evpatoria.
Her answer is very clear though "I very grievance". So I was wrong, she really is sick.
BTW, what was her sickness anyway? Sounds to me as a period... ???
If you really want to know, catch me on Email.
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So far you've been paying some crazy sums of money (comparing to her income) for YOUR OWN leg comfort (e.g. taxi instead of bus, drive with Igor from Odessa, etc. - "throwing money on the wind" as we say) - but you only brought her & her mother cheap souvenirs?
Nothing wrong with that. What do Mark's costs and even whims have to do with [the cost of] the gifts he brought her? It seems like it is obligatory to make expensive gifts to a woman you court and even take into account her mother. I disagree and I don't see a valid point there. Gifts are a matter of politeness, expressing interest in her but by no means obligatory. Hey they are just DATING and that's it. As far as I am concerned, Mark has not proposed. What's more I would have been surprised if the gifts were very expensive. I would think it was premature. Some women would not even accept it. Yes, the cost of the gift does matter but actually it should not be too expensive for the first date or else it would look improper.
Now, from another perspective imagine Mark is local. Would you expect a local guy to give you something valuable on the first date simply because he can afford it, e.g. rides in a luxurious car?
Markje, I wouldn't have married my wife if I followed the crap advice from Rasputin.
I agree that his advice is too abrupt to follow but calling it crap does not make you look better either.
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Markje, I wouldn't have married my wife if I followed the crap advice from Rasputin.
I agree that his advice is too abrupt to follow but calling it crap does not make you look better either.
Speaking of looking great, welcome Stirlitz. Glad you came back from your last temper tantrum. :evilgrin0002:
Thomas
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Discussing is getting kind of juicy :chuckle: :chuckle:
Buying expensive gifts for a first meeting?
Oh boy I am a cheapskate :duh: I never did that
Judging people immaturity because he forgot condoms is also a bit abrupt Olga :laugh:
I hope a man doesn't have to carry them for the first meeting too :laugh:
Come on, our Markje is not a naive man and can judge if his now GF is the right girl for him :)
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Remember, I never met her before. I didn't know if she was going to be special or not. It was a first-date situation, are you saying that on first date you buy tons of expensive gifts? I am having a layover in Moscow next time instead of Prague!
If you will come to meet a woman with cheap gift don't be surprised to see her disappointed face. Under "cheap" I mean not money but a thing what looks like a cheap stuff. I guess you both were talking in a chat,maybe you saw each other through camera
so why to say that you never met her before? you had a chance to discuss about presents in your talk.
It is like I bought gold thing for a man with whom I met and he presented me something cheap. Don't you see any reason to me to be disappointed?
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My friend Thomas can vent pretty quickly on a forum and then later he comes back down to earth pretty quickly once the smoke has cleared. Both he and Rasputin are reasonable people.
I shared Rasputin's and Wild Orchid's concerns and probably should have stated so earlier. Mark is a dear man and very valuable behind the scenes here as well as his role of member and contributor. I think what we all wish for him is happiness. We were watching his trip in anticipation, excited for him, and naturally it felt good to share his joy. We so want him to find love that perhaps we hesitate instead of speaking out. And there seemed to be a lot of things to like about this lady as well.
Ultimately Mark will make the decision on his own. That's the way it should be. The fact is that none of us were there with Mark and so he must aptly filter through all the advice, kudos, warnings, and congraduations as the relationship moves forward. It is good for each of us to remember that the reason for posting here is to share experiences, make helpful comments, and sometimes offer valuable insights, which is what Rasputin did. There is also validity in understanding her level of English. Depending on circumstances, having the lady as the translator is almost as dangerous as taking along an interpreter. But alas, someone has to do it.
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If you will come to meet a woman with cheap gift don't be surprised to see her disappointed face. Under "cheap" I mean not money but a thing what looks like a cheap stuff. I guess you both were talking in a chat,maybe you saw each other through camera
so why to say that you never met her before? you had a chance to discuss about presents in your talk.
It is like I bought gold thing for a man with whom I met and he presented me something cheap. Don't you see any reason to me to be disappointed?
Yes, I did discuss presents on webcam before going to meet her. She said that :You come to Evpatoria is my present.
Also, webcam can tell you a bit about the lady, but the first meeting in real life, is still first date. I webcammed for a few hours at least before going to kharkov, yet i knew within 1 date she was not my lady.
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It is like I bought gold thing for a man with whom I met and he presented me something cheap. Don't you see any reason to me to be disappointed?
Why would you do that? :scared0005: Would you really buy something expensive for a person who you never met in real life before?
My husband bought me something during our first meeting, but it was at the end of it. I don't know if he brought something with him, because he came to Russia not because of me. :-X
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Ultimately Mark will make the decision on his own. That's the way it should be. The fact is that none of us were there with Mark and so he must aptly filter through all the advice, kudos, warnings, and congraduations as the relationship moves forward. It is good for each of us to remember that the reason for posting here is to share experiences, make helpful comments, and sometimes offer valuable insights, which is what Rasputin did. There is also validity in understanding her level of English. Depending on circumstances, having the lady as the translator is almost as dangerous as taking along an interpreter. But alas, someone has to do it.
I value all input of course, but 1 bad SMS when she is sick and hurting on a fantastisc week otherwise. I'd say I was doing very good. After this week, our frequency on SMS and webchat went through the roof. My phone provider will probably send me my next bill in a cardboard box, instead of postal envelope :laugh:
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Wild orchid
Why would you do that? :scared0005: Would you really buy something expensive for a person who you never met in real life before?
It was not too expensive to me ...but I was surprised to see how is WM is greedy to buy a present. :smokin:
And I am glad he will remember me forever by looking at this my present...sure he will never throw it away. :P
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Cheap, not greedy :)
Speaking of looking great, welcome Stirlitz. Glad you came back from your last temper tantrum. :evilgrin0002:
Manchester promised to me that he would be teasing me about juice all the time so I am happy now. As my rodent friend seems to have fizzled out and exhausted his energy. This sucks because it is boring.
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Cheap, not greedy :)Speaking of looking great, welcome Stirlitz. Glad you came back from your last temper tantrum. :evilgrin0002:
Manchester promised to me that he would be teasing me about juice all the time so I am happy now. As my rodent friend seems to have fizzled out and exhausted his energy. This sucks because it is boring.
lol
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My friend Thomas can vent pretty quickly on a forum and then later he comes back down to earth pretty quickly once the smoke has cleared. Both he and Rasputin are reasonable people.
You are correct mendeleyev , I need to exercise more patience on these forums. :)
I would like to make a few comments. We really don't know much about Markje's relationship. He may have had playful conversations regarding gifts and joked about it previously. How would it look in that context if she continued the joke after they met? Probably not bad at all since she was continuing a joke they had before they met.
I think people are jumping ship a little too soon. I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice. He and everyone else is only getting a small glimpse of what happened. Only Markje knows and he really didn't ask us for our opinions. I have seen it on these boards far too many times. People get stuck in analysis mode and decide they will analyze someone's actions regardless if they were asked. Markje didn't ask. In fact, I trust Markje knows what he is doing and will ask for help if he needs it. Luckily Markje has a level head and didn't let this little road bump interfere with his relationship. Others, it seems, would have ran for the hills and may have missed a special woman.
Thomas
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that is what happens on forums. If you share information, be prepared that somebody will have an opinion on that information which they will want to share as well.
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an opinion is just that,your opinion & only yours,no one can realistically say what someone else did in a relationship is right or wrong ,simply because it concerns only the couple involved regardless of what anyone else thinks
there is no right or wrong way,if it works its right end of story
stats & so called theories prove nothing,humans have a habit of making things work in there own way & not to some rule book dreamed up by those who should know better
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an opinion is just that,your opinion & only yours,no one can realistically say what someone else did in a relationship is right or wrong ,simply because it concerns only the couple involved regardless of what anyone else thinks
That is correct. However, the principe remains that it important for the poster to be "warned" when suspicious things happen. He can take the advice or not, but the advice should be given.
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an opinion is just that,your opinion & only yours,no one can realistically say what someone else did in a relationship is right or wrong ,simply because it concerns only the couple involved regardless of what anyone else thinks
That is correct. However, the principe remains that it important for the poster to be "warned" when suspicious things happen. He can take the advice or not, but the advice should be given.
depends whether it is suspicious to his mind or just a concern,i fell for listening to others & almost crueled myself with my now wife, glad i engaged my own thought process befrore it was to late
agree advice can be offered & should be taken onboard but it is still self opinionated whether singular or the same by a few & as such maybe just be a guide.
even so called red flags are not necessarily the same for everyone & the individual needs to suss out what is happening befor jumping to conclusions or writeing off a potential partner because it was a red flag for someone else, i say this about other than the obvious
1's that are universal
everyone is different & misunderstandings in this venture have destroyed many relationships unnecessarily,always seek clarification from the source & think with your head not your heart
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
What advice? I simply said what I would have done and I cautioned Mark to be wary. The difference is that: 1) I speak Russian; 2) I have been going to Russia for over a decade and know a thing or two about the "culture" and 3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife. Yes, I admit that I was picky and looking for perfection, and I would never have apologized for gifts that I bought or did not buy.
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
What advice? I simply said what I would have done and I cautioned Mark to be wary. The difference is that: 1) I speak Russian; 2) I have been going to Russia for over a decade and know a thing or two about the "culture" and 3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife. Yes, I admit that I was picky and looking for perfection, and I would never have apologized for gifts that I bought or did not buy.
:laugh: :chuckle: :happy0023: Now that is funny.
You actually told Mark he is being trained like a dog which is why you got the comments I sent you. You don't know much about "women".
Thomas
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife.
That is boasting about yourself but doesn't say much. Even a ugly, fat, bald and old guy can have lots of devushkas vying for his attention in Ukraine, local or foreigenr men it doesn't matter, only the size of the wallet. Don't tell me Russia is different :chuckle:
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
What advice? I simply said what I would have done and I cautioned Mark to be wary. The difference is that: 1) I speak Russian; 2) I have been going to Russia for over a decade and know a thing or two about the "culture" and 3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife. Yes, I admit that I was picky and looking for perfection, and I would never have apologized for gifts that I bought or did not buy.
:laugh: :chuckle: :happy0023: Now that is funny.
You actually told Mark he is being trained like a dog which is why you got the comments I sent you. You don't know much about "women".
Thomas
Yes, women will test a man and see what they can get away with, and men will do the same. It is important to keep in mind that some women are "korystnaya." Yes, in my opinion, a woman who sends an SMS complaining that you are not buying gifts or the wrong kind of gifts would be interpreted by me as a test by her to see how I would react. It would be a means of setting the tone of the relationship and it would define future expectations. It can be written off as "language barrier" or a "joke," but for me it would certainly raise some questions and at the very least I would proceed with caution. Mark is a big boy and smart enough to understand what is going on and do what is best for him. However, this is a discussion forum. Where is it written that our only role here is to be cheerleaders?
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife.
That is boasting about yourself but doesn't say much. Even a ugly, fat, bald and old guy can have lots of devushkas vying for his attention in Ukraine, local or foreigenr men it doesn't matter, only the size of the wallet. Don't tell me Russia is different :chuckle:
Yes, it is boasting and it also the truth. Fortunately, I am not fat, bald or old and did not rely on a fat wallet to get dates. Truth be told, I did not even buy my wife a gift until two months into the relationship.
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife.
That is boasting about yourself but doesn't say much. Even a ugly, fat, bald and old guy can have lots of devushkas vying for his attention in Ukraine, local or foreigenr men it doesn't matter, only the size of the wallet. Don't tell me Russia is different :chuckle:
Yes, it is boasting and it also the truth. Fortunately, I am not fat, bald or old and did not rely on a fat wallet to get dates. Truth be told, I did not even buy my wife a gift until two months into the relationship.
But the argument that a guy is handsome and has a very high IQ is used in these forums until exhaustion.
I have to see the first WM on these forum saying that he has an hottie has a wife because of the size of the wallet and lifestyle he can provide.
If he is old and fat it is because of his incredibly high IQ and social skills off course what else :laugh:
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife.
That is boasting about yourself but doesn't say much. Even a ugly, fat, bald and old guy can have lots of devushkas vying for his attention in Ukraine, local or foreigenr men it doesn't matter, only the size of the wallet. Don't tell me Russia is different :chuckle:
Yes, it is boasting and it also the truth. Fortunately, I am not fat, bald or old and did not rely on a fat wallet to get dates. Truth be told, I did not even buy my wife a gift until two months into the relationship.
But the argument that a guy is handsome and has a very high IQ is used in these forums until exhaustion.
I have to see the first WM on these forum saying that he has an hottie has a wife because of the size of the wallet and lifestyle he can provide.
If he is old and fat it is because of his incredibly high IQ and social skills off course what else :laugh:
True enough. In my case I was extremely cheap when dating (no fancy restaurants, no gifts until well into the relationship, no trips). I didn't promise my wife anything and if anything my wife knew better than to expect a lot financially from me. One of my first dates: taking my wife to go plant some potatoes in a Russian village :-X If my wife was for me because of "lifestyle" she would have dumped me at that point :chuckle: As for my life in Canada, it is also very modest. I do not have a rich lifestyle. If she is still with me, it certainly isn't for the money and gifts that I lavish on her. So, clearly, she is with me for something other than a fat wallet and lavish lifestyle.
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
What advice? I simply said what I would have done and I cautioned Mark to be wary. The difference is that: 1) I speak Russian; 2) I have been going to Russia for over a decade and know a thing or two about the "culture" and 3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife. Yes, I admit that I was picky and looking for perfection, and I would never have apologized for gifts that I bought or did not buy.
:laugh: :chuckle: :happy0023: Now that is funny.
You actually told Mark he is being trained like a dog which is why you got the comments I sent you. You don't know much about "women".
Thomas
Yes, women will test a man and see what they can get away with, and men will do the same. It is important to keep in mind that some women are "korystnaya." Yes, in my opinion, a woman who sends an SMS complaining that you are not buying gifts or the wrong kind of gifts would be interpreted by me as a test by her to see how I would react. It would be a means of setting the tone of the relationship and it would define future expectations. It can be written off as "language barrier" or a "joke," but for me it would certainly raise some questions and at the very least I would proceed with caution. Mark is a big boy and smart enough to understand what is going on and do what is best for him. However, this is a discussion forum. Where is it written that our only role here is to be cheerleaders?
Yes, in the context that you write it can be taken that the women was testing the waters, and trying to see what 'powers' she had. Mark then went on and stated this 'sms' did upset him, he told the lady this and it seems to me they came to an understanding, it does not appear to me that Mark became the servant in this relationship, it also appears to me he handeled it well, he was aware that there could be a language problem, he took into account the whole week leading up to this point and did not allow one 'sms' to break down the good that had been built, he saw this as a potential problem and addressed his concerns immeadiatly with his lady, what more can be asked of him.
I agree with bobjf, if we listened and took 'everyone's advice' we would all be up "sh*t creek without a paddle" no one is perfect, no one handles everything correct, and there must be a little latitude in relationships even more so in the beginning, to give a person the benifit of the doubt before condeming there actions or words.
I do not see a problem in pointing out 'red flags' something you feel the person is overlooking or not seeing, but in this situation it WAS addressed the same day it happend and answered to Mark's satisfaction and should be a non-issue
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife.
That is boasting about yourself but doesn't say much. Even a ugly, fat, bald and old guy can have lots of devushkas vying for his attention in Ukraine, local or foreigenr men it doesn't matter, only the size of the wallet. Don't tell me Russia is different :chuckle:
Yes, it is boasting and it also the truth. Fortunately, I am not fat, bald or old and did not rely on a fat wallet to get dates. Truth be told, I did not even buy my wife a gift until two months into the relationship.
But the argument that a guy is handsome and has a very high IQ is used in these forums until exhaustion.
I have to see the first WM on these forum saying that he has an hottie has a wife because of the size of the wallet and lifestyle he can provide.
If he is old and fat it is because of his incredibly high IQ and social skills off course what else :laugh:
True enough. In my case I was extremely cheap when dating (no fancy restaurants, no gifts until well into the relationship, no trips). I didn't promise my wife anything and if anything my wife knew better than to expect a lot financially from me. One of my first dates: taking my wife to go plant some potatoes in a Russian village :-X If my wife was for me because of "lifestyle" she would have dumped me at that point :chuckle: As for my life in Canada, it is also very modest. I do not have a rich lifestyle. If she is still with me, it certainly isn't for the money and gifts that I lavish on her. So, clearly, she is with me for something other than a fat wallet and lavish lifestyle.
We already know that you are not fat, old and bald, you can stop boasting about you :laugh:
My statement was not specifically targeted to you or anyone in particular but I would love to find the first guy to admit that ugly truth :chuckle:
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markje,
congratulations on a great first meeting (first step) and I hope you both find in this relationship the life partner you are searching for. Great story and Photos
P.S. what type of camera did you use on your trip?
as far as perfume, I have always had good success with
Lancome of Paris ----Hypnose
http://lancome-usa.com/fragrance/hypnose.aspx
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife.
That is boasting about yourself but doesn't say much. Even a ugly, fat, bald and old guy can have lots of devushkas vying for his attention in Ukraine, local or foreigenr men it doesn't matter, only the size of the wallet. Don't tell me Russia is different :chuckle:
Yes, it is boasting and it also the truth. Fortunately, I am not fat, bald or old and did not rely on a fat wallet to get dates. Truth be told, I did not even buy my wife a gift until two months into the relationship.
But the argument that a guy is handsome and has a very high IQ is used in these forums until exhaustion.
I have to see the first WM on these forum saying that he has an hottie has a wife because of the size of the wallet and lifestyle he can provide.
If he is old and fat it is because of his incredibly high IQ and social skills off course what else :laugh:
True enough. In my case I was extremely cheap when dating (no fancy restaurants, no gifts until well into the relationship, no trips). I didn't promise my wife anything and if anything my wife knew better than to expect a lot financially from me. One of my first dates: taking my wife to go plant some potatoes in a Russian village :-X If my wife was for me because of "lifestyle" she would have dumped me at that point :chuckle: As for my life in Canada, it is also very modest. I do not have a rich lifestyle. If she is still with me, it certainly isn't for the money and gifts that I lavish on her. So, clearly, she is with me for something other than a fat wallet and lavish lifestyle.
We already know that you are not fat, old and bald, you can stop boasting about you :laugh:
My statement was not specifically targeted to you or anyone in particular but I would love to find the first guy to admit that ugly truth :chuckle:
Well, I will admit that the "fat" part applies ;D I could loves a few pounds (well, maybe a couple dozen LOL). Fortunately, there were other compensating factors other than a fat wallet. :saint:
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Before it gets lost in the "gifts" discussion :)
I want to thank you all for the excellent suggestion of perfumes to buy :)
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P.S. what type of camera did you use on your trip?
A Kodak C763. :) Not sophisticated, but 7.1 Megapixel was enough for my feeble photographing skillz :)
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I do think what Rasputin said was bad advice.
3) I was not desperate and I had young, attractive women vying for my attention when I met my wife.
That is boasting about yourself but doesn't say much. Even a ugly, fat, bald and old guy can have lots of devushkas vying for his attention in Ukraine, local or foreigenr men it doesn't matter, only the size of the wallet. Don't tell me Russia is different :chuckle:
Yes, it is boasting and it also the truth. Fortunately, I am not fat, bald or old and did not rely on a fat wallet to get dates. Truth be told, I did not even buy my wife a gift until two months into the relationship.
But the argument that a guy is handsome and has a very high IQ is used in these forums until exhaustion.
I have to see the first WM on these forum saying that he has an hottie has a wife because of the size of the wallet and lifestyle he can provide.
If he is old and fat it is because of his incredibly high IQ and social skills off course what else :laugh:
True enough. In my case I was extremely cheap when dating (no fancy restaurants, no gifts until well into the relationship, no trips). I didn't promise my wife anything and if anything my wife knew better than to expect a lot financially from me. One of my first dates: taking my wife to go plant some potatoes in a Russian village :-X If my wife was for me because of "lifestyle" she would have dumped me at that point :chuckle: As for my life in Canada, it is also very modest. I do not have a rich lifestyle. If she is still with me, it certainly isn't for the money and gifts that I lavish on her. So, clearly, she is with me for something other than a fat wallet and lavish lifestyle.
We already know that you are not fat, old and bald, you can stop boasting about you :laugh:
My statement was not specifically targeted to you or anyone in particular but I would love to find the first guy to admit that ugly truth :chuckle:
Well, I will admit that the "fat" part applies ;D I could loves a few pounds (well, maybe a couple dozen LOL). Fortunately, there were other compensating factors other than a fat wallet. :saint:
I really have nothing to add, but I just like the increasing count of quotes, like in a matryoshka and wanted to give it more momentum :)
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I really have nothing to add, but I just like the increasing count of quotes, like in a matryoshka and wanted to give it more momentum :)
Sorry to break the party, just wanted to remind others that excessive quoting is not welcomed on all forums.
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Sometimes things have to be exaggerated to show they are wrong.
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Sorry to break the party, just wanted to remind others that excessive quoting is not welcomed on all forums.
I confess that I am guilty of that. Mea culpa. I will do my best to keep this in mind in the future.
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Chillidog
as far as perfume, I have always had good success with
Lancome of Paris ----Hypnose
http://lancome-usa.com/fragrance/hypnose.aspx
Oh! another sex tourist? :) Did you have many? ;D
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Chillidog
as far as perfume, I have always had good success with
Lancome of Paris ----Hypnose
http://lancome-usa.com/fragrance/hypnose.aspx
Oh! another sex tourist? :) Did you have many? ;D
He could have bought it for his sister/mother/ex-wife/etc... Just recently I bought 2 gifts on strawberry.net.. Am i sex-tourist as well? :)
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I think Walmart has a sale on the perfume designed in West Virginia called "Rumantik." Only $3 per half gallon!
Further proof that Walmart says dollars and scents! ;D
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I think Walmart has a sale on the perfume designed in West Virginia called "Rumantik." Only $3 per half gallon!
Further proof that Walmart says dollars and scents! ;D
Not Romantik? Is it some roommate/romantic? ;D
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Before it gets lost in the "gifts" discussion :)
I want to thank you all for the excellent suggestion of perfumes to buy :)
There is a more important issue than the particular brand that you buy: don't wait to bring it with you on your next visit; send it to her NOW. Women like pleasant surprises; don't squander this opportunity.
There is a risk that a postal worker may steal it for his wife/girlfriend/mistress. If this occurs, you will simply have to keep sending the damn stuff until she finally receives one. Fortunately, Hanae Mori is virtually unknown in Eastern Europe, therefore, it is more likely to reach the intended recipient than a brand with name recognition such as Chanel.
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I really have nothing to add, but I just like the increasing count of quotes, like in a matryoshka and wanted to give it more momentum :)
Sorry to break the party, just wanted to remind others that excessive quoting is not welcomed on all forums.
I guess the members were just unaware that you were making the rules and standards of what is and isn't acceptable "Wild orchid." ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
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Chillidog
as far as perfume, I have always had good success with
Lancome of Paris ----Hypnose
http://lancome-usa.com/fragrance/hypnose.aspx
Oh! another sex tourist? :) Did you have many? ;D
That was uncalled for "mirror."
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Before it gets lost in the "gifts" discussion :)
I want to thank you all for the excellent suggestion of perfumes to buy :)
There is a more important issue than the particular brand that you buy: don't wait to bring it with you on your next visit; send it to her NOW. Women like pleasant surprises; don't squander this opportunity.
There is a risk that a postal worker may steal it for his wife/girlfriend/mistress. If this occurs, you will simply have to keep sending the damn stuff until she finally receives one. Fortunately, Hanae Mori is virtually unknown in Eastern Europe, therefore, it is more likely to reach the intended recipient than a brand with name recognition such as Chanel.
I know, her reaction to my roses.ru order was very pleasent :innocent: I don't want to sponsor the Ukraine postal system, so I sent her flowers which are delivered by the flowershop on-site. :)
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ECR844
That was uncalled for "mirror."
Pardon me,what did you mean under "That"? Hypnosis?Success?...What?
For your information I like this parfume of "Hypnosis", but not for often to use.
I use pheramon's parfume (covered under Kenzo's fragrance) in most cases when I am with a man. :P
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I don't want to sponsor the Ukraine postal system...
You are free to set your own priorities, of course, but you should weigh the potential benefits against the risks.
I suppose that you could always retain someone's services to hand deliver it if expense is no object.
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Chillidog
as far as perfume, I have always had good success with
Lancome of Paris ----Hypnose
http://lancome-usa.com/fragrance/hypnose.aspx
Oh! another sex tourist? :) Did you have many? ;D
That was uncalled for "mirror."
ECR844,
don't worry no offense was taken by me, with mirror's post
Mirror,
I wish I was a sex tourist that way on my last trip I would have gotten some ;)
in all honesty I do not travel to Russia just for sex (I can get it here in my home for much cheaper than what it costs me to travel abroad), I truly travel to learn of the woman and to progress our relationship in hopes that I have found my life partner. The name of the perfume is called "Hypnose" produced by "Lancome of Paris" and my lady friend enjoys the fragrance very much.
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P.S. what type of camera did you use on your trip?
A Kodak C763. :) Not sophisticated, but 7.1 Megapixel was enough for my feeble photographing skillz :)
thanks the one I have used because it is great to travel with because it is small not much bigger than a credit card and about 4 cm thick. it is a Polariod i532 but only 5.0 megapixel. I have been told that the pictures I take all look good, but seeing yours, they to me looked much better and was thinking maybe I should look into getting a newer digital camera. Does yours use only batteries? because I burn up batteries with this camera like it is going out of style when I travel. Going thru luggage control in Moscow on my last trip I had to open my suitecase so they could inspect it due to the massive amounts of batteries I had brought with me. :)
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Before it gets lost in the "gifts" discussion :)
I want to thank you all for the excellent suggestion of perfumes to buy :)
There is a more important issue than the particular brand that you buy: don't wait to bring it with you on your next visit; send it to her NOW. Women like pleasant surprises; don't squander this opportunity.
There is a risk that a postal worker may steal it for his wife/girlfriend/mistress. If this occurs, you will simply have to keep sending the damn stuff until she finally receives one. Fortunately, Hanae Mori is virtually unknown in Eastern Europe, therefore, it is more likely to reach the intended recipient than a brand with name recognition such as Chanel.
Is there a possibility of sending a gift via DHL or FEDEX? If so, are these methods as iffy as the unscrupulous postal worker? Plus, isn't it possible to insure postal items.
OK, just one more question: how do you pay import tax on items sent from the states. I would hate to send a $75 bottle of perfume only to have the recipient have to pay an import duty.
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Roses/flowers are 'never' a bad gift or surprise for the lady ;)
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Before it gets lost in the "gifts" discussion :)
I want to thank you all for the excellent suggestion of perfumes to buy :)
There is a more important issue than the particular brand that you buy: don't wait to bring it with you on your next visit; send it to her NOW. Women like pleasant surprises; don't squander this opportunity.
There is a risk that a postal worker may steal it for his wife/girlfriend/mistress. If this occurs, you will simply have to keep sending the damn stuff until she finally receives one. Fortunately, Hanae Mori is virtually unknown in Eastern Europe, therefore, it is more likely to reach the intended recipient than a brand with name recognition such as Chanel.
Is there a possibility of sending a gift via DHL or FEDEX? If so, are these methods as iffy as the unscrupulous postal worker? Plus, isn't it possible to insure postal items.
OK, just one more question: how do you pay import tax on items sent from the states. I would hate to send a $75 bottle of perfume only to have the recipient have to pay an import duty.
Yes you can use DHL FedEx (DHL is more popular over there) and yes you can insure items thru the USPS but this insurance will only be good while it is in the hands of the USPS once it is delivered into the hands of a foriegn postal office, this insurance or gaurantee is no longer valid. I have sent photo albums and clothes thru USPS , most were delivered very few were not, but I have never sent an expensive item like Perfume this way (always just brought it with me when I travelled) so I do not know the answer or how the import duty would be handled if the recipent would need to pay anything to recieve these items.
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P.S. what type of camera did you use on your trip?
A Kodak C763. :) Not sophisticated, but 7.1 Megapixel was enough for my feeble photographing skillz :)
thanks the one I have used because it is great to travel with because it is small not much bigger than a credit card and about 4 cm thick. it is a Polariod i532 but only 5.0 megapixel. I have been told that the pictures I take all look good, but seeing yours, they to me looked much better and was thinking maybe I should look into getting a newer digital camera. Does yours use only batteries? because I burn up batteries with this camera like it is going out of style when I travel. Going thru luggage control in Moscow on my last trip I had to open my suitecase so they could inspect it due to the massive amounts of batteries I had brought with me. :)
The camera uses 1 lithium Ion battery-pack that lasts 5 days in normal usage (2 if you review your photos on the spot excessivly :))
I had to recharge it only 1ce, and the battery-warning light turned on about 4 hours before battery life ended.
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P.S. what type of camera did you use on your trip?
A Kodak C763. :) Not sophisticated, but 7.1 Megapixel was enough for my feeble photographing skillz :)
thanks the one I have used because it is great to travel with because it is small not much bigger than a credit card and about 4 cm thick. it is a Polariod i532 but only 5.0 megapixel. I have been told that the pictures I take all look good, but seeing yours, they to me looked much better and was thinking maybe I should look into getting a newer digital camera. Does yours use only batteries? because I burn up batteries with this camera like it is going out of style when I travel. Going thru luggage control in Moscow on my last trip I had to open my suitecase so they could inspect it due to the massive amounts of batteries I had brought with me. :)
The camera uses 1 lithium Ion battery-pack that lasts 5 days in normal usage (2 if you review your photos on the spot excessivly :))
I had to recharge it only 1ce, and the battery-warning light turned on about 4 hours before battery life ended.
yea, mine uses 2 'AA' batteries and they run down sooo quickly, in a matter of 1 day I am changing batteries probaly 5-6 times, so either I need to start using rechargable batteries but with this camera I will still probably need 5-6 sets of rechargable batteries with me when I am out visiting the sites, and then recharge them when I get back to the hotel. Or look for a new camera like yours that has a lithium battery that will last at least a couple of days at a time.
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Sorry to break the party, just wanted to remind others that excessive quoting is not welcomed on all forums.
I guess the members were just unaware that you were making the rules and standards of what is and isn't acceptable "Wild orchid." ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
it was a reminder, not a warning, You can roll your eyes as much as you want, but as a frequent forum visitor i can share my knowledge of the rules - keep quoting to minimum (I don't like to cut them either, but it is easier for others to read), capslocks mean screaming shouting etc, and there could be some others. If you didn't know them, it doesn't mean they don't exist. There was a point at time when I've heard about the rules for the first time, but I wasn't as aggressive as you are.
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Chillidog
I wish I was a sex tourist that way on my last trip I would have gotten some ;)
in all honesty I do not travel to Russia just for sex (I can get it here in my home for much cheaper than what it costs me to travel abroad), I truly travel to learn of the woman and to progress our relationship in hopes that I have found my life partner.
Maybe you are much different from all others but what I see in forums that all men vote for meeting with many Russian women during tarvelling to Russia.Even the biggest professional in a knowledge of Russian life (I am not sarcastic now) jb votes for similar meetings.
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Wild orchid
I wasn't as aggressive as you are.
I see that sometimes men here are very rude and agressive with their replays to us and we (women) keep friendly position towards you (man).
ECR844,
maybe do you want to push us away from here?
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Wild orchid
I wasn't as aggressive as you are.
I see that sometimes men here are very rude and agressive with their replays to us and we (women) keep friendly position towards you (man).
ECR844,
maybe do you want to push us away from here?
Sometimes we are as 'rude or aggressive as the RW' are with their replies. No I don't want to push the quality posters away. I would like to see the trolls go for a hike and not return but that's just me.
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I would like to see the trolls go for a hike and not return but that's just me.
Am I missing something here?
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WO,
I can't understand ECR844 aggressiveness towards us...can you?
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I see very little trolling on the board. We never tolerated it. i used to screw big time with trolls and they got the message. Everyone has their own way of expressing themsleves. Some people are passive some are agressive and some are both ;D.
i haven't noticed many direct insults on the board. I do see a lot of good debate and a few snide comments here and there but it is much better than i have seen on the other boards.
WE have a good mix of folks here and a lot of quality posters
DonAz
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WO,
I can't understand ECR844 aggressiveness towards us...can you?
I don't think he is always aggressive. He doesn't like us but he doesn't have to.
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OK, just one more question: how do you pay import tax on items sent from the states. I would hate to send a $75 bottle of perfume only to have the recipient have to pay an import duty.
Perhaps cestmoi will field that question; she is very knowledgeable.
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OK, just one more question: how do you pay import tax on items sent from the states. I would hate to send a $75 bottle of perfume only to have the recipient have to pay an import duty.
Perhaps cestmoi will field that question; she is very knowledgeable.
Thank you very much Tom :-)
i usually send silk or wool/cachmere. They are small, light, i buy padded envelope, A5 size would be usually enough, if not - A4 - definitely.
Send with regular US mail. On a custom declaration write "blouse - 1, value - 0, present, not for resale". in several years only 1 package was lost - and i suspect this is because I sent it to work address of my friend. All packages for my family members were delivered.
I never send perfumes - you need bigger box and good "insulation", it may get broken during transportation, you pay for sending water basically - weight is more than a small envelope with nice quality apparel.
you can also send a selection of cosmetics - like several mascaras - 1 lengthening, 1 curving, 1 volume, or 2 volume but of different colors - black and brown for example. And several different shades of good lipstick. the price is same in USA and in Ukraine for same brands, but the mascara - is something used often, always needed, and also a beauty/indulgence/women necessity product as teh perfume. When i send my mom cosmetics i just write "cosmetics misc. birthday present not for resale". And that's it. Maybe sending perfume isn't such a big problem, i just never tried. If i were sending it, i would send it with regular male and write that it's a present and cost nothing. then there are no custom taxes to be paid by receiver.
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I believe taxes are paid if value of the gift is higher than $100. Isn't it right? I always put the value on the envelope, may family never paid any taxes, but I never valued them more than $100
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If you write $100 it is then worth stealing.
We always write 'used clothing' or some such thing. With perfume I would write 'vitamin medicine' or something. (In case they x-ray it and see a bottle) We send half litre bottles of Estonian liqueur to Russia this way, always with a $ value of less than 10, tagged as 'gift' and the customs label and the address written in Russian.
Works every time.
I have used once a courier with tracking etc, item was 'opened for inspection' then 'destroyed as it contained prohibited goods' (Stolen) - Tried Post Office International tracked, that just vanished off the radar and the UK Post Office were unable to assist.
Forget insurance and tracking, just dont send anything you are not prepared to lose, use regular mail and then sit back and wait five weeks. :laugh:
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If you write $100 it is then worth stealing.
We always write 'used clothing' or some such thing. With perfume I would write 'vitamin medicine' or something. (In case they x-ray it and see a bottle) We send half litre bottles of Estonian liqueur to Russia this way, always with a $ value of less than 10, tagged as 'gift' and the customs label and the address written in Russian.
Anything can be stolen by Russian post ladies. What if it didn't reach addressee? Au post is very good at compensating. Of value of the parcel is $0, you will get $0 compensation.
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Would you steal something tagged as $100 or $2 if you were a corrupt postal worker?
Written in Russian only means 'local sending something home, knows it may be stolen, will not be of value'
USPS flashy packaging with stars & stripes everywhere (Or other country eqivilent) and $100 tagged value just shouts 'Steal me - I am valuable.'
I only say what works for us, we have 100% success rate now with the method I mentioned.
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Would you steal something tagged as $100 or $2 if you were a corrupt postal worker?
I didn't have many problems with the parcels, but if I put something into envelope - it is a goner. I don't' have any problems with the post office at my mother's town, before I left I payed a visit there and gave to the lady box of chocolate, she still looks after my mom well.
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We always write 'used clothing' or some such thing. With perfume I would write 'vitamin medicine' or something. (In case they x-ray it and see a bottle)
it's is prohibited to transport medicines through the border. IMHO - safer not to use such words as "medicine", "agricultural products", "jewelry",... use your own common sense to continue such list.
Wild Orchid - does the postal service company in your country returns the money for the package stolen at the FSU territory? I thought once the package crossed the border - it's the responsibility of local FSU company. No? i may be wrong though
and then- if the value of the package is 500, and you write in the declaration 50 - when you will be compensated 50, will it really make you feel much better about lost package valued 500?
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OK, just one more question: how do you pay import tax on items sent from the states?
I would hate to send a $75 bottle of perfume only to have the recipient have to pay an import duty.
Where are you intending to send the perfume to, lcdrp - to Russia or to Ukraine?
Since October 1 (or was it Novembr 1?), 2007, Russian citizens do not have to pay custom taxes for an item per month, received from abroad, if its declared value doesn't exceed 10.000 roubles (approx.420 USD).
Don't know about Ukrainian postal regulations, though... :-\
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OK, just one more question: how do you pay import tax on items sent from the states?
I would hate to send a $75 bottle of perfume only to have the recipient have to pay an import duty.
Where are you intending to send the perfume to, lcdrp - to Russia or to Ukraine?
Since October 1 (or was it Novembr 1?), 2007, Russian citizens do not have to pay custom taxes for an item per month, received from abroad, if its declared value doesn't exceed 10.000 roubles (approx.420 USD).
Don't know about Ukrainian postal regulations, though... :-\
At this point I have no immediate plans to send any gifts. Perhaps in a month that will change. I am corresponding with women in both Ukraine, and Russia.
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Hi Markje
Just a quick note to wish you well for tommorow ;D
I hope that the both of you have a great time in your country :party0011:
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Hey Mark. What was Elena's level of English when you first started talking? And now?
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But you gotta feel sorry for those men, hoping to snag a young RW...
It made for interesting reading. Hey Mark. What was Elena's level of English when you first started talking? And now?
When I first started writing, it was russian only. SMS's were also sent to me in Russian language, I hooked up my telephone to my computer with USB cable and used the google-translate to send my answers back in Russian too.
When I first started talking to her in real life, she knew a few words she remembered from highschool (1 year class only). The dictionary was used almost every minute to look up basic words.
When I went back 2 months later, she spoke reasonable English (pronounciation wise + structures of sentances) but had a limited vocabulary. Dictionary maybe 2-5x every day.
Now her english is pretty good (4 months), I don't use a dictionary anymore but analogies and different words with the same meaning.
Mark.
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For the newbies that have joined in the past 6 years.
This one is my trip report, as one can see, I got off to a good (but not perfect) first start of our relationship.
The end motto is: If things do not turn out exactly how you wanted it, do not immediatly run for the hills but try and figure out what went wrong and how you can fix it. (But only if you already are well beyond the penpals point).
Now 6 years later, I am married to my Lena and we have a 3-year-old son :)