recent trip to ukraine

[Martyshk 137]

And now flights to Kiev are cheaper than ever.

Share the info I'm gonna fly over in a couple of months, need to start ballparking the price now

[Brad and Vika 129]

I'm right there with you guys in telling your buddies about the fountain of youth over there. Anna made me take pictures to show everyone. I was too uncomfortable snapping pictures of random women, so she snatched the camera and snapped away. And yet my single friends won't go over there. Fools indeed.

We should all combine our stories from abroad(s) and write a book.

But mostly only folks like us would read it.

[nyhazmat 2]

But mostly only folks like us would read it.

The single guys would be too busy chasing skirt at the bars to read it. . .

[slim 1,525]

I just got down to 167 after my surgery and that was scarey. Seems I am back to my normal 180 (or so) and Alla says I look "better" Better or fatter? "Better"

My dad was 180 and healthy before he got injured on the job.... and then had cancer. He dropped all the way down to 128. I couldn't believe it. He looked like a POW. I remember before his chemo they were telling him he was going to lose weight and I said he'd maybe get to 150 or so. I was shocked when he got way down there like that.

He's been doing a lot better now and is closer to 160 but he's still way too skinny. Once people get to know you at "your weight" anything less, even if a good thing, usually looks unhealthy as opposed to good for you.

Better to be healthy, comfortable, and eating all the wife's cooking!

Slim. It is no use. I tried this also. I do not understand what is wrong with the average American man. When I first arrived there I kept thiniking "I can't really tell anyone about this, because who will believe me?" I even sent photos. When will they get it through their heads it is like the land of OZ???? Except you do not want to click your heels and go back to Kansas...#### Kansas!!!!!! And now flights to Kiev are cheaper than ever.

When I left Korea (which is where I got spoiled on the Russkayas) I went to podunk, Illinois. (That's a real place, by the way.) I was sitting with some co-workers one night on the late shift and telling the tales. They called bullsh!t and wouldn't believe me. A few clicks later (thank you Mr. Gore) and they were gawking over pictures of women that left their jaws on the floor. They all said pretty much the same thing, "I can't believe that those girls... and you..... did.... that!"

I did my best to explain to them that, first of all, those girls were "average" and secondly, (obviously) I'm nothing special. There was no magic, there was no gimmick, tricks, scams, plots or ploys, NOTHING - that's just the way it is.

I tried and tried to get a few of them to hit the road with me and fly over for a week or two. No takers. I ended up going back to Korea.

Forget it slim, they turn off the idiot-valve and stop listening too fast to take your point. Ego seems to be the problem. Every frustrated single friend I have just gives me that thousand yard stare when I start explaining to them how it is. They all cling to the thought that they don't HAVE to look so far away, and I think they are deeply afraid of what people will say about them if they go to a place like Ukraine or Russia to look around, even as tourists. I try to tell them you don't HAVE to do anything, but if I tell you this story you will WANT to at least think about this alternative. No dice. Almost ever

The only buddy of mine that would go over there with me was my road dog in Korea. He'd seen it first-hand and wanted more!

Everyone here says the same thing, "I'd really like to go... but uh....."

We should all combine our stories from abroad(s) and write a book.

But mostly only folks like us would read it.

The single guys would be too busy chasing skirt at the bars to read it. . .

I've actually been asked by a few people to write a book. I started one a few years back but just never followed through.

I think there are guys out there who would read our book but like Brad said, they're "guys like us" already so it almost makes the book unnecessary. That being said, I read a book about 10 years ago that really helped me out. It was called "Keys to the Kingdom" and was about the bars, clubs... AND GIRLS!.. in and around the military bases in Korea. It's been updated now and is available on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Korean-Bar-Secrets-T...r/dp/0971282110 -

If I would've read that book while sitting here in Cincinnati, I wouldn't have thought much of it. But, after seeing the prospects of what was available, I tried to get my hands on every resource and training aid I could! That's the difference between guys like us and "the other guys." We've seen what's out there and we're willing to do the leg work to get it done. That's why we're here on VJ. I'd sub-categorize us as further go-getters because, in my opinion, we set our sights even higher and went RUB.

Anyway, I'm preaching to the choir here so I'll step off my soapbox.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Share the info I'm gonna fly over in a couple of months, need to start ballparking the price now

We are just now getting together our summer vacation plans, I will give you the latest when we have it. We may cut short our visit this year as Alla wants to cram in some summer college credits, but we should be getting tickets soon. As of New Years, we were able to get round trip, non-stop JFK to Kiev for $644. We purchased the tickets in September for December travel. I had surgery just before we were supposed to leave and we got credit vouchers from Aerosvit for the full price we paid (Thank you Aerosvit) But no guarantee about future prices. At any rate, when I was doing a lot of traveling back and forth it was hard to find tickets under $800 and many times it was over $1000.

Last summer we got round trip JFK to Moscow, via Kiev, on Aerosvit for $519. Actually cheaper than the same flight from JFK to Kiev. Not only was the flight to Moscow FREE, it actually took more than $100 off the full price. Since we often travel to Moscow, because that is where our son goes to school, it makes no difference to us from where we board the train to Donetsk.

the last few trips, Aerosvit has been cheapest (JFK to Kiev). Flights from Kiev to the hinterlands can vary from cheap to scarey expensive and we usually plan on taking a train from Kiev or Moscow. I usually go on one of the big sites (Orbitz, etc.) check out the prices and then go to the airline website to buy the tickets.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My dad was 180 and healthy before he got injured on the job.... and then had cancer. He dropped all the way down to 128. I couldn't believe it. He looked like a POW. I remember before his chemo they were telling him he was going to lose weight and I said he'd maybe get to 150 or so. I was shocked when he got way down there like that.

He's been doing a lot better now and is closer to 160 but he's still way too skinny. Once people get to know you at "your weight" anything less, even if a good thing, usually looks unhealthy as opposed to good for you.

Better to be healthy, comfortable, and eating all the wife's cooking!

When I left Korea (which is where I got spoiled on the Russkayas) I went to podunk, Illinois. (That's a real place, by the way.) I was sitting with some co-workers one night on the late shift and telling the tales. They called bullsh!t and wouldn't believe me. A few clicks later (thank you Mr. Gore) and they were gawking over pictures of women that left their jaws on the floor. They all said pretty much the same thing, "I can't believe that those girls... and you..... did.... that!"

I did my best to explain to them that, first of all, those girls were "average" and secondly, (obviously) I'm nothing special. There was no magic, there was no gimmick, tricks, scams, plots or ploys, NOTHING - that's just the way it is.

I tried and tried to get a few of them to hit the road with me and fly over for a week or two. No takers. I ended up going back to Korea.

The only buddy of mine that would go over there with me was my road dog in Korea. He'd seen it first-hand and wanted more!

Everyone here says the same thing, "I'd really like to go... but uh....."

I've actually been asked by a few people to write a book. I started one a few years back but just never followed through.

I think there are guys out there who would read our book but like Brad said, they're "guys like us" already so it almost makes the book unnecessary. That being said, I read a book about 10 years ago that really helped me out. It was called "Keys to the Kingdom" and was about the bars, clubs... AND GIRLS!.. in and around the military bases in Korea. It's been updated now and is available on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Korean-Bar-Secrets-T...r/dp/0971282110 -

If I would've read that book while sitting here in Cincinnati, I wouldn't have thought much of it. But, after seeing the prospects of what was available, I tried to get my hands on every resource and training aid I could! That's the difference between guys like us and "the other guys." We've seen what's out there and we're willing to do the leg work to get it done. That's why we're here on VJ. I'd sub-categorize us as further go-getters because, in my opinion, we set our sights even higher and went RUB.

Anyway, I'm preaching to the choir here so I'll step off my soapbox.

I wrote my memoirs of "My Odessa" but then I met Alla and deleted them. Then drowned the computer in the shower and burned the hard-drive in a brush pile fire, took it to the dump myself and made sure they buried it deep. I still have photos as "My Odessa" was still when I was using a 35mm camera. The negatives have been destroyed and some rather innocent but interesting prints of "women on the street" remain.

Shawn...I never had trouble taking photos of strange women in Ukraine, most will pose for you! But that was when I was single, Alla would cut my throat and stuff the camera down my neck now.

[Martyshk 137]

We are just now getting together our summer vacation plans, I will give you the latest when we have it.

I've started looking now too. What I found is Aeroflot through Moscow for $300 one way.

I'm gonna need a one-way ticket because I have no idea when we will be coming back with her. (Gonna go there for her interview, then coming back here with her once we have the visa in hand).

Problem with Aeroflot through Moscow - 9 hour layover going to Kiev.

But going back it's only a couple of hours and one-way KBP-SVO-JFK is $280. Can't beat that.

In any case, I'm ballparking my visit will be probably end of May-mid June. I hope it's sooner though

Also, we'll probably take a train to Kharkov. Maybe a bus, I don't know

[SMR 368]

While we are on the topic, what is a good rate for roundtrip Moscow to JFK, and how do I get it? I'm flying my MIL out for the summer. The lowest price I am seeing is around $800. I can deal with that, but it seems that there are ways to get better deals.

[Martyshk 137]

While we are on the topic, what is a good rate for roundtrip Moscow to JFK, and how do I get it? I'm flying my MIL out for the summer. The lowest price I am seeing is around $800. I can deal with that, but it seems that there are ways to get better deals.

The cheapest I've seen is Aeroflot. Based on a day it varies between $600 and $800. Play with the dates, you should be able to find a cheapest one.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I've started looking now too. What I found is Aeroflot through Moscow for $300 one way.

I'm gonna need a one-way ticket because I have no idea when we will be coming back with her. (Gonna go there for her interview, then coming back here with her once we have the visa in hand).

Problem with Aeroflot through Moscow - 9 hour layover going to Kiev.

But going back it's only a couple of hours and one-way KBP-SVO-JFK is $280. Can't beat that.

In any case, I'm ballparking my visit will be probably end of May-mid June. I hope it's sooner though

Also, we'll probably take a train to Kharkov. Maybe a bus, I don't know

300 one way sounds about right, BUT make sure it applies to one-way tickets and isn't "each way with a round trip"

Aerosvit (not sure about Aeroflot) has a pretty easy ticket change policy of $150. You MAY find it cheaper to book the round trip and then change the return date when you know what it will be than to book two one-ways. You can just check it and see what works best.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

While we are on the topic, what is a good rate for roundtrip Moscow to JFK, and how do I get it? I'm flying my MIL out for the summer. The lowest price I am seeing is around $800. I can deal with that, but it seems that there are ways to get better deals.

I got Moscow to JFK last summer for $519 round trip. Our son came in July and went back in September. The prices will usually go up after memorial day. We bought those tickets last March for the summer travel.

The cheapest I've seen is Aeroflot. Based on a day it varies between $600 and $800. Play with the dates, you should be able to find a cheapest one.

Yes, if you are flexible by a day or two, it can save hundreds.

[Martyshk 137]

300 one way sounds about right, BUT make sure it applies to one-way tickets and isn't "each way with a round trip"

Aerosvit (not sure about Aeroflot) has a pretty easy ticket change policy of $150. You MAY find it cheaper to book the round trip and then change the return date when you know what it will be than to book two one-ways. You can just check it and see what works best.

Once we are out of NOA-2 hell and into Kiev Consulate scheduled interview I'll start looking at dates. I don't even want to assume anything.

I will not be getting our return tickets until we get visa delivered, and I will be waiting for it with her in Kharkov. (Unless by some miracle they allow to pick up Visas in FedEx in Kiev).

But yes, the way Aeroflot does tickets, it's the same price on one-way as in "one way - each way round trip" thing.

Aerosvit, on another hand prices their regular one-way ticket much much higher. So I think I'll be flying Aeroflot there, and depends on what happens with the visa - we'll figure out a way back. I can just book on Orbtiz/Expedia from Kharkov, I assume, so that's the plan.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Once we are out of NOA-2 hell and into Kiev Consulate scheduled interview I'll start looking at dates. I don't even want to assume anything.

I will not be getting our return tickets until we get visa delivered, and I will be waiting for it with her in Kharkov. (Unless by some miracle they allow to pick up Visas in FedEx in Kiev).

But yes, the way Aeroflot does tickets, it's the same price on one-way as in "one way - each way round trip" thing.

Aerosvit, on another hand prices their regular one-way ticket much much higher. So I think I'll be flying Aeroflot there, and depends on what happens with the visa - we'll figure out a way back. I can just book on Orbtiz/Expedia from Kharkov, I assume, so that's the plan.

They DO allow you to pick up visas at Fedex in Kiev. It is one of the delivery options you can choose and it is the fastest

[Martyshk 137]

They DO allow you to pick up visas at Fedex in Kiev. It is one of the delivery options you can choose and it is the fastest

Thanks for the info, Gary!!! That is a relief. Which means we will shave off couple of days just by staying in Kiev. Then we can go back with visa in hand.

That's very good news. I also assume it doesn't take a week to pick up a visa in Kiev? If it's anything like the States (yeah, riiiiiiiight) it should be in FedEx office once they print it and courier picks it up.

I know I am jumping months ahead, but would it be the best to have interview on Mon-Tues then? To ensure 3-4 working days for all that stuff? (I know no one does anything in Ukraine on weekends).

Again, sorry for all the nonsense I just cling to anything that gives me a chance to dream about what the future holds

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for the info, Gary!!! That is a relief. Which means we will shave off couple of days just by staying in Kiev. Then we can go back with visa in hand.

That's very good news. I also assume it doesn't take a week to pick up a visa in Kiev? If it's anything like the States (yeah, riiiiiiiight) it should be in FedEx office once they print it and courier picks it up.

I know I am jumping months ahead, but would it be the best to have interview on Mon-Tues then? To ensure 3-4 working days for all that stuff? (I know no one does anything in Ukraine on weekends).

Again, sorry for all the nonsense I just cling to anything that gives me a chance to dream about what the future holds

Typically 2 days to get the visa at Fedex in Kiev. I have seen cases where it is there the next day, but that is unusual.

The interview date depends on when she has the medical. Because she will travel from Kharkov you will probably want her to get the medical exam one day and the interview the next. The medical clininc had been closing on Wednesdays, and the consulate was closed on Fridays (not doing interviews) though that may have changed. If she is in Kiev before then, you can make the medical exam anytime after you have the NVC number (the "KEV" number) Alla had hers about a month before her interview because she was in Kiev for business anyway. There is that good and fast express train from Kharkov-Kiev, but maybe it is expensive for a separate trip? I never rode on it but heard it is pretty nice...and fast.

If that is the plan, then a Tuesday or Wednesday interview would be best with a Monday or Tuesday medical exam. Even with a Wednesday interview, your visa should be ready to pick up Friday and the counter at Fedex is (was) open on Saturday morning in Kiev. Alla these things tend to change and you can ask when you make your appointments. Make the interview first and then make the medicall appointment. Getting the medcial appointment is not a problem, the clinic operates, almost, on a walk-in basis.