Going to Odessa to see my SO WOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!

[slim 1,519]

I have never noticed any perfume or beautiful women in Ukraine. I only look at my wife or the ground

That reminds me of walking on the beach in the Dominican Republic. My wife and I took a long walk way, way, waaaay down the beach where no one else was walking. We walked for probably two miles. On the way back, we saw two people approaching us from way, way, waaay off. As they neared, it became apparent that they were both, in fact, female. The closer they drew the more apparent it became that they were not only female... but young, attractive females. A little closer still, and it was obvious. They were both topless.

What to do... what to do....

Not only was it bad enough that the only two people on this beach besides us were young, attractive, TOPLESS females, they also decided to be walking just inside the surf like we were and headed for us directly in our path. They didn't veer to the side or dive in the water, they walked straight for us. So direct were our paths that once they got about 2 meters from us, they simply parted - one went to one side, the other went to the other side - and we were engulfed in young, attractive, TOPLESS women.

My eyes never strayed from that imaginary point somewhere way off in the distance... and I didn't hear about it for several months.

One day, while arguing over something completely different, I heard, "just like when we were on vacation and you watch these two girls breasts for so long time." So, if I've learned anything from that experience, you're better off just taking in all the scenery you can because you're gonna be in trouble anyway. Just like that Corona commercial where the dude checks out that chick and gets squirted with the lime. It's worth it. When he catches his old lady checking out the dude and shakes up her Corona... she simply switches it with his.

We lose either way.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

That reminds me of walking on the beach in the Dominican Republic. My wife and I took a long walk way, way, waaaay down the beach where no one else was walking. We walked for probably two miles. On the way back, we saw two people approaching us from way, way, waaay off. As they neared, it became apparent that they were both, in fact, female. The closer they drew the more apparent it became that they were not only female... but young, attractive females. A little closer still, and it was obvious. They were both topless.

What to do... what to do....

Not only was it bad enough that the only two people on this beach besides us were young, attractive, TOPLESS females, they also decided to be walking just inside the surf like we were and headed for us directly in our path. They didn't veer to the side or dive in the water, they walked straight for us. So direct were our paths that once they got about 2 meters from us, they simply parted - one went to one side, the other went to the other side - and we were engulfed in young, attractive, TOPLESS women.

My eyes never strayed from that imaginary point somewhere way off in the distance... and I didn't hear about it for several months.

One day, while arguing over something completely different, I heard, "just like when we were on vacation and you watch these two girls breasts for so long time." So, if I've learned anything from that experience, you're better off just taking in all the scenery you can because you're gonna be in trouble anyway. Just like that Corona commercial where the dude checks out that chick and gets squirted with the lime. It's worth it. When he catches his old lady checking out the dude and shakes up her Corona... she simply switches it with his.

We lose either way.

My only possible recourse in this case would have been to turn and run the other direction, completely around the island to get back to where I started. Otherwise...it is hopeless just as you say and YES you will hear about it for months on end.

[visaveteran 1]

I vacationed in the Dominican Republic's best beach area, Puna Cana, a number of years ago when I was still single. The thing about the DR is it is a topless island. There are a lot of Europeans who come there so for them it's no big deal. Just about every women I saw was topless including my Russian companion (not my current wife). My companion had the best body I saw on the island so if I looked at another woman it was a step down. Mostly men stared at Irina who was 36 EE, blonde and tall. Need I say more?

If you bring your wife or fiancee to the DR, make sure she knows it's topless. BTW, I highly recommend the DR for a vacation...and not just for the "scenery." It's a great island and very friendly and pro American. The main reason they like America is baseball. That's a fact. I loved my time there.

[LvivLovers 39]

I vacationed in the Dominican Republic's best beach area, Puna Cana, a number of years ago when I was still single. The thing about the DR is it is a topless island. There are a lot of Europeans who come there so for them it's no big deal. Just about every women I saw was topless including my Russian companion (not my current wife). My companion had the best body I saw on the island so if I looked at another woman it was a step down. Mostly men stared at Irina who was 36 EE, blonde and tall. Need I say more?

If you bring your wife or fiancee to the DR, make sure she knows it's topless. BTW, I highly recommend the DR for a vacation...and not just for the "scenery." It's a great island and very friendly and pro American. The main reason they like America is baseball. That's a fact. I loved my time there.

Things may have changed. I don't know. We went to Punta Cana about 3 years ago and there were a few topless, but probably only less than 1%. It's always been my experience that 99% of the time the ones going topless/wearing speedos are exactly the ones that shouldn't!

I have to say though, my wife is extremely cool about this sort of thing. Not one accusation of me checking out another girl...ever! She's more likely to be like...she was pretty. It's a very welcome change to my last ex-gf who anrgily walked out of a restaurant on me a few times because I looked at the waitress when ordering! Now going to the beach with her was a NIGHTMARE!!!

[1HappyGuy 45]

Brad makes a good point. The online reporting is not the best. You are still relying on someone to record the change in status in their system. I think some of them think it is automatic when you file the paperwork.

I applaud your desire to fly back for such a short trip. The jet lag is just to much for me to do for only a week.

My wife is just starting to understand the work schedule of Americans. Taking two weeks here and two weeks there, just isn't in the cards. I would love to make annual trips to Ukraine, but we've decided to alternate between Ukraine and my grand kids on the east coast. So, next month we fly into Boston. We'll still be making some Ukrainian connections as one of her girlfriends lives near my daughter and another is visiting her son in upstate New York. The one in New York is going to visit the other in Massachusetts while we're there. So, I'll end up being a chauffeur to various sites in New England. Nothing quite like listening to Russian while you drive and then they start talking to this poor non-Russian speaker and wonder why he doesn't answer.

Anyway, hope your trip was great and the NOA2 is waiting for you.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Nothing quite like listening to Russian while you drive and then they start talking to this poor non-Russian speaker and wonder why he doesn't answer.

Don't get me started. Taking my wife on a trip where we drive more than an hour is almost like driving alone. Chattering in Russian on the phone (Bradik - please, turn radio off so I can hear Vitochka!), then a long nap after the exhausting conversation.

[slim 1,519]

My browser is all screwed up or something, I can't multiquote. To reply to a few things -

Hispanola is a HUGE island and there's no way I could've made it all the way around and still caught my flight. Also, I've never really felt the need to travel through or around Haiti.

36EEs are very nice.

Yes, it is a big hassle to have a woman who is constantly accusing you of checking out othe women whether you do or not. While my wife is not like that, she does pick her battles and save ammo for later wars!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My browser is all screwed up or something, I can't multiquote. To reply to a few things -

Hispanola is a HUGE island and there's no way I could've made it all the way around and still caught my flight. Also, I've never really felt the need to travel through or around Haiti.

36EEs are very nice.

Yes, it is a big hassle to have a woman who is constantly accusing you of checking out othe women whether you do or not. While my wife is not like that, she does pick her battles and save ammo for later wars!

I never could multi quote. Don't care either.

I was really joking, Alla would probably point them out herself "Wow she had nice breats, don't you think?" or something to that affect and then I have to say "Meh...yours are much better" and then I am OK. If I get caught looking I am in trouble. I got caught looking a woman the other day who was terrible looking and I was looking at her because she WAS terrible looking and I caught it for that. Not only for looking at other women, but for looking at terrible looking women.

Just leave me alone! I am not looking! Of course, it is OK if she looks. Double standard rules.

[cranehand 0]

Finally back on US soil, almost missed my connection from Chi to Hou last night. Just FYI you can not bring black caviar into US , when asked what color I was declaring my answer was red but customs wanted to varify it anyway . YES the jet lag sux but to tell the truth it is a small sacrifice to pay to spend even 1 day in her arms for me. Even with the delays the time spent was quality time, that we would not have otherwise had in our life together. No NOA 2 yet but I know we are getting close

I have been reading some other trheads and it looks like the visa fee increase has gone into effect and currently stands at 350$. Is this true? It was 131$ at interview is it now 350$ ? If we have NOA 2 at 75 days or so, maybe we can squeek by ?

[1HappyGuy 45]

Sorry about trying to squeak by. The new fees go into effect June 4th.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Finally back on US soil, almost missed my connection from Chi to Hou last night. Just FYI you can not bring black caviar into US , when asked what color I was declaring my answer was red but customs wanted to varify it anyway . YES the jet lag sux but to tell the truth it is a small sacrifice to pay to spend even 1 day in her arms for me. Even with the delays the time spent was quality time, that we would not have otherwise had in our life together. No NOA 2 yet but I know we are getting close

I have been reading some other trheads and it looks like the visa fee increase has gone into effect and currently stands at 350$. Is this true? It was 131$ at interview is it now 350$ ? If we have NOA 2 at 75 days or so, maybe we can squeek by ?

The new fee takes affect June 4th, plan to pay it. NOA 2 has nothing to do with it, you pay the fee in effect on the day of the interview. AOS, I-751 and N-400 fees go up later this year and you may get lucky and miss the AOS fee increase butplan on the higher I-751 and N-400 fees later (which may go up even more before then)

[visaveteran 1]

My browser is all screwed up or something, I can't multiquote. To reply to a few things -

Hispanola is a HUGE island and there's no way I could've made it all the way around and still caught my flight. Also, I've never really felt the need to travel through or around Haiti.

36EEs are very nice.

Yes, it is a big hassle to have a woman who is constantly accusing you of checking out othe women whether you do or not. While my wife is not like that, she does pick her battles and save ammo for later wars!

When I went to the DR I rented a car. Bad idea. The roads were so bad I turned in the car after 2 days and just stayed at the resort. Nobody goes near the part of DR near Haiti...and one reason is because of malaria. Most of the DR is safe but not near Haiti. This was the case even before the earthquake.

Regarding the topless thing, I stayed at a Spanish owned resort which had mainly European guests, so topless women were everywhere. I prefer staying away from American beach tourists whom I find noisy and obnoxious...and apparently more shy about dropping their tops.

As for checking out the female scenery with the wife around, that's why they invented sunglasses.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

When I went to the DR I rented a car. Bad idea. The roads were so bad I turned in the car after 2 days and just stayed at the resort. Nobody goes near the part of DR near Haiti...and one reason is because of malaria. Most of the DR is safe but not near Haiti. This was the case even before the earthquake.

Regarding the topless thing, I stayed at a Spanish owned resort which had mainly European guests, so topless women were everywhere. I prefer staying away from American beach tourists whom I find noisy and obnoxious...and apparently more shy about dropping their tops.

As for checking out the female scenery with the wife around, that's why they invented sunglasses.

Get a wife that is superior to the ambient female scenery and ditch the sunglasses.

[slim 1,519]

I had sunglasses on! I'm always covering the baby blues unless it's dark outside. After years and years of working 3rd shift, my eyes are pretty sensitive, especially when there are beautiful young topless women around.

[Terry&Tigger 4]

Even when you're wearing sunglasses, even in the pitch black of the night, even when we seem to be looking in another direction, we can always tell if you have just ogled another woman, there's just no escaping that.

And yes, it's okay if it's us who stare, because when we stare, it's for the sake of esthetics... admiring the regularity of features and shapes. We don't picture that blond 36EE busted babe on top of us. Well, for the most part we don't.