Ryan....... I Love Lugansk

[KenMan]

Just got back so email me. I will tell you about my visit. It was nothing like you would read on this message board. This makes me believe none of these posters really know Lugansk or have no street smarts. Made friends with the locals. Really nice people and city. Not dangerous at all! I am planning on going back in May - June.

[Ryan]

... in response to Ryan....... I Love Lugansk, posted by KenMan on Nov 20, 2001

Dude you’re on cloud nine now.  It is so cool, I also loved the feeling.  I'm glad that everything went well and that you really liked Lugansk.  I loved the people but not the city as much as Kiev (By I am spoiled coming from the richest area in the U.S.A. West Bloomfield Hill) but as I was telling you.  I was sort of sheltered as I was telling you.  We went outside the city, worked in gardens, cooked pork outside, swam and fished in the “Donates....”  (Sounds same spelled different) but never went out to anything like clubs or dinner etc.  I wish I would have and I plan on doing that soon. I need some direction from you now on where the good clubs are.

Ryan

[Vox]

... in response to Ryan....... I Love Lugansk, posted by KenMan on Nov 20, 2001

Hey, that’s excellent! It’s better to err on the safe side, and prevent someone, try to make him sharp and careful, instead of complacent and unassuming, why let them repeat others mistakes?
But if you did well in that place, so much the better, then you can do it well in other parts as well. You just proved that not all situations are alike, and that there are exceptions, or that at least you may have been adapting well to the situation, you had a very good attitude before leaving.
So, don’t be ashamed of your initial good results, spill out your story! After all we like success stories, (in different ways and shapes) that's what counts .

[Jack]

... in response to Ryan....... I Love Lugansk, posted by KenMan on Nov 20, 2001

KenMan, what happened to you?

The last we talked Rostick was to meet you at the Kiev train station as you arrived from Lugansk. Rostick and driver was there, waited an hour in the, as you know, freezing cold. No sign of you. We paid the driver and sent him on his way but wondered what happened to you?

[KenMan]

... in response to KenMan, what happened to you?, posted by Jack on Nov 20, 2001

My apology. I did not realize that Rostick was there as I did not confirm it with Anna. It was definetly partially my fault ( the mis-understanding ) so I will send you the $15 to give to Rostick. What happened was I bought an oil painting in Lugansk. The Manager of the artist Svedsky thought it was best to accompany me back to customs so that I would have no problems getting the artwork out of the country. You need special papers made to get such things out of the country. He had this done for me in Kiev. It was a good thing as it was early 5:00am when I went through customs. The agent made me take the painting out to confirm it was the same one as photographed in the special papers made. They are very careful about thier artwork leaving the country. A few months ago art made during the Great Patriotic War was smuggled out of the country. All the Manager asked for was a round trip train ticket from Lugansk ( as he had a place to stay in Kiev ). Of course I was grateful for what he did and treated him to a few meals and a bottle of wine while there. The money he saved me on local prices more than compensated this. Taxi fare from the train station was 15 HV for example. I was paying 5 to 15 HV for Taxi fare in general while in Kiev. He also acted as an interprter free of charge so I would sincerely suggest one make friends with as many locals as possible. The Ukranians are very good people. The MEN!!! and women alike! By the end of my stay in Lugansk they were treating me as very generous host. They picked up the tab while in nightclub, cafe and paid for the taxi. Then again I was just as interested in learning about the people and culture than "just the women". I was not on a sexual tour or trying to play the role of Don Juan. This will be my last post on the subject as I doubt the sincerety and intensions of the majority of posters. These people are no different than you or I. Anyone else interested email me I will gladly share my experience but at a cost. There is a school in Lugansk. There are many good schools in Lugansk. The one in particular is the School of Chess. It is in a very poor section of the city. I was there in darkness and did not feel as threatened as many of you would have been. The head of the school gave me manuals on chess written by his teachers free of charge. He also invited me back in the morning when the children would be there. The interpreter told me if I went back he would be hoping for a donation altough he never asked. I plan on giving a small donation to preserve this art and would be grateful for anyone else who feels this a worthy cause. It is easy to realize the contibution this school is giving to people of Ukraine and the world. That is when you hear as I have from the head of the school that there are 500 Grand Masters of chess in the World and 8 of them are from this school alone. It takes 8 years of study just to reach the Master level. Anyways I am willing to send Jack his $15 plus another $75 for donation ( $90  total ). I will get him the address of the chess school and his Agency could make sure they recieved the funds. If anyone else would like to preserve this art I will gladly open up more about my experience.

[Ryan]

... in response to Re: KenMan, what happened to you?...Jack, posted by KenMan on Nov 21, 2001

Not sure why you want to charge us for your story but what ever...  The Money would go to a good cause I am sure (Are you setup on Pay Pal or what).  Again I am glad things worked out for you, everyone has different experiences in these areas.  The people in Lugansk bought you dinner and such.  I was with a very poor family and maybe that is what made the difference for you.

Cheers friend,
Ryan

[KenMan]

... in response to You know Ken we did help you for free......, posted by Ryan on Nov 21, 2001

I know many of the posters have been helpful like you have been. It is just the difference of opinion and angles. Many have a cautious bent to them. Hold the cause. We will go to the chess school together in May. I just love things like music, art and sports. I felt the teacher of the school was happy that an American was there. He asked for nothing and gave me two free manuals. One in English and one in Russian. I also went to the school of interpreters where the students learn English. It is very expensive for them and they pay for it themselves. It is not free. I think it is nice that people take an interest in our culture. I think there are some interesting things happing in all of that coal. Maybe some Diamonds are in the rough???

[KenC]

... in response to Re: KenMan, what happened to you?...Jack, posted by KenMan on Nov 21, 2001

Ken,
If you are not willing to share your adventure freely without manipulating us, I for one am not that interested.
KenC

[KenMan]

... in response to not THAT interested, posted by KenC on Nov 21, 2001

Could KenC because I am cautious about your posts also :-)