Thanks to Jack, and Everyone

[ChipShot]

Once again, Jack and other members of the list have provided very helpful advice.

What I have done, for my trip upcoming, is to reserve a hotel. This may be unusual, and it's slightly more expensive, but it gives me a "home base" without worry about the lady being able to monitor my activities too closely. If all goes well for me and her, then I'll switch to a flat, and stay within the city center. If I don't click with her, I'll have my hotel room, with a phone, TV, workout facility, pool, and 24 hour food and bar. When I was in Russia, last year, I found the ability to get room service during the late evening very helpful, as my sleeping and eating cycle was off the first few days. The hotel also had a weight room, which was great. Being in a hotel in that city really helped.

Of course, the ladies don't want to visit in the hotels, as it is felt (by some) that the only women who enter the hotels are prostitutes.

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Thanks to Jack, and Everyone, posted by ChipShot on Mar 2, 2002

...then if her friends see her going in, they'll think she's an expensive prostitute!  

I did manage to get some women to meet me in the hotel lobby but I think they were reluctant.  One woman would not meet me anywhere near a hotel lobby and told me to wait on a street corner.  I waited almost 2 hours at the wrong place.  It would be a whole lot easier on us if they would just meet us in the lobby or out front.  

[KenC]

... in response to Thanks to Jack, and Everyone, posted by ChipShot on Mar 2, 2002

Chipster,
My wife and I stayed at the Marriott that opened in Moscow 3 years ago.  I didn't experience any of the stories mentioned here about hall monitoring babushkas or hookers in the lobby.  It had all the offerings of a good hotel in the States: fine restaurants, cocktail lounges, in door swimming, beauty spa, room service and even a mini bar.  I also didn't receive any flak from anyone about Lena's comings and goings.  Best of luck to you.
KenC

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Thanks to Jack, and Everyone, posted by ChipShot on Mar 2, 2002

You are right...

MOST ladies won't visit you there.

So... are you planning on spending evenings and nights alone while you are there...?

Are you sure that's what you want to do?

It is really easy to get an apartment without your lady's help or an agency's.

Just tell them you had a friend who set it up for you.

Tell her that it is your freind's mother-in-law's place, and that you felt you had to rent it because he was a good friend, and it helps him out.

She will understand that. It will be cheaper. And there will be no stigma if she wants to visit some evening...

[ChipShot]

... in response to Prostitutes, posted by MarkInTx on Mar 2, 2002

Thanks for your comments, Mark.

The hotel gives me flexibility. I can cancel the reservation before 6 p.m. each day. So, if all goes well the first day, I will switch to a flat, but have the ability to determine the location of the flat, and even if S. wants to help me find it, I'll be Ok with that.

I agree, the desire to spend evening time alone with S. will be a factor, and the flat is the best option. I've reserved the hotel for the week, but can cancel out after one day. Of course, there might be some beautiful "bad girls" in the hotel lobby bar each night. Just kidding. I think... I was told this particular upscale Russian hotel has the most beautiful women "working" the lobby at night. I picked the hotel because it's a four star, with health club...not for the ladies of the evening.