I was finally able to get the funds together in a crunch, and with much anticipation followed through with the ticket purchase and visa thing the first couple of days in May, I was hit with expected (but hastily forgotten) financial obligations that almost zeroed out any other available funds, and even had to forget about using what I had left on my last good cc. What now? I'm going to Russia to meet Lena for the first time, and it looks like I'm going to have about 500 bucks to go with. Alright I write to Lena: "Can we have fun on 500.00 in Novosibirsk?" Her reply was kind of blank... "I don't know.. I've never done it before". Hmmm... ok... I decided that there was no other alternative and I sent her 200 bucks and told her to find us an apartment because there was no way that I could afford to pay for a hotel there. Just prior to this I had emailed her my confirmed flight itenerary, and she was in disbelief, and had to ask Olga and me separately, if this flight was "real"? Yes... it's real. I'll be there. Broke maybe, but I'll be there. (that lit a fuse in her big time).
But during all of this, I knew that Lena was really just a government social worker, did not have some whacky champagne taste, raising a son all by herself with very little time to spare day in and day out, so why not go and live like her? With her? Jeez. I've been making this thing TOO complicated. I'm not going to be some white night from the usa to spend the nights away partying day in and day out, I wanted to know who SHE was. Purpose for trip 101. Learn who your lady is, how she lives, where she lives... see if chemistry exists between the two of us on her turf, and on her terms. In no way was I destined to rewrite her social life in Novosibirsk, nor was I qualified to.
Me, being my cautious and worrysome self I asked her again.... are you sure we will do ok on less than 500.00? Same answer... "I don't know!" Only this time, she added... "I don't know what you think is fun!" Oh boy. This girl wrote my play book. This is a woman that any man could appreciate for her pragmatism. We will get along just fine.
5 days before I was scheduled to leave for Novosibirsk, she told me in email that she had secured an apartment for only 550 per day, and was concerned that I would think that was too much.... (uhhhh... yeah, ummmm... that's like less than 150 bucks right? you done good babe!).
Now many would think that I was dumping all of my eggs in one basket, and yes I was. It was quite intentional. However if things didn't work out with Elena, I wasn't concerned with looking for another woman... just hoping to have a reasonable time on a long deserved vacation, even if that meant sleeping on the floor at you know where, (pre-approved). I had friends, and two agencies. (the other agency isn't mentioned here, plus I know that Jack has an agency listed in Novosibirsk too, so that would've been an additional option, add in the thought that Bruce was going to be there at the same time as I was and I wasn't worried about much). I've been everywhere and don't need much, just shelter and a bite to eat, and freedom to do what I want. Either way I knew that I'd end up living like a Russian which was what I wanted to do anyway.
Continued..
