Ryan does a 180…

[Ryan]

Most of you all here have read my story about sending money to my friend in the Ukraine before I even met here and then when we met it didn’t work out between us as there was no chemistry etc.  So my first try I crashed a burned big time…  I am back on the horse and changed my focus and went the Russia way.  Well I have been writing this one woman for 5 months as well as a few others but the main focus on this one woman.  Anyway in 5 weeks I will go and meet with her for the first time and she will meet me in Moscow and we will travel to her city from this place.  (I always get them to come to me to pick me up so I have someone to hold my hand (Lot better then some agency).  Anyway I have not been to Russia and I asked the girl if she could tell me how much money I should generally need to bring for my whole trip and so fourth I suggest that I will probably bring about $1000.  She writes back: Therefore beyond doubt to tell you, that 1000 $ will suffice, I cannot, but basically it is actual money which can be necessary for you. In the end, you not on a desert island, I have money, which I can give you if they will be necessary for you.    Hello Ryan!  What in the world?  Never in my life has a woman said this to me I mean can you believe my luck?  Now don’t get me wrong I in no way expect to use her money I have more money in an account that I will use as backup I just put out this question about how much I would need so that I can have cash on me and just a general idea to plan a budget and all..  These Russian women are truly special anyone that quits trying to find their love on this land is quitting on themselves.  (I know I am getting excited about one woman again and this could be dangerous, I guess I just like living on the edge.)

[robobond]

... in response to Ryan does a 180…, posted by Ryan on Oct 11, 2002

Ryan,

I visited a gal in Volgograd twice (once for 2 wks. & once for 3 wks.)  Both times she met me at the Moscow Airport.  On the first trip she took the train to Moscow & stayed with relatives until I got there - She cut a deal with a cab driver and he hauled us all over hell and back the first day.  We stayed in Moscow that night.  He took us to a hotel that was "westernized" and I went in alone to get a room.  Westernized hotels of this size seem to have English speaking at the front desk so I didn't need her as an interpretor.  Besides, [GENTLEMEN, HEAR THIS!] she needed to stay with the cab as our luggage was in it.  NEVER LEAVE YOUR LUGGAGE UNATTENDED IN A CAB - YOU WILL NOT SEE YOUR LUGGAGE OR THE CAB DRIVER AGAIN!  Anyway, I was proceding to check in at about $150 for the night - this seemed reasonable to me when comparing to large, in town hotels in major American cities.  This was taking awhile because I was checking in at their busiest time AND Russians don't seem to wait in organized lines like American's - instead they mob the desk in what I call a "Cluster F___!" - I think she was having second thoughts about leaving me alone for this process so she came in looking for me, cab driver in tow (to prevent him from leaving with our luggage.)  I was just pulling out my VISA card when she found me and elbowed her way (dragging the cabby by his coat)through the crowd to join me.  When she found out what I was paying she went postal at the desk clerk but they would not budge on the price.  So she dragged me and the cabby out of there and we went hotel shopping while seeing a lot of Moscow (and it's traffic) in the process.  Finally we ended up in a large unwesternized hotel which had seen it best years a long time ago (1950-60's maybe?) The cost was about $50 and she was now content.  I think that if you are not involved with a scammer, you will find RW amazingly thrifty and prudent with money -- they are used to making do with very little.  AND I've never had a woman mother-hen (look after) me like she did.  We flew to Volgograd the next day for about $80-100 each (one-way) and I stayed with her & her family in their flat -- food and anything made in Russia seemed dirt cheap to me.  I foot the bill for all the food for 2 weeks (her, me, son, daughter, son-in-law) and it cost me maybe 1/3 (for 5 people) what I might normally spend just for me!)  True, she loves to cook her own meals & preferred to do that vs. going out (EVEN on her birthday!) I was in economic bliss and wonderment the whole time PLUS I was being treated like a king -- I had to argue with her NOT to iron my jockey briefs and socks!  

The one time we ventured out to a nice restaurant/bar downtown for lunch, the prices were ridiculously high -- mediocre food by western standards but served western style -- about $65 for the two of us with no alcoholic drinks and gratuity.  I ordered ice tea with my meal and it took in excess of 5 minutes to negotiate the recipe with the waiter because he had never heard of an iced drink.  It finally came as tea served in a delicate china cup with a soup bowl full of ice cubes, a whole lemon and a small knife on the side.  I had to laugh at the place which was pretty much westernized circa 1960-70's complete with a small dance floor, room for a 3 pc. band, and of course the traditional revolving, hanging mirrored globe refelecting strobes around the room because the restrooms seemed to be an afterthought.  They protruded out into the dining area via cloth curtains vs. a solid wall.  The dining tables literally abutted the draped wall.  Picture this, you're sitting on the john doing your constitutional, grunting, making bodily noises, and producing foul odors while virtually 5 ft. away, seperated only by drapery, a young couple is enjoying an expensive anniversary dinner and toasting their champagne glasses!

To answer your question re: how much $$ to take, I think it all depends where you are going, what you're going to do, and what your lady is like.  For me the greatest expense (after flying to Moscow) was transporting myself and the lady back & forth between Volgograd & Moscow.  I preferred using the train -- the cost was about the same as flying but I LOVE TRAINS!  Be prepared to spend about 23 hours on this trip and shell out the extra $'s for a private "room" (2 bunks and a 2'x2' table)- if you're train buff and in no hurry you will love this experience.  Use the toilets plenty in advance of nearing Moscow (about an hour away) because they're track dumpers (no holding tanks) and they lock the doors in urban areas.  

Be prepared for the biggest culture shock of your life!  While in Moscow's airport waiting at the gate for the Volgograd flight I went into the men's room - 6 stalls, 6 toilets, 6 missing(stolen) toilet seats!

I doubt if I spent more than $6-700 in two weeks... I advise to take Travelers Checks - I had no trouble cashing them.  I could write for hours about these two trips but I doubt if anyone wants to hear more of my rambling.

Enjoy,

Bob

[BURKE89]

... in response to Re: Ryan does a 180…, posted by robobond on Oct 11, 2002

your story rips. Ramble on, and on. I, for one, am learning and enjoying. The more visual - the better! What is up, with nickin' toliet seats anyways?

More, more, more...

Vaughn

[thesearch]

... in response to Ryan does a 180…, posted by Ryan on Oct 11, 2002

Ryan,

I do not mean to be negative but, even though this lady has acted opposite from your first Lugansk disaster, it is her actions that count in the long run not her words.

I met a lady who knew all the right words but these proved later to be a method of throwing me off from her true intentions. She was very good at it.

So, all I am saying is still keep your eyes open and if you find yourself having to make some excuses for her behavior  in the future - things may not be as they were originally painted.

Good luck to you Ryan

[MarkInTx]

... in response to /, posted by thesearch on Oct 11, 2002

So... what tipped you off to her true intentions?

[thesearch]

... in response to Re: /, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 11, 2002

There were some small things that in themselves as isolated events were not significant --- however, she asked for money because of not having a job. Yet, she was taking German lessons almost everyday.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to __/, posted by thesearch on Oct 11, 2002

This wasn't the first lady you went over to see, was it? The one with the children?

[thesearch]

... in response to Re: __/, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 11, 2002

No -- that was not the lady.  After her, I started up some correspondences with a few ladies but, then I realized that my life was getting a bit hectic and that another trip after two in less than four months was not going to happen for about one year because of the added work I had from starting a new company. .

So I broke off writing to these ladies explaining why. This one lady just kept writing to me anyway. I unexpectedly had an opportunity to meet her in Europe if I elected to follow through on a business trip to that locality.

I told her about this however, she never  followed thru in correspondence after my first letter informing her --- only some vague comments about her passport and that there were many places she could not go. I did not mention it again and the opportunity passed. This was strange as she before had questioned as to when I could come and meet her. I think she had several guys on hold and the time that I was going be coming was not good per her schedule. I am not blaming her for having several men on hold as it is a reasonable thing to do as a girl never knows who will make the trip and who will not.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to _____/, posted by thesearch on Oct 11, 2002

I kind of remember that I think...

How close were you going? Would she have had to leave the country?

Because there truly are some places that it is hard for them to get Visas to... as I am sure you know.

Not that it matters, I guess. I was just curious...

[thesearch]

... in response to Re: _____/, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 11, 2002

I was going to England but told her we could meet in some other country after I complered my business. So, I left it open. I think that she was busy with another guy and thus just did not pursue it but later complained asking when I was going to come over and meet her after that opportunity passed.

[thesearch]

... in response to /, posted by thesearch on Oct 11, 2002

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