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Title: Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't resist) Post by: MarkInTx on June 01, 2002, 04:00:00 AM Hey all...
I was going to wait until I got back to the states, and posted my official (LONG) trip report... But, here is the executive summary for all of you who just want the "facts"
This past week, In Kyiv, I got engaged to a wonderful dark-haired beauty from Kherson. All things considered, I know I am very lucky to have found her so soon. I don’t pretend to have any magic formula. I know that my search ended by Providence, not by any clever plan on my part. But, as the great American Philosopher, Yogi Berra once noted: “I would rather be lucky than good…” * Logistics: How we met: I placed a personal ad in several papers, including Kherson. I used a service for this ad which can be found at: http://www.kievrent.net. Cost: $50. Travel: I flew to Kiev on a flight found through Expedia.com, and booked through American Airlines. The flight took me from DFW to Gatwick, London on AA, and then from London to Kiev via Ukraine Internationl Airlines. Price of ticket: $939 Lodging: I stayed in an apartment which I rented through the internet at: http://www.kievrent.net. Price: $80 per night. One bedroom apartment in the center of Kiev. Modern electricity and amenities. Transportation: I used the VIP service though Kiev International airport. Worked exactly as advertised. I was ushered off of the plane into a waiting bus, taken to a lounge, and waited while they retrieved my luggage. Customs was a breeze. Paid driver $30 to take me to town. Total cost of VIP plus driver: $110. Worth it? I don’t know. Power Converters, etc: Only thing I ever needed was a plug. (Don't buy the expensive inverter/converter thing.. almost every thing you plug in handles a range of power... laptop, razor, video camera.) The plug I used has the code: NW-1, whatever that means... Internet: I am doing this from the flat. (I took my laptop with me). Bought an internet card for $10. Lousy connection, but serviceable. Couldn't have made it through the registration of account without a woman who speaks Russian, though... their English site was down. The login name "Mark" was taken, so I took the recommended login: MarkSputnik. I like that... made me feel like an adventurer...) Translator and Guide: None. Overall budget: I took $1100 with me to Kiev, this included my lodging payment ($480) and airport transfer fee ($60 - two ways). I had paid one night’s rent plus VIP service payment in advance. Although I went over this budget, I certainly could have stayed within it. (Especially if I had let Victoria have her way, and let her cook for me every night. She is scandalized that the taxi drivers recognize us by sight: She thinks it is an incredible waste of money to take the taxis. I think $4.00 to go anywhere in town is a heckofa deal...) Also, I bought some unusual items not budgeted for: (i.e Guitar and engagement ring.) How long we corresponded before meeting: A little over two months How long after meeting her that I knew she was the one: A little over five minutes Plan A: Go to Kiev, meet with Victoria, fall in love, get engaged Back-up Plan: Back-up Plan? We don’t need no stinking back-up plans senior! There are many things I would have done differently. For one thing, Jack, if I had it to do all over again, I would have had you do the whole trip for me. I'll explain why I didn't in my long trip report. But, the one thing that I wouldn't have done differently is coming to meet just Victoria. I had a feeling about her. I have written to a hundred women... I knew she was special... By coming just to meet her, it allowed us to progress further in a shorter period of time... I leave for home tomorrow. It has been raining for the past three days in Kiev. But the real rain started today, as it sunk on Victoria that I leave in the morning... She asked me "If it rains like this tomorrow... maybe your plane will not fly?" Oh oh... If she's up tonight on a prayer vigil, I'll know why... More later guys... those who have read my posts in the past know that the trip report will be very, very long... And, since this will be my last "trip report" I will try to make it good. Title: Way to go! Post by: Ramblin on June 04, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
Congratualations! Title: Congratulatons from Anastassia Post by: Anastassia on June 02, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
Hi Mark, So you are complete and happy now too! Right?! :-) What an excitement! This is just amazing! Would love to see Your pictures, you saw mine :-) Best regards and happily ever after ending...or beginning.. Anastassia Notarized and Certified Russian/English Translations Title: Thank you Anastassia Post by: MarkInTx on June 02, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Congratulatons from Anastassia, posted by Anastassia on Jun 2, 2002
I'll try to get some of the digital shots up tonight. I have some film I have to get developed yet... I'm still in a jet-lag fog right now... BTW, I think I'll be needing some translation done. I want to write letters to both of her parents, and they don't speak English. It'll be a few days, but I'll contact you... Title: Congrats Mark, talk with you when you return......n/t Post by: Mark H on June 02, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
fda Title: I'm Back... don't know when I'll return Post by: MarkInTx on June 02, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Congrats Mark, talk with you when you re..., posted by Mark H on Jun 2, 2002
I'm back on American Soil. But very hazy right now... When are you coming to Dallas??? Title: Re: Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't resist) Post by: Stan on June 02, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
Exellent! Congrats Mark. I wondered how long it would be before you found "your special one"? :) Steve Title: Congrats. Post by: BrianN on June 01, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
heh heh... seems like it's rainin' fiance's around here! Title: Other than all that...How's the weather? Post by: tfcrew on June 01, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
Just kidding Mark. Ultra grats !! Get those pictures up. Karl Title: WOW!!!!!!!!! Post by: JR on June 01, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
I don't know about this......Two months of writing and only a week together... Are you going back for a longer {second} visit to make sure? I hope for the best and that you prove me wrong. :))) Title: Re: Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't resist) Post by: Charles on June 01, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
Congratulations, Mark. I did the same thing you did - I went over there just to meet my wife. No backup plan - Sorry Jack, but when you find that person, you run with it and don't ever look back. Title: In 110% agreement Post by: Jack on June 01, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't..., posted by Charles on Jun 1, 2002
No need to say sorry Charles, I am in 110% agreement with you on that, When you find that person, you run with her and never look back! I am so thankful that I continued to look until I found "that special woman". When you meet her, you will know it. I met a lot of wonderful, beautiful ladies during the great pursuit. I could have married many different ladies, but there was never that 100% sure feelings with any of them. I wanted that special woman who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside and who had a heart as big as Texas. Two and a half years now and we are still just as excited and in love as we were the first week she arrived here. The third of seven ladies I was to meet in the first city, we met at an outside cafe on Durabascka street at 2:00 pm. I "knew" at about 2:15 she could be the one. There were a few ladies who I corresponded with who I "knew" she was the one. Both Ludmila, from St. Petersburg, and myself "knew" we were right for each other. After corresponding for seven months, we "knew" we were the ones. I was so sure she was the one I went to St. Petersburg without a back-up plan. We both "knew" on the second day we did not have the right chemistry for man and wife, but thru the letters and telephone calls, I "knew" she was the one for me and she "knew" I was the one for her. This was the first and LAST time I went to the FSU without a back-up plan. Title: ...........UPDATE............. Post by: Jack on June 04, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to In 110% agreement, posted by Jack on Jun 1, 2002
Latest update to story above. Just got the latest Anastasia catalog and on page 33 at the bottom, # 220, there is my Ludmila, the one I "knew" was the one for me. Who would have thought she would still be looking! She first appeared in European Connection catalog in 1995, I met her in 97. Funny story as I look at this particular page. After I knew I was wasting my time with Ludmila and set out on my own (remember, no back-up plan), I spent a great deal of time in the center where there are THOUSANDS of beautiful women walking daily. With nothing to lose, I would approach ladies that I was attracted to, handing them a piece of Wrigleys juicefruit gum and would say "nema noga pon-glishki" (mis-spelled) which meant did she speak a little English. On average one out of every five or six ladies I would strike up a conversation with and was able to meet a few ladies this way. One of these ladies I got to know, I called her "Wild Olga", is number 210 on the same page, up and to the right of Ludmila's photo. Also, using this same method, met a very nice, cool lady named Marina on page 44, # 398. Title: ain't life grand? Post by: KenC on June 01, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
Mark, Lena and I are very happy for you and Victoria. Isn't it weird how you just "know"? You "knew" you HAD to go and meet her. You "knew" she was the one right away. You also "knew" you had to keep her in your life for a long long time. You deserve the best of luck, my friend and it appears as though it came through for you! KenC Title: congrats Post by: keithandkatya on June 01, 2002, 04:00:00 AM ... in response to Hello All from Kiev (I just couldn't res..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 1, 2002
All the best to you... and your future better half Keith |