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Ok, I'm new to the board.  Benn lurking and learning mostly!

I've been writing a lady in Simferopol for some time now and plan on going over to visit in January.  I'd like some opinions and advive about Simferopol (besides that its too cold to go in January) from anyone that's been there.

I also may have time in December to stop by Kiev to see her on my way back from a business trip (I'm in the Mid-East every 6 weeks or so).  Any good places to check out concerning renting a flat in December on short notice?  (2 weeks or less)

Also, do they issue Multiple entry private visas for 1-3 years?  or is that just for business?

I know there's a lot of debate on the one vs. many issue.  I'm quite happy trying just one and I build enough FF miles that I can visit several times a year so that won't be a problem.

Any suggestions as to what to bring / send her 4 year old daughter?  Anyone bring anything over that was a "hit"?

Thanks for any help!

... in response to Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

Ask your lady to give you the name and address of a business in Simferopol.  Put that on your visa application, then once you get the multiple business visa and go through customs and they say business?, you say, "yes".  That's all there is to the multiple entry problem.  As for flats, I always stayed in flats when in Ukraine, except in Simferopol.  In Simferopol, I stayed in two different hotels, both very inexpensive and adequate.  Eugene from Olenka-club can get you a hotel or flat, and he charges $60 per day for interpreting and driving plus $5 for gas.  Kind of expensive but you will not find any other English speaking driver in the area. He can help you with anything you need during your trip like the best restaurants, a shashlick party (well maybe not in winter), and can introduce you to ladies if you need a back-up plan.  Good thing you are an experienced traveller because the food in Simferopol and Sevastopol certainly did not agree with me.  It is amazing that you have been searching for five years since 1997, was that a typo?  Have a great trip and good luck with your lady.

... in response to Re: Simferopol, posted by Ramblin on Oct 11, 2002

Thanks Ramblin.

I'm covered on the flat in Simferopol as she wants me to stay with her and she's good at English, though I'll hang on to the Eugeen info just in case.

'97 wasn't a typo, thougn its been on and off as I dated AW's some and moved / traveled a lot for work.  I'm settled now.  Still travel internatioanl a lot for work, but one week every 6-8 weeks vs. when I would be home 1 week of every 6-8 and on the road the rest.  I didn't think it would be fair to move an RW here then say "See you in a month" :-)

As for the food, you should see what my customers in the mid-east try to feed me. :-)  I always draw the line at the raw lamb meat though.

... in response to Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

Just my $.02 worth.....like most of the guys have been saying, the weather shouldn't be anything to worry about.  I've been to Odessa in January.  The weather there was almost exactly as it had been in Kansas when I left (and when I returned).  As I understand, it was pretty typical weather.  And, you're going to be even further south.  I'm guessing that it'll be a bit warmer than what you're used to in Kansas.

Good luck, and have fun!

Don

... in response to Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

I have visited Simferopol in both January and March, and the climate is relatively mild, nothing at all like Kiev or Moscow.  I live in New York, and the Crimea's weather is nicer in the Winter.  I might compare it to South Jersey/Northern Maryland.   My wife (who lived in Crimea for 11 years), tells me that winter can come "early" (November, December), or "late" "February, March), depending on the year.  If your are a gardener, Marina says that the "locals" are planting potatoes in late February.

Only business visa's are available as "multiple entry".

My wife suggests a barbie doll with several sets of clothes (the doll!), for her daughter.

I too only visited one lady, and it worked out fine.  In this case, I think it helps to have good written communication skills, the opportunity to use English, (or Russian if you can, I couldn't), and that she has her own phone and internet access.  By the time I made my first visit, I felt comfortable, and knew, at the very least, I would have a nice vacation with a friend.  To each his own.

It seems that you are an experienced international traveller.  Even so, in my opinion it would be best to leave your daugher at home for this trip.  This will allow you to concentrate on your lady,her daughter, and the ins and outs of travel in Ukraine.  Also, if your ex is not supportive, don't push it.    The challenges you will face over the next few years will be difficult, and easier to overcome with the support of family and friends.  Better to have a "neutral" ex than an angry one.

Best of Luck,

Dan D.

... in response to Some Thoughts, posted by DJD on Oct 11, 2002

Thanks Dan!

I guess the climate difference between Kiev and Crimea must be fairly big.  Good to hear that I won't have to worry about frostbite on the way to the taxi.  I would have gone earlier but that was the first free time that I could break away from work.  I am going to try to go for a couple days in early December, but looking at the airfairs, I'm better off leaving Dubai for London then flying BA out of London (cheaper) than going direct from Dubai.  London is a natural stop on our way home from work, though I could make it Frankfort, seems the Simpferopol flights are only twice a week from there anyway.

I agree on the "ex" part.  My lady had wanted our daughters to meet, so I thought I would try for her.  I won't push it as the ex and I get along fine for everything else!

I really can't wait to go!

John

... in response to Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

Hi Jski ,

Never been to Simferopol , so I can't help you there....

But as far as gifts go - crayons and coloring books , as well as any kind of children's books are good gifts for your lady's child . I brought those things with me on my trips and they always brought a smile . Those 'Spirograph' drawing things also went over pretty big . Nobody had ever seen one ; I think the parents spent as much time doodling with it as the kids did .
I also brought some Frisbees with me ; the kids had never seen one , and the kids and I had a blast playing catch with them . Might not be a good gift for a 4 year old though . Chocolates and candy are always well liked ; but you might want to bring these types of things with you rather than sending them . Some of the government mailing restrictions won't allow you to send candy or chocolates through the mail in certain countries .
One time I brought one of those 'Simon' electronic games with me ; that was a big hit with all the kids . But that's also something that you're better off bringing with you rather than trying to send through the mail . Once again, that's because of government mailing restrictions on electronic devices .
Have you ever seen those sheets of paper with a bunch of stickers on them ? I brought an assortment of those things with me for some of the kids ; and before you knew it those stickers were showing up everywhere , and I mean everywhere . We all got a few laughs out of that . Also , those 'hologram / 3-D ' stickers are really well liked by the kids .
I made a few trips to the FSU , always brought plenty of gifts for my lady , her family , and all their kids . They were all greatly enjoyed and appreciated , I'm happy to say .
Funny thing is , one item I brought with me as a gift for my lady's neice - it was probably the least expensive thing I'd brought with me - was the biggest hit of all . I picked up one of those 'Viewfinders' and a few picture discs for it ; the 'Viewfinder' probably cost me all of $3 . You've probably seen these things ; they look sort of like a pair of binoculars . I picked out some picture discs of the USA and a few with animals and wrapped them up .  Well , you couldn't pry the kids away from that 'Viewfinder' ; all the kids and all their parents played 'tug-of-war' with that thing for days . They'd never seen anything like it , they all took turns with it , couldn't get enough of it .
I've also given kids checkers and Chinese checkers games .

Hope this helps , hope this gives you a few ideas for gifts . I know that this topic hasn't been talked about too much ; but to be perfectly honest with you , giving those gifts and making the kids happy was one of the best parts of my trips and visits .

About the one vs many issue ; there's been considerable discussion on that topic here - just check the archives for some good debates on that subject . Take all the advice and opinions offered here with a grain of salt , try and keep things in perspective ; and after you've considered all your options do what you think is best and what you're comfortable with .

Good Luck to you in your search ( and if you're going in December or January dress warm ! ); and I hope you enjoy your trips and visits .

Best Wishes ,

Don

... in response to Re: Simferopol and gifts, posted by don1 on Oct 10, 2002

Thanks Don, Some excellent ideas there!  I might have to leave clothes behind as I start packing my suitcase with gifts...LOL I was going to send her a package with some things in it for her  and her daughter next month, then bring more in with me, so you gave me a bunch of great things to work with here.

Her daughter and my daughter are only a couple months apart in age, though mine seems to be spoiled from the grandparents.  What almost floored me was when she sent a closeup picture of her daughter and she almost looked exactly like mine.  Amazing, such a small world!  She wants me to bring my little girl with but the ex-AW is having a fit over that.  Its either a power play or she has some goofy idea that I will be imigrating to the Ukraine never to be seen again :-)

December trip would be a real shock for me weather wise as I would be coming out of the United Arab Emirates from work on the way there.  I'm going to look very silly wearing a coat and sweater at Dubai airport.

I've made it back to the 178 archive and all the one vs. many.  I've never been able to juggle well, so I think one is fine for me.  If I get there in December for a few days and it doesn't work out, well then I have 5-6 weeks to replan for the other trip.

... in response to Re: Re: Simferopol and gifts, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

Hi Jski ,
Glad that the gift ideas were helpful . And you're right about the packing : I took 1 large suitcase , 1 small suitcase , and 1 carry-on bag with me on my trips . The big suitcase was chock full of gifts , the small suitcase had my clothes , the carry-on had my papers and essentials . There were more than a few occaisions when lugging the big suitcase around that I thought it was a huge pain in the @ss; but once I saw the smiles on those kids faces I forgot all about that . And started thinking about what I'd stuff that suitcase with on my next trip ...

Your ex-AW is having a fit because she knows something that you don't : once you start spending some time with your RW , you won't want to leave !

If you're going in December , you'd better dress for it . The cold weather will be a real shock to your system , especially if you're coming from a warm climate ( like , say , the Arab Emirates....) .

Glad to hear that you've taken some time to look through the archives . There's some good information in there if you're willing to take the time to sort it out .

You will probably catch some flak for making a trip to see just one woman ; but you won't catch any flak over that from me . I've never been much of a juggler either . Just do your homework on the front end ; could save you a few headaches later .

Good Luck and Best Wishes

Don

... in response to Re: Simferopol and gifts, posted by don1 on Oct 10, 2002

Don, Thanks - you brought a grin to my face just thinking about your enjoyment in giving these things - wow - thanks again.  Bob

... in response to Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

its too cold to go in January

... in response to Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

Jski: I was in Yalta last December and the weather wasn't too bad. Kiev was very cold however. (even had to buy a hat) so Simferopol won't be too bad to travel to in December. for a flat in Kiev, contact: Lilia at Hotel Service in Kiev: dzygovskayal@ca-ib.kiev.ua   Get a 1 year visa for multiple entries.  http://www.ukremb.com/  Crayons and a coloring book will be a hit. Wineglass

... in response to Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

Jski,

Don't ask questions when you already know the answer...  DO NOT GO TO RUSSIA IN THE WINTER.  IT'S TOO COLD.  OK, do it once and feel the pain, then set back in your warm computer room and answer other people's travel questions with "DO NOT GO TO RUSSIA IN THE WINTER. IT'S TOO COLD"!  So I am answering your question with a simple "DO NOT GO TO RUSSIA IN THE WINTER.  IT'S TOO COLD."!

capish?

Bob

... in response to Re: Simferopol, posted by robobond on Oct 10, 2002

Well, sort of, except that its the Crimea region of Ukraine :-)

... in response to Re: Re: Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

its too cold to go in January

... in response to Re: Re: Simferopol, posted by Jski on Oct 10, 2002

Don't worry about the weather..  I have been to Kiev in December/January and was perfectly fine.. and Simfer would be cake compared to Kiev..
For a child (or her Mother), TY beanie babies and stuffed animals go over very well!  Easy to pack too..

Good Luck,
Oscar

Regarding a flat- My old interpreter could easily fix you up with a nice flat in Kiev if you need it for a couple of days.  Would probably cost about $35 per night on or near the main drag..
Let me know if you want more info.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Simferopol, posted by Oscar on Oct 10, 2002

its too cold to go in January