Title: trip report Post by: petem on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM Russia Trip report
I thought I would do a report as I have learned much from others reports. Plan: I am in my early 40’s, tall, in good shape, well educated, been to more than 30 countries, this would be my second time in Russia. I am looking for a wife, never married before and like many others here tired of the AW scene of busy career women who only think about themselves. I know the pursuit in high risk so I had many prerequisites to help reduce the eventual risk, of scammers, visa whores, opportunist etc. Therefore I focused on only women who parents were still married, I thought this would make it easier for them to leave Russia, and they would be more stable having seen there parents marriage succeed. I had other requirements, age, since I want to have 1-2 children, no one older than 33, and to keep out the too young, 28 minimum. I also avoided any agencies; I paid no translations fees, address fees, but did join a few fixed fee services like Cherry Blossoms, Freindfinder for a month or so, and browsed many free sites like freepersonal.ru and matchdoctor, etc. I thought if they were on these English sites they had some English ability. I did not want any woman who had been divorced, nor had a child. I do prefer blondes but that wasn’t a set requirement. Height for me was good if they were at least 170cm, as I am taller. Instead of flying and meeting several, I thought it best to stay in Moscow and fly them in for a few days. I would also give me a chance to meet the Moscow women, and see the sites, having never been there before. I decided on an apartment, just something basic, http://www.waytorussia.net/Services/ApartmentsMoscow/2Brestk aya.html soviet style, for $34 day, I could have rented a western style place for $70-80 day but for 2 weeks that would be expensive, and why? I didn’t want to overly spoil these women, I want them to make a decision on me, not what I could afford to provide. They would only be staying a few days anyway. It was close to Tverskya Street, maybe 2 blocks from the metro stop Mayakoskya, very central, you could walk to Kremlin if you wanted. I needed a1 bedroom, for the advice was to have them sleep in separate area at least initially. That turned out to be good advice. I flew Aeroflot, it was fine, I got exit row seats both ways, and it was far cheaper than western airlines, and no connections in Europe to loose my luggage. Cost about $550. I got my visa at the local embassy, but went thru waytorussia.net for the visa. This was a mistake, avoid these folks, they charged $30 over internet for invite, and then you had to fax in the payment. They promised on the website $7 registration if you stayed in their apartment, but never followed thru with how you could actually do that. I had to register in a off the beaten path street, 4 bus stops from a metro, and pay $20. I think visahouse only charges $35 total for everything and would be more convenient. Also Waytorussia Had several apartments on the site with photo’s and location to choose from. One month prior to the trip they wanted a decision which I gave them (no deposit req. though), but 2 days before my trip they email saying that apartment is not available. They did give me abetter place for the same money, but once I arrived in Moscow they put me in a 3rd place for just the first night. That really bothered me since the driver who picked me up at airport ($25) didn’t speak English to let me know that was the plan. Indecently, I met another American who booked a apartment thru them to start 3 days after my trip, and he was told the day before that his apartment was taken, and he ended up having to stay in his RW’s apartment in a ring city of Moscow. I also met another American at (the American Bar on Tverskya street is a good place to go to meet others, and Russian English speaking people, food great) who stayed in the exact same place I was staying his last visit. He was on this trip only paying $25/day for nicer place than mine, which was advertised on the site for $50/day. He just avoided the website people who are clueless, and just called Vera the local contact (095) 112-7618 and you can make a great deal thru her, her English is just passable. That what I would do in the future. My apartment was across the street from a very modern, 24/7 grocery store, which had everything you could want. I used it often. I took metro everywhere, never had to wait more than 1-2 minutes for a train, and for .20 a ride a great deal. Sometime I did auto taxi, stick your arm out and anyone picks you up and negotiate a price, never paid more than $1.50 to go anywhere. I know a little Russian, listened to 4 pimsuler tapes, and took a Russian language course for 12 weeks. RW’s I had set up for 3 to fly in, 1 offered to pay her own way. I also had 3-4 locals as backups, which I was glad I did. The first night I met one, we went to a nice dinner, but I felt no chemistry with, she had little personality. The first visitor showed up the next day, a well educated woman I had corresponded for 6 months. We had also gone thru a tourist visa application for her to come to US for a visit during summer break. This was done thru her university and my professor cousin’s university as I was told this can work. Unfortunately the visa delays killed her chance for this summer and are still pending. She had a lot riding on this meeting. I felt sick the first day and it got worse. I never get sick, but a small fever, sore throat, cold was getting to me, plus the jet lag. Because of the first day apartment switch, I had gotten to the real apartment only 1 hour before her arrival, and did not have chance to get grocery supplies, and flowers. She appeared looking better than I expected, but looked very nervous. I made a cup of tea, we exchanged some small gifts, and she made a call to her parents to say she arrived. Only 15 minutes later did she stand up and announce she was leaving to return to the airport and fly home. I couldn’t believe it, I got no explanation from her, but I did send her an email but got no response. I did get one from her mother 2 weeks later, but that will wait for now. I asked her what about the ballet; I had tickets for the Bolshoi for Sat night by her request, and great seats only because she wanted to go, but got no response. Her English never seem to improve over the summer even though she was taking lessons. Well at least I have multiple backups, as I had written her the longest, but really didn’t know her. Infact I may of dropped her before my trip, but she had already gone thru a lot of trouble and I felt committed. So suddenly I had the weekend free, but I felt really I did get a couple of calls from #2 during my last Some other things I experienced in Russia is strange After I get home I get a strange email from #1 mother. Title: Re: trip report Post by: Apk1 on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to trip report, posted by petem on Nov 15, 2002
Thanks for the report, brings back a few memories.... A few comments I might add about your observations: Get used to the shoe thing next to the door, it will take a while for them to get over that habit...if the shoes are not worn in the home, the house will stay cleaner! My wife still wants for us to sit down for a few minutes before we leave the house for a vacation, the reason is for you to have time to think...if maybe you forgot something. Title: Re: Re: trip report Post by: petem on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: trip report, posted by Apk1 on Nov 16, 2002
I didn't mind it, I used the time to make out til she thought it was time to go, never spend time doing nothing. Title: Re: About time....we really needed that Post by: wsbill on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to trip report, posted by petem on Nov 15, 2002
I was really wondering about some of you guys and your trips and reports. Bravo, bravo... we want to hear more!! Title: Oy! Post by: Zink on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to trip report, posted by petem on Nov 15, 2002
I've been talking to Russians too much and find myself saying that now. Great report! I've been to Moscow many times but never long enough to really see anything. A couple of overnights was my longest stay. I was always in a hurry to get to southern Russia. If you like tall girls Volgograd is a good place to look. I saw more very attractive and very tall women there than in any of the other cities I've visited(Moscow, Sochi, Vladivostok). I also like dark haired girls and there is a greater percentage of them down south. But there are still many classic Russian blondes there too. Volgograd is fairly large(over 1 million people) but feels like a small city. It's getting to be fairly well established as a place for foreigners to find women. I don't know if that's a plus or a minus. Title: Re: Oy! Post by: petem on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Oy!, posted by Zink on Nov 15, 2002
I always try when traveling to stay in a city a while, especailly one as large as Moscow. Once you get the lay of the land so to speak, the rest of the time you can really have a fun relaxed time. I spent a month in Syndey Austrailia as an example. Blondes are my thing, both brothers and father married them so I am destined. I would be interested in any referrals?? Title: Re: Re: Oy! Post by: Zink on November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Oy!, posted by petem on Nov 16, 2002
I'd planned time in Moscow with my girlfriend from Volgograd but the plans always fell through. Last year I wasn't an experienced traveller and wasn't confident in my abilities to survive alone in a city like Moscow. So I just never stayed there long. Now is a different story but I'm focusing on the Far East of Russia. Do you want agency referals or lady referals? I have a list somewhere of respectable agencies in Volgograd and the URL of Seeking Volgograd Women newsgroup. It's been a year since I was in Volgograd and I've lost contact with my aquaintances there so I can't hep you with lady referals. Title: Hurray Post by: thesearch on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to trip report, posted by petem on Nov 15, 2002
at last, a trip report! Thanks. Great Post. Title: Re: trip report Post by: Oscar on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to trip report, posted by petem on Nov 15, 2002
Nice report.. You mentioned jet lag quite a bit. This killed me my first trip over, but then I got hold of a study done by flight crews involving melatonin. You wait until you get to the place you are going and wait until it is bed time there. You then take 5mg of melatonin that night as you go to sleep. Then you just reduce the dose by one mg every night. So first night 5mg, second night 4mg., etc.. I could not believe how well it worked for me! I NEVER felt any jet lag effects on my next 3 trips! Poeple there were really amazed, like interpreters etc., because I didn't have any jet lag at all! Hope this helps for your next trip.. Title: Re: Re: trip report Post by: petem on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: trip report, posted by Oscar on Nov 15, 2002
I usually take melatonin at thome, but I ended up forgetting all my vitamins etc at home, only real big mistake of my trip Title: Re: questions? Post by: Quasimoto on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to trip report, posted by petem on Nov 15, 2002
A great read!!! Now I have a couple of questions. Where were the two preferred ladies from? And how can we email you if it is not listed? Steve Title: Re: Re: questions? Post by: petem on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: questions?, posted by Quasimoto on Nov 15, 2002
rwseeker@hotmail.com email me off list Title: Appreciate it Post by: Bobby Orr on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to trip report, posted by petem on Nov 15, 2002
Thanks for a well-written trip report. I appreciate your take on things. There are pretty FSU women everywhere. If I were you I would go to a smaller city next time you go to Russia or Ukraine. So, forget about St. Petersburg (in spite of an incredible amount of gorgeous women), Moscow or Kiev. You went to alot of places with "working girls" for fun. I guess you like seeing really pretty girls (who doesn't) - but they are a waste of your time when you are wife shopping ie. I think you could have made better use of your time (then again all work and no play makes Pete a dull boy). Too bad about #1. What has gone on with the other potentials since you got home? What was the deal with the ear-rings. Title: Re: Appreciate it Post by: petem on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Appreciate it, posted by Bobby Orr on Nov 15, 2002
I am still in communication with #2 and #3. I have no more vacation time to go over for at least 6 months. I have not made any major plans with either, no hurry to at this time. Those earrings I am ready to give away to anyone. THey are bad luck, as I bought them originally for a polish woman in Chicago, but never gave them to her after a breakup at the time. She never really acknoledged not taking them with her, and I didn't press it. They are gold colored a double interlocking broken heart shape rings, but clip ons. Title: Re: Appreciate it Post by: Watcher on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Appreciate it, posted by Bobby Orr on Nov 15, 2002
Why did you write" forget St. Petersburg??????? " Why don't you like it as a place to look for woman? Title: Re: Re: Appreciate it Post by: petem on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Appreciate it, posted by Watcher on Nov 15, 2002
Actually I went to St Pete last summer as part of a 2 months trip in East Europe. I didn't know anything about MOB russian stuff then like I do now. I live near a american international city, I can find the big city women here, no neen to look in St Pete, MOscow for me. THose women seem spoiled to me, that why I had 3 fly in to meet me. They were much different than the ones I met in Moscow. Title: Re: trip report Post by: Burt on November 15, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to trip report, posted by petem on Nov 15, 2002
Excellent excellent post, Pete. Very informative and I enjoyed your insight. Thanks for sharing your impressions and suggestions. And judging from your schedule, you're one helluva high energy guy !! Title: Re: Re: trip report Post by: petem on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: trip report, posted by Burt on Nov 15, 2002
I usually do things most people do not. I am sort of a conservative risk taker. I have been to Colombia last summer, went sking on the alps 2nd time I ever went sking, learned how the dive at the Great Barrier Reef, sky dived twice in New Zealand, swan with the dolfins at New Zealand, mountian hiking. I have done alot, always take the road less travelled. I really want to take the Trans Siberian RR for 3 months visiting cities along the way, meeting people. Title: Re: Re: Re: trip report Post by: Quasimoto on November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to Re: Re: trip report, posted by petem on Nov 16, 2002
It is a good story by a Russian girl riding on the trans-Siberian railway. You will be shocked!!! http--personal.centenary.edu-~anapalan-EnglishExam.html Title: can't get link to work Post by: petem on November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM Title: Re: can't get link to work Post by: Quasimoto on November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM ... in response to can't get link to work, posted by petem on Nov 17, 2002
Ty this! http://personal.centenary.edu/~anapalan/EnglishExam.html |