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"
* * * Executive Summary * * *
After two years for searching, I finally found what I was looking for.
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.
(And, I'll put up pictures, somewhere...)
