Zaporozhye this week! - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Zaporozhye this week!
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Posted by: Raspberry

Yes, getting ready for another trek to Ukraine. Was unsure if I could get all the days off, but it looks like I did. However, these past few days have been jam packed with stuff.

Since I am taking unpaid time off, I had picked up some extra hours at work, to offset the time off, so I won't have any cash problems. However, with irregular operations at various airports across the country, I have been getting a few extra on top of that.....but a bit more stress to go with it.

Today was supposed to be a short day, but we had some issues that threw a monkey wrench into the works. Had an emergency situation today involving paramedics this afternoon, and I ended up staying two hours over. Seattle also went from heavy(by Seattle standards)snow, two days ago to pelting, driving rain. Had some flooding, and holes in the road filled with water. Plus idiot drivers on the road....not a good recipe.

Could not get my truck fixed today, so wait until tomorrow, and it will be hopefully ready. Plus I do have some housecleaning and laundry issues at home. So really not enough time in the day to do what I'd like to do. Might postpone ths trip by one or two days. But I still have to check to see if the travel issues are compatible.

I had decided this would be a one-city trip. Just spend about a week in Zaporozhye, and not hit any other places this time around. Except, of course, overnights in Brussels and Cleveland on the way home. And only see one girl. Although, ironically, a lot of girls have been writing me, from various FSU places, too.

Needless to say, I just want to get everything under control tomorrow and just get away in this crack between Thanksgiving and Christmas and just relax
and have a good time in Zaporozhye.

As always, will keep you posted on the details.

Posted by: EasyTarget

Good luck to ya, are you flying space available? As always looking forward to your trip reports.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Hi Raz! I see on the news Seattle is under water in some parts. I hope everything is good with you.

Take care and enjoy the trip!

Posted by: Raspberry

GTR, not as bad where I am as compared to other areas. But a few other other complications here. The work on my truck was completed yesterday but I was not off work until 7:15pm. So I am going to get it today.

Really got soaked on Sunday, and it's had its effects. Got a bit of a cold right now, and I'm trying to shake it. Of course, I am out of any kind of hard liquor. So, I'm going to hit the liquor store when it opens, and get some brandy or something to put in my tea.(I much prefer "organic"/"old fashioned" cures for colds instead of taking medicine. I'm not about to cancel the trip due to a little cold.

It was good that I am concentrating only on one city. This gives me a bit more slack to work with. I can get a few things done here.

The ex was in Chicago for a few days to visit her mom, but now she's back. And of course, trying to convince me to stay home, instead of being in Ukraine.

Another complication is that two of the days I was supposed to have off were not yet approved. But I understand, as it's been a crazy week at the airport, especially with flood-related sick calls and managment has been tied up with a lot of things. Not having this Thursday or Friday off would effectively mess up the trip, in its current form. But I think it's a bit of an oversight, considering the general situation.

Plus I got some financial stuff I need to do, as well as do some routine computer maintenance. Still, I think I can do all this stuff before I get on the redeye tonight! Right now it's about 745am.

Posted by: waiting123

Have a safe trip.... My wifes grandparents live in zaporozhye. We have been looking at having my wife buy a dacha in the area...

I have not had the pleasure of heading there yet, but soon...

Have a safe trip, and as always we expect a trip report

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Yes waiting ... you'll have to tell us where your St. Petersburg trip report is, I'd like to read it!

Posted by: azamuner

Yes..we always like to read trip reports.

Have a good trip Ras.

Posted by: Raspberry

Well, folks, the trip has been postponed, after all that effort. The main reason is the lack of space of flights leaving most Ukrainian airports to Europe on my way back home. Keep in mind that I am on an employee pass, which means I am the last one on the plane. And if it is bad now, I can only imagine how bad it is next week.

To make a long story short, getting out of Ukraine would be difficult and expensive, around the time I want to come back. It would make more sense not to waste the time and money with unneccessary stops, and save it for another time.

The irony is, going over on all legs of the trip, and on the way back from Europe-USA look good. Just Ukraine-Europe being the problem.

And I just found out that Air France is going on a one-day strike today. So, it might have thrown a monkey wrench into the works

Fortunately, I have some vacation coming up in January, since we just had the new vacation bid. So, in the meantime, just go somehwere and relax, and get everything in order for the next trip.

Posted by: Chrismc

Rasp

Instead of flying from Ukraine, why not go to Moscow and leave from there, or Poland, I know it is extra hassle and probably not worth it, but just an idea.

I booked my flights back from Kiev back in October, just after I got back home from there and I notice the costs have more than doubled since.

Posted by: Raspberry

Chrismc, I would need a visa for Russia(which I don't have, and at last minute, it would be extremely expensive. As for Poland, I am a bit far East. If I was in Lvov, it wouldn't be so bad.

I could double-connect Kiev/London. Problem is flights from Zaporozhye to Kiev go to Zhulhany, so cross-town, so two overnights, buying a domestic plane ticket, and getting hit for $75.00 additional tax in London.

Istanbul was an option, but the flights from Dnepro, Donetsk and Simferopol don't operate everyday. SIP-IST on Turkish, and an overnight in IST would have worked, but the flight was full that day.

Anyway, gearing up for next trip. Kind of a waste spending excessive time and money for accomodations and transportation.....which is better spent on the ladies themselves.