a Personal Tour to Belarus with Lena and Khashyar... - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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a Personal Tour to Belarus with Lena and Khashyar...
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Posted by: Khashyar

Hello Everyone,

Lena and I were thinking a couple of nights ago that we might organize and lead a week-long tour to Belarus around the time of our Belarusian wedding in September.

I personally want to be careful not to offer something that did a disservice to the men or women who would be a part of the "social" tour, and instead to help create an atmosphere and circumstances whereby sincere Western men and Russian women could meet, get to know one another, and also benefit from the feedback, assistance, and guidance of Lena and I.

Lena and I could be available at the gatherings to answer questions and give our feedback if anyone had questions or needed help.

Along with the "social" aspect of the trip, we would also arrange some sightseeing of Minsk and Mogilev, as well as enable the tour members to participate in some real Russian cultural activities, like spending time in the dacha (Russian country house) with Lena's family and friends, the banya, and other aspects of Russian life and culture.

We would like to keep the group relatively small so that everyone could receive the maximum benefit and attention during the trip. We would also want to keep the fee less than what is currently being offered with other Russian tour packages.

I was wondering what everyone thought about this?

Khashyar

Posted by: MisterKnightly

I would think such an offer would be a good way for someone who has never been to the FSU (like me) to go. It's sounds different than the "tours" where a guy gets swarmed by prospective mates. LOL Not that there's anything wrong with those tours (although *I* would be a little unnerved, and also paranoid about not hurting anyone's feelings).
I don't know yet how this year will shape up for me, but if I have the time available, I would absolutely consider it.
It's a good tax move for you and Lena, too. ;o)

Posted by: Khashyar

Thank you for your thoughts and feedback, Rick...

(I am wondering whether I should post this in the "Marriage Agency" section, or keep in in the "General Relationship Discussions" section, or both??)

Again, I want to emphasize that the "social" aspect of this tour would be respectful to both the Western men and Russian women who meet one another, but I was thinking that if we could help Western men and Russian women meet (and even Western women and Russian men, if there were some who were interested

) then this organized tour could be of benefit to people.

Here are some of the aspects of this tour that Lena and I are considering:

1) The tour would occur in early to mide September, or possibly the first week of October. Lena and my wedding is planned for the weekend of September 25th, so we would want to hold the tour either two weeks before, or one week after our wedding.

2) We would want to limit the men who participated to between 5 to 10, so that each participant could receive the most benefit, attention and assistance.

3) Before the tour, we could give the men and women detailed questionnaires as to what they are looking for in a partner, and then we could suggest some specific people for the men and women to meet.

4) Lena's close friends (and our Russian Meeting Place staff in Mogilev) could speak with each Russian lady who is going to attend the socials to learn more about them and to better understand their character and personalities.

5) Lena tells me that she is confident in gathering a few hundred women (if necessary) for the Western men to meet. Lena said that we would also advertise in the Mogilev and Minsk newspapers about the social events, and that we could do initial screenings of the respondants, as well as invite women who have worked with the Russian Meeting Place Personals, as well as a good sized agency based in Mogilev that is owned by a friend of Lena.

6) We could also have social nights at restaurants during the tour, where we could rent parts of restaurants (depending on how many men go on the tour) and hav an opportunity to chat.

7) Everyone on the tour would benefit from the feedback and advice (if you need or ask for it) of Lena, me, and even Lena's family and friends

8) During the trip, we would all have an opportunity to share our experiences (and your questions) during the trip about Russian-Western relationships, and Lena and I will share our thoughts, experiences and feedback about Russian-Western relationships, and the best way to approach R-W relationships and marriage.

9) We would have some English-Russian translators at hand to help with communication

10) As mentioned earlier, I believe that it would be a benefit for participants to receive information beforehand about people they may meet at the socials, so that that they can ruminate about which people might be a good match for them.

11) We would like to include real Russian and Belrusian cultural events on the trip, like going to the Minsk Circus, going to the Dacha with Lena, me and Lena's family, having some home-cooked Russian meals and vodka toasts

, going to a Russian nightclub (or two), seeing some Russian museums, and other events of interest.

12) We could arrange accomodations in a good hotel in Mogilev (and Minsk), and could either allow your members to make their own dinner arrangements, or we could arrange a group dinner every evening where everyone can talk and socialize.

13) We would want to charge what would be a fair price for the trip, and want to tour to cost less than other available tours organized by major companies.

14) We would ask everyone to purchase their own airline tickets, and then the tour "package" would cover everything else except non-dinner meals (although we could include those as well if enough people wanted them included), buying souvenirs, and some other independent expenses.

Those are more of our thoughts about how we would organize the tour.

We would love more of your feedback.

Thank you,

Khashyar

Posted by: Charles

Khashyar,
That sounds like a magical idea

.
If I was not involved, I would be very glad to have the opportunity to have classy chaperones like yourself and Lena. I know most tour organizers want the best for their tourists, but I would know you and would not wonder if you were giving advice in order to cash in.
It would be great for men and women to mingle in the more intimate setting you mention. I am sure it would be very much better for the women of Belarus than the typical social I read about. It would not be dehumanizing to the people looking for love.
It would also be a very good way for Lena and you to enjoy a visit to her family once or twice every year without a huge financial sacrifice, if it goes well (I assume it would).

Posted by: RomanticTX

I would love to go!

Should I e-mail you or lena? Or if you want I can give you a call!

This is Huge! I travel internationally several times a year, and this trip, regardless of the attendance of the girls, looks awesome! A great cultural, historial and antropological value!

Posted by: Arnold_2

Well, I don't know guys, first Searcher asks me to become his father inlaw, and now, Lena & Khashyar want to go on vacation with me!

I didn't know, I was that popular!

Posted by: searcher

Quote:

Originally posted by Arnold_2
Well, I don't know guys, first Searcher asks me to become his father inlaw, and now, Lena & Khashyar want to go on vacation with me!

I didn't know, I was that popular!

LOL, I can set you up if you're interested in a 55 y.o. Lady.

I have her photos, I can email them......

Now that I think about it maybe i'll create a profile for her here, as she wanted me to create one for her anyway :-)

Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks for your feedback, guys...

(Arnold... we could set up a tour just for you since you are so popular

)

Romantic... I agree that experiencing Russian culture in itself would be a wonderful experience... Let's speak in a few weeks when Lena and I are making the definitive plans for the tour... We wuld love to have you be a part of the trip...

What kinds of cultural activities other than what we mentioned would you like to do on the trip? I would invite everyone to also try Lena's dad's home-made vodka, but.... I don't know if I would want to take responsibility for the effects of the Russian "white lightening"

Lena and I are going to create a webpage to outline the planned tour within 2 weeks, and will post the link to the page here when it is ready.

We will also post a proposed itinerary for everyone to read and post their suggestions/ additions...

Thanks again for everyone's feedback about the tour/trip...

Khashyar

Posted by: Greg in Ga

I always thought about how cool it would be to go there with some friends. Now my friends are probably a little more crazy than the average poster here,but still it would be a great time to be had. I think anytime you can help people and make a few dollars is a good idea. I think you can make this idea work as well.

Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks for your input, Greg...

I agree that it will be fun to travel with friends...

One day, I would also like to travel with some friends on the Trans-Siberian Express (train) across Russia... That would be adventurous and fun.

For this first trip, we would like to keep it in Belarus

Khashyar

Posted by: Anonymous

Hi all,

Khashyar & Lena - I think this is a magnificent idea!!

I think there are likely a high number of members on this site who would feel perhaps vulnerable, and worried of scams and so forth, when arranging such a trip with another organisation - however I feel the tour of Belarus is a fabulous idea, and one where all concerned can feel relaxed, comfortable, and know that the costings are not massively inflated to cater for "rich westerners" as so many of these tour organisers appear to capitalise on.

Although I would personally never consider a tour of such kind with anyone else, if I were actively looking for a lady from Russia/FSU, I would be the first to reserve a place, as know you will both be exemplary hosts.

I think this tour idea will meet with very positive responses and feedback, and a high number requesting a place on the tour.

A great idea indeed!

Si

Posted by: Khashyar

Thank you for your feedback, Si...

We would want to keep the group small (5 to 10 people), so that everyone could feel as comfortable as possible)...

I like the idea of continuing and furthering the discussions that we have had here in the forum on a trip to Belarus in the setting of Russian culture

Khashyar

Posted by: Castlestormer

Khashyar, I'm in!!!!! I don't really want to spend my time meeting any ladies. But I would absolutely love to tour that country with quality people like yourself and Lena. I have been to Russia, but never Belarus.

Make the decision, and I will be ready to send any kind of deposit you require. Give us dates, so we can book flights and apply for visas.

Steve

Posted by: RomanticTX

Well,

Khashyar, I am sure that your 5 to 10 slots will fill pretty quickly!
There are 2 of us who publicly declared their interest!

On the other hand, I bet you could organize more trips a year and bring more people!

Sergio

Posted by: Arnold_2

Quote:

Originally posted by Khashyar
Thanks for your feedback,

Arnold, we could set up a tour just for you since you are so popular !

Khashyar

Great, Khashyar!

Now everybody knows that I am your favorite!

Arnold

Posted by: Anonymous

Arnold . . .

Posted by: Arnold_2

Quote:

Originally posted by F1unland
Arnold . . .

Simon, I am impressed with your intelligent display of adoration.

I shall ask Khashyar, if he will make an exception and let you join our private vacation?

Posted by: Yozhik

I think the tour will be truly first-class, and I cannot wait to hear members travelogues, and pictures posted on the website, however, I for one am unable to put my name forward due to work and financial commitments - I am positive the number of places Khashyar and Lena have planned will be snapped up in no time at all....

Si

Posted by: Khashyar

Thank you for your input and feedback, guys...

Yes, we will keep the group to between 5 and 10 so that we can create a close group and have the most fulfilling and beneficial trip possible.

Of course, we will reserve places on the trip for those who let us know first of their intentions to be a part of the trip...

I really look forward to traveling with some of my old (and new) friends who Lena and I have become acquainted with through the RMP forum.

Arnold.... I was joking back with you regarding the private tour comment

But, if we are in Europe, perhaps we could meet and have lunch somewhere....

Simon, it would be great to have you along on the trip, but I completely understand your circumstances...

I am working on a basic itinerary for the trip, and will post it in a few days and welcome your feedback.

Khashyar

Posted by: zulu

Hi there Khashyar,

I agree with all the comments made here, both you and Lena have done a sterling job with this site and I am sure that the trip would be great.

I too would be interested in making the trip subject to availability of vacation time on my part. I live in Europe and would welcome the oppurtunity to meet with both you and Lena and the other guys from this board.

Posted by: Khashyar

Thank you for your feedback and comments, Zulu...

I will post the exact dates of the trip as soon as we have specified them...

Perhaps we should begin a seperate thread as to what would be the best week to 10 days for everyone...

Lena and I would look forward to meeting you (and everyone) in person

Khashyar

Posted by: Arnold_2

Khashyar, I know, you were "joking". So was I! Btw, it is a little impractical for me to have to meet you for lunch in Europe, home turf would be preferable ... Pehaps, some day in the future?

PS: For everyone, who does not have a sense of humor

,
I am NOT Khashyar's favorite, I was just joking, I think, for example Simon, understood that, because he made a pretty funny posting in response to mine!

Posted by: rtking

This photo journal of Elena riding her motorcycle through Chernobyl was posted previously, but I was kind-of thinking it might be neat to take a tour if possible. Anyone (who's going on this tour) interested? You shouldn't glow in the dark.... for long!

Bob

Elena's Photo Tour of Chernobyl

Posted by: Arnold_2

Thanks, Bob!

This sure is a spine chilling ride through hell!

Best Wishes, Arnold

Posted by: mistermopar

Hey Bob,

are you serious about the side trip

It may be cheaper this way

I would love to go to Belarus to meet ladies and have a great time with everyone,but I am not sure if I will have the money or the time off work this year.

I will watch for the date to be posted and see what I can do,if not,maybe if there is another one.

Randy

Posted by: Castlestormer

Quote:

Originally posted by rtking
This photo journal of Elena riding her motorcycle through Chernobyl was posted previously, but I was kind-of thinking it might be neat to take a tour if possible. Anyone (who's going on this tour) interested? You shouldn't glow in the dark.... for long!

I'm in !!!!!!!!! I loved that link when it was posted originally.

Let's go! carpe deim.

Posted by: Lena

Hello Guys...

Khashyar and I are still in Washington D.C. at Khashyar's parent's house.

I have spent a lot of time creating several more pages for the website with information about Russian women, including some "interviews" with Russian women about topics that I thought would be helpful and interesting to you.

No, Guys. Chernobyl is not in my tour plans

I�m not planning to bring you to this area. I spent 2 hours yesterday looking at all of these pictures and read all of the information, and want to say that I received some interesting information about Chernobyl that I didn�t before know. It�s not often possible to see these kinds of intimate pictures of Chernobyl. I wonder what the reason was that this lady decided to go into this area? Just curiosity??? Fun??? Or what other reason??????

If you could put a gun to my head and told me that if you would not go I will kill you, I would choose to be killed.

Ok, anyway our tour program will be interesting and more exciting.

I�m creating and working with everything so we�ll try to add the links about our Belarus tour information as soon as possible.
I am trying to organize this trip so that every person who wants to go can afford to participate on this trip with us. Our aim is to help you guys and have fun all together

.
I�m sorry that I do not take more of an active part in this forum, because I�m very busy with my translation work, our personals, website, Russian language forum, and in planning our tour.

Thank you for all of your wonderful participation in these discussions,

Lena

Posted by: rtking

Hi Lena!

Sorry... I didn't want to impose on your schedule!

I think the tour that you and Khashyar will have will be excellent!

To be honest, I am genuinely interested in this area though. Maybe I might stay longer (or arrive earlier?) and will try to take this tour on my own? I'd really like to ride a motorcycle through this area.

But then again, I'd really like to have a motorcycle again!

The VFR 800 Interceptor is calling my name!

Bob

Posted by: Shike

I'm new to this whole scene but I think this sounds amazing. I would much rather trust you guys (from all the posts I have been reading from you) than some company. Barring any unforseen financial crisis I would have the money and enough vacation time. I would be interested in getting some more details and then possibly making a commitment.

RTKing- I am so there with ya if you go. I saw that website a week or so ago and it still haunts me. I love riding also, just bought a new Yamaha YZF-R6. I love it SO much!

I think a Bike tour through the area would be amazing, BUT I think we would never be able to do it. She said something about having the proper clearance which she got through being a scientist. Wonder if we could bribe our way in.