Lena and Khashyar's Sept 16-17 Russian wedding in Mogilev, Belarus - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Lena and Khashyar's Sept 16-17 Russian wedding in Mogilev, Belarus
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Posted by: Khashyar

The night before my wedding, Russian tradition dictated that I needed to sleep in another place other than Lena's house until after the wedding day.

So, Leo and I decided to stay in an apartment in the center of town. I expressed to Lena and Lena's dad that I wanted to have a little bachelor celebration on my last day of being a "single" man (in actuality, Lena and I were married by a judge in Los Angeles 2 1/2 years earlier, but it was fun to pretend

)

Lena's mom asked Lena's dad to stay with us that night (to keep an eye on us

), so Leo, Lena's dad and I rode a taxi to the apartment.

I wanted to show Leo a good time in Mogilev, so I suggested to "the guys" that we go to a club and see what was happening.

Lena's dad resisted the idea for about an hour (because he was worried about what Lena's mom would think, as well as the fact that he had received the "instructions" to make sure that I received rest that night, because the wedding was the following morning.

But, Leo and I wouldn't take "no" for answer, and at about midnight, we kindly convinced Lena's dad to take us out to a club....

We went to a very modern and busy club called "Metro," which is near the main Mogilev downtown post office, and Leo was amazed at the number of beautiful women there, and the fun atmosphere.

Leo wanted to meet and speak with some of the women there, so he asked me my advice as to how he should approach the situation....

I told him that since he was probably one of the only Americans that anyone in the club has ever met, that he should just walk up to someone, and gently ask them a question in English.

I also recommended that within a few sentences of his conversation, that he volunteer the fact that he is American, and that he lives in Los Angeles.

I mentioned to Leo that an effective way to begin a converation, is to smile, approach someone who he would like to talk to, and then ask them if they speak English.

(The average man can live his fantasies about traveling to the former USSR through Leo

)

Leo's first or second attempt at approaching someone began fine with a few words, but then the women smiled and expressed with their body language that they wanted to turn their attention somewhere else. I suspected that this might be because they didn't know English very well, but I know from personal observation that woman from Belarus and Russia find the fact that someone is from America and speaks English fascinating.

I could see that after the first two "unsuccessful" attempts at communicating with Belarusian women in the disco, that Leo's confidence was flattening a bit.

But, I knew that Leo was a charming nice guy, and that all he needed to do as to keep trying, and to politely speak English. (I felt like I was in college again, in our University discos....)

The next cute woman who Leo spoke with, had a big responsive smile, and was genuinely enjoying her conversation with Leo, as her eyes were wide and beeming with flattery. Unfortunately, her boyfriend saw what was happening, took her arm, and whisked her away from Leo.

At least Leo received some encouragement...

Leo felt pretty confident now. He then pulled me to go deeper into the crowd, and he saw a very tall, dark-haired young woman, with a nice demeanor, who could probably have been a model in the U.S.

At the same time, I just felt like conversing with someone, so there was a college-aged blond woman standing near me, and I began to speak English. I began with "The club is pretty croweded tonight." Then, do you speak English?"

She smiled and said "yes."

Of course, I was very mindful that I was married, but it was interesting just to talk to someone.

I felt that it was so easy to speak with someone once you could begin a conversation.

I discovered that this blond kind girl was in college, and she studied some kind of business.

We were having a casual conversation for several minuted, when she asked me why I was here and where I was staying. I was a little unconfortable when I sensed that she seemed interested in me.

Leo, on the other hand, was talking with a smile closely in the tall dark-haired ladies ear, and I felt that she was overwhelmed with interest at this unexpected visitor from America who happened to be in this disco tonight, and who happened to approach her and strike up an engaging conversation with her.

Leo went to get some drinks at the bar for he and his new found friend, and then Lena's father came up to me, and told me that we should be leaving.

I also felt like we better go, and I sensed that the blond woman I was speaking with was expecting or wanting me to ask for her phone number, and to meet later..... When I told her that I needed to leave, she told me that the club will be get very interesting and busy in an hour or so (in a sort of gentle pleading that I should stay).

Although she saw Leo openly ask for a pen and napkin to write down the tall dark-haired woman's phone number (which she gave with a charmed smile), I felt that the blond converastion companion I was with seemed disappointed that I didn't ask for hers.

I told her that it was nice to meet her, shook her hand, and grabbed Leo's arm and encouraged him to leave more quickly towards the club's exit...

What happened next, on the day of our wedding, was an interesting turn of events for Leo...

Posted by: mistermopar

WOW,Leo sure has an interesting story,I wonder how much differant it would sound if it was him telling the story.
It sure sounds like a single guy could get in a lot of trouble real fast if he wasn't careful.

I can't wait to hear the rest of the story,I hope it is before I leave.

Randy

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Randy,

Leo and I spoke often during our Belarus trip about his experiences, and so I believe that what he would say would essentially match what I wrote (although everyone experiences something in a different way).

What happened next is interesting... I will post the rest (with some great photos) as soon as I can...

Khashyar

Posted by: mtbclay

Kashyar,
I am suspense now!!

Randy,
Good luck on your trip. Keep us posted. I had to postpone mine at the last minute. I am fortunate that the lady is understanding. Will be going over Thanksgiving week.
Clay

Posted by: mistermopar

Thanks Clay,
Yes you are very lucky your lady is very understanding,thanksgiving week is coming very fast.
I wish you the best of luck on your trip,please take lots of pics,as will I on mine.

Randy

Posted by: sidney

Leo had that kid in a candy store look in a few of the photos. On a first trip it can be a little overwhelming to a single person. You don't get that amount of attention in the states. I'd bet there's another trip in his future.
Great photos of the wedding and everything before and after. My wife enjoyed looking at them also. Keep us posted with Leo. We all enjoy reading the success stories.
Sid

Posted by: deccie

What an incredible thread..
I can see why Khashyar works in the media. A born storyteller I think.

Posted by: Khashyar

Thanks, guys.

It is actually interesting for me to look back at the photos and reflect on the trip.

There are a couple of Lena's Belarusian friends who told Lena that they would write "articles" about their experience at the wedding and reception, and as soon as they finish and send it to me, I will post them for you.

Khashyar

Posted by: mtbclay

Kashyar.
It will be interesting to read the impressions of Lena's friends and to hear their perspectives.

Clay

Posted by: Khashyar

Yes, I agree, Clay...

Lena's friend Masha already wrote (in Russian language) an account of the wedding from her perspective, which Lena read and said that it was interesting. Because Lena's time is somewhat limited, now, she is giving it to a friend of hers in Belarus to translate into English. As soon as it is translated, we will post it here.

Khashyar

Posted by: yodaamnot

An so the journey begins for Leo... and everyone waits in anticipation for the next chapter... Leo's joy gives me joy LOL

Khashyar,

I think Lena did GREAT in finding some background on the girls.
Are you able to provide some feed back in regards to appropriate wedding gifts at the Russian wedding?

Posted by: BradIL

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidney

On a first trip it can be a little overwhelming to a single person. You don't get that amount of attention in the states.

sidney I appreciate this comment!

Khashyar--- you have hinted at this "phenomenon" in the past... but not as directly as sidney. Do you agree? Is it overwhelming, or that unusual for the western male?

Posted by: BradIL

Khash--- don't feel guilty or anything. . .

=================BUT==================

If I died today my soul would not be able to rest-in-peace . . .

. . . UNLESS . . .

you finish Leo's story!

P.S. Understand that you have license to make some stuff up (if it gives his story a little buzz). I hope Leo considers joining the RMP and posting a little about the trip, that could be interesting.

Posted by: yodaamnot

I second that.

Posted by: mistermopar

3rd

Posted by: deccie

4th.. I'll even try to read it from St Petersburg! (3 weeks 1 day to go)

Posted by: Khashyar

I have a lot to write about what happened to Leo.

Maybe I could do an abbreviated version

Khashyar

Posted by: mtbclay

Oh yes do tell!!