More from Kiev

[Cal]

I spend some time taking a closer look at Kiev by simply walking around and observing people.  Yes, there is a side of Kiev that is not so pretty.  Since I am someone who enjoys history, I can liken the growth of Kiev to early times in America when there was a lot of small villages and towns that were quite poor.  Kiev is growing, but the downside of it's becoming a more modern European city is that the average Ukrainian is finding prices increase too much.  I managed to speak with a woman who saw me at a local nightclub last night and she said it was becoming difficult for people in Kiev to afford to live here.  She was from Kherson and said that conditions there were much worst overall, but unless she found additional work, she would be forced to move home with her parents.

She said that many of the women in Kiev make extra money the "oldest profession" way, I said that was very sad and for the first time I felt a bit stupid walking around taking pictures thinking what a great place Kiev is.  The path to democracy is not easy for most countries, yet Ukrainians are strong people and very proud.  They simply do what they must to survive.  Anyone who is familiar with American history can recall the same cicumstances in the early 1800's.

So now that my eyes are a little more open, I'll try to put things in perspective with the rest of Ukraine.

Cal

[thesearch]

... in response to More from Kiev, posted by Cal on Jul 22, 2003

I am enjoying your posts Cal. In your first post you stated that the women were more interested in who you were as they were not hard up. Did you mean that they were more interested in you as a person as opposed to your financial status? (which would be the opposite of many AW)

[Cal]

... in response to Re: More from Kiev, posted by thesearch on Jul 22, 2003

All of the women I met told me stories of their experiences with American men, one has even been to America using the K1 visa but decided not to marry the man and returned. I asked all of them very honest questions and answered their questions about myself with complete truth.  I have met five women, all who appear to have excellent character, two of which appear ready for further correspondence.  One woman wishes to show me more of Kiev and interact with me more before I leave, the other wants to meet for dinner to discuss my intentions tonight.  Both appear interested in who I am rather than "what" I am, there is no sign of desparation or a desire to marry a stranger.  I was quick to tell them all that I am an average, middle-class American, nothing special.  They were quick to tell me they want to find the "right" man, not neccisarily an American man either.  But I will say that many Ukranian women are attracted to American men regardless of what they know of the man. Just like we are to them, right? ;^)

Three of the women were obviously uncomfortable, whether it was with me or because of their own expectations, I do not know.  I will contact them, thank them for meeting me, and wish them best of success.  Whether they had materialistic feelings, I do not know, I only know the sensations of our meetings.  What I was being told and what I observed and felt were different, the famous "red flags" that everyone talks about but many men fail to understand. So really, I cannot say truthfully that the women that I will meet again have materialistic intentions or not.  I can only say what I sensed in their actions was consistant with our discussions.  They were genuine, as am I.

Cal

[thesearch]

... in response to Re: Re: More from Kiev, posted by Cal on Jul 23, 2003

Good luck to you. You never know what is around the corner. Keep posting, I am sure that others also like these on location reports.

[thesearch]

... in response to Re: More from Kiev, posted by thesearch on Jul 22, 2003

I have never been to Kiev however, there have been different opinions about the abundance of beautiful women that are seen in public. What is your take so far? How is it going meeting women?

[Frank O]

... in response to More from Kiev, posted by Cal on Jul 22, 2003

I was surprised when me & my fiancee went to Kiev from Radomyshl & she stated that the supermarkets were cheaper in Kiev than in Radomyshl. Radomyshl is like 60 miles west of Kiev with a population of 15,000. Basically a "hick town" in the middle of nowhere. I thought SOME things were very expensive PARTICULARLY flats & hotels for the average Ukrainian.