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... in response to Anyone seen this before?, posted by Pordzhik on Sep 17, 2002

It reminds me of what one woman here getting her PhD told me.

"I don't think Ukraine is really that corrupt anymore. For example, this year I only had to blow my history professor, instead of paying him $50."

... in response to Anyone seen this before?, posted by Pordzhik on Sep 17, 2002

Does anyone know if there is a way to avoid the absurd train ride to Lugansk or harassment by local law enforcement bandits in a car rental?

... in response to is there a way to Lugansk w/o train or c..., posted by rwnovice on Sep 17, 2002

Check out www.autolux.com.ua (private bus company autolux, modern aircon vehicles with tv, hostess etc). The timetable is on the website. I've used it to reach Kharkov in the middle of winter (it stops there on the way to Lugansk) and also to Odessa, and it's about the safest and most reliable way of getting around.  However you go, Lugansk is a long way (12 hours with Autolux)especially if the bus is full (the seats are adequate but not too spacious). Some people used to buy 2 seats to give themselves more elbow room; but I have just checked out the prices and although still cheap by western standards they appear to have risen by about 500% since my last trip. I'm sure I only paid about $10 to Kharkov!

... in response to Re: is there a way to Lugansk w/o train ..., posted by Streetwise on Sep 18, 2002

Again, mucho thanks.

... in response to is there a way to Lugansk w/o train or c..., posted by rwnovice on Sep 17, 2002

or let her make the trip to Kiev.

... in response to Didn't Streetwise mention a bus?, posted by Pordzhik on Sep 17, 2002

And let her pay for it too!! (Maybe refund her AFTER YOUR MEETING, if you feel so inclined.)

I'm not bitter...

... in response to Re: Didn't Streetwise mention a bus?, posted by Streetwise on Sep 18, 2002

Thanks.  Think I owe it to yo to try to benefit from your apparently bad experience.

... in response to Didn't Streetwise mention a bus?, posted by Pordzhik on Sep 17, 2002

Thanks Pordzhik!  Are there any local flights between Kiev and Lugansk or nearby?  Anyone?  I do see a flight to Lugansk listed on Kiev's flight schedule.  Any survivors from that?

... in response to Re: you still with us streetwise?  what ..., posted by rwnovice on Sep 18, 2002

I took the Kiev/Lugansk flight last year on Sept 11 and survived ok. It is not an everyday flight and leaves from the domestic airport (Zhulyany). You can get the flight schedules on the following travel agent site. I have used them and they are excellent. http://www.travel-2-ukraine.com      

... in response to Re: Re: you still with us streetwise?  w..., posted by wineglass on Sep 18, 2002

infamous scammers that Lugansk is supposed to be reputed for?  I've been talking to a couple of girls from there, and I want to go visit them.  I have checked the scammer sites and they are not on them, at least not yet.  What was your Lugansk experience?

... in response to Re:Thanks so much, wineglass!  What abou..., posted by rwnovice on Sep 18, 2002

I will have to defer to Jack for recommending the 1 or 2 honest agencies in Lugansk. And it is known as scammer city for a reason. I spent 3 days there which was on my first trip to Ukraine while visiting 3 cities. My opinion of Lugansk is that it is the armpit of Ukraine. I would not go back there if my life depended on it. I went there to meet one specific lady and even after seeing many pictures of her, many videos, numerous phone conversations, many emails etc., after 5 minutes I realized that there was no chemistry between us. But that's the way it goes. You have to meet them in person. But as far as the city goes, the major factories are closed, the place sucks and with the numerous other cities to travel to in Ukraine, it is at the bottom of the list. Wineglass

... in response to Re: Re:Thanks so much, wineglass!  What ..., posted by wineglass on Sep 18, 2002

Thanks for your candor.  Ever been to donetsk?  How's that one?  Anyone?

... in response to Re: Alrighty then, how do you really fee..., posted by rwnovice on Sep 18, 2002

I have been to Donetsk 3 times. I got along very well there and along the main street downtown, there are many restaurants to eat at and take walks at night. The city is about 1.1 mil in population and I had no problems at all. The African Restaurant was the best. It is an industrial city with much mining in the Donbass region. The economy is definitely improving there. It would not be a top five Ukraine destination city for me, but I would not have a problem going back there either. Wineglass