my random ramblingsan infrequent (and these days, mostly Mira related…) blog

another 2:30 am morning. taxied to the Kiev airport and had our luggage out of storage by 4:00 am. needed to check 3 additional bags, but fortunately didn’t get hit with any fees for bags that were over the allowed 23 kgs. 3 hour flight to Amsterdam, then hung out in the KLM lounge for 4 hours waiting on our next flight. 8 hours in business class to Chicago, arriving around 2 pm. immigration with Лена was surprisingly easy as there were no problems with her visa. collected the bags and taxied to the apartment downtown. intended to nap for an hour or so, but didn’t awaken until the next morning.

crazy day… up at 2:30 am to pack and shower. left our resort in Turkey and rode the tour bus back to the Antalya airport, flying back into Donetsk. taxied to Лена’s parents’ house and repacked all of Лена’s bags for the States. had Лена leave behind about 75 pounds of random things to bring back after her next visit. still ended up with 6 massive suitcases for checked baggage, 2 huge carry-ons, her guitar, and a painting from the parents. Лена’s mother prepared a great final meal, then we made our way back to the airport for our evening flight to Kiev. met Юлия and Natasha at the airport, and i struggled with all of the luggage. ended up checking 8 bags and we were 120 kilos over weight, but was charged only the relatively small fee of $120. arrived in Kiev and managed to deliver all of our luggage to a baggage holding area until the next morning. taxied to a cool boutique hotel for the night, but didn’t even have the energy to enjoy dinner. showered and in bed to wake in a few hours and do it all over again…

up with the birds again to claim our spots poolside. spent some time reading on the internet then joined Лена for a light breakfast and a swim in the pool. swam back out to the pier and Лена videoed a few jumps. lunch “picnic” style in the front lawn of the resort. back to the room for a nap, then some more swimming in the pool. nice last dinner outside, bought a cd with all of the photos that were taken of us, then back to the room early to pack and prepare for our early morning departure. good time, sad for it to end although i am also eager to get back.

again out early to claim prime poolside real estate. some time in the fitness center, then a swim in the pool. played beach volleyball for a couple of hours, then another swim. nap in the afternoon then some more volleyball and swimming. took a swim in the sea with Лена’s father and swam to the pier to do a bunch of flips and backflips into the water. back to the room, bottle of champagne, dinner, then caught a performance by a Chinese circus troupe. again to the room for the night to sleep.

up early to claim spots poolside. spent a while swimming in the sea and the pool before the others appeared. Лена finally arrived and we hung out by the pool. napped in the early afternoon to avoid the unbearable heat. took a walk around the town nearby but didn’t buy anything. spent the rest of the day and early evening in the pool and probably got too much sun. dinner, but skipped the show, then early to bed.

up at 2:30 am to pack and catch our 6:00 am flight from Donetsk to Antalya, Turkey. met Лена’s parents at the airport and the flight was no problem. had to buy a Turkish visa on arrival. 2+ hour bus ride to the resort, and unfortunately needed to wait a bit for our room to be ready. nice place, fun time in the sea and the pool, and i’m eating way too much food. strange atmosphere, resort is probably 90% Russian. after dinner caught a great performance by some Brazilians dancing and doing acrobatics. in bed early to catch up on sleep.

up early so Лена could pack clothes and such to send home while we are in Turkey. taxied to the parents and dropped her bag, then the 4 of us went to go visit one of her grandfathers. nice visit, then back to her parents’ house for a little food, cat time, rest, and to gather a few things for the long weekend. mother came home from work and a little more food. taxied back to our apartment and Юлия dropped by briefly. Лена packed for Turkey then we crossed the street to find a little dinner before bed. interesting Mexican meal, then back and immediately to bed – i will pack in the morning.

up late, crossed the street to Donbass Palace for a haircut. strange and unsettling experience not being able to communicate with the girl holding scissors. came back and we taxied nearby to see another one of Лена’s friends and her cute 3 year old. spent some time with them at their apartment then walked to the river together before heading back to our apartment. Лена went to a dance class, then it was nap time again when she returned. late dinner nearby and was able to catch the second half of the Germany – Brazil friendly. back and in bed earlier than usual.

another slow morning. first stopped at the travel agency to collect our tickets and documentation for Turkey. went to a lawyer’s office and sat there for a time while Лена had some legal documents prepared. quick stop at an Italian place for soup, then came back to the apartment briefly so that we could pay for the remaining days. slept for a bit then headed out for the evening – back to “Donetsk City” to bowl with Юлия and Діма. had a great time, stayed for many hours and ended up eatting dinner there. taxi back to the apartment after stopping at a market on the way out.

actually up early, wanted to get to the travel agency as they opened at 10 am. booked a trip for the 2 of us, plus Лена’s parents, to Turkey for 4 nights, leaving on Saturday. was amazingly cheap, and is supposedly at a posh all-inclusive resort on the sea. walked around a bit then returned to the apartment. was called back to the travel agency to pay then returned for a nap. Лена went to a dance class and i went to the market. few minutes after Лена returned, Anya stopped by with a friend. hung out for a bit and took a bunch of photos. went to Африка for a late dinner but the restaurant was closed, so ate during the show. fun night, late to bed.