14th of August 2011

It is now Sunday and I think it is amazing that only some hours ago I was in my own home. But now I am flying into Kiev! It is so strange to realize I am now on the other side of the world!! And soon I will see my Irina!... 15th of August 2011

…It is now Monday morning when I am writing this, and last night I have met my woman Irina and also Alla, our translator! Irina was shy at first, but Alla has been very helpful and confident and positive. She has obviously done this before. She knows what to anticipate when she helps two people meet and made us feel comfortable!! Irina was so beautiful! She was dressed all in white – a white pants suit with dark blue trim, her hair pulled back with a hair comb – very beautiful! I am so nervous, yet so happy!! I hope I don’t mess up!! We left the hotel right away and visited in the taxi; Alla sitting in front translating and Irina sitting in the back – right next to me! It’s so hard to believe!!

Before I did not know that Zhytomyr is such a nice and comfortable city with the population of about 280,000 people. Legend holds that Zhytomyr was established about 884 by Zhytomyr, prince of a Slavic tribe of Drevlians. This date, 884, is cut in the large stone of the ice age times, standing on the hill where Zhytomyr was founded. This place is called Zamkova Hora (Castle Hill), and it neighbors with the main square in the city. Lenin’s Square The first thing we did was exchange some dollars into gryvnas so I would have some spending money. I found out that there are many places in the city where I could do that, there are banks almost in every street, but one should remember most banks close at 6 pm each day and they are closed on weekends too. There is a currency exchange close to the center of the city which works late hours and during the weekend too, and my translator Alla took me there. The exchange rate is not stable and changes everyday, but the change is not significant - it will be just some hryvnas. There are many ATM machines too. Aval Bank So we left and went to a restaurant they thought I would like but, while we were enjoying a cocktail, we found out there was a wedding reception there and that it would take a very long time to get our food. So we left and returned to the restaurant attached to my hotel. We all had different dishes and the food and service was all very good! I felt like Irina can understand some English words, but it was very good that Alla, our interpreter, was there! Alla helped both of us to feel very comfortable on our first date together! I know both of us were very nervous, and Alla knew to expect this and helped both of us to feel comfortable and have an enjoyable evening together. Otherwise we would not have been able to communicate at all. Thank you, Alla! Irina was very attentive and obviously just as happy as I was to be there – together at last! The night ended all too quickly and before I knew it, she was gone in the taxi, heading back home! I can’t wait to see her again! … 16th of August 2011

…Now after my breakfast I will go to the agency office to find out what to do next. It is frustrating for me that this is the first time in my life that I have been in a place where I do not know or understand the language at all! I cannot even understand the alphabet, so that is frustrating! But I know everyone will be understanding and helpful, so I will hope for that! I called the agency and asked them to send a taxi to pick me up and the taxi arrived quickly.

Zhytomyr is different than other places I have been, so there were many things to look at and see for the first time! It is neither huge as megalopolises, nor small as villages; there is no much noise and fuss as is in the big capital cities, but it’s not as boring and quiet as a small village.
It has very convenient location, it is quite close to the Ukrainian capital city Kiev.
Zhytomyr is a modern city with lots of places to visit for entertaining, sightseeing, cultural and historical monuments, cosy places to spend some good time. I was able to enjoy the beautiful nature of this place, many green forests, picturesque landscapes.
The city is comfortable for travelling since there are a lot of quality hotels, cinemas, fashionable restaurants, large supermarkets and stores for shopping of any kind. Restaurant and lounge bar Golden Fish Entering the agency through a rear door seemed strange, but after I went in (on the second floor), the office was very modern and well kept. I met Alina the office manager – what a doll! (Yes, that is what I wrote!!) Alina’s English was very good. She told me I could meet other girls while I was there, if I wanted to. I looked through my favorites, then also through the entire list of ladies in Zhytomyr, and said I might like to meet one or two. Alina said she would contact them and see if they would like to meet. (We later found out that wasn’t possible for different reasons.) Alina told me the local bank was right down the street and just past that and across the road was the Global Market. She also said to check in at 5:30 to see if Irina was available. So I left, went to the bank to exchange more money, then went to the Global Market and walked around for a good long time. The Global Market was so huge! … Finally I went into a shop to look at earrings as a possible gift for Irina. I didn’t see anything right away, so I went outside. I’m glad I brought a book, because I sat down to read and wait until it was time to check in at the agency again. I recalled the Irina had to work late today, so unfortunately I could not see her tonight. But Alina told me that most of the women I have said it would be nice to meet preferred to have some correspondence first, so there were really no others that I could meet right away, but that was OK – I was happy with thoughts of the next visit with Irina!
I asked for suggested places to get some dinner, and was told about the “12 Chairs” restaurant, so that’s where I went! I found out it was on the second floor of the place we had gone to the night before when I had to exchange money the first time. What a coincidence! There are twelve chairs inside the restaurant on the ceiling symbolizing the famous Soviet comedy “Twelve Chairs” At “12 Chairs”, Irina was my waitress and I was surprised that her English-speaking skills very pretty good! I ordered a local beer along with a nice variety of food items, and everything was very good!
The other days we visited Mario pizza cafe which served delicious pizza of different kinds. This place was always busy with people. Then I went next door to the outdoor cafe that ended up having the name “Three Geese”, sitting outside hoping to have dessert. I was again surprised to find that the waitress knew English very well! That made the experience SO much better!! So I sat and watched as people went by. SO many beautiful women! What a surprise to see! I will return here often just to people-watch, I think! (and I did!!!) … 17th of August 2011

..Tuesday I spent first at the Global Market, where after some difficulty I chose a pair of earrings for a gift for Irina. There were so few there who spoke English (at least in that store, anyway). Then I met Alla outside the mall and we picked up Irina to go out of the city to a restaurant. Irina was so beautiful – again! She wore a white skirt, blue blouse, and high heels – just beautiful! I am SO happy to be with my Irina a second time!! The restaurant was out in the country – nice choice! Numerous outdoor tables, each one on a path in the woods with its own roof covering each table. Very unique! We had a very nice meal It was funny, because they had an English menu, but it was different than the local one. But we still managed to get our food ordered alright. Everything was very good – again! While we were waiting for our food, Irina asked me to make a video for the agency to use, so we did! (I hope they were happy with it!) While waiting for tea after dinner, we walked around the grounds and took pictures. We took pictures in front of the pond, on a bench, with each of the girls after they caught a floppy-eared rabbit, and in front of this Cinderella-type carriage! Very cute!! We had a lovely time and – again – the night was WAY too short because, before I knew it, I was back at my hotel and Irina was on her way home! I wouldn’t mind going to that restaurant again! Oh, I cannot WAIT until the next meeting! This is SO exciting! I am very happy I have come to meet this wonderful woman! It is like I am on a cloud! So happy!! …”

18th of August 2011

I was able to enjoy the beautiful nature of this place, many green forests, picturesque landscapes. The best-known park of Zhytomyr is located in the south of the city, at the left (northern) bank of the Teteriv river. It was formerly owned by the Baron de Chaudoir. This park is named after Yuri Gararin. On April 12th, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth. I have never thought I would take a walk in this beautiful park... It was unforgettable! Old Boulevard was laid in the 1870s. Today it is one of the best in Ukraine. There is so much greenery, many recreation places and fountains there. Cascade Fountain in the Old Boulevard. The water-tower in Zhytomyr, built in the modernized Gothic style by the project of the architect Karl Yensh in 1898. Artichectural relic and one of the Zhytomyr’s symbols. The same day we went to a forest-type park near the river of Teteriv. This place is called by local people Hydro Park. Most people go there to sunbathe, some swim in the boats or pedal boats which one can rent for a couple of hours at the rental station.

The wonderful view of Hydro park and the opposite bank from the Teteriv river. Tired but full of impressions we went to a neighboring cafe to have some light snack and drinks. 20th of August 2011

…. Today Irina prepared a cultural program for us. She showed me The Space Museum which is situated in Zhytomyr not by chance, as it is the birthplace of Sergiy Korolyov, the chief designer of the Soviet Space Program. His numerous pioneering achievements in space exploration include Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite. There is a Square in the city named after Sergiy Korolyov in the middle of which there is his monument. It is no wonder that Zhytomyr has a special fame when it comes to Space exploration, and that’s why I was not surprised to see one more monument dedicated to cosmonauts. Then we made our way to The Art Gallery which is located in the oldest part of the city called Zamkova Square, and the museum itself was founded in 1865 and is considered one of the oldest in Ukraine. It took us about two hours to see the numerous works of art, and for me it was a nice opportunity to learn more about the past of Ukraine, and see painting of world classics of different epochs.

Next to the museum I saw a beautiful architectural building and Irina said it was St. Sophia Cathedral. During my stay I already noticed that Zhytomyr has very beautiful churches and cathedrals.

St. Sophia Cathedral on Zamkova Square. The architectural relic of the state importance. Napoleon Orda’s engraving (mid - 19th century) The events of the war of 1941-1945 threw the city back for many decades. At first the city was somehow damaged by the German fascist invaders. And then during the liberation of Zhytomyr because of the furious enemy resistance and the mass artillery bombardment of the city by Soviet troops the blocks of central streets turned into the total site of a fire. Local people remember the past and honor the memories about heroic deeds of their countrymen.

The Monument of Glory arose on a high hill above the Teteriv in honor of Zhytomyr liberators. The memorial tank in honor of liberators of Zhytomyr during the World War II on Victory Square. 23th of August 2011

….My last day in Zhytomyr came so fast....I feel sad and have no desire to leave this wonderful city that has become so dear to me... with all its friendly people who are always ready to help, with pleasant sunny weather, with my charming lady.... We decided to spend this day outside the city, and I had one more chance to enjoy the wonderful nature of this country. We visited Denyshy – a piece of Switzerland, this is how people call those picturesque places. There is a medical sanatorium center located in the forest area on the rocky bank of the river Teteriv, 20 km from the Zhytomyr where one can get a special medical treatment or just have a comfortable rest in a place of healing and rich in ozone air, delicate aroma of local pine-trees near the river Teteriv. There is sauna, gym, aroma therapy, etc. among all services. This place is also well-known among people who like camping and especially extreme kinds of sport, namely mountain climbing. Rocks in this area have a sharp steep 25 meters in height from the side of the river, and have various climbing routes to satisfy the needs of experienced climbers as well as beginners.

We did not climb, maybe next time :))) We just had a picnic with food that we brought with ourselves and got a true pleasure from being in such a picturesque place in the company of each other.

My exciting trip is almost over, in one hour I go to the airport... I was nervous before I came because it was my first trip to Ukraine, but now I am sure I will return many times, so it is not right to say “Good Bye”, and I am telling you “See you soon”