extremevx
4/30/2016 10:41 EST
I've been here almost 6 months and I can tell you I'm very bored. For the first time in my life since I was 12, I don't have a job. For the first couple months it was ok. But now I'm starting to feel like I don't have a real purpose. Yes, I get up in the morning and take my stepson to school and let my wife sleep in. I come back and make her breakfast and coffee in bed. But other than that I don't have anything real important to do during the day. Basically I go to the gym everyday and run errands for my wife when she needs help with her clothing shop. But I can see now how important it is for a man to have a job. It's important for his self esteem to feel like he is providing and being productive. I get a pension and it's nice, but I need something productive to do.
My question is for you guys already living here in ukraine if you know of some jobs for americans here or any contacts. I don't need to make alot of money or any at all. Just need something to do.
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
hyde53
4/30/2016 12:52 EST
One of my biggest fears is getting bored, having lived 2 years in Central America I became easily bored and longed to due something meaningful. Yes I volunteered, however it did not satisfy the need to be productive Crazy because I remember when I could not wait to get out of the rat race. Now thinking about a moving to Nikolaev if I will step back into a life of boredom. Will see. Is it possible to start a small business, if I just break even??
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
|
|
MichaelTryn
4/30/2016 13:00 EST
You've pretty much copied what I am IN near Chicago, BORED! I told my daughter we should go to New Orleans or somewhere. I missed the cemetary tour 30 yrs ago, and we could go to that coffee shop from when the French flag was flying there, I would rather have the Confederate flag or French. There is not much in the Chicago area to do really. A guy needs some work to pass the time, but NOT some louzy job. Maybe a bartender @ the Hilton downtown with 2 customers, or a volunteer on the Rocky Mtn railroad in Oregon.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Khersonbill
4/30/2016 13:33 EST
Hi Extreme-- I know what you mean about purpose. I too fall into that category. I should be back home in Ukraine soon-- By the end of May. My intentions are to come visit you and wife, Play some dominoes or something. I hear all these stories of gloom and doom in Ukraine--I do NOT see these problems at all. My supposed closing date on my home is the 17th May-- Should be back soon afterward. Gotta sell my Chrysler 300 yet, All is well here. The old ticker has been giving me some problems-- somewhat better now. I see you went to my city (Kherson) and visited my store (Fabrica) I shop there lots. They also have some peanut butter made in China-- not bad-- tastes like Peter Pan creamy. I think some on this forum fail to see the truth there. Almost no-one makes 400. dollars per month. My wife , Polina had an early retirement at age 50-- pension is more than most. 1350 Hrvnas. (About 54 dollars per MONTH ) Most older pensioners make less. Yes, it will be next to impossible for older pensioners to survive ANY increases in utilities. Almost impossible now. Ukrainians are survivors--- I have access to my car I sold my step son-- will come see ya- this summer. I'll give you my phone numbers. I am going to start making REAL meat sausages in Ukraine. Bratwurst, Polish style sausage, country sausage. something to do-- and all the magazines close to me sell krap for sausages-- full of soy, or cereal fillers, Ugh! Take care ole bud-- big hello to the wife! Kherson Bill
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
extremevx
4/30/2016 15:44 EST
Nice to hear from ya Bill. I've been to kherson twice since I've been in ukraine. Once ro look at a car at the vollswagon dealer and then the second time to take my wife to fabrika on woman's day. It's funny how a town the size of nikolaev has a mall and nikolaev has nothing. My brother in law managed a levis store here in nikolaev and when they opened fabrika in kherson that had a levis store. The levis store here in nikolaev went out of bussiness. My wife and I welcome a visit from you ans your wife, or we could come to you as my wife and I bought a 2013 kia rio. Mainly so she wouldn't have to take a marshrutka to 7km renok in odessa to buy clothes for her shop. Im probably alot you get at 46 then most other Americans here on this forum and though I don't know many of the ages here my guess is that most of you are older. Hope it isn't a problem. But we are all Americans. I say this because my wife worries about it but I tell her in America it doesn't matter age. Men are men and we have respect for eachother no matter the age. Also Bill, I belive from your post that you are a former military man as my self. Even a Ranger like myself I believe. My wife is looking forward to meeting more americans so she can guage if my behavior is normal for us...ha ha. I tell her we are all crazy. She's also looking forward to kens barbecue. Anyway, when you get back you can call me, 0731002191
William
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
extremevx
4/30/2016 15:48 EST
I hate predicted text sometimes. Here is a edited version of my previous post.
Nice to hear from ya Bill. I've been to kherson twice since I've been in ukraine. Once to look at a car at the vollswagon dealer and then the second time to take my wife to fabrika on woman's day. It's funny how a town the size of nikolaev doesnt have a mall and kherson does. My brother in law managed a levis store here in nikolaev and when they opened fabrika in kherson that had a levis store. The levis store here in nikolaev went out of bussiness. My wife and I welcome a visit from you ans your wife, or we could come to you as my wife and I bought a 2013 kia rio. Mainly so she wouldn't have to take a marshrutka to 7km renok in odessa to buy clothes for her shop. Im probably alot younger at 46 then most other Americans here on this forum and though I don't know many of the ages here my guess is that most of you are older. Hope it isn't a problem. But we are all Americans. I say this because my wife worries about it but I tell her in America it doesn't matter age. Men are men and we have respect for eachother no matter the age. Also Bill, I believe from your post that you are a former military man as my self. Even a Ranger like myself I believe. My wife is looking forward to meeting more americans so she can guage if my behavior is normal for us...ha ha. I tell her we are all crazy. She's also looking forward to kens barbecue. Anyway, when you get back you can call me, 0731002191
William
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
extremevx
4/30/2016 17:44 EST
From what I've seen, a bussiness is easier here in ukraine. My wife has a clothing shop.and she does very well. It's all cash and pays no taxes. Supposed to but she knows how to get around it.
Plenty of smokers here in nikolaev. Vape electronic cigarettes are big in the states now with shops everywhere. Haven't seen one yet her in nikolaev so I think it would be a good bussiness to get into here. And these people love instant coffee. So a Vape shop along with a coffee bar I think would be a good bussiness.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
TexBrown
4/30/2016 19:47 EST
Thanks again for posting your everyday experiences. I think also no matter how crazy in love the lady is with her man she does not want him around all day, every day either. I have to keep that in mind moving forward too.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
smmoravec
4/30/2016 20:15 EST
Hye hyde53,
Hmmm...two year in Central America...voluntary...Peace Corps or LDS mission?
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
TexBrown
4/30/2016 22:21 EST
Styx - Too Much Time On My Hands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XcKBmdfpWs
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
hyde53
4/30/2016 22:32 EST
Loved Central America Lived mostly in Costa Rica on the West coast. However it is getting more expensive every year. a kilo of chicken breast last Nov. at a Tico market was around $9.00 That's USD. Can't eat rice and beans 3 times a day. They also have some of the highest electric rates in the world. Just looking for something different!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
hyde53
4/30/2016 22:50 EST
Vaporing is huge here in Lawrence KS. unbelievable amount of people who never smoked that vape?? Instant coffee! Do they still make that stuff. Have not had instant coffee in 40 years. Do they have regular coffee shops that serve brewed coffee and internet service.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
MichaelTryn
5/1/2016 00:14 EST
VERY GOOD TEX ! I remember that song, "I liked that song." The 70's and 80's were very miserable years for me being alone @ those disco bars, always rainey when I went into the city, then stand around with no one to talk to 90% of the time:
( alone around Chicago) very depressing 20 yrs in my life! Hope you had good times! Don't let my posts weigh on you, I've had no life here to remember, that is why I have my opinions as they are.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
hsvgto
5/1/2016 09:43 EST
"Time keeps on slipping,slipping,slipping , into the future............." Steve Miller Band
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
smmoravec
5/1/2016 13:23 EST
Food is cheap and good in Ukraine. Even if you eat out all the time, it's cheap. But if you like to cook, you can literally spend $20 a week on groceries and you are good. Produce is grown locally mostly so it's ugly (for lack of a better term) but still taste good and most likely is "organic" as I doubt the local farmers can afford pesticides. There is not the large variety of things like in the U.S., but you can always find the basics. If you are in Kiev, they have larger grocery stores comparable to the U.S. where you can get better produce and a large variety.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
smmoravec
5/1/2016 13:23 EST
Food is cheap and good in Ukraine. Even if you eat out all the time, it's cheap. But if you like to cook, you can literally spend $20 a week on groceries and you are good. Produce is grown locally mostly so it's ugly (for lack of a better term) but still taste good and most likely is "organic" as I doubt the local farmers can afford pesticides. There is not the large variety of things like in the U.S., but you can always find the basics. If you are in Kiev, they have larger grocery stores comparable to the U.S. where you can get better produce and a large variety.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Russophile
5/2/2016 05:22 EST
You have discovered what most of us living in Ukraine usually face. This is really quite a boring place compared to the activities available in the US. For me, teaching English has been a good activity. In some of the high-end schools you need a TOEFL certification, but most of the smaller schools are desperate to be able to say they have a Native English Speaker on the staff and all you need to be hired is a pulse. The pay is not great, but I make enough to pay for the food bill.
I also have several 'private' students that I meet with frequently to give them a chance to practice their English. I don't charge them any money. They are helping me as much as I help them. Many of them have become friends and they have put me onto other activities that most expats never know about.
When I return in September, I am going to try to find or set up a woodworking shop to indulge in one of my passions. I also see many off-road vehicles here and I know there is at least one 4-wheeler club in Odessa. I will try to hook up with them, too.
The message here is: Find a hobby or create your own job. Otherwise you will go nuts here.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
smmoravec
5/2/2016 10:42 EST
Oooo....let me know if you find that off roading club....that might be motivation to ship one of my 4Runners over...LOL!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
extremevx
5/2/2016 10:46 EST
I want to find it too. I have a ford raptor back in the states I could bring over.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
Khersonbill
5/2/2016 12:56 EST
Guys--- dont get too excited about shipping cars to Ukraine. My step son living there and I had thought about a used car deal. I would buy and ship good used cars there, and we could make big money. After checking it out, the customs charges would be unbearable. With the added charges and red tape, made it unfeasible! Ukraine has protectionism-- something USA has given up-- another reason our factories have went belly-up! Check into it before you get too excited. Sounds good though.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
MichaelTryn
5/2/2016 13:28 EST
Good post Bill: We agree on your point.
Whateer the mfg does here it will offshored in some covert way. Tax China they will move to Vietnam.
Nice day guys!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
jehu
5/3/2016 10:47 EST
Hi
I'm British, married to a Ukrainian woman and we now both live in Kharkov. I'm semi-retired.
Yep, I agree; you've got to have some purpose, goal, vision, reason for getting up in the morning, call it what you like. I have so it's not a problem.
One suggestion - if you speak English, take an online TEFL course and teach English as a native speaker - you'll be snapped up. They are desperate for native English teachers here, in schools, institutes or you can give private lessons at home. Just get some training, then put the word around, you will end up with more students than you can handle.
Cheers!
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
MichaelTryn
5/3/2016 12:18 EST
Hi, I was surprised when I first heard Prince William on a video, "that's quite an accent!" My wife says I speak clear English being from the midwest, interesting about accents, whales, Scots whatever. WE watch BBC and RT news. One of them a great looking Indian looking female with that gorgeous hair with an English accent.
I remember Sherlock Holmes in those old movies. Good luck to you out there.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
sir2you
5/4/2016 04:04 EST
extremevx, coffee shop good, but elec cigarettes are for people concerned ab0ut heath, and offending others. Not here. They know it will kill them, and don't care. And so many do it, it does not offend.
Suggestion; early morning coffee shop is rare here, maybe try that time. Police bribery could be problem.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
sir2you
5/4/2016 04:04 EST
extremevx, coffee shop good, but elec cigarettes are for people concerned ab0ut heath, and offending others. Not here. They know it will kill them, and don't care. And so many do it, it does not offend.
Suggestion; early morning coffee shop is rare here, maybe try that time. Police bribery could be problem.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
LuvSlav
5/4/2016 11:18 EST
Do people like cigars here? I once knew a guy who opened up a cigar shop that just happened to also sell bear and had a couple of pool tables. This was a few years after they passed laws against smoking in bars and restaurants. He sold the beer cheap to bring in customers but made a killing selling cigars. Just a thought.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
smmoravec
5/4/2016 12:36 EST
My brother-in-law is from Cuba...I can hook you up with a supplier if you know how to import from Cuba to Ukraine.
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
