Reunite--- love.
My Travel Story
What soon developed was a little crush. I felt like I needed to tell someone. I vented to one of our housekeepers who had daily interactions with the Russians who worked as houskeepers and also down in the laundry floor. I had very little interaction with them since I work as a receptionist at the front desk. I made it an aim to befriend the housekeeper Viola as a way to know more information about Leo. I took it slow, one question at the time. I asked Viola to ask him questions like, where he was from, how old he was, if he had a girlfriend, etc. Everything was great, he started to say hello here and there. I would ask him if my Russian was good...little did he know that was studying through the 'Duolingo App' all because of him. The more I knew about Leo the better he got. I was very discourage from previous failed relationships. I promised that I wouldn't seek out anyone and to focus on myself. I never had a guy who I mutualy liked as much as he liked me. I guess I reminded myself that I was also worthy of being pursued. I was very confused as to why there was certain days he was friendly and other days he was cold. I got tired of it and I think he took noticed. I withdrew everytime I was ignored. I wasn't sure if it was a culture Russian thing, or he got turned off by the idea that I was perhaps too enthusiastic everytime. However, I didn't have the time nor energy to play mind games this time around.
I gave up once I noticed I wasn't the only one in the hotel that had a crush in this cutie. As to my knowledge about almost every girl in the hotel had a crush on him. That broke my heart, and well my curiosity turned into numbness and I was no longer interested. To compete for someone elses love was never my intetion, EVER! I just want one guy for me that is meant for me, that likes me just as much as I liked them. I noticed he worked besides this young attractive young girl, who if you saw them together it was very obvious that she had a major crush on Leo as well. Well, here I am and all I could say was, "Hello, how are you? and thank you" in his language. I was no match for this cute fluent speaking Russian girl who worked beside him.
Well here I was again, disappointed and back to my sad alone self. I hated myself for sharing my crush with nearly everyone. His attitude didn't change unlike mine. I withdrew again and every time he interacted with him, it was short but as days went by, I noticed he didn't want to end the conversation. He didn't know what to say, but Leo just wanted more and more interaction with me withh each day. I got terribly sick for a whole week, which made me miss work. I was again thinking negative, and thought this isn't meant to be. As I onced believed. Once in my returned I realized that he figured out who had a crush on him and why Viola kept asking him questions. He figured it was me, I was emberrased...here I am a young adult shy like my first middle school crush. I was now thinking, "now what"?.
To my amazement, he felt the same way, he just was nervous that we had a language barrier and didn't know how to approach me. From that point I tried to communicate with every Russian that worked in the hotel. This one girl named Olyesa who I saw frequent to get my coffee, she seemed always cold and not friendly, like most of the Russians I ever met. I spoke to her in her language and of course, she smiled. She asked me how I learned how to say that, and why it sounded so good. I hesistated and laughed, I told her because I liked a Russian boy and wanted to get to know him more. She of course asked me who, and I thought no, because she might know him. Then again, I mean Russia is one big country! What are the chances, I confessed and sure enough she knew him. Not only that, was good friends with him and his sister from childhood! From a little small town outside of Kazan. She informed me that he was a good guy, and that he is a professional ballroom dancer, and he was the same age as I was. There was one downfall, he was leaving in about 2 months..back to Russia! His time here was limited. I got instantly sad. Again, the emotions were like a roller coaster! She mentioned that she could put in a good word in for me. Of course I made myself very obvious already, and told her no thanks. I had to back off and also allow him to make a move. I told her to keep at as a secret between us. Word of advice most girls can't keep secrets!
So the day came that I added Olyesa in a Russian social media, in hope he would add me, or somehow I would gain the courage to add him. I didn't somehow I always was positive and had hope about us-- little hope, but there was something that made me not give up. One day I saw him talking to his fellow Russian girl in the work cafè area, he noticed me and his demenor changed, and ignored me. I took notice and I said, that is it! I give up! This is not worth my time. I went back to work and cried myself in the bathroom. I prayed and had a talk with God, I said "God I give up, I am done trying" I expressed it to Viola and she told me not to give up. Well I did and I meant it. A hour later you would not believe what happened. Leo added me on social media. My feelings went back to the first time I had a crush on him!
Our first real conversation over social media was about 4 hours long, back and forth using google translate. We had a good conversation and some innocent flirting. I had the best sleep and smile that night. Soon after we decided that we should "hang out" to my understanding there is no such translation in Russian. I had to ask him that we should spend time together. How awkward is my basic english and so forward, LOL!
He took me on a date, and I was so nervous. I asked my Uber driver to pray for me, I called my sister also to pray for me. I think I was so nervous my hands were shacking. I will add that I am not shy, and I have been to many blind dates before. Somehow this experiance was nerve wreaking. I wanted things to go perfect! I tried to wear something that was modest, but flattering to my latin curves. I saw him waiting for me by the bar and I called his name "Leo". He looked up and for the first time and I can tell I made a impression. My insecurities of maybe this not going work out creeped in. Perhaps we have nothing to talk about, not sure if he would understand my english. Or maybe there was no spark. In fact I couldn't be more farther from the truth. We had so much to talk about, we laughed and we had so much to talk about. We looked up at this rare huge red moon that night. We comment on how it was so much bigger and redish. To our knowledge we were experiancing a rare event called "Blood Moon". The weather was nice and it was a perfect first date.
Our first date started at 7:30 PM, and ended until we were both so tired, nearly at 3:00 AM in the morning!!! I never had a date go so smoothly like it did with him. We had gone to two more dates before our time was limited. We spend as much time as we could. He made an effort to come see me, and talk more often. He sadly weeks later, he had to go back to Russia. He was just visiting for the first time. He was here for about six months and well... I was able to enjoy him for about the last two. Leo and I both had a chemistry that no one and nothing could break. We still keep in contact, his hope is to come back to Russia, move back and come back to me. I never thought in a million years I would fall in love with someone as much as I did with him. I never thought I would have so much in common with someone like I have with him. Not only that, but let alone someone from another country, and with a huge language barrier. Life is such a beautiful mystery.
So thank you for reading this far, you might ask why I am on this website. Each day it gets hard and I miss Leo. We speak everyday through social media. There isn't one day that we don't speak. I miss him so much, I try to stay hopeful. My goal is to visit him very soon. To our unfortunate luck, the only thing that is stopping us is that we don't make enough money for either of us to meet again! It is sad that money is the only thing that is getting in the way from pursuing something long and meaningful! I know without a shadow of my mind Leo and I are meant to be. It is unlike me to ask for help and start a website to ask for money. But, when you love someone truly, you humble yourself and will do anything for the things and/or people you love.
My goal is to be able to fly to him to Russia, since legally he can't visit me, until atleast 6 months have passed by. I would need enough money for the round trip, my American Passport, which I do not have, I have never traveled outside of my own country. I would also need to stay in a near by hotel, since he lives with his parents, and in Russian culture it is considered to be taboo to not be married and stayed with his family. I have never traveled and honestly do not know how to properly budget for food, and transportation. Also I will be missing days off work, which of course will set me back from making the average of what I make. I am posting as a estimate of what I think I would be spending. If you have any suggestions and tips, I am happy to hear!
If my story in fact affected you in anyway, or just made you smile and laugh then I am glad to have shared it with you. Perhaps you can't help with money, any prayer helps. I always appreciate that. Perhaps you can share this with your friends. Any contribution is not left unnoticed. Thank you in advance! Blessings to you!!!
A girl in love,
Crystal
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Airfare/ International Flights
$ 5,000
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Passport/ Visa/ Residence Permit
$ 350
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Application/ Deposit Fee
$ 160
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Local Travel Expenses
$ 500
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Accommodation
$ 820
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