I am about to embark on a trip to the Ukraine and reading all your coments I am begining to think that maybe it is not such a good idea. I fly to kiev and then take the train to kharkov where I am told by the young lady I will be met by the manager of the agency and taken to the apartment that they have reserved for me. I have been excanging letters with her for some time now and was convinced she was genuine. I havn't lied about anything and I am only going to meet with the one girl.I have read on here that one chap went into one agency with a list of thirty, to be frank I am not surprised of the response he got, for a start I would imagine that these girls talk to each other.I would apreciate any comments.
I have never been to Kharkov. I hate generalizations, but sometimes they are useful, I think. I had experiences in St. Peters, Kiev, and smallers cities of Ukraine. I will NEVER AGAIN go to Kiev, St. Peters or Moscow to meet ladies. The expectations of the ladies in the largest cities are as unreasonable as those in the west. As for the number of ladies to meet, I would suggest seven.
Enjoy seeing Kharkov, as there are some nice things to see there, including a wonderful park. And the women there are really pretty, and they dress to impress. As for meeting women, some are sincere, many are just curious, and some are insincere. The best way to figure out her true feelings is to converse with her over the internet via webcam. Admittedly more difficult if you do not share a common language, but if she really cares about meeting you then she will try. Use Skype , and free internet translation software. It's not perfect, but you can tell which women are really serious about you if they will make the effort. This is by far the best advice I have received!!!
You're serious, she seems to be too so go! I think 'only' one girl is perfect, and that a backup-plan is for players and such may show or be detected in their attitude hence the failure rate might well be higher.
No guarantees, indeed it is a slim chance for meeting one's life's mate this way, but if that appears the case just enjoy the holiday because you're there anyway.
You must have read here about the potential pitfalls & scams, however they're for those who don't think on their feet or ignore their gutfeel, and for that crucial last bit regarding her you'll have to go & meet.
Best of luck & Enjoy!
I would recommend to do some antiscam check before going there... Kharkov is a nice place, I go there often and have many friends there and business partners too.
Seriously, that was told MANY times! get in touch with a girl direclty... if you can't do it avoiding the agency.. that's a big waste of your time.
I had both positive and negative experiences with agencies. IMO, serious agencies can be helpful with interpreters - of course, it is desirable that the girl needs no interpreter -and various services connected with your stay - apartment rental in a small city, for instance, you won't find anything in the Internet - and transportation - taxi with English-speaking driver, practically at your disposal all day, also willing to help and give advice about all matters of practical interest. The point is: it is hard to tell beforehand if the agency will be helpful or a waste of time.
Well... I suggest to use the 3rd party for accomodation and translation, so you are sure that the girl is not working for the agency... and it's not a problem nowdays find both, apartments and interpreters yourself.
Alexander,
maybe I am not a good Internet surfer, but I could not find an apartment in Sumy through the Internet. Can you? Can you find a taxi in Mariupol with an English speaking driver? Now from your home, I mean... :-)
Well... I found apartments in the center of Sumy in google starting from $25 per night (from the owner direclty) in few seconds from my home... great apartments are about $40, and I can arrange a taxi to pick you up in Mariupol from home as well using my mobile only and the Internet...
ok... here is the secret... I speak Russian and I type Russian also.
My idea is USE the 3rd party... don't use the same agency you use to talk to your girl... that was discussed many times before...
I totally agree with your idea, in principle. However, I do not either speak or type Russian. Are you suggesting to ask for your help next time? I bet it'll cost me only $460 :-)))
man... I would be crazy rich if I get $460 everytime I give useful links to someone ... :))) na, I can help you for free... next time you go anywhere around Ukriane I will give you the directions I use myself...
Have a backup plan to enjoy yourself if the lady doesnt work out. Research a few things in Kharkiv that you could do. We are dealing with people and as I have found out the real person is sometimes quite different to the one you write to. I have girlfriend in Kiev. She doesnt ask for anything and doesnt have unreasonable expectations. Take some nice but not expensive presents, perfume and cosmetics are aways good.
Thanks to every one for your coments I am certainly going to be well armed for my visit, but I( can see that even if things don't work out it wilkl be an interesting place. As it is May if the apartment is too expensive I will just find another one. I have been chatting to girls on here for a long time now and I think I know all the signs by now. This one just feels different, and no she has not asked for a thing. So fingers crossed eh