I got back from Sumy a few days ago, and a few people had asked for postings on how it went, so here's topic one on subject. I'll talk about my thoughts on the agency and the girls in separate posts, but this one's just on the trip itself.
I flew from Manchester to BSP via Gatwick. Gatwick to Kiev was £160 rtn with UA, which I thought was pretty good. I got an internal BA flight from Manchester to Gatwick for £100, so £360 (plus change) from the UK to Kiev. The taxi was through the agency, for $170 to Sumy, which I didn't mind, as it was about right. I could have got it a few dollars cheaper with a private taxi, but for the sake of keeping things friendly, I went with the agency 'flow' for a bit.
I found Sumy to be ok, if a little dull. Of course, at this time of year, there's not a great deal to do, and it's hard to appreciate the natural beauty of the place when it's really too cold to hang out at any of the rivers, forests, BBQ spots etc.
One of my dates was at the smallest bowling alley I've ever been to. Seriously - two lanes! Bless, it was so cute! Plenty of good, western-standard restaurants. I found them to be at least as good as Kiev, but MUCH cheaper (£20 for three people at one of the more expensive ones). The locals are as friendly as I can ever expect Ukrainians to be towards single western men walking about (they know what I'm there for, you can just tell)
Things didn't go quite according to plan on the 'lady' front. Well, I say 'quite' - she didn't show - ever! No airport meeting, no date, just lots of excuses. Still, I did have lots of dates (I think my daily record was six in one day), and I was really impressed with most of the girls I met (separate post on this to come soon).
Would I go back? To Ukraine, absolutely. To Sumy, possibly. I've got a half dozen ladies to correspond with who I met there, many of whom I could see something happening with - maybe. I guess time will tell.
Even though things didn't work out the way they were supposed to, I found the trip to be educational and encouraging. I've been into this FSU thing since June and I've been twice, met MANY ladies, and am significantly better equipped for this whole process. Having said that, things took a turn just after I returned which may mean this becomes a whole lot simpler that it seems to be for other people. Once again though, that's for another post...
to bad we didnt get a chance to meet when you were there maybe next time. I will be starting over since my Sumy lady didnt work out. I will do a blog on my website later for those interested.
you should really try Sumy in the summer there are some really nice parks. you can also get a local number there if you have an unlocked phone, the going rate is 50 us on ebay.
Right, all posts are now up, so I think my story is told (for the time being)
I actually kept saying to people out there "I bet this place is nice in summer." Being in a river-view apartment, and with lots of bare trees around, it was clear that in better weather and with leaves on the trees, the place would be nice. Also, with so many rivers and forests surrounding the place, I can imagine there'd be loads of beauty spots.
I received plenty of recomendations to visit in or after April, so I may end up back there before too long. I have an iPhone which I don't want to jailbreak (so no foreign SIM), but I may get a cheap local phone for while I'm there.
I used Sumy Love (no website, tiny outfit affiliated with fiance.com). I only went with them as they were the agency through which my 'lady' was registered. I'd heard good things about Polena, and had their details to hand in case things went south. Before travelling, I'd spoken to Olena (Polena's manager) and found her to be really pleasant, professional and prompt in correspondence, so I'd have no hesitation in dealing with them. For instance, their taxi pickup service is $50 cheaper than the cheapest alternative.
I asked Sumy Love about them, who said they're by far the biggest agency in Sumy. Sumy Love have 300 girls, they said Polena have 3,000. Interestingly, the told me that Polena tell their girls that if they actually meet a foreign man in the flesh, that he may well be the last chance they'll get - so they make their girls more desperate. Wether that's a good thing (and indeed wether it's true) is something I'll leave to people's judgement.
For the future KLM can be another choice from MAN to KBP, current prices from around GBP210 round trip (and register, and book via topcashback.co.uk links) for further discount in the form of cashback, umpteen services daily to/from Amsterdam from MAN, Liverpool, Leeds etc. and because KLM codeshare with UIA on the KBP route there are 3 services daily thus you can travel at a sociable time of day and not be committed to UIA's 0900 departure out of KBP!
Another good one is Lufthansa, choice of connections via Frankfurt, Munich or Dusseldorf. I'm just back in the house from a trip via Dusseldorf (from/to Brum), quite cute all the way (via Dusseldorf) to Ukraine and back on 50 seater CRJ's, if not too full then comparible to travelling in one's own executive jet :)
Not that I am an authority on Sumy but my friend met a girl and she was from Shans agency(summy love I guess). They sent another girl with taxi driver to meet him and take him to apt. The girl he met in sumy was hell for him, never hit it off, he ended up spending most time with girl that met him at airport and her english was poor. He never mentioned about agency showing him any other girls. Curious what cost was to fix you up with other girls? mostly never free.
I heard a lot of bad things about heartanddesires.....fact is I was supposed to meet a girl from there one time and when I was calling up about finding an apt with Polena, Olena told me that H&D was notorious for girls never meeting with a guys. The girl was furious I booked an apt with another agency...that was good-by time. I ALWAYS book my apts and taxis, you just don't know what will happen with girl on first meeting. While Polena maybe be the largest in Sumy, I didn't find any girls in their site that I found interesting. H&D girls were very hot!!!!! Guess that is how it goes!!!
I used Heart Desires agency once, and had a great experience. No problems or issues whatsoever. I met a lot of great girls, including one who the owner tracked down from a different agency. The owner and staff were honest, helpful, and seemed genuinely interested in helping me. In fact, when guys ask me about honest agencies, I always refer them to HD. Maybe other guys had different experiences, but mine was all positive.
Top...you are the first I have heard with a positive story from H&D.
Girl I was speaking about disappeared when it was time for a visit, even though I agreed to stay in
her agency's apt. So that was a minus for H&D and they had no explanation when I called.
Was it Andre that you met with?
Martin, thanks for that. I'm looking to book again in the next month or so, so I'll keep that in mind.
Beemer. the agency charged $150 up front for 'services'. At first, this was a big red flag, but it turned out this included the introduction to the original girl, and unlimited dates with all that followed, in addition to free interpreters. In the end, it was a bargain.
Yes, I met Andrei. It was a while ago, so I don't know, maybe things have changed in his agency. But I remember he sent the taxi to Kiev to meet me before I had sent him any money. If I hadn't shown up, he would have had to pay for the taxi himself. Surprises me to hear bad stories about his agency.
Well I have some ongoing business to return to Ukraine for and have just booked, with KLM, Brum-Kiev (return), over our Xmas period, for GBP196.70 less GBP7 cashback!