I am thinking of taking the tour to odessa with AFA this spring, but I am not to sure about it. Is there anyone here that took this tour recently that could help me out- is it worth the time.
Thanks
Never did a romance tour, nor have I ever been to the Ukraine, so yes it would be interesting to see that part of the world. I would say yes to both the exciting vacation, and it would be great to find a wife there. However, knowing myself and how picky I can be -I would not be upset if I didn’t meet the perfect woman. As far as dating sites, mainly I use Match.com and have dated Russian and Ukrainian women, but they all lived in the states.
Geo, what are your expectations of the romance tour? Do you think you'll be able to find the woman of your dreams this way? Do you expect to have to make a return trip?
Yes of course I would return if I found someone I was interested in. As far as finding the woman of my dreams anything is possible. To tell you the truth my concern is do you actually meet the women that are on their site, or is it just a bait and switch game. I say this because if you look at the women’s profile on their site there are hundreds of beautiful women, but if look at the social pictures there are some attractive women but few and far between, much like you would find at a speed dating event here in the states, so why take the trip. This is my main concern.
I say this because if you look at the women’s profile on their site there are hundreds of beautiful women, but if look at the social pictures there are some attractive women but few and far between,
You answered you own question. Stop looking at the pictures and only look at the profiles. You obviously need more experience in the latter; the social will not gain you that.
If you are hell bend on an organized tour I would say Odessa is a bad choice anyway especially if your looking for someone genuine. No, let me restate that - I would say that Odessa is the worst city in all FSU for looking for serious wife material.
Its a weird place, it has a relatively small well maintained "downtown" area but one that is home to a super-rich clique who take every opportunity to flaunt their wealth. Sure there are a phenomenal number of lovely women walking the streets and in the cafe's bars and restaurants but they all reek of money and greed (well mostly greed). The vast majority of these women have no real interest in foreigners whatsoever, no rather they are after the local guys who part their massarati's outside fanconi.
Also you have to remember that Odessa is moreorless headquaters of the anastasia/agency/good-time-girl scam. Its almost a visible production line: Americans (mostly) being collected from the airport, to a street cafe where they meet girl interpreter an maybe some of her mates, then its off to yokogama (a ridiculously expensive sushi bar) or if your "lucky" fanconi (which is also fairly expensive but actually a nice place), perhaps stopping to "just look" at one of the many designer outlets you'l pass on the way there. Actually that's a good test of a girl - ask her where she would like to go if you were taking her out for a meal, if she says yokogama then avoid.
HOWEVER if you want a fun place to party, everything open 24/7, large english speaking expat community that are easy to find (just walk into "irish pub") and lots of look-but-dont-touch eye candy then its a great place to go.
Devil,
We may have visited two different Odessas, because I have been there three times and I have no clue of what you are talking about. For me, it is a run-down city.
I agree with with Baron about photos. Last time I was in Odessa I met a 46-year old woman. She was cute, but if you saw her Internet photos you would think that she is a Supermodel and 20 years younger ... by the way, in person she did not look 46, so that helped.
Regarding socials, I went once (Odessa-Nikolaev-Kherson). Your experience may vary and it depends on your luck and expectations. Some times gorgeous women attend. Others, the quality leaves much to be desired. You may or may not find what you are looking for, but I see it as a good introduction to the scene. I would not do it more than once.
And in terms of who you meet, you can meet both. If the socials do not have people from the Agency, when you are free you can still ask the Agency to call the people you saw in their site and meet them in person. Usually, once you meet them, it is a disappointment...
... I recommend you yo pay attention to the interpreters instead. They are also fair game, and they are not "party girls."
Hi geo! I am a freelance interpreter/translator here in Kharkov, Ukraine and i have heard not good things about the tours, socials and so on. I think it is much more easier and will work better for you if you come to Ukraine to meet couple girls through at least free of charge web sites, but not the agencies. You have to keep in mind, there are lots of scam and pro-daters. Be careful and learn more before you go on a tour like that. Good luck.
Mila
I am planning on going to that tour. Its hit or miss. if you go on the tour and pay full price, you will be able to date the girls in the catalog that are not actually at the social.
its true though, most of the good looking girls are not at the socials. but their are usually at least three or four.
what i do is become friends with a few intrepretrs. then i go out with them and some of the guys to meet girls at clubs, etc...
anyway, for you it, since it will be first time, will be an experience of a lifetime!
i am tentatively going on the march - april tour. like you i am 50/50.
by the way, i may go on the anastasia tour of the same area on 4/1. i think both tours work with the local agencies so i am not sure there are much differences at this point.
i would probably then do the follow up tour the following week in kharkov.
you should definitely do it. and if you do, don't miss going to kherson. there are some very nice girls there. i know. i used to live there.