Just started to use AFA.
I'm 26 and I met this 23y/o girl and we've exchanged 2 letters.
She sounds like a genuine person, owns a clothing store in town.
Happy childhood, father is often absent though due to fishing trips.
She says her dream right now is to find someone to share her life with.
The question she asks is is whether with my busy job i'll have enough private time.
She looked really pretty in her brushed up photos, but the photos she sent me she looks like a normal, attractive girl who seems intellgent enough.
She hasn't declared she loves me or anything, but we're getting on ok. I find she's got a bit of work experience and we can relate to each other.
I mean, it all sounds genuine, I don't get the feeling I am getting scammed.
So my questions:
1. She doesn't seem to be scamming me. Should I be concerned?
2. What should I do? I'm going to keep the letters going if she writes back; I can always fly over and visit her huh? (not that I would in the immediate sense).
3. What if she likes me? Man could I have potentially found my wife?? Man I thnk I need about another 4 yrs to settle down.
I'd say two letters is early days, but things sound fine the way you've described it. If I was you, I wouldn't think she's on the take, and try not to give in to scammer-paranoia, but still keep your wits about you.
If she's for real, she'll want to meet you. Maybe not in a hurry, but she'll probably get enough keyboard-romeo letters from guys who don't have the stones to travel. Don't be that guy! If you're serious about going out there, tell her. Set a date, then stick to it.
Are you paying per letter through AFA? If so, get out of that as quick as you can. All PPL is expensive, but AFA are among the highest chargers! Your girl should have no problem exchanging email after a few letters, and phone number after that. Google translate ain't perfect, but how she reacts to the suggestion of you not paying for translators anymore should give you a clue!
If she plays ball with direct contact, then I'd suggest look to travel within 4 months (MAXIMUM! Sooner if you can). These girls get lots of promises. If you're the man, BE the man.
Is it Oh Scary? Or Oscar Why? Sounds like a little of both. Scammer is an oft used word that cannot be defined based on suppositions. In fact it is often inferred in the same context as 'genuine'.
Regardless of whether or not there are signs of deceit, one should always be on his toes.
You seem to have to the opposite problem that Ricko has(d). His was, "now or never." Whether you have been getting most of your information from this forum or not, you already have a sense of paranoia about the entire process. One of the frequent complaints by women is that many write, few visit. The best thing you can do is to be honest. If you don't think you are ready to settle for at least four years then make that clear.
To your first question, you already answered it yourself. Question 2, nobody can answer it for you. But if you have the time and extra money in the cookie jar, take a trip. Just don't expect much other than an experience many will never have and the chance of making a new friend.
Now, for your third question, what if she doesn't like you? Isn't that the point? You never know until you know. 'Like' is a relative term. I suppose she already likes you. She is also very young - as are you in a sense.
Long term relationships are difficult enough without the complication of not being able to jump on a plane at a whim without spending $$$$. It's not a like a quick weekend get together. Don't know where you live but if it's anywhere between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans 3 days of you trip will be dedicated to traveling to and fro.
Only you can decide. If I were you and I had the means to go I would. It is an opportunity to learn about the place and the people. And who knows, if she really likes you perhaps something more may come of it. By the time 4 yrs rolls around you may meet someone who knocks your socks off.
Start learning the language. Good luck. Man, oh man!