Final few days of a 3 week trip to Ukraine. Most of us who have been here numerous times will know that Plan A rarely, if ever comes to fruition. It's the girl you've corresponded with, verified, done all the right things and then either the chemistry isn't there in person, or she has a sick grandmother in Chelyabinsk she has to go and visit.
Plan A for me was two long term contacts. #1 we had zero chemistry in person. #2 was a no show who had to rescue her dog in Luhansk
Plans B through D consist of more dubious contacts, or agencies, or just trying your luck in the local bar. 2 potentials - one from a dubious contact with three promising dates and another an A-date chat meet after two minutes. But nothing magic. For me this was 9 contacts in 8 days.
If it gets to plan E, then generally it's a trip wasted.
Plan E for me was Odessa. Planes cancelled from Kiev due to fog, so a 6 hour $250 drive down to an A-date contact, specifically one of the banner advertising girls. I don't know if she appears in every country as the ads are probably IP specific, but she hits heavily in Australia - hence she was Plan E as I simply didn't believe she existed, even though I had her email, phone, address off site, vk and postal address from very early. We had exchanged 2 emails and a phone call on-site and then just very brief emails, sms and vk messages for 2 months. Interest but great skepticism.
Check in to Frederic Koklen hotel - if you ever stay in Odessa please do look it up. It is stunning, cheap and they absolutely go out of their way. It's #1 on Tripadvisor with very good reason. Breakfast is stunning and the hotel is as good as I know in Ukraine - it can be as cheap as under $100US a night.
I meet the girl, no agency, no payment - it's her, but she's prettier without the photoshop - particularly the 'Eye Pop' they use on A-date. First date lasts 11 hours. We meet for lunch and it ends at midnight. It's a record for me.
My guard is up always watching for pro-date. I always choose cafe and restaurant. She makes lunch and brings in a basket. We go to the circus and she sneaks in beer so I don't have to pay. Security guard catches her and she bats her eyes.
She asks for 100 hryvnia taxi money each night and brings the change the next day - I tell her not to on the second day but she does every day. Each day we buy dog food with the change and give it to the two dogs on Deribasovskaya Street with the old lady and the guy that mumbles.
Her most expensive request, which she does twice during the week, is for French Braids at the shopping centre - they cost 30 hryvnia. I find it almost hilarious that we can go out for dinner, beer, whisky, but she feels embarrassed to ask for 30 hryvnia for her hair to be braided.
She sent me off today with a plate of profiteroles which she cooked between midnight when we left each other and my 7am morning flight. They are delicious and ugly. Is there are any better way?
That last woman sounds sure seems like the "real deal" ... with hope for good possibilities, at least.
Good on you, for your persistence through all the disappointments.
I hope this leads to good things for you both, and look forward to reading your bulletins as things unfold.
BTW, a few years ago UAH 100 for taxi would have "raised my eyebrows", but where the hrynvia is today, it's quite reasonable if she's going any distance ... especially with her bringing you the change!
I agree TomZ, I've also seen pro-daters do the same and then turn the wheel on the next visit. I found myself wondering during the week whether I was being fair or just constantly looking for a sign of a pro-date or scam. This woman is one the three adverts that pop up for A-date in Australia so I think it's easy enough to understand my wariness and skepticism. I basically tossed a coin in Boryspil airport whether to go and meet her. My flights were cancelled, I was approached by a smart operator and I said yes to the taxi.
It wasn't until the third day/date (and 30 hours) I started to let my guard down.
Unfortunately there was no way I could have possibly extended my trip without losing my current position, which is pretty much my ideal job in life so it was not an option. I can be back in 8 weeks. It's not so long.
It will be really interesting for me. I'm as wary and skeptical as anyone and will update the forum, good or bad.
Durak - 17 hryvnia change each day. She was adamant about this.
Tom Z. is right. Too soon to tell. I corresponded with a woman last year for 7 months who, at age 47, seemed legit. It wasn't until I got to Nikolaev in June, 2014 that the pro-dated emerged. These people can be very clever, say all the right things, and then hit you for money for all kinds for frivolous things once you are on the ground. She pulled me from one high dollar woman's store to another in Nikolaev and Odessa. I wouldn't spring for anything for her, finally walking out on her early in my trip in Odessa. Her English was very good. Before taking an early flight home, I told her off publicly in a sidewalk care in Odessa. Not exactly the act of a gentleman, but by then I didn't care. The locals may not have understood what I said, but the angry tone in my voice was enough. There are so many of these scammers, and disreputable sites, with dishonest women, that the reputations of the good women in Ukraine are tainted.
Ask yourself why she is investing in you? (Time spent, profiterole...)
Two potential reasons
1- She see potential boyfriend material in you because you told her you intent to move to Ukraine
or
2- She is going long shot with you because you are a big earner in her eyes and if she hook you well that will pay off more than few taxi rides.
Forget about visa for Australia she knows and you know that it will take forever before that happen and you probably need to do point number 1 to prove to immigration that it is a legitimate relationship.
OPP - you did all the right things. A lot of guys would have turned back if their initial contact failed to show or the relationship failed to develop.
My gut feeling on this is that this is a sincere girl. Most professional daters will try to get some money or get you to take them shopping if they know you are leaving because there is a possibility that you may not return.
Her returning you the change from the cab fare each day proves that she's sincere. Plus she spent a lot of time with you. 11 hours on one occasion. A pro-dater will not do that with no compensation for it. Unless this is the most clever pro-dater to come along but I doubt it.
I would agree with Pythagoras that if you want this relationship to develop you've got to spend an extended period with her in Ukraine. She may not be looking for a quick ticket out and if that is the case then that's good.
Pythagoras and TomZ. I agree with you both. an extended stay in Ukraine is on the cards.
It's possible in Australia to bring someone out to study English - even if their English is very good. It's the biggest loophole in our visa system.
Ukraine is a tier 2 country in our visa system meaning tourist visas are ok, but she needs to have a reason to return to Ukraine. English study visas are easiest and can be as long as 15 months, but you're both right, spending an extended period in Ukraine is going to be the best way to test the relationship.
Relationship visas require 12 months of history as a general guide here.