Jeff - need I remind you that you are from Columbus Ohio? Nobody there says "mate" unless you are refering to what exists between the cheese and the bun on a cheesburger. :)
But seriously - if you go to meet one woman its great - so long as there are no nasty surprises. A couple of the guys in Odessa actually had women that they were writing to meet them. There was some disappointment.
One guy, (a doctor actually who was with us - not that it really matters) had been writing to a beautiful, sensitive intelligent 24 year old. Whe she visited he found that she had the maturity of a 12 year old. Her mother, who was also there, finally admitted that she had written all the wonderful letters for her daughter.
Another guy was very much "in love" with a woman that he had been writing to. He never attended a Social but instead spent three days wining and dining. then she dropped the bomb, that as much as she liked his attention and gifts, she was actually engaged to a Russian military officer. The guy was crushed.
Fortunately both of these guys had opportunities (the resources of the tour company) to fall back on. I can't imagine being twelve days in a country where you don't know the language and don't know anyone - taking a chance on meeting someone for the first time. Will they be real (as they have presented themselves in te letters) or will there be surprises. And what will you do if it falls apart?
All of this explains why, even though I KNOW the Moldovan women I am going to see - I am nringing a backup plan - other names and addresses (no Julias or Elenas though JeffM - because I gave them to you (lol)) to contact if I should need them.
I KNOW these girls. But I could still be surprised.
"The glance across a room. The shy reserved smile. The moment that takes your breath away as you realize the woman you've wanted to meet for your whole life is standing right in front of you"
You lucky git Jet ;o))
Cuz I know it wasnt just the one, you had that with 2 !!!
Some guys get all the luck :o)))
Nisse, Im hoping at the latest to be in Omck on the 17th of April mate, looks like we shall be in the FSU at the same time, good luck with everything :o))
Jeff, for my own angle, Im going in a couple of weeks to meet just one lady, if it works out then I will be set, but if it doesnt, Jet has got me very interested in Socials, so I shall floow that routre as a back up plan. Ive never gone to the FSU for more than one lady at a time, and the last one I went for I married :o// Wont go into that story again, most of it is here if anyone wants to be bothered to look.
If Natash and I dont hit it off then Im on the next available social after I get back !!
But nothing even looked into yet because I hope that Natash is the one ;o))
AS for first trip to visit one woman, I couldnt have the ordacity to invite a woman I have been writing to to attend a social !! Like it was said, putting a lam among a pack of wolves !!
I to go for 10 days the first time, long enough to form an opinion, and if it all falls apart I can find enough to do for 10 days to amuse myself :o))
I love architecture and just visiting new places, so I can always amuse myself for a few days until its time to fly home ;o)))
Guess Im a just an independant spirit in these matters :o)) And I make friends easilly, so by the time I leave anywhere I have a small group of people who will miss me :o)))
Tim: It was a little of the salesman in me peaking through. But truly the Socials are something else.
I'm very much hoping that things work out between you and your lady - but if not, you especially seem like the type of outgoing guy who would thrive at the Socials.
And regarding inviting my special one to meet me at a Social. I agree that that was a foolish idea on the part of these gentlemen. I considered doing that for a split-second. I considered going to Odessa again this summer and having my Moldovans meet me there during the socials. I quickly decided against it for all the reasons you mention.
But, hey, I might have a convert in you Tim. I am patting myself on the back.
And Tim - I had that effect - "As you realize that the one you've waited to meet your whole life is standing right in front of you" more with one girl than the other. I don't think I've been using their names in this forum (though I have in personal emails) and I don't want to change that now - but it is the one I DIDN'T spend as much time with, because I had been given incorrect information about her. So my friend hung out with her.
But when her eyes met mine - I was nearly knocked to the floor.
Hey thats good enough for me Nisse, I'm really interested to see how they treat you at the agency. Only because I'll be dealing with the same people there soon!
I know which one of the two was the first mate, and sometimes I wish you would drop the other one and go with that first instinct, but of course thats just my view based on the info I have :o) Whatever you decide you will still have my respect and my support my friend, and I hope that it will come right with one or other, but as I said I am a bit more biased to the one you saw first.
You have defiantly sold me on the idea of socials,
I had kinda viewed them as a meat market until I read your stories and emails about them, now I am certain that if Nat and I don't make it work, thats the way I shall go in future.
Tim, you have much more experience in FSU than probably most of us. I dont know which way to go... Perhaps I will time my visit so there is a tour and social going on at the same time, hedgge my bets...
As for 300$ for meeting arrangements.Of course one can always find something cheaper, but speaking of this agency in St.Petersburg I would say the prices of their services always meet the quality of the service they offer.
Most agencies have same prices, they just charge for separate services(that in a result will be more then 300$ ;-))Its better to pay some fixed amount and have everything arranged, then to pay for each and single servce.
And in general Anfisa and her people in the office are really nice and helpful.And if they offer something-they do their best,
I hope to hear that from one of you when you are back from St.Petersburg ;-)
JeffM - All of the tour companies offer the Socials seperately as an alternative to those who happen to be there and only want to take advantage of that offer. European Connections mentions it on their website. A Foreign Affair doesn't mention it, but I have only recently inquired and found that while they don't promote the Socials seperately, they are more than happy to oblige.
The price is usually around $400 for one Social, $300 extra for two and $200 extra for all three. Again this might seem high but they are five hours long and you will find yourself in a very special situation not likely to be repeated in this lifetime. (If heaven is all its cracked up to be... it might be as nice as a Social :) )
There were two men that I met on my tour of Odessa las year who just paid for the Socials - and off course they thought thet were getting a bargain.
Since the tour companies bring in different women each night - it might actually be best to attend one of the later Socials, if you only intend to attend one. Few of the regular tour participant are even at those events, having found women at the first one. The ladies come in and sit as perhaps only five or three men are present.
In my case I had my lady in my room sitting on my bed as I dressed for the third Social (believe it or not). I told her that we were "contactually obligated to attend" (something the tour organizers told us to say). She said "Why do you need to go there when you have me here?".
Jet: 'I took off my suit' what else did you take off!! YOU lucky dog, you;-))
I am going to check out all my options, the problem being that I have a girl in Latvia, a girl in Kharkov, ukraine, and one in Penza, and yes, two in Moldova that have my attention, so I am afraid to book anything just yet until I see how things pan out, i.e. which city to book tour if that is the way I decide to go that route. Want to be close to #1 lady, but who she is? Dont know yet!
Hey Jet, that was a wise choice I'm sure! I would have done the same thing after she said that!
I know how you feel Jeff, I was there already. Give it a little time and the right one will shine right through the others.. and who knows you might not of even met her yet, she may be yet to come!
One of you suggested Elana's E-book. (Boy that woman - Elana is beautiful isn't she?) Anyway I coughed up the $25 and purchased it. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Jet: it was I , my friend. It opened my eyes very much. Im telling ya, I am convinced my poor reply rate at the beginning 40-50% was because of my 'stupid american mouth' opening when it should not have :-))
i am glad that i found this site and am glad that alot of you posting here have done your homework. but i have a question for you all. perhaps it is just insecurity on my part.
but do you guys think that it is a good idea to tell girls that you are interested in how much you make per year, or if you have a house.
i dont really make a lot of money but it is enough for me.
about 50,000 per year.
i guess what i am trying to ask is am i just wasting my time here?
dont get me wrong i am not trying to say that all of these women are just interested in money, but i dont blame any of them for wanting to get the best deal they can.