Intro and trip to Russia and Ukraine

[LJCares]

 
Hello Everyone,
This is my first posting though I have been reading the information on this site for over a year and decided to take the plunge and start my journey so let me tell you what I am thinking of doing. But first let me tell you little about me I am 59 years old am a nurse by profession was married for 27 years and am now divorced for 5 years. I must admit the thought of going to a country where I do not speak or even read the language  is somewhat intimidating  but I visited France and England last year and have some idea of international travel  of course I realize that where I am planning to go next is VERY different. I have nothing against the women in this country (USA) but to be honest I desire a woman who is younger and in better form. I have dated here (2-3yrs) many times but have not found the woman I am searching for here. If I meet the right lady over there I would want her to be an equal partner in the relationship and of course realize the difficulties and expense I will incur to get her and maybe her child to the states. Of course that will be the easy part as adjusting to each other and to this country will be even a bigger challenge! Now here is what  I am planning to go to Odessa and Saint Petersburg in August or early September to meet 2 women from each city that I met via Natasha's Club based in Romeoville,IL (they are associated with 1st International Marriage Network) as I have never visited these areas and do not speak the language I was considering using their services such as locating an apartment, translators and arranging for the meeting of the ladies which is a $70 charge per lady. I would appreciate your comments first on the quality and reliability of the agency and some suggestions on how to best to arrange this trip. At this point I don't plan to make any commitments but rather get to know the ladies and see whom I wish to continue corresponding  with and perhaps see again as needed. Am I being realistic by going to two cities in one trip spending 5 to 6 days in each city?  As I said earlier I have read the information from this site for over a year off and on so I do have some very basic ideas including the pitfalls I may face. The ladies ages range from 25y/o to 43 y/o and I have told them what I am  planning and they seem to have no objection. I look forward to your input and greatly appreciate you taking the time to help me on what may be the adventure of a lifetime I would describe myself as an eternal optimist and one who cares about other people in this world tries to be honest with all whom I deal with and take people at their word until they prove otherwise. 
                                                                 LJCares

[Wraith]

First, welcome to the boards LJ. Second, I would be wary of Natasha Club and any of their mirror sites. They have a bad rep which you can find reports of here http://jimslists.com/agencies/1st.html . Notice I said be wary, others here will probably have had more experience with them and give a more in-depth analysis based upon their experience. I have used the site for correspondence and have had little problems from that end other then the unsolicited emails I would often receive.

Which would lead me to asking if you have had direct contact with either woman you are planning on visiting by way of direct email contact or phone calls. Without either I would say it is imperative that you attempt that prior to your trip.

There are plenty of other resources available which members here will be able to point you in the right direction in terms of accomodations/translation services/and meetings etc.

[Sculpto]

Lj.. welcome to the forum and congrats on deciding to make the trip.. you are in for an awesome adventure!

now.. about the site you are using.. have you made direct and confirmed contact with the ladies you are corresponding with?  Spoken on the phone.. seen on a web cam.. anything?

After you answer I will comment further.  

[LJCares]

Hello Sculpto,
Of the two women I have been in contact with the longest (1 month) I am planning to call one on the phone in about a week the other says her English is not good enough to talk on the phone so I plan to arrange for a translator and see if she agrees if not then I will terminate the correspondence unless she can give me a valid reason. The other two I just contacted so I will see how that develops if it looks promising then I will make arrangements to call them in the near future. Meanwhile it appears I may need some suggestions from the group as to the best way to go with or without an agency on my pending visit.
                                                                                                  Thanks for your input its much appreciated

[I/O]

I am 59

The ladies ages range from 25y/o to 43 y/o

LJ: There is very few women (FSUW included) who are genuinely attracted to men significantly older than themselves. Conversely, there is a myriad of women (FSUW included) who are attracted to what men significantly older than themselves have to offer. You should understand the difference before obtaining a visa.

I/O

[ECOCKS]

LJ:

There is no valid reason not to get into direct contact with you. Simply make it clear that the conversations stop now unless you go to independent communications. There is no excuse which would change this. There are internet cafes where she can get on to Skype/email, independent translators you can book right here (good ones with references) and someone she knows has a cell phone to receive a call even if she doesn't.

As for trip arrangements, thousands of westerners do it every year and manage to avoid major problems. Kyiv is served by major airlines, apartments are plentiful, ATMs and credit cards are well-understood, taxis are everywhere and there are real women there who are interested in considering marrying western men. You can do this without the agency easily enough except for being hung up on talking to the specific women you hope to have identified.

I know it's a tough step to take but you gotta get the pay per use agencies out of the loop as quickly as possible.

Best of Luck!

[Sculpto]

Hello Sculpto,
Of the two women I have been in contact with the longest (1 month) I am planning to call one on the phone in about a week the other says her English is not good enough to talk on the phone so I plan to arrange for a translator and see if she agrees if not then I will terminate the correspondence unless she can give me a valid reason. The other two I just contacted so I will see how that develops if it looks promising then I will make arrangements to call them in the near future. Meanwhile it appears I may need some suggestions from the group as to the best way to go with or without an agency on my pending visit.
                                                                                                  Thanks for your input its much appreciated

LJ.. if you have not yet spoken to the woman on the phone or seen her on the webcam it is most likely she has not even seen your letters.  Getting direct contact info from 1st International should prove interesting and I will be curious to see how it goes. 

Remember this.. if you have problems the site has a money back guarantee.  I have used that guarantee before and did get my money back.  Greg Yarmosh is the site manager.  I think they expect to return a certain % of the money they get so that men don't go on campaigns of revenge and posting scam reports, but, my opinion is 99% of the correspondence on that family of sites or fake.

Keep us posted.

[groovlstk]

But first let me tell you little about me I am 59 years old am a nurse by profession was married for 27 years and am now divorced for 5 years.

As I said earlier I have read the information from this site for over a year off and on so I do have some very basic ideas including the pitfalls I may face. The ladies ages range from 25y/o to 43 y/o and I have told them what I am  planning and they seem to have no objection.

LJ, there's another recent thread here called "Realistic Expectations," which you should read. Do you think a woman of 25 wants to date a man of 60 because she's interested in his good looks and wisdom?

[LJCares]

Guys thanks for all the feedback I will try to get the contact info on one of the women I wish to meet and may use the money back gurantee if needed because as you may know you have to pay $50 for each contact information or something like having read 15  of her emails (for a price) which adds to more than $50. In the meantime I will think of maybe using another agency that has a better rep if this turns ugly or maybe take ECOCKS advice and just go to these cities once I know of some good local agencies and see what they can do for me I don't expect any quick results on the first trip but at least I will have gotten a better idea of how to do this. Of course there are also agencies that allow you to attend their socials for a price but I have my doubts about them also so once I hear of some other viable options with perhaps contact info I will take the agencies out of the loop. I think the info on what a 25 y/o would want from me is valid but how about early or late thirties? Again thanks for the help as I prepare for my trip all information is appreciated by this novice.

[kievstar]

Just remember if she has not had children she will want them.  So do you want to make new children?

Also, if she has children already better make sure you get along with them.  It will be expensive getting her and her children over and adjusted. 

You would be better targeting women over 48 years old with grown children IMO. 

Or you can do what many men do is get the hot looking girl and a good prenup knowing you will get divorced and will have to repeat this process several times before you die.

[viking]

LJ. There are a ton of women, in their 40's, who would make great wives and look fantastic. To go after a 25yo....not gonna happen. Please be prepared to lose a lot of money.

[LJCares]

Thanks guys for your opinions I think it safe to say that everyone agrees the 25 y/o is an accident waiting to happen! I am also in contact with a 34 y/o with an 8 y/o son which could be more of an inducement to work on the marriage but as said previously how will the child and her adjust with me and this country. Every side has there pluses and minuses. I will see if I can talk to her with a translator to get a better feel of the situation and if it does not work out I will cut my loses and concentrate on 39 y/o and up at his point I am not heavily invested emotionally but I do feel the right thing to do is to at least talk with her to see if there is even a possible chance to do other wise I think would not be the right thing to do. Thanks for the input guys!