The beginning of my journey...

[Lion]

First I am so fortunate to find a site of this sort with serious down to earth information.  This is exactly what I've been looking for.   I'm currently residing in the San Francisco area of California and after much experiences and much thought I've come to the conclusion that the world is expansive and has so much to offer than my current environment.  I am not going to limit myself.

I am here to to gather information, make friends, and learn from the experiences of the many people on here.  So that when I travel to Ukraine in the summer of 07 I will make the best of my trip.  I am 27 years old and seems I am much younger than the majority of the folks on here.  Maybe because I've come to the realization much earlier and am not willing to waste any more time in my search for my girl.  I am willing to make huge changes in my life and take big risks to attain my goals.  Without risk there is no reward.  I am looking for what every man wants.. a beautiful and sincere woman who stands by her man.   I am also open to business ventures in Ukraine.  Whatever it is.. I know it going to be an adventure, weather my plans bear fruit or not.  I have nothing to lose!!

[Fester5]

Hey Lion,

The RWD is a great resource and even though I just found it a few days ago myself, the information I have found has been fantastic.

I'm happy to hear that you're planning a trip to Ukriane. I had a blast when I went (even though it was freezing) and am currently planning another return trip. 

Best of luck in your search.

Cheers,
Fes

[BillyB]

  I have nothing to lose!!

It does take time and finances to pursue a woman overseas. That you will lose. If you don't choose wisely, you will lose even more in a future divorce. But there is a lot to gain if you find the right woman.

[I/O]

I have nothing to lose!!

Lion: Welcome and enjoy.  There is very much to be gained from this pursuit, however there is also everything to be lost and the risks can be high. 

Three "P's".  Planning, Patience and Persistence.

All the best.

I/O

[Lion]

Hey,

After some preliminary research through books (LonelyPlanet.. etc...) and some off the internet.  This is what I feel would be a good plan for a trip.  I will be staying in Ukraine for 4 weeks.  Arriving in Kiev, taking a train down to Odessa and finally completing the trip down into the Crimea.   However, these are what the books recommened and I am sure there a few cities, 'unknown gems' that are not well known but yet also offer very much.  In particular, cities that also have a good selection of normal beautiful woman to meet and hang out with.  

In the meantime.. I will also be taking the time to learn Russian and Ukrainian.  I want to make the most of this trip.  Any advice is much appreciated and also what are some of the risks I need to be aware of. 

[jinx13]

 Hey Lion,

  Welcome aboard! Nice to have another Bay Area guy here, I'm out in the East Bay (Brentwood) but grew up in San Jose. There is another guy here (2tallbill) that's from the area too, he is currently on a trip to St. Petersburg, check out his current trip report when you get a chance.

 You are pretty young, but you seem to know what you want. Your age will be welcome to some Ukraine girls that are looking for someone closer to their own age, instead of all us old guys trying to hook up with them  

 Somehow I landed a beautiful 22 year old girl from Ukraine, but I met her in San Jose. (long story) We have been dating over a year, and live together. If you ever want to talk, or you need help with anything in person, feel free to send me a PM, or we can talk on the phone too. My girlfriend has lots of friends in Ukraine, including a translator, maybe we can help with your first trip.

 You can learn A LOT here, do your research, and adhere to the Ten Commandments listed and you will do just fine. Look forward to watching your progress and your first trip report this summer.  

[Lion]

Jinx13,

Wow.. what a small world.  I never expected to meet someone so close to home on here.  Thanks for the offer in helping me in my frist trip over there it will make a big difference.  I will contact you soon for more information.  I would love to meet her friends in Ukraine.  Since I am most likely going to travel alone... knowing people there before hand will surely make the trip more pleasant.

Congrats on the beautiful catch... esspecially here in the bay area. 

[jinx13]

 Lion,

 Kiev, Odessa, Crimea doesn't sound bad, keep in mind thats a long train ride. My last trip I was in Kiev 5 days, and then Yalta (Crimea) for a week, but I flew down to Simferopol, and hired a driver to take me to Yalta. Domestic flights aren't too expensive so you might want to think about that option.

 As you begin your research, let me tell you something VERY important...Learn some Russian! Go to Barnes and Noble or wherever and get some books on learning basic Russian, or better yet buy the Pimsleur CD's, or you can even borrow mine if you want. It's a 16 CD set with 32 lessons, very repetitive but it really sticks in your head. Knowing the language will help you out big time, and impresses the girls too. 

[vwrw]

Lion, are you sure you have nothing to lose? What about peace in your soul? What if a beautiful UW kidnaps your heart and after disappears from your life?
Welcome to RWD. There are many experienced men here who will eagerly help you to make the risk to be less and chances for success to be more during you make your dreams to come true and attain your goals.  

[Fester5]

Jinx,

Great tips!!!

Lion,

Your trip sounds pretty cool. Jinx is right that the train ride is long from Kiev to Odessa. If your budget allows, I would fly from Kiev to Odessa and then travel to Crimea by other means (train, bus, etc.)

Knowing some of the language is good. The Pimsleur tapes are good. If you get the Russian version, they are available on CD but the Ukrainian version is only available on tape. I got a new walkman and they work just fine. Also, pick up a lonely planet phrasebook. They are small books that have a lot of phrases in them and are great to help you out in situations. I used mine all the time.

Cheers,
Fes

 

[Lion]

Thanks for all the good information and support so far.  I am intending to meet a woman in Ukraine just by walking up to her in person.  In typical places where people hang out.. like cafes, shops, beaches, clubs.. etc.. 

Although after reading a little bit on here some here have have had success through agencies.  After looking at a few, I'm quite tempted to give this route a shot too.  What do you guys think?

[I/O]

Lion: You ask about agencies and this subject was debated as a side issue a few days back and most are firmly of the opinion they have a good place.  Many here have had success this way and the longest married man on RWD right now met his wonderful Russian wife through an agent as I understand.  Thus, I would suggest, go with the consensus of opinion.  (Richard. If you read this, you have no idea how I hate to say that)

The main benifit I can see in using an agent for the freshman is that a good agent will provide you with pretty much a "One Stop Shop" as in Interpreters and meetings and a host of other things.  Find a good agent.   (Ouch..!! that hurt) 

Travel:  Turboguy has travelled far and wide.  His advice should be sought.  I quite enjoyed Odessa and southern Ukraine the first time I was in that country, mainly I admit because my language is a bit limited and Odessa is a fairly easy city to mark out. I don't think it is smart to go to Ukraine without going to Kiev.  Likewise Russia must include Moscow or St P or both.  All of these cities are not greatly difficult for the first time traveller to the FSU.

You may also like to consider some of the provincial locations, but that is personal choice and may be better left for a latter trip.  The best suggestion I have seen thus far in planning, agent or not, is to plan a vacation trip and front load the trip with meeting ladies.  Leave the back end of the trip as flexi time for site seeing and if you happen to click with a lady in the early part, you just may have some wonderful company and a personal guide for the latter part.  If you don't strike gold, then continue with your tourism program.  Seems the most logical to me and the least risk of disappointment.

I/O   

[Turboguy]

My suggestions would be first to think about your goal.   

If your goal is to see Ukraine, to have some fun and to share a few romantic evenings with some very beautiful women, walking the streets, approaching the gals and hitting the nightclubs will work fine.

If your goal is to find a wife, to start yourself on the road to a happy married life and to change the course of your life then that approach is a long shot.

Here is the reason.   You are going to be looking at a younger group of women.   If you take those who are at a point in their life where they don't want to settle down and add those who do want to settle down but don't want to leave their country and add them together that group would be 98% of the women on the street.   You are targeting 2% of the women you see.  Using an agency you will normally encounter nothing but that 2%.

On my tour with Jack in the fall, two of the guys decided to try the street approach.   These guys both were in the cream of the crop for Americans hunting for a wife class.  They purchased $ 1000.00 worth of roses and wondered the streets passing them out to women they considered beautiful and trying to strike up a conversation.  In a nutshell it really got them nowhere.   Yes, that approach can work but it is a much longer shot.  The plus might be that if you find one that way she has not gotten as jaded as some of the agency gals can sometimes.

My recommendation would be to blend working with agencies, walking the streets and hitting some disco's.  You might even try writing to a few before you go if you have the time.  Don't use any agency to write where you have to pay per letter though.

[Rags II]

Welcome Lion! A word of warning, once you go you can never come back. Heed the words of WVRW. You are lucky to be starting this quest at such a tender age so take your time and remember that it's no different than finding a wife over here just more rewarding.

What's up with all the train haters? You leave Kyiv at 1730 and arrive in Simferopol about 0800. Lots of time to relax and see the sights. You never know who you will meet cruising the aisles or in the dinner car. There's always a party going on. The gentle sway of the cars and clickity clack of the rails. Man, I loved it!

If you are interested in a first rate tour guide/interpeter check out Eugene at Aroundcrimea.com as he is as good as it gets for service above and beyond your expectations. His web site has some great photos of some of the places that he can show you in Crimea.

[Fester5]

Lion,

Rags II has a good point.

I didn't mean to seem like a train hater. The train is not that bad. I usually take it all over Europe & I've had a few good times. (Most of the time I just sleep.  )

I'd advise you to fly if you want to get down there the same day.

Cheers,
Fes

[Lion]

Rags,

Good point on the advantage of taking a train.  Cruise the aisles, and join the parties. 

I mentioned to Jinx how I met this Ukrainian girl here in the states.  I was very impressed by her grace, beauty and intelligence.  I knew right then and there.. that I this the type of girl I want and I had to see what else Ukraine has to offer.  I invited her to join me for a cup of tea and some conversation.  During the conversation, to my surprise I find she is knowledgable in a variety of subjects, instead of the normal stuff girls her age talk about, work, money, Jessica Simpson and the latest hip hop trend.   Not to mention her intelligence, was complimented by a very fit body adored with very fine and stylish clothes. 

Since that meeting, I've been very inspired and excited about the possiblities!   

[I/O]

Lion I think your first experience is a pretty fair indicater.  Sure it is a huge generalization, but I think you have the eastern girls pretty much "sussed".

Proceed with caution and armed with as much knowledge as possible.  Nothing assures success, but you can minimse the risks and the rewards can be more than you hoped.

I/O

[KenC]

Lion,
There is a forgotten gem of information available to you here at RWD.  One of our senior members here (jb) compiled an RWD FAQ section that lays out a great deal of information for a newbie.  It is found under the main menu section in the upper right hand corner of this page.  I highly recommend it be read by anyone attempting this process.  Also don't forget the Ten Commandments with it's link at the top of the page.  Good luck to you and welcome.
KenC