Introduction

[Icarus]

Hi Everyone,

Im Icarus, from Australia and new to the site. Its a pleasure to meet you all and I consider myself very fortunate to have found so many like minded people to share my thoughts and opinions with regarding FSU.

Im 30 years old, work in logistics and halfway through a doctorate degree.

I travel alot, and in my early twenties I was lucky enough to visit Moscow. I loved it there. It was during their winter so I was somewhat cold but the overwhelming feeling of thier culture made it such a pleasure.

With that in mind, I was able to see; just a glimpse of the traditions, life style, and family values that FSUW hold so dear. So now that Im just in my 30's and tired of the spoilt and ungrateful attitudes of Western women I wanted to explore this option.

As I come from QLD, Im opting to use ElenasModels. Their office is only an hour flight from me so if any shannanigans goes on I can go in person to see what's up.

As I approach finishing my degree Im hoping to move to Spain; my family comes from South America and I speak Spanish very well. So I plan to visit Barcelona June/July to sus things out etc, and thought it would be a good opportunity to take a side trip and visit Kiev or Moscow.

With ElenasModels, I hope to make some contacts and see if they progress to the point where a face to face visit is warranted.

I would like to ask the members here, what do they think about or experience with the e-books from Elena Petrova, and Marina Smiley?

Before I get anywhere near to walking down the aisle, I want to research and learn as much as I can before hand, and avoid any costly and detrimental mistakes, letters, ideas, presumptions etc that I could make.

Any help with this matter would be greatly appreciated.

I would also like to add a comment, Ive been reading alot about agencies; the good, the bad, and the ugly, and whatsmore those like JimsList with thier protracted ideaology, and illusions of grandeur.

But, with all respect to them; and considering my new member ignorance, isnt the whole idea about finding love? Who really cares about the politics involved behind the scene.

True his biased, or unbiased opinions may sway some punters; it did me to some extent, but ultimately, its a small sacrifice to make. You would never go into such an endeavor like marriage with some serious serious thought and research, cultural learning etc.

So, perhaps we are focusing too much on who to blame for what, and not enough on how to do what we are doing BETTER. This is why Im here, this is why I joined up to do what I do better. And hopefully meet the love of my life

So, thats me. It would be good to meet you, and I look forward to discussing a myraid of topics with you.

Regards

Icarus 

[I/O]

Icarus Welcome from a fellow Qld'er.  This puts the count at three here now as I understand it.

I am taking a guess at JCU being the study institution of choice. (Noting the 1 hour's flight)

To answer your question, yes I have read her story to some extent and in all fairness there is a deal to be gained from it, BUT, do get two bottom lines from it.  One is that she is very much a salesperson from a long time back and leapords don't change theirs spots so to say.

The second point that does come through if her comments are taken in there entirety is it would be easy to think that Russian women are a spoilt buch demanding far more than any western woman.  Of course this is not the case, but she sure does lay out an awful lot of "Must do's". 

Elena's website is stright up enough.  But a website is a website, particularly one where anyone can load their own profile.  You'll find plenty of fine ladies there, but there is also a percentage of scammers and such like there also.  Just be realistic there, as is necessary with every part of this process.

All the best.

I/O

[Kuna]

Hello neighbour!

Hmmm... one hour flight from the Gold Coast AND a Queenslander.  That must place you around Rocky???  Townsville is too far...  Does Bowen have an airport?  NOOOO... you don't live in the Whitsundays do you? Lucky bugger!

OK, OK I'll stop.

Re: Elena's models I'll give you some opinions based on my recent experiences with them.  I'm a newbie too (From Brisbane) and I chose them for the same reason - they're close and if there's any issues I can jump in my car.  The girls on that site all seemed genuine and I've found two from there that I'll be visiting next week when I take my first trip.

I'd say that the Elena's Models web site DOES have genuine girls BUT after planning my trip I can really see the benefit in using a local agency like Richards (Rvrwnd from this site).  Elena's models really doesn't offer a lot of services like the local agencies therefore my planning has been complex... and to be honest, costly.

I know I've found some interesting girls with the path I've taken but having someone make on-the-ground plans would have been handy.

There are other locals you could use like Pavel (I haven't met him, am getting him to help me with some stuff, but he comes highly recommended from guys on this site) or Jack (another member of this site).

I think if you spend some time on this site, read the archives and ask some questions you'll quickly develop a clear idea of the approach that suits you best. Everyone has strong opinions on what's best but ultimately it's up to you and how comfortable you are with all of the options.

Anyway,  welcome... It's nice to not only have another Aussie but even better to have a Queenslander here!

Cheers,

Kuna

[Icarus]

Queensland 3...New South Wales???  Almost like the last "State of Origin" score.

And its Rockhampton, good guess with JCU but Im actually studying through Southern Cross U.

Its great to hear your comments on a "domestic" agency as opposed to an "off shore" one.

Let me ask you, how have you found the whole process of arranging your tour/visit with an agency located in the FSU? I would have thought it too be more difficult, with language barriers, inefficiencies etc. This was a contributing factor of mine for using Elenas agency. But in light of your suggestion, i will keep an eye open for a "ground zero" support,.

And like you said, there are scammers on every site; iit would be an impossibility to isolate and amputate them all. But, if finding love was that easy we wouldnt be here right now.

Again, thanks for your warm welcome.

Icarus

[I/O]

Icarus regarding introduction agents, I have not used anyone on the ground so to say and as such you should read the advices of others here.  The only thing I have used any tour agents for is to receive tour vouchers in order to apply for a visa to Russia once and Ukraine once. All other times I have made other arrangements. (Aussies still need a visa for Ukraine)

There was no problems communicating as most agents have someone who speaks and writes English quite well.  If you get to that stage later, PM me and I give you a few names.  However there is several agents who are members here on this site and would, I am sure, be more than happy to help.

3 zip Qld vs Coachroche County only demonstrates that there is justice in the world.

For what it is worth, I have a travel agent here who is well clued up on "Not so travelled Routes" to the FSU if you need some assistance later.  Poor guy has had a "Client from hell" for the last few years, so he has learnt the hard way to find the best deals and such like.    There is lots of options from here that most agents simply don't think of or even know about.

I tend to much prefer to make my own arrangements and thus have avoided tour packages and the like, but I guess I have a fair amount of experience with international travel and some of the things I have done may not be for the less adventurous. it comes down to personal choice.

If you have even been gently bitten by the FSU bug, you won't recover.  You are probably in this for the long haul.  Depending where you ultimately intend to settle your life, will dictate the ease or otherwise of this process.  I note you mentioned Spain and it is much easier for an FSU lady to migrate there than to Au.  If you intend on ultimately settling here, I strongly advise you to gain citizenship rather than simply permanant residency.  Prima Facie, it looks similar to bring a lady from the FSU from either status, but I have seen a few cases where it is not.  Just something to store away for future reference.

Enjoy the ride.

I/O

[Kuna]

Icarus...

I'm a bit of a fan of "independent travel" so I tried to schedule as much as possible myself so I have a great experience rather than someone lead me around on a tour... It's just my preference.

I'm not using a local agency but I can certainly see the benefits. Planning it alone has taken a MOUNTAIN of time and I'm sure using an agency would be much easier. More or less success?  I'll let you know when I get back!

I'm using Pavel to pick me up at the airport and he's arranging my first weeks accommodation.  I still haven't decided if I will use him to drive me to Cherkassy or whether I'll get a train there.  I'd like to get a train because it would give me an opportunity to "wing it" a bit...

I've arranged my accommodation in Cherkassy as well as my second weeks accommodation in Kiev.

Everyone involved in "the business" speaks English so making the arrangements on your own is no problems.  There's good web sites out there and then there's some EXCEPIONAL ones.  Example?  There are MANY sites and services for apartments but by far the best for Kiev is the one Dan has a link to on this site.

First step I think is working out where you want to go and why.  Are you serious about marriage?  Are you ready?  Can you stick it out because it doesn't look easy.  If you've said yes to all of the above I'm sure the experienced guys here can give some suggestions on location and why.  I chose Ukraine because I have a Ukrainian background and it fitted in well with a trip I was doing anyway.

I think the best advice ANYONE could get is to stick with this site.  Sometimes it's volatile and some people have extremely strong opinions but it's the best source of information available.

(Hmmm...  I've got family in Rocky... If you've been in town long you'd know them...   )

Kuna

Oh, as for Qld V NSW and State Of Origin... All the Americans on this site are talking "football" at the moment but for me there's nothing like SoO.   I was lucky enough to be at Game 1 and 2 this year and can't think of a better night out!  

[Kuna]

HAHAHAHA...

Icarus,

I just want to say I/O and I are not one in the same person.  Maybe his advice is rubbing off on me!   

Kuna

[Icarus]

Its good to get your feedback guys.

And yes, been in Rocky longer than I care to admit 

There's an interesting story with my wish to move to Spain. I agree that its best to get citizenship, but if I go over as an Australian I have to live 10 years there, and getting sponsored for that length is near impossible.

Im currently getting my dual citizenship (the latter being from south america), and with this latin american passport, I only have to be 2 years in Spain to get citizenship...hence my trip there later this year.

Like yourselves Ive travelled around quite a bit, mostly to the US, and South East Asia, but enough play time for me, I really want to settle down now.

IF you could offer any suggestions for travel that would be great. Generally I would use the major European hubs of London, Paris, or Frankfurt as landing zones, then branch out with Easyjet or Ryanair, its good to meet someone with your experience.

Icarus

[Kuna]

Icarus,

I'm flying Lufthansa to Frankfurt then doing a little sidetrip to Hamburg (Lufthansa) then to Riga on AirBaltic and then onto Kiev (also on AirBaltic).  AirBaltic flights were EXTREMELY cheap... and apparently their planes don't crash often!   

Coming home I'm going Kiev -> Frankfurt -> Singapore -> My Big Bl00dy Kingsize Bed!

As with all international fares book early and (within reason) choose on price.

Kuna

[Turboguy]

Welcome to RWD.   You have asked if anyone had any experience with the e-books from Elena Petrova, and Marina Smiley?    I have read Elena's but not Marina's.   

As far as Elena's I would save my money.  You could learn far more reading the posts here than you could with her book.  Someone who knows nothing about RWD might get something out of it and someone who knew nothing about scammers might learn enough to come out financially ahead but I think it is way overpriced for the info in it.  Otherwise I think Elena's is a great choice.

[Michelangelo]

Welcome, Icarus! 

Best wishes in your flight.  But remember your wings, and don't get to close to the sun...

Icarus did, and he lost his wings and fell to earth.

In the world of FSU women, that can happen if you fall in love too fast and rush the timetable toward marriage.

[Icarus]

Very sound advice Michaelangelo, I will keep it close to my heart 

And in reply to the commet on the e-books. After reading the posts here for the last hour I am in total agreement. WHat ive learnt in the last 60 minutes of UP TO DATE info, from unbaised men and women is giving me so mcu to think about.

I kow have to deconstruct the thoughts and ideas I had, and build new, longer lasting though processes to better suit the duration of this venture.

Icarus will fly again 

[I/O]

Both Kuna and Icarus If you want to get into either eastern Eurorpe, Russia or for that matter western Europe out of Brisbane, every deadhead agent here will try to send you either Frankfurt, Dubai or London, and with 140 odd flights under the belt now get this into your heads before your next trip.  It's bullsh!t going that way and not that cheap either.

Out of Bne, Singapore/Istanbul is the only logical way to go.  It is faster, cheaper and all round way in front.  From Istanbul which is an excellent airport, you can be anywhere in the furthest points of Europe in 2-4 hours max.  Just look at a map and you will see how central it is.  Good to do Ukraine and Russia out of also from here.

As for Russia particularly, by far the best is the eastern route.  That is, either Kaula Lumpa, Pie King, Novosibirsk and then anywhere in Russia or Bne / Soeul / Novosibirsk then anywhere in Russia.  There is 2 per day to and from Moscow from Novosibirsk and it is so much simpler to get in and out that way than the western route.

You guys will have a hard time convincing the agents that you can check baggage through to final destination, but believe me you can and you need to ride the agents pretty hard.  The bottom line is they don't know and they go to their head guru's who don't know either. 

Unless you have specific plans for western Europe the western route is a dud from start to finish.  Done it both ways enough times now to be cured.  Start thinking outside the square because there is certainly more than one way to skin a cat in this caper.

I/O

[Rvrwind]

The best fastest & easiest way to get a Visa to Russia is through an online agent like www.travel-russia.com or www.traveltorussia.com I hope those are the right addies. I have used them several times in the past & many of my clients have used them as well.
They are based in America but serve pretty much anybody, I am Canadian as are many of my clients & it was no big deal
If that don't work for you PM me & I'll see what I can do. I have a local agent here (in Russia) that we have used at times & they have always come through for us.

[catzenmouse]

Welcome to RWD.   You have asked if anyone had any experience with the e-books from Elena Petrova, and Marina Smiley?    I have read Elena's but not Marina's.   

As far as Elena's I would save my money.  You could learn far more reading the posts here than you could with her book.  Someone who knows nothing about RWD might get something out of it and someone who knew nothing about scammers might learn enough to come out financially ahead but I think it is way overpriced for the info in it.  Otherwise I think Elena's is a great choice.

 I read Marina's but not Elena's and my advice is the same as Turbo's. You'll learn more here than you would with her book. You'd probably get more from a book like "Wedded Strangers" which I also read and even though it is a bit dated the information still holds true.

Ken

[Admin]

There are some really excellent resources over somewhere. Oh where were those resources. I think they were somewhere on this site. Doggone it! I am having trouble remembering (age, you know).

Oh! I remember now!

It is over in the left frame. Something called "Reading Resources" and another called "Airfare". In fact, now that I *CHECKED* - it even has that GoToRussia link rvrwind was referencing in the FSU Lodging section.

Sheez - if only I'd looked THERE first !?!

        

[Rvrwind]

Dan your a Card , no doubt about it. ROTF

[catzenmouse]

So that's where those doggone things are!!! DOH! See what happens when I keep the side frames turned off. Memory goes to mush in the blink of an eye...  

[Admin]

So that's where those doggone things are!!! DOH! See what happens when I keep the side frames turned off. Memory goes to mush in the blink of an eye... 

Just do NOT - repeat DO NOT - open the Fredericks link with the little woman around. It will be more than your MEMORY that goes to mush.

And BTW - Valentine's Day is coming soon. Maybe something for BOTH of you there. 

- Dan

[Kuna]

Both Kuna and Icarus If you want to get into either eastern Eurorpe, Russia or for that matter western Europe out of Brisbane, every deadhead agent here will try to send you either Frankfurt, Dubai or London, and with 140 odd flights under the belt now get this into your heads before your next trip.  It's bullsh!t going that way and not that cheap either.

Out of Bne, Singapore/Istanbul is the only logical way to go.  It is faster, cheaper and all round way in front.  From Istanbul which is an excellent airport, you can be anywhere in the furthest points of Europe in 2-4 hours max.  Just look at a map and you will see how central it is.  Good to do Ukraine and Russia out of also from here.

As for Russia particularly, by far the best is the eastern route.  That is, either Kaula Lumpa, Pie King, Novosibirsk and then anywhere in Russia or Bne / Soeul / Novosibirsk then anywhere in Russia.  There is 2 per day to and from Moscow from Novosibirsk and it is so much simpler to get in and out that way than the western route.

You guys will have a hard time convincing the agents that you can check baggage through to final destination, but believe me you can and you need to ride the agents pretty hard.  The bottom line is they don't know and they go to their head guru's who don't know either. 

Unless you have specific plans for western Europe the western route is a dud from start to finish.  Done it both ways enough times now to be cured.  Start thinking outside the square because there is certainly more than one way to skin a cat in this caper.

I/O

Lucky I AM committed to go to Hamburg or I might feel like I'd made a mistake.

I/O  140 flights or 140 flights to FSU?  140 to FSU must rival Turboguys travelling experience inside Russia and Ukraine.

Kuna

[I/O]

Lucky I AM committed to go to Hamburg or I might feel like I'd made a mistake.

I/O  140 flights or 140 flights to FSU?  140 to FSU must rival Turboguys travelling experience inside Russia and Ukraine.

Kuna

Kuna:  It's got nothing to do with rivalry, it's a matter of getting some factual info out there for a few that might choose to make use of it.  My origional plan to travel into Russia was hatched and planned for very other reasons.  The thought of perhaps meeting someone special from there was an idea that came later. 

It was as a result of communications for visa arrangement that I became impressed with a couple of ladies I was dealing with because of the way they went about things.  That sparked my interest and the rest is history. No I havn't been to the FSU 140 times, but in many ways I wish I had. Ask me the same question in 10 years time and I might give a different answer. 

If not gotten right, there is a danger of seeing the world from 38000 feet in the air or the inside of airports which doesn't particularly excite me too much.  I hear many people say that tickets are the major part of all of this and they are not.  You will expend far more on hotels, apartments, meals and entertainment than you'll spend on tickets over a period of time.


I/O

[Icarus]

So thats what I was doing wrong, as a "newbie" I wasnt investigating my surroundings and failed to notice the section "shopping mall" and the link "reading resources" nor did I realize that the publications highlighted within are from Amazon.com

hmmm...just a relfective thought, but in Australia we dont get Amazon.com.au so any books bought from the US conglomerate typically doubles the price when you factor in shipping/postage.

AND before you say..."what, dont you have bookstores in Australia?" Well we do, electricity also, but then again Im a newbie so I was expecting some hazing 

THe point I was making, was experience with e-books. I appreciate your expansion on that issue.

 

Icarus

[Admin]

So thats what I was doing wrong, as a "newbie" I wasnt investigating my surroundings and failed to notice the section "shopping mall" and the link "reading resources" nor did I realize that the publications highlighted within are from Amazon.com

hmmm...just a relfective thought, but in Australia we dont get Amazon.com.au so any books bought from the US conglomerate typically doubles the price when you factor in shipping/postage.

AND before you say..."what, dont you have bookstores in Australia?" Well we do, electricity also, but then again Im a newbie so I was expecting some hazing 

THe point I was making, was experience with e-books. I appreciate your expansion on that issue.

 

Icarus

Icarus,

My post was meant in humor - I hope it came across that way. It was also for the benefit of everyone.

Take care - and welcome aboard!

- Dan

[Icarus]

ha ha ha

Dan, of course it was meant with humor. I may be 30 years old but I watched the Simpsons when I was younger...D'oh ! 

Please consider my reply with equal sarcasm and witty banter 

Thanks for the kind reception

Ick

[Icarus]

Just a follow up question.

In my initial post, I mentioned my travels to Spain mid year and from there looking at venturing into the FSU.

Can anyone tell me, if they know of any RW or UW agencies, or groups etc in Madrid or Barcelona.

It would be a great help, and probably better considering they would already have to have a command of the Spanish language; not that my English is a problem.

Thanks in advance

Ick