Hello everybody! My name is Mark........

[Turboguy]

I agree with you jb that the original topic probably has run it's course. 

As far as the rest I was unaware that there was a Turboguy way of doing things.   I think I am rather expert on mistakes that I would not make again.  If anyone can benefit from the mistakes I made and I can help them not make the same mistake I am happy to share any of my experiences.  As far as if they want to listen or not that is up to them.   

As far as the other comments.  Good Food?   I mostly ate in McDonald's and pizza places.   I would hardly know a good restaurant to recommend.   

Have you seen me recommend anyone to persue a woman with as much age gap as we have.   I will have to say in our relationship it does not seem to create any problems.   We could be the same age and there would be little different.  VWRW is a very special person in a lot of ways and most wanting a younger woman are not going to have the luck I did in finding someone like her.

I have said this before but I will say it again.   Had there been a site like RWD my search would have gone much easier and ended much sooner.  As it is, I am glad things went the way they did.   

[Daveman]

I have said this before but I will say it again.   Had there been a site like RWD my search would have gone much easier and ended much sooner.  As it is, I am glad things went the way they did.   

I agree with this for sure... if I had found RWD sooner, I'd probably be happily married now to the first woman I went to visit.  The one I've referred to as "Satan's Daughter", or "Demon Spawn"...I had found a woman who fit together with me like no one I had ever met.  We laughed together from morning until night.. literally... she was truly comfortable like an old shirt (love that analogy, Gator)... we had nothing really to argue about so we went for 5 to 6 months without so much as a disagreement.  Our first "argument" was over something so completely stupid that I couldn't believe how she, in *my perception* was directly attacking me... She was being *exactly* the way the OMB's here have described their wives's behavior. Simply being Russian.  But, I had never seen this before and began to think she had some kind of serious mental problem.  I never could get over it in my own mind so I told her good-bye. 

I don't dwell on it or worry about what could have been.. I'm simply stating if I had the benefit of the OMB advice when I *really* needed it, I'd probably be extremely happy now.  I've "grown up" considerably from the advice on this board. And for this, I'm very grateful to RWD and those gentlemen who share.  Thanks guys.

Dave

[Turboguy]

I think there is a lot of truth in what you said Dave.   We frequently hear the OMB's say "it is not for everyone"   I think that has to be one of best pieces of advice for anyone in this persuit. 

I could not be happier than I am with VWRW but I think there are a lot of people who would not have a chance of dealing with the cultural differences.  I think knowing more what to expect is a big help.  The OMB's are the real experts at that and their advice has been invaluable. 

[I/O]

Gosh, I/O, you are sure starting to remind me of Jinx.

LOL. I should take that as a compliment as according to T/G logic, everyone has great value, Jinx included.

I/O

[Turboguy]

Of course I think Jinx has great value.   All people do.   I have gathered from a few of your comments that you, like jb tend to look down on someone who has not made their mark in life yet as beneath them.   Sorta on the order of jb's comments long ago that men should not fool with low classed shop girls.   Yes, I do my best to look down on no one and to respect and value all peoples.   I don't mean that there are not exceptions such as wife beaters, abusers, violent criminals, drug users etc. 

[Kuna]

I rather doubt the OP, Mark, is still reading this tripe.  As soon as he realized he was the victim of a scam I think he probably crept off to lick his wounds.  In his shoes that's what I'd do.

Regards the current tiff between I/O and T/G; what I see is T/G desperately crying out that his advice should carry the same weight as others.  IMHO, there's a multitude of valid reasons why that should not be the case.

1.)  Not every newbie comes on board with drooling lips, salivating with visions of a 35 years younger girl in his bed.

2.)  Not every newbie comes on board willing to invest 10 years in the chase.

3.)  Not every newbie comes on board with the wherewithall to afford multiple trips per year for 10 years to chase a fantasy.

4.)  Well,,, I think people get the point.

It's not that I wish T/O and company ill, I'm just pointing out that many of the OMB can't, in good conscience, recommend using the T/G method of finding a wife in the FSU.  T/G should stick to what he knows.  He has extensive experience in travel, where to seek lodging, where to find good food, etc., but he is, IMO sadly lacking in the common sense aspect of guiding the average newbie's thoughts thru what can be a pretty rocky patch.

Some people can respect and admire T/G's accomplishment, personally I'm not among his cheering section.  What he did is borderline idiocy, and most of the OMBs recognize BS when they smell it. 

Sad,,, really sad.

   

jb,

Can I add another one???

5) He's a fool that dearly wants to share his expert advice even though it's certain to be the "breath of death" for every newbie that listens to him.


I took Turbo's advice on 1 issue before my 1st trip and it was the only thing that turned to schit.  Yes, it was his glowing recommendation for a guide... who I found out afterward the fool had never even met!    Now I know others had previously had positive experiences with the guide... and maybe - just maybe I was unlucky to get him when he needed some sly cash... but how could or why would Turbo give him such glowing recommendations (all in PM's by the way) when he'd never even met the guy.

Turbo is a helper... He wants to help but he just doesn't see that he hinders success!

Today I read in another thread him advising someone to take out the platnum or silver membership at EM's (I believe at around $700) because a good feature was that they send you a list of new women every week...

Hmmm... good advice... but he forgot to tell them that for $99 you can get the same email every week for 3 or maybe even 6 months.

His advice is just dumb...  and what makes it dangerous is that he doesn't even know it!

What amazes me is that his advice is continually proven as being dumb... but he's so slimy that he slides right along and waits the next opportunity to stuff someone else up.

[Turboguy]

You asked, Kuna, I will tell you.   

Part one of why I recommended Pavel was that I had very glowing recommendations from people whose advice I trusted.   One was SOC who is on the testimonial page of Pavel's website or was the last time I looked.

Part 2 of why I recommended Pavel was that although I never met him, I did have dealings with him and they were very satisfactory.   A year and a half ago I had a trip planned to Ukraine and Russia.   My travels were fairly complex and I worked with Pavel for my apartment and some of the tickets for travel in Ukraine.   I was very happy with Pavel.  He responded quickly and in a positive and friendly way.  When I asked for something such as him to get me train and plane tickets he promply went to the airport or train station and did so.   

I ended up not making that trip.  I got very sick, actually had my bags packed and drove part way to the airport and realized I was too sick to go and in fact spent the next 6 days in the hospital.  When I called Pavel not to pick me up at the airport he manged to get a partial refund on some of my tickets.   

You are right, I never met him but I had enough dealings with him to feel I was making a good recommendation.

HOWEVER, I would like to say one more thing.  It has been a long time since I posted whatever I did about Pavel and to be honest I don't care enough to want to go back and look through the old threads, BUT

I am probably guilty of misinterpreting your planned use of Pavel.  I would have recommended him for apartments and airport pick ups but I would not have suggested him as a guide or felt that you needed or should have had a guide.  When I first read that you were using a guide on your trip I wondered why you were doing that and at the time you had not identified Pavel yet so I was not even sure if it was him you were talking about.  I can see the need for an interpreter and had you mentioned needing one of those I would have recommended Natalie who is half the price of Pavel and one of the best interpreters I have ever worked with.   Ask P/G I recommended her to him and he has expressed the same feelings about her that I have.  She is outstanding and would have been a far better choice as an interpreter.  She does not do apartments or airport pickups though.

Anyway Kuna that is why I recommended Pavel.   Sorry it worked out so badly for you and VWRW and I want to wish you the happiest New Year ever.

[SANDRO43]

Today I read in another thread him advising someone to take out the platnum or silver membership at EM's (I believe at around $700) because a good feature was that they send you a list of new women every week... Hmmm... good advice... but he forgot to tell them that for $99 you can get the same email every week for 3 or maybe even 6 months.

You're wrong, too . I've been a FREE member at EM for years, and regularly receive their weekly two newsletters (new entries on Thursdays and "leftovers" on Fridays ).

Here's an interesting 44 yo composer from today's list .

[Turboguy]

The only personal experience I had with Elena's was with a platinum membership which was $ 499.00 for 6 months as I recall and they would allow you to Renew it at $ 199.00 for 6 months.  It basically gave you unlimited access to all the addresses of all the members of the site.   I have heard good comments from guys who used the silver memberships and the only one I ever recall complaining about poor results at Elena's had the free membership.  The silver membership gives you a set number of addresses that you can get.  I don't recall the exact number but I think it was 50 or 100.  I have never had a free membership to know what you can get but even if you do get the newsletter I believe it only allows you to send a wink to a woman or to buy the address individually.

Returning to the subject of recommending Pavel without having met him.   I have also had many occasions where I have recommended Kherson Girls and Tver Angels and to be honest I have never met Richard or Kevin.   Both agencies are recommended often and I would be willing to bet I am not alone in recommending people such as Richard or Kevin who I have never met.

[SANDRO43]

I have never had a free membership to know what you can get but even if you do get the newsletter I believe it only allows you to send a wink to a woman or to buy the address individually.

No, it doesn't, you can only look at profiles, and cannot enlarge thumbnail photos, either. T/G, if you never were a free member, what's the point of making uninformed guesses about that specific condition ?

[Turboguy]

Good point Sandro.  Thanks for the correction.

[Kuna]

You're wrong, too . I've been a FREE member at EM for years, and regularly receive their weekly two newsletters (new entries on Thursdays and "leftovers" on Fridays ).

Here's an interesting 44 yo composer from today's list .

Ahhhh... but you can't contact them on the free membership can you????   

I was just pointing out some of the misleading and poor quality information turbo is famous for...  really tired of trying to respond to him so I think I'll just leave it there.

Kuna

[2tallbill]

You asked, Kuna, I will tell you.   

Part one of why I recommended Pavel was that I had very glowing recommendations from people whose advice I trusted.   One was SOC who is on the testimonial page of Pavel's website or was the last time I looked.

Part 2 of why I recommended Pavel was that although I never met him, I did have dealings with him and they were very satisfactory.   A year and a half ago I had a trip planned to Ukraine and Russia.   My travels were fairly complex and I worked with Pavel for my apartment and some of the tickets for travel in Ukraine.   I was very happy with Pavel.  He responded quickly and in a positive and friendly way.  When I asked for something such as him to get me train and plane tickets he promply went to the airport or train station and did so.   

I ended up not making that trip.  I got very sick, actually had my bags packed and drove part way to the airport and realized I was too sick to go and in fact spent the next 6 days in the hospital.  When I called Pavel not to pick me up at the airport he manged to get a partial refund on some of my tickets.   

You are right, I never met him but I had enough dealings with him to feel I was making a good recommendation.

HOWEVER, I would like to say one more thing.  It has been a long time since I posted whatever I did about Pavel and to be honest I don't care enough to want to go back and look through the old threads, BUT

I am probably guilty of misinterpreting your planned use of Pavel.  I would have recommended him for apartments and airport pick ups but I would not have suggested him as a guide or felt that you needed or should have had a guide.  When I first read that you were using a guide on your trip I wondered why you were doing that and at the time you had not identified Pavel yet so I was not even sure if it was him you were talking about.  I can see the need for an interpreter and had you mentioned needing one of those I would have recommended Natalie who is half the price of Pavel and one of the best interpreters I have ever worked with.   Ask P/G I recommended her to him and he has expressed the same feelings about her that I have.  She is outstanding and would have been a far better choice as an interpreter.  She does not do apartments or airport pickups though.

Anyway Kuna that is why I recommended Pavel.   Sorry it worked out so badly for you and VWRW and I want to wish you the happiest New Year ever.

First let me tell everyone that I like and respect Kuna.

I have used Pavel several times and had a better experience than Kuna did. I had three very good experiences dealing with Pavel.
The first time was getting a ticket to Odessa when none were available , the second was finding me an apartment in
Kiev at a very good price, and picking me up at the airport. He rented a cell phone to me which I used many times then I dropped it
and broke the face of the phone. He did not make me buy a new phone for him but he only charged me a small percentage of what a new
phone would cost. He also arrange to have a driver do several things for me. Once he picked me up at the airport once when I had a very long layover.
I slept on his couch, his wife ironed my shirt, he fed me the best borsche that I ever had, he has only translated for me one time. He is a good guy and has always
treated me fairly. I like him.

Just my two kopecks.

Bill

[Mod3]

Bill, TG and Kuna,

The varying experiences with Pavel have been discussed thoroughly in the thread that Kuna made. Lets not take this thread further off-topic by repeating.