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Posted by: Datco

Hi I have been trawling through various sites recommended by you guys on here and came across www.clubodessa.co.uk it seems to be one of the few uk based agencies and doesn't promise you everything will be wonderful.

They will arrange your accomodation if you want but you are free to do your own flights and hotels if you want, while you are there they will set up meeetings for you, have reps on hand etc.

is this the sort of thing to do do you think, or go on a more organised type of event - this seems to be a 121 service and they charge around $500 for a week of introductions?

Posted by: povlhp

So, are you planning on a tour ? You will probably get laid, but I am not sure the women you meet are representative of the women you will meet later. But it might work to get an impression of Ukraine.

Personally, I put Ukraine low on my list, because of the powerty, and being afraid to find someone who is desperate enough to do anything to survive and go abroad. But awareness will help you.

The former russian romance was living near Moscow, but her parents lived in Ukraine. She still has a piece of my hear, and thinking about her still makes me smile. So I have nothing against Ukraine as such.

Posted by: Tex

I have looked at this site and I must be missing something here?

This is a tour service? Where are photos of all these exclusive ladies that they have? Do they list references from previous clients? Photos from previous clients attending?

Seems like a fancy bs website not saying, showing much.

Although I don't think much of the site, why povlhp does signing up for this agency mean he will probably get laid?

Posted by: povlhp

The way I read the website, it looks like they are making tours for men who want to get laid. Like you said yorself, it does not look like a normal website where there are profiles of the women. Of course the owner might have decided it is too much trouble.

Remember, their slogan is:
Club Odessa, Designer Holidays for Single Men

To me this sound like expsensive sex-tours, even though they write a bit about the lasting realtionsships.
Elite members with special service. If people keep going on the tours and not finding a woman, then they probably do it for the sex.

I might be reading their brochure all wrong, but I have heard of such tours, and I would not go on one of them.

Posted by: Datco

Hi Guys I appreciate this and your opinions on the Odessia club - getting laid is not my primary aim - can do that here!! - I guess this is it really - YOU GUYS HAVE ALL BEEN SUCCESFUL OR OTHERWISE IN FINDING RUSSIAN WIVES - WHAT AGENCIES DID YOU USE - HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT USING THEM AND HOW DID YOU SET ABOUT VISITING THE FORMER SOVIET UNION - I DONT THINK I COULD GO IT ALONE NOT SPEAKING A WORD OF RUSSIAN?

I have been emailing a few women recently just to get a feel for it, and there seems to be a big difference between the genuine ones and the ones out to scam, the scammers seem to fall in love with you after 3 emails, whereas the others seem to be genuine and honest enough to say they dont want to waste time and if you aren't going to go and visit them there is no point.

Posted by: povlhp

I have been in Russia 3 times. 2 first times was on a 2 week arranged skydiving holiday (arranged by club members, in cooperation with the dropzone 120 SSE of Moscow). The 2nd time I went there, I had spent 2 hours learning the russian alphabet, such that I was able to read the signs, and that is a very big help. Some word you can guess, others you can't.

3rd time I went by myself, going to meet a girl I had met at the dropzone. The passport control / customs is routine, and you just have to be patient. I had decided this time, I would go by bus to the Metro, and then the metro to town, and the train to Kolomna.

There is plenty of info on the Internet, so I had all the info gathered up front. The bus was easy to find, and left shortly after. When to get out was another question, but it was announced, and the bus became empty. The next problems was finding the Metro. But just saying Metro to people, and looking clueless worked.

In Moscow I had trouble finding the right train to switch to. But the first person I asked spoke english. Then to the train station. I took a wrong exit from the Metro, ending at the wrong of the 3 train stations. Did not know that, before they looked clueless when trying to buy a ticket for the destination. OK, then bought a softdrink, and asked for directions at a small shop (again, just saying the name of the place). Did not understand anything, but she gave a lively description, so the sign language did bring me in the right direction, and I had to ask once more.

Now, getting to the station, the next problem was finding where to buy tickets. On this station it was one level below, but did not find it before showing the train schedule to someone and looking clueless, and the took me to the ticket sales, and even showed how to put the ticket in the gate to have it open.

From there it was easy. get out, walk to the taxis 100 meters away (=way cheaper than the closer ones), and say the hotel name. That was it. Took the bus, taxies, local electric trains etc and did OK without knowing the language. When buying stuff, I just gave them some money and expected some money back.

Foreigners seemed welcome. So I was able to get around easily. A russian guy I spoke to up front thought I was crazy to do it on my own. But people were friendly and helpfull.

All the russian I knew how to say was: Niet Ruski.

Now I know it is "Ya ne panimayo paruski" (I do not understand russian).

So it all depends on how adventurous you are.

You might also be able to get the agency to arrange VIP transport from airport to the hotel, airport transfer etc, and can rent an interpreter.

I am going again in end of march, to Siberia this time. To meet a new girl. I have booked the flight tickets, but no hotel or anything else. Things like to to get from SVO to DME airport is something I have not yet decided on (bus/metro/bus or taxi), and how to get from Barnaul airport to the hotel is also open. I have not even decided on a hotel yet, and might not even book in advance.

Things will work out if you want it to.

Posted by: Tex

wow, Siberia the end of March, and to meet one woman you have never met before. Un-believeable.

You know your in trouble when your the only one left in the bus. Can't fine the metro, don't know which is the right train, so one understands english at small shop, ask and ask for help, directions. Go to the wrong level looking for your train. And you think you did ok for not being able to speak the language?

What do you have against using good local help? Why not have someone greet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel.

Your actions are not so common for someone having been to Russia 3 times.

Posted by: rtking

Datco,

I think there are some good agencies out there, and then there are others who put on tours and invite many women but cannot determine the women's intentions. (It's litterally a cattle-call.) I have not had any experiences with tours, so I'm probably not the best person to advise you on whether taking a tour is fruitful or not.

I have used agencies with mixed luck. Some agencies insist that you pay per letter. The downside to this is that some unscrupulous agency owners will randomly answer letters on the girls' behalf to help generate more letters (and money for themselves) even if these women aren't interested or have found their soulmates.

Agencies and services that I've had good luck with or know about are: 1) Khashyar and Lena's services on this board, 2) Kiev Connections. I know Khashyar and Lena work pretty hard to make sure that the women they post on their forum are serious in their intentions. I think one of our forum members met his wife using Khashyar and Lena's services. Kiev Connections is where I met my fiancee. Brett Ousley is an American that lives in Kiev and actually works in the office. I've met Brett a number of times and he's (as well as his staff) have always been kind and cordial. I know Brett works pretty hard to meet every woman he puts up on his website and I've actually seen him take time out of his busy schedule to sit down and comfort a woman with jitters about moving to another country. He's genuinely a nice guy.

I'm sure, as other forum members read your post, they'll give more examples of agencies they've had good luck with.

Cheers!

Bob

Posted by: povlhp

I have lots of experience travelling, including doing it on my own. And I have been in 3rd world countries (Bangladesh and Uganda) working for a couple months each place. So I am a bit used to being on my own in a foreign country.

If you are not on organized tours, you will manage somehow. I have the phone number of the embassy in case everything goes wrong. I can always call them and get help / have them handle things with the other party.

Local help is OK, I am just a bit adventurous, and actually like experiencing the place when I am abroad, and living in the world, rather than just distancing it as a tourist. It is part of the experience, and part of why I think it is better to travel alone. You get much closer to the locals. Some may think I am crazy, but I am yet to end in any trouble I couldn't talk my way out of. Biggest problem was some AK-47 armed military guards in Uganda who wanted the film from my digital camera. He did not understand the digital thing. So I argued with him, and I brought him to where I lived, and got him something to drink, and showed him the pictures on my computer, and he left as best friends.

Otherwise I you get a long way by being daring at patient at the right times. I look friendly, and a bit larger/stronger than average. And not being american also helps in some parts of the world.

Only problem is, Denmark is not having the best reputation in Russia, since a Georgian system critics (who the russians calls a terrorist) has left London where he lives, to take part in a conference in Copenhagen. The Russians wanted us to arrest him (we did) and deliver him to them on charges on terrorism. They failed to provide proof, so after a couple of months, we let him go back to the UK where he normally lives.

This gave a diplomatic crisis, and after the school bombing, a little of the dislike came up again. They tried to bully us (rather than the UK where he lives), and that is the last way to make us do something.

Americans are disliked in many places for their imperialism, and the Germans are also disliked in quite a few places (Especially places where they were from 1939 to 1945). I have not heard much bad about brits, aussies etc, and Denmark/Norway/Sweden is usually well received (there are always exceptions).

Posted by: Tex

povlhp, American's are disliked until they are in trouble or invaded by someone else, then they are liked again.

Posted by: povlhp

It is not my opinion about the americans, It is what I generally experience.

Funny thing is, that in Bangladesh they hated americans, but the best that could happen would be to get a job at an american company in America ;-)

But this dislike against Americans (and to some degree germans) can be a disadvantage when travelling alone. And also the reputation of american being rich.

Denmark has a good reputation in the 3rd world countries since we do a lot of aid to them, and most danish soldiers are in UN peacekeeping service (something that the americans are not good at - they are trained to win with force). In Iraq our soldiers has had local warnings all the times there were street bombs (except one) or planned attacks, because our soldiers has respect and is liked by the people in the area.

But all this is politics and does not belong here.

Posted by: Datco

i KNOW POLITICS NOT HERE BUT INTERESTING CHAT AS THE UK IS VERY CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH THE US AT THE MOMENT, BLAIR AND BUSH BIG BUDDIES AND THIS MAY RUB OFF ON BRITS TRAVELLING TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES - ALSO UK WS THE BIGGES IMPERIAL NATION EVER AT ONE STAGE AFTER THE ROMANS, BUT ANYWAY, WHAT ABOUT USING LOCAL SMALL AGENCIES WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN THE FSU FOR 121 SERVICE - HOW HAS THIS WORKED?

Posted by: povlhp

I think you exagerate the Blair-Bush effect. And the Russians don't worry that much about the west. We grew up seing them as an enemy, but I got the impression that they never saw us as an enemy.

I have not used the services of the small FSU agencies on location, but my experience with the agency I am using is, that they are very helpfull, and I have them as a fallback option in case it does not work out with the girl I am meeting (in that case I will use them to arrange meetings while I am there).

They do want to get success stories, and keep customers coming. As my experience is right now, I would not hesitate using them for local services. I think prices are a bit high, compared to the general price/salary level in Russia, but it is OK.

Povl

Posted by: Tex

povlhp, and this good little agency couldn't offer you support in Moscow?

It is good you have found an agency you are comfortable with. Why can't you mention the agencies name?

Posted by: povlhp

Last time I was in Russia was not an agency, but me going to visit a girl I had met on a normal tourist trip.

As for the agency, it can provice most services, and the company they used for the invitation also immidiately listed and offered taxi fare from from the one airport to the other when I asked for prices on domestic tickets. If I decide to take a taxi up front, I will surely use their services.
But the taxi s $65, and the bus/metro/bus is like $5-$10 - and is probably not much slower.

The agency I am using now is Adorable Russian Pearls from Barnaul. But I found the girl through the mega-site Elenas Models.

The owner (I think there is the owner and an interpreter who translates letters), seems very interested in making things work, and has tried to help convince me about the qualities of the woman, and let me know I could ask her for more information about her if I wanted. She also does the usual sales job, of trying to arrange phone conversations, arranging flowers, has sent me a reminder of the upcoming valenties day with a gift suggestion... She has also offered to handle hotel booking, airport transportation etc. But I will decide on that later on. If you plan too far ahead, the plans will not hold.

Posted by: lechef

In my experience traveling alone in third world countries in central America I have found the best way to get around without no knowledge of their language is to be polite and courtious and it will sure bring out the good in some to help you in your journey. I spent most of two years doing this and I can say that it was the best two years of my life. I have grown to understand that respect and courtious to people is a world wide language that all understand. In planning my trip to Russia I always make a list to keep with me at all times as in USA embassy telephone number and address in the country you are attending and when I do arrive I call the embassy to just let them know that you are their for a specified amount of time and that you give your family the same info. I also like to have hotel already set and transportation if needed. I have always had a great experience with some good and bad points but all in all I have found this way to travel abroad in a foreign land to work best. What is life with out adventure.