Trip Report

[Streetwise]

Here I am in Kiev, on the second part of my self-planned double-city tour. I spent the last 5 days in Riga (Latvia) where I tried to re-kindle an old flame, and also slotted in 4 new meetings. I stayed at the Laine Hotel in the city centre and hired a car (22 lats per day, about 40 USD, from a local firm; it sure impresses the ladies as it makes a change from the usual dependence on taxis!) My impression however, is that Riga is no longer a happy hunting ground. In the ciy centre you might easily feel that you are in any other European city (and in 6 months it will be European.) The improvement in general standards and amenities is very visible. The young ladies I met in Riga are very much aware of their changing fortunes, and the lure of a new life in the west is fading fast. This is why so few of the good looking single ones appear on websites nowadays. However, I would recommend it as a meeting point for a westerner seeking to rendezvous with a genuine RW, as it is a nice city, it's easy for them to get visas, and no visa is needed for us.

So on to Kiev; my journey here was an epic (I took the bus with "ecolines" from Riga to Kiev, it passes through Belarus so you need a transit visa for Belarus; it cost 85 USD to be issued same day, just bring a passport photo and fill out the form there, I was in and out within 30 mins.) Total journey time 18 HOURS!!! (But only 60 USD round trip). I have just had my first datein Kiev and already I can feel (generally) that the Ukrainains are a warmer and more open people than the Latvians, or the Russians who live in Latvia. Interesting to speak to the girl I just met, apparently it is very staightformaewrd for them to get visas to visit such places as Czech Republic, Poland etc; and also not too difficult for most European countries. The diffficult countries are the UK and the USA (ie our countries!!!)

I would just like to complement the Athena agency in Kiev, I literally phoned them one day before arriving here, and they met me off the bus and took me to a very nice city centre apartment (50 usd) as well as setting up my meetings quickly. They even contacted another agency where I had contacted a lady, to make sure they fixed up my meeting too!)

As far as I am concerned, Ukraine is the place; forget Latvia, they are all spoiled now and expecting a great future in Europe (ha-ha!)And after all, the population of the whole counrty is only 2 million so the choice is obviously very limited. However, as my return ticket from UK was to Latvia, I must return there from Kiev the previous day and I will have a meeting lined up that evening.

One final observation; try to avoid those girls who have been on the agency scene for any length of time; not because they might be scammers, but because after many successive liaisons they become very cynical and blase about it all, and we, the guys, become a very diposable commodity in their eyes. I now restrict myself to those who who (as far as I know) have only been on the scene for one month or less. All my meetings on this trip have been made on that basis and the difference in the girl's attitudes is remarkable.

More to follow soon!

[Haroshij]

... in response to Trip Report, posted by Streetwise on Nov 21, 2003

Why did you laugh at their expectations about a better life in the European Union?

What you experienced in the baltic states, will be the fact in Russia also in a close future. However, there will still be a "market" in the former Soviet republics.

Haroshij

[Streetwise]

... in response to Re: Trip Report, posted by Haroshij on Nov 22, 2003

When the new entrants to the EU adopt the Euro as their currency, the first thing that will happen is that the cost of living will suddenly jump. The next thing that will happen (very slowly, over the next few years) is that wages will catch up with the higher cost of living. So there will be a period of pain to go through. This has been the experience of all entrants to the EU in the last few years, if you are a student of economics you will realise that it  is inevitable. Also, due to the number of new entrants next year, and the problems that many of the established members face at home, there will be fewer handouts to help these new states, as there were for less affluent member states in the past.

Remember also that the free market can work against a country's interests as well as for it.

I agree with your comment about Russia, it is inevitable that the ecomomical situation will eventually approach European standards, it's just a question of how long. There will always be a market in these countries, as you put it, but maybe not so different from the market in the UK, USA and elsewhere in Europe!

[Haroshij]

... in response to Wake up and smell the coffee..., posted by Streetwise on Nov 22, 2003

I agree with you that the transition period my be difficult. However, the Baltic states will get new markets, also there will be a substential amount of economical support from the EU and people living there will have free access to the working market all over Europe (EU). Already there are many western companies that are investing in the Baltic states. I think this process will be strengthened. Spain and Greech and Portugal were also poor countries, but due to the considerable economical support from the EU, they  have got a  very good development.

Remember that the EU doesn't believe in Capitalism and the free market in the same way as in the US.

Haroshij

[Rags]

... in response to Re: Trip Report, posted by Haroshij on Nov 22, 2003

[This message has been edited by Rags]

If anyone is under the impression that looking for a woman who is in a bad situation and/or looking to improve her lifestyle will increase your chances of success, good luck. I do not think that I would want that to be a driving factor in a woman's decision whether or not to have a relationship with me. She has lots to gain and you got everything to lose? YIKES! Scammer fodder.

Is that the approach that you would use to find a soulmate over here?

Think about it, BAD logic.

There are hundreds of good reasons to look for a wife in the FSU, this isn't one of them.

[Haroshij]

... in response to F.W.I.W..., posted by Rags on Nov 22, 2003

Well, I think you are closing your eyes for some facts. Why don't American men go to Scandinavia or Germany to find brides? Why do you think so many men are looking to poor countries for their brides. I've also noticed that several posters here have remarked that the growing standard og living reduces the interest for young ladies to leave their families, friends and their homeland for going to a foreign country.

To me it's understandable that people want to improve their standard of living. This desire is legimate and understandable. If a foreign woman can find a man she loves and he also can offer her a better economical life, in her perspective it may be very tempting.

Haroshij

[Philb]

... in response to Re: F.W.I.W..., posted by Haroshij on Nov 23, 2003

An improved standard of living is a motivating factor for every single one of these women.  For some it is the only reason and for others it is one of several.  In fact, I think that this is probably one of the top reasons, if not the top reason, for the majority of these women to even consider leaving home, family, and friends to live in another country and marry a man they most likely don't even know that well. I don't see anything wrong with this per se unless this is the sole reason for the relationship.

[Haroshij]

... in response to I agree, posted by Philb on Nov 23, 2003

Yes, you hit the nail. To me it's strange to see that so many men are refusing to see that fact. I also think that without a solid economy this enterprise in nothing for you. You don't need to be rich, but most of you American men have the disadvantage that foreign girls have been looking at some American soaps or films, and believe or hope life in America will be so luxurious.

Haroshij

[Buddabelly]

... in response to Trip Report, posted by Streetwise on Nov 21, 2003

Could you give the web address of this "Athena Agency" in Kiev?  Is it the one that is just allied and part of Angelika network?  THe only one I found was based in Sevastopol..
And if you could please tell me what they charged for setting up meetings with girls?

Thanks very much..
Buddabelly

[Streetwise]

... in response to Re: Trip Report, posted by Buddabelly on Nov 22, 2003

www.athenaagency.com is their website; they charge 15USD for fixing up each meeting (I had already paid for their addresses and had letters and photos forwarded to them through the Blue Sapphires network, who cooperate with several local agencies including Athena.) The 15USD I paid direct to Athena for calling the girl and setting up the meeting itself (necessary for me as time was so short.) They have a nice office and friendly professional staff; they provided me with invoices for everything, maybe I can put it on my business expenses!

[TwoBitBandit]

... in response to Trip Report, posted by Streetwise on Nov 21, 2003