Enough of that. Dude, go with your plans. Enjoy yourself and your trip. Mark is right about Jack, he'll do okay by you but you don't need him. YOu don't need anyone. I've made 5 trips, only one with an agency (Jack's by the way) and I did fine without. Actually enjoyed myself more on my own.

Here is the draw back. If you go on your own, to see one girl, you're stuck with her. I've done that 4 times and enjoyed it all four times. Even though they were not "the one" I had a ball. I met their families, friends, etc... and we shared some good times. Only visiting and spending time together will show how you truly feel. The drawback is that it will get expensive. Using Jack's method is cheaper in the long run. If you need to save cash and time...use Jack and his agency and do it his way. If you're comfortable on your own, making your own decisions and have some street savvy....go on your own. I advocate seeing one girl now. I've tried both ways and now I am sure seeing one is the key. Using a narrowing down approach of some sort is necessary but seeing one has tremendous benefits. As I said before, you must be prepared to "miss" and retry. If cash and vacation time are scarce....use Jack's system.

I don't think you're chick is a scammer or  a prostitute. Just my gut. You said you've been writing her for a year..she never asked for cash.....I don't see how she's a scammer. She's invested waaaaaayyyyyy tooooooo much time in you to scam you now, after a year. Just my gut.

One other thing....you're going to get a tremendous amount of advice around here, given for different reasons by different people. SOme people want to solicit your business and will be your "friend", be careful. Others want to save you from the mistakes "they've" made. Either way, form your OWN opinions while heeding some of the advice. In the end, make your own decision and stick with it. Enjoy yourself on your trip, if she's not the one....then regroup. I wish you the best of luck.

Mark H.

Mark H.

IMHO

I've been to Kiev twice, St. Petersburg once, Moscow once and Dimtrovgrad/Samara once. I think I enjoyed Russia more, but the women seemed to be a little more attractive in Ukraine, not much but a little. I just liked Russia better, the people seemed different. I don't mean better just different. I enjoyed ALL the russians I met, can't say the same for all Ukrainians I met. Just my bit.

Mark H.

You're new here, and all newbies are welcome because it keeps this interesting. It might seem like we all jump on the new guys from time to time but mainly that is because we remember when we were new, and all of the stupid things we did, and we want other guys to avoid those mistakes.

I highly recommend going with an agency for your first trip -- especially an American Agency where you can know the guy running it.

Jack and I don't agree on everything. But you could do a LOT worse than letting him guide you through this.

For his faults, he seems like an honest guy. He's not going to take your money and run. He will be there to answer questions every step of the way. And believe me, you're going to have questions.

Jack has a certain "methodology" to his approach. And when you accept his help, you are also accepting -- to some degree -- his methods. I advise you to spend time talking to him about it. He is very upfront about the way he thinks this should be approached. Make sure you can approach this the way he does. It's not for everyone.

I will say this: his methodology is not based on his profits. Meaning he does not approach this thing a certain way so he can make more money. He does it because he honestly feels it is the best way of doing it.

You will spend more money by going with an agency. But that is nothing compared to the money that you will waste if you don't. ESPECIALLY the first time over... go with someone you can trust.

Trips to Ukraine aren't cheap, or easy. (For most of us, anyway). Your time is precious.

Don't waste either time or money. Get with an agency for your first trip...

IMHO