[snakes251]

Thought I'd post here since I was recently in Ben's native land. Well, here is the dealy-o. I met a woman online via a dating site who lives in London (I am from Texas in the USA). She's actually Latin, from Colombia originally, and I am normally attracted to women of Latin culture. I got to know her pretty well via phone and videoconferencing for 3-4 months, and over New Year's, I made the big step of traveling overseas to see her. Initially, I was hesitant since I'd never traveled alone to Europe, and certainly not to see one woman. My friends and her friends thought we were crazy, but I did it. When I met her at the airport, I pretty much had her at hello--even kissed her right then and there at Heathrow. The trust was instant, and she had even agreed to let me stay with her the whole week. Those first few days, I was totally into her, as she was to me.

We pretty much crammed in everything lovers can do in a week: talking, traveling, seeing movies, getting to know each other, and yes, intimacy. We had sex, and I had no idea how this would change things. I knew she was starting to fall in love with me, and our last night together, she confessed this to me. I just acknowledged it gratefully, but didn't say it back. I'm not going to say something I don't mean.

In any case, we've been staying in contact via email and phone. Things seem to be going well, and I've been up front about my feelings and how I'm not quite ready for the L-word. She understands, and doesn't seem to be pressuring me into any commitment, marriage, etc. But she is smitten, and is convinced that I am the man for her.

My feelings towards her go back and forth. Sometimes I am totally enamored with her, and other times I wonder what I've gotten myself into. I still kind of want to date other people, but can't bring myself to do it (yet) because I wonder about a future with her.

So how do I handle this? It's a unique situation, that's for sure. Any honest advice, no matter how blunt, is appreciated.