Russian Women Discussion
RWD Discussion Groups => Starting Out => Topic started by: groovlstk on February 06, 2006, 11:44:55 AM
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I think that we can provide a very valuable service for men who are making their first or second trip to FSU countries by offering a basic checklist on logistics and trip preparation.
For example, on my first trip I got lost on my first night in Dnepropetrovsk. I had the address of my apartment written on a piece of paper but it was in English. I approached a taxi driver but he couldn't read the address. Another board member (Stoichman, I think) recommended printing out your apartment/hotel address in Cyrillic and carrying it in your wallet, just for this sort of emergency.
Based on my experience, I can recommend the following to all men making their first trip:
--As noted above, print out your apartment/hotel address in Cyrillic and carry it in your wallet in case you get lost.
--Make sure you have a photocopy of your passport on your person at all times. If you're passport is stolen, having a copy will expedite replacement.
--Bring along a list of important phone #s (family, your credit card issuing banks, etc.)
--In general, an apartment is a better alternative than a hotel. You'll save some $, and if the apartment has a washer you can do your own laundry. Most importantly, many hotels in FSU countries won't allow you to take a girl to your room unless you're paying a rate for a double.
--Bring along one of the tiny keychain flashlights available in sporting goods stores or online (http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/102-3012426-0999323?node=3180301). There's a good chance that if you're staying in an apartment the lighting outside the building and in the interior corridors will be inadequate (or nonexistent!)
--When at all possible, have a local person negotiate taxi fares for you.
--If you have trouble sleeping on planes, tug on your doc's sleeve and ask for some Ambien. You'll awake refreshed and without the hangoverish feeling you get from over-the-counter sleep aids.
--If you don't have an MP3 player, you can pick up a cheap model for less than $100. Add a pair of portable speakers and you'll always have your fave music available. I can't stand techno and most cafes in Russia and Ukraine play loud techno music.
--Invest in an unlocked mobile phone and bring it along.
I'm sure many others out there can add to this list!
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I'm with you on the techno music. I can't stand that crap. Question on the mobile phones, will our phones work over there or should we invest in a disposable one once we get over there?
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You will need a GSM multi bands (quad I believe).
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May I add something to the list, or should I say add a caveat to something already on the list?
The first time I went to Russia, I brought my MP3 player, and it showed up on their security X-ray as a small box with wires and a battery. Needless to say, airport security officials became concerned over what this strange box might be. It took me about ten minutes to explain to them that it was an MP3 player, but only after three security guys did a very thorough inspection.
The following year I took my laptop computer, which I used to play my music, so I left my MP3 player home. The laptop was easily recognizable by airport security as such, so things went much smoother.
Don't have a laptop? May I suggest a portable CD player? It is not as compact as an MP3, but it gets through airport security a lot easier.
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Here are my $0.02:
1) Bring power-converter adapter if you have some devices which need electricity. In FSU its 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a continental or European plug with two round pins.
2) Try to get a map of the city you are going to and study it beforehand.
3) Find out if there are ATMs where you go to or if you need to bring cash instead.
4) Bring comfortable shoes because whether you want it or not you`ll be walking a lot!
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Great tips groov! I especially agree about the flashlight. And, yes apartments are definately the way to go. A few apartment tips for first timers-
1. Locks, locks, and more locks. Every apartment has multiple layers of locks between the street and your flat. You'll be faced with combination locks, keys of all shapes and sizes, some locks turn clockwise to open, some just the opposite. No matter how tired you are on arrival, make absolutely sure you know how they all work before your landlord, interpreter, or girlfriend leave you alone. Locking yourself out when it's -20 in a land where you don't speak much of the language isn't a great way to start your adventure!
2. Make sure you know how all appliances work, especially the hot water heater. The gas ones can be a bit tricky, they call them "calunkas". That's the sound they make as you light them. With any luck, you didn't burn your eyebrows off the first time you light one.
3. Check for landmarks when you leave the flat for the first time. Many of the buildings will appear identical, right down to the entrances. Don't expect helpful markings on the outside with your flat number. If the markings were ever there, they faded around the time of Brezhnev's death. Count how many entrances you are from the end of the building, and take a walk around the entire building your first day. Soon you will recognize your neighborhood babushki and know you're home, but it's all very confusing at first.
4. If you're in a highrise (not my preference), view elevators with caution. They usually work, but sometimes you might come to prefer the stairs.
Just a few ideas from my travels, whatever you do, enjoy the trip!
Wendell in Austin
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For a sleep aid, Lunesta is a newer drug that is superior to Ambien.
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Here's my advice, for what it's worth.
Learn Russian.
I speak Russian well enough to have a conversation with anyone on just about any topic if they are patient enough.
I've gone all over Ukraine and Russia alone. I buy my own train and airplane tickets. I negotiate my own cab fares. I can read the menus in restaurants. I've *never* used an interpreter, even once. I've negotiated my way out of lots of strange situations.
95% of you will ignore me.
The other 5% and I know what the rest of you are missing out on.
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If you have GPS, bring it with you and set waypoints at the hotel, at her place, etc. I did have it with me, but I did not need it. Well, if I ever go to the same places again, I will find the places on my own. I could check do I need a taxi or could I walk.
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[user=266]525i[/user] wrote:
If you have GPS, bring it with you and set waypoints at the hotel, at her place, etc. I did have it with me, but I did not need it. Well, if I ever go to the same places again, I will find the places on my own. I could check do I need a taxi or could I walk.
Not a good idea. There have been cases of Americans using GPS equpment in Russia arrested and charged with espionage.
Here are my $0.02:
1) Bring power-converter adapter if you have some devices which need electricity. In FSU its 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a continental or European plug with two round pins.
2) Try to get a map of the city you are going to and study it beforehand.
3) Find out if there are ATMs where you go to or if you need to bring cash instead.
4) Bring comfortable shoes because whether you want it or not you`ll be walking a lot!
Excellent advice, especially the power convertor. Some hotels have 110 power but most do not.
Also if you have a laptop, get a 220 50 hz power pack for that and don't depend on the general use convertor. The general use convertor cannot handle the load of the laptop and will burn out. I know because I fried 2 of them last year in Novisibirsk trying to run my laptop.
As for the ATM, use the one in the hotel. There have been cases of identity theft from ATM usage in town, run by unknown groups.
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1. Locks, locks, and more locks. Every apartment has multiple layers of locks between the street and your flat. You'll be faced with combination locks, keys of all shapes and sizes, some locks turn clockwise to open, some just the opposite. No matter how tired you are on arrival, make absolutely sure you know how they all work before your landlord, interpreter, or girlfriend leave you alone. Locking yourself out when it's -20 in a land where you don't speak much of the language isn't a great way to start your adventure!
Also make sure that you know how to work the combination lock at the entrance to the building. On my first day of my first visit I was locked out until someone came along that entered the building...not a great way to start a great first trip.
Also regarding the flashlight, be sure to carry it with you when you leave. The first building I stayed in one of the elevator cabs didn't work well (well I didn't know how to work it well) and after stopping at my floor the door didn't open, then after 10 seconds the light turned off. I needed the flashlight to see the buttons to figure out how to get out. :shock: Now, I put it on the keyring with the door keys as soon as I arrive.
-ielocal
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CALL YOUR BANK FIRST!
Make sure they know you will be overseas, so they don't block your atm card
Don't get into a shady elevator unless you use it with a local first. Getting trapped in a telephone booth sized elevator in a dark, dingy, gothic looking building is not cool.
Learn what the typical wage is in the local area. Spend like a local, not like a rich guy.
Find a grocery store, magazine (russian for convenience store) or supermarket and get your share of groceries first. Having food in the apartment saves time and money, and you can see how far local wages go. Salami, cheese and bread are good staples to keep in the house, and no insult to ask a lady if she would like some if you don't feel like going out just yet.
Get a cell-phone set up immediately.
Walk as much as possible, unless you are in a hurry. You can see a lot this way, and find oodles of shops and cafes. You can also get an idea of what "average" people look like in the town.
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Find a grocery store, magazine (russian for convenience store) or supermarket and get your share of groceries first. Having food in the apartment saves time and money, and you can see how far local wages go. Salami, cheese and bread are good staples to keep in the house, and no insult to ask a lady if she would like some if you don't feel like going out just yet.
I take it asking a woman to come up to your place to sample your Salami has a different meaning overseas than it does here. :D
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Hello TwoBit
How are things going? Of course you are right -
"Learn Russian."
Also learn to act and date like a good Russian/Ukrainian guy.
All the beginners assume that "home rules" apply.
When in fact they don't !
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The power converter is great. I take mine everytime. It runs my electric shaver , video cam etc. Radio Shack has them for about $25. Get the kind that has 3 different plugs. The one with the 2 round prongs work in Ukr/Ru. It's about 2"X 4". Yes, a small mag light is a must, and also a pocket dictionary.
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Make sure you take $100 bills that are in good condition. They won't exchange bills that are missing corners, have writing on either side or that are too warn.
I usually ask my bank to pull out twice as many $100 bills as I need and give them the more-worn half of them. So, if I want to take $3000, I ask for $6000 and then give them back $3000.
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I took pictures of my passport, visa, and plane tickets with my digital camera and keep copies in my e-mail. Took me about 5 minutes.
David
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Two bit bandit is right about the money but I think he understates it a little. Even a very fine crease mark where a bill has been folded will cause it to be rejected. It needs to be a fairly current series. They won't take the old bills with the small faces. I shuffle money around for a month before I go. I cash my paycheck and ask for big bills and shove the old ones in my wallet and set the nice new ones aside for my trip. Sometimes it takes me $ 3,000 to get $ 1,000 that I can take. I usually go with about 3 grand so you can see that it takes some effort.
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I ask the bank ahead of time for new $100s in whatever amount I need. They usually have to order them but it worked out just fine.
Ken
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Why that much cash? ATM's work fine for getting local money. Cash to pay agency costs, long taxi rides (like to/from airport or to her town) is good, but after that why not just use ATM's, assuming that you let your bank know where you are going first.
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I took $1000 cash and used credit/debit for anything else I needed. Yes, I informed my bank and CC companies that I would be in Russia.
Ken
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Excellent advice above.
One thing which should be obvious, but actually is too obvious is to look on the internet about the weather forecast for the city you are visiting. Dress appropriately. Think about dress for a worst case scenario. Moscow region is always colder then I expect. Last summer was particularly cold. Its amazing how cold Moscow can be in the summer. A few summers back I was in Kiev, end of July beginning of August - I was amazed how hot it was. Take home message is to plan accordingly for the weather - dress conservatively but comfortably and PLAN YOUR PACKING carefully well in advance. I usually end up taking too much clothes, which means I planned poorly. Make sure you pack your walking shoes.
If you have medication plan and pack your medication with extra in the event of lost luggage or mishap.
Reading material to take with you is a given. You may have more time than you expect on a poorly planned trip or a trip which becomes a disaster (has happened to the best of them, so do not fret if it does). If things do become a disaster the walking shoes come in handy and also keep the reading material to a minimum.
Think about taking a copy of your vaccination history and or medical records if appropriate.
Make sure your fiances are in order, your house is well attended to, your loved ones have access in the event of an emergency etc.
Get a frequent flyer number if you do not have one already. Chances are you will be flying back to that part of the world. Most guys do not do a one shot deal. If they "fail" they like it enough to go again and if they "get lucky" they end up going back anyway. So many guys start frequent flyer miles after they already have enough trips to earn a free one.
Its been mentioned above but get your finances back home as well as with you over in the FSU in order. If you carry the crisp $100 know how to keep them crisp and where to stash them so you will not end up a victim.
Plan your ideal trip well in advance. Plan your disaster contingencies well in advance as well.
Language has been beat to death above, but if you have a hard time with the language, and just can not learn it properly, as most of us can not, then get the translation contingency working for you well before you get there - with backups.
Know how you will be meeting women well in advance of your trip and have contingencies in the event that goes wrong - so often does...........................:)
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Excellent advice Bruce!
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One thing which should be obvious, but actually is too obvious is to look on the internet about the weather forecast for the city you are visiting. Dress appropriately. Think about dress for a worst case scenario. Moscow region is always colder then I expect.
LMFAO, Bruce you still kill me buddy. If it drops below +20 & most Americans seem to think its cold. I'm sweatin' & runnin' around in a muscle shirt in September & you guys are wearing Parka's. TOOO Funny!!!:D:D
You think it was cold when I saw you this summer you should be here now, LMAO. It was -28C when Valya left for work this morning & -21C around 2pm, as I write this it is a balmy -22C. I ain't wearing no muscle shirt in this, but still sweat in that big assed parka that Valya bought me.
You are right in that guys should be wary of the weather conditions. My friend Howard who is from California freezes his butt off no matter what time of year he visits. Think CANADA & dress for the weather!!! LMAO:D:):D:noidea:
RVR-Canadian Cowboy/Agency Owner
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Think CANADA & dress for the weather!!! LMAO:D:):D:noidea:
You mean we need to dress like these guys?
(http://ffmedia.ign.com/interviews/multimedia/figs.jpg)
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"Make sure your fiances are in order" - Too bad this really does apply to some guys out there.
Rvr, we in the Eastern half of the USA are still waiting for winter to decide to show up this year, so I'll probably still think summer is cold the next time I show up in Tver. I like your idea - just think Canada...............all year round!
When I went on my first trip to Russia on an AFA turr.....in 1999 there was a guy who was on his sixth fiance visa. He was an older guy from either Florida or Texas who brought a young hottie back for as many days as he could, then he'd go back on the old turr.........to find a new hotie for the next 85 or so days, if he could get that much mileage out of her............. The lawyer who gave us a lecture on the K-1 process that turr....was on his third fiance visa himself. When I look back it was a great time...............met alot of characters, met some good people, had a blast................but the advice and example was definitely one to remember......................
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You mean we need to dress like these guys?
For you that would be an improvement Fred!!!! ROTFLMFAO:D:):D:):D
Bob & Doug MacKenzie...Great Canadian Hero's!!!!:shock:
Like Welcome to the Great White North, eh?
RVR-Canadian Cowboy/Agency Owner
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Language has been beat to death above, but if you have a hard time with the language, and just can not learn it properly, as most of us can not, then get the translation contingency working for you well before you get there - with backups.
I disagree 100%.
Anyone that is intelligent enough to use the internet CAN learn another language.
Anyone who says that they CAN'T learn another language has a discipline or a confidence problem, not an ability problem.
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TwoBit,
Have to agree with you but in the MOB scene I don't think it has too much to do with discipline or confidence.. I think more along the lines of not willing to or just plain too lazy to try. I would applaud anyone that takes the time and effort to learn RU before going there to meet women that cannot already speak a common language.
Anyone that says they can't learn another language but insist that their future mate does is being a bit egoistic or?
I personally would write off any prospective partner I could not communicate with directly.
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Personally I think learning languages is easy for some and not for others. I have been trying to learn Russian for 10 years with every method available. (ie, Pimslerur 1+2 Rosetta stone, Barron's russian fast and easy (the official course of the state depart) language now, ect.) I can't get much past zdrastwicha and do svedanya. In school I studied French for 3 years and that was my toughest subject. Give me a good calculus course and I was fine. If I waited till I could communicate in Russian I could visit the assisted living places to find my bride.
Another thing I have that I like is called a sock safe. You can find them where travel things are sold. Always split up your money. Carry your wallet in the front pocket. I saw someone said why worry about money just use the ATM. That seems to be common. I am not an ATM person. I have not used one even here in 15 years. I usually go with $ 3000 - 5000 depending on the trip. Another good thing to take is immodium or something like that. My one EC tour to kiev and moscow everyone was sick and I have always carried it with me even though I have avoided the problem since.
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Should I be concerned about bringing a pair of backup shoes as well as comfortable ones? I lost a pair of shoes in Ireland a few years ago and had a little trouble finding another pair because I have clown sized feet. I had a little trouble finding a size 14 shoe before. Is that going to be a difficult size to find in the FSU?
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... Another good thing to take is immodium or something like that. My one EC tour to kiev and moscow everyone was sick and I have always carried it with me even though I have avoided the problem since...
Good point!
I noticed airports/airplanes are very common places to catch something.
We take 'Airborne' to prevent it and it works great!
Also, some hand sanitizer, like 'Purell' (http://www.pfizerch.com/brand.aspx?id=310) is useful. Not always you can find a bathroom, so it is quite handy.
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lastaley,
shoes that size should not be a problem as long as you are in Siberia in winter.. don't they use snowshoes there?
LOL.. just funnin ya..
Seriously though take good comfortable walking shoes appropriate for the season. Wear them on the plane that way they won't get lost in baggage. Always take an extra set of underwear/socks/shirt and your usual toilet stuff in carry on baggage.
Many major European airports have showers available so if you want to arrive really 'fresh' and have a couple hour layover in an EU airporttake a towel with you. (if you forget you can usually buy toiletries and disposable towels in the shower rooms.)
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lastaley,
shoes that size should not be a problem as long as you are in Siberia in winter.. don't they use snowshoes there?
LOL.. just funnin ya..
Seriously though take good comfortable walking shoes appropriate for the season. Wear them on the plane that way they won't get lost in baggage. Always take an extra set of underwear/socks/shirt and your usual toilet stuff in carry on baggage.
Many major European airports have showers available so if you want to arrive really 'fresh' and have a couple hour layover in an EU airporttake a towel with you. (if you forget you can usually buy toiletries and disposable towels in the shower rooms.)
I, for one, travel in a suit and tie because the business like appearance gets me through customs and ticket counters easier. Besides, this way I am ready to meet my lady as soon as I arrive in Russia.
And I always have a change into comfortable clothes in my carry on in case of luggage problems, but I never had a luggage problem going to Russia.
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We had a problem once.. the bag with all the xmas gifts.. arrived a week late but all intact and nothing missing.
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If you think my feet are big now, you should have seen it when I was 12 and wore a size 12 shoe. My dad was thinking I was going to be around 6'6" and was planning out my NFL career as a defensive end. Boy, was he disappointed when I never got past 6'3".
I have a bad habit of leaving important things either in hotel rooms or at home when I go on vacation. That's how I lost my tennis shoes in Ireland. When I went to get a new pair, the elderly clerk said, "I guess the legends of Bigfoot in America are true."
I don't normally have problems finding shoes that size here in the states, but I remembered my experience in Ireland and try to take a back up pair when traveling overseas.
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Mr. latstaley,
I would certainly consider bringing a comfortable pair of shoes as backup.
I wear a size 12W. I had a problem finding comfortable slippers, but the seventh shop Lilya and I visited had a nice paid of Inbiu (Italian) suede slipons that fit great.
Otherwise, I have not seen/tried shoes that are wide enough. Thus, I have had some shipped from the U.S. and the U.K., the latter very reasonably...and I brought 10 pairs of dress/athletic/casual shoes with me when I moved here.
Roberto (no Imelda complex)
Kiev, Ukraine
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Get a tri-band GSM mobile phone - if u can.. it would work - back home too
You will need a GSM multi bands (quad I believe).
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Lot of good stuff here.
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Get prescription sleeping pills to help you until you adjust for 7 time zones or so.
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Get prescription sleeping pills to help you...
Keep a good supply for after marriage....🤭