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Author Topic: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia  (Read 3391 times)

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Offline cameraguymn

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Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« on: February 18, 2021, 07:41:16 PM »
It's been a decade since I've been there. And even though this trip probably won't happen for another 3-5 months, this forum is pretty dead - and I need to get some advice.

Plan to see primarily one person but also 2 other just in case. I plan to see the primary person last.

1. Other than covid vaccine - should I get any shots before hand?
2. Should I bring my iphone
3. Should I bring a pro camera or just rely on my phone?
4. I'd like access to about $4,000 - should I bring my bank debit card, a pre-paid credit card and a credit card or different combinations of those three? Which card should be primarily used most of the time?
5. How much cash is allowed to be brought in?
6. Planning air bnb - good idea or not?
7. What if she wants to see my whatsapp conversations - how do I not get to that situation?
8. Should I bring gifts from home or look to purchase gifts locally?
9. What's a good gift for boy or girl age 6-9?
10. I'd rather not bring a laptop but any compelling reason to bring one?

maybe more questions later - thanks in advance for any input and advice given.

Offline Boethius

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After the fall of communism, the biggest mistake Boris Yeltsin's regime made was not to disband the KGB altogether. Instead it changed its name to the FSB and, to many observers, morphed into a gangster organisation, eventually headed by master criminal Vladimir Putin. - Gerard Batten

Offline cameraguymn

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2021, 10:07:14 PM »
Boethius - the wise and enlightened one.

How do we navigate or not navigate the Whatsapp question? That one might ruin the entire adventure.

#9. Get a cheap tablet. Like this-

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/amazon-fire-hd-8-10th-generation-8-tablet-32gb-black/6412935.p?skuId=6412935

Offline rwd123

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2021, 05:59:02 AM »
It's been a decade since I've been there. And even though this trip probably won't happen for another 3-5 months (...unless you go in a side or back door... :)), this forum is pretty dead (no shit Sherlock!) - and I need to get some advice.

Plan to see primarily one person but also 2 other just in case. I plan to see the primary person last.  The more the merrier.

1. Other than covid vaccine - should I get any shots before hand? Shots of vodka.
2. Should I bring my iphone Nah bring a Samsung.
3. Should I bring a pro camera or just rely on my phone? Are you into photography? If not, then no.
4. I'd like access to about $4,000 - should I bring my bank debit card, a pre-paid credit card and a credit card or different combinations of those three? Which card should be primarily used most of the time? All of the above. Cash close to but below $10k, credit cards, ATM card with access to relevant network(s).
5. How much cash is allowed to be brought in? Any amount but keep under $10k or you need to declare it.
6. Planning air bnb - good idea or not? I had no issues except for one host who wasn't happy I left dirty dishes behind.
7. What if she wants to see my whatsapp conversations - how do I not get to that situation? Be a man.
8. Should I bring gifts from home or look to purchase gifts locally? A little from Door A, a little from Door B.
9. What's a good gift for boy or girl age 6-9? Depends on the child, but toys are a safe bet. Don't go overboard.
10. I'd rather not bring a laptop but any compelling reason to bring one? Wifi access is pretty standard for accommodation and laptops can be more convenient. Also can act as a backup if something happens to your phone.

maybe more questions later - thanks in advance for any input and advice given.

Offline Brillynt

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2021, 07:29:09 AM »
For apartments, I have used http://www.dobovo.com/ many times with no issues.  Most owners prefer cash payment.

Offline Boethius

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2021, 02:06:43 PM »
Boethius - the wise and enlightened one.

How do we navigate or not navigate the Whatsapp question? That one might ruin the entire adventure.


Just say that at this point in your relationship, your Whatsapp is private.  If a woman asks if you are planning to see other women, or have, don't lie.  Tell her you are looking for a wife (if that's accurate).
After the fall of communism, the biggest mistake Boris Yeltsin's regime made was not to disband the KGB altogether. Instead it changed its name to the FSB and, to many observers, morphed into a gangster organisation, eventually headed by master criminal Vladimir Putin. - Gerard Batten

Offline cameraguymn

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2021, 10:53:41 PM »
all good advice.

This may date me but...

Are we still using bottled water to rinse after brushing teeth?

Offline John Gaunt

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2021, 12:43:45 AM »
all good advice.

This may date me but...

Are we still using bottled water to rinse after brushing teeth?
In my over ten years of visiting Ukraine I’ve never used bottled water to rinse my mouth.
I still have all my teeth.

Offline japtats

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2021, 03:20:11 AM »
Use mouthwash , Listerine , get some good aftershave , and deodorant. Don't skip out on hygiene, few extra dollars to look and smell presentable goes a long way

Offline ML

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2021, 06:59:45 AM »
In my over ten years of visiting Ukraine I’ve never used bottled water to rinse my mouth.
I still have all my teeth.

It's not just the teeth you have to worry about when using bacteria laden water.
A beautiful woman is pleasant to look at, but it is easier to live with a pleasant acting one.

Offline Patagonie

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2021, 07:34:38 AM »
In my over ten years of visiting Ukraine I’ve never used bottled water to rinse my mouth.
I still have all my teeth.
:ROFL:
"Je glissais through the paper wall, an angel in the hand, s taboy. I lay on the floor, surgi des chants de Maldoror, je mix l'intégrale de mes nuits de crystal, i belong to the festival.

Offline John Gaunt

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2021, 09:58:00 AM »
It's not just the teeth you have to worry about when using bacteria laden water.

Have you been testing the water?

Online 2tallbill

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Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2021, 10:32:20 AM »
all good advice.

This may date me but...

Are we still using bottled water to rinse after brushing teeth?

I use bottled water for everything including rinsing the dishes
Angel Eyes uses tap water in Russia for rinsing dishes and she
does 99.987% of the dish washing.

cameraguymn about your camera question. I assume you are a
guy that is into camera's or photography or you would have a
different moniker. So take what you would normally take for
a vacation that you wanted to remember.

Personally, I just take my cell phone these days, but back when
the cell phone cameras weren't very good, I would take a nice
digital camera. I've never brought film to the FSU.

FSUW are not for entry level daters
FSUW don't do vague
FSUW like a man of action. Be a man of action 
If you find a promising girl, get your butt on a plane.
There are a hundred ways to be successful and a thousand ways to f#ck it up
Just kiss the girl, don't ask her first. Tolerate NO excuses!

Offline cameraguymn

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2021, 01:04:44 AM »
I have a new mirrorless camera and lens set worth about $8,000 bought last year that haven't been used at all. It seems these days smart phones create just as good images and much more convenient.

It seems the bottle water thing is still a good idea :) 

I use bottled water for everything including rinsing the dishes
Angel Eyes uses tap water in Russia for rinsing dishes and she
does 99.987% of the dish washing.

cameraguymn about your camera question. I assume you are a
guy that is into camera's or photography or you would have a
different moniker. So take what you would normally take for
a vacation that you wanted to remember.

Personally, I just take my cell phone these days, but back when
the cell phone cameras weren't very good, I would take a nice
digital camera. I've never brought film to the FSU.

Offline Trenchcoat

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Re: Checklist before trip to Ukraine/Russia
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2021, 07:19:26 AM »
I have a new mirrorless camera and lens set worth about $8,000 bought last year that haven't been used at all. It seems these days smart phones create just as good images and much more convenient.

It seems the bottle water thing is still a good idea :)

Smart phones are certainly more convenient and a decent enough quality one can take good enough pics for memories, photo album, etc in my opinion. As you know doubt know though an expensive DSLR like the one you have will have a bigger optical lens and better technology/options built in. A good DSLR camera can give amazingly sharp images so if you were there with photography as a big thing you wanted to do then I would understand it.

Otherwise I personally wouldn't take such an expensive camera. Be aware it can definitely attract the wrong attention and make you a target. People that are dodgy and/or desperate will see it and be after it. If you are very safety conscious and lucky you'll get away with it. I personally would go for a hotel room or apartment with a safe with anything expensive. To be honest I would go with one anyway as they are very handy in any case.

I'm not saying you can't make it around and back with it but for me anything expensive like that would be a constant worry and for me one I could do without. For many Ukrainians $8000 is more than many earn in a year lol.
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