Russian Women Discussion

RWD Discussion Groups => Trip Reports => Topic started by: Hammer2722 on July 15, 2019, 09:30:51 AM

Title: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on July 15, 2019, 09:30:51 AM
Its been 5 long years since I went to Minsk with my then girlfriend Olushka. Now we are heading over there as a married couple. We fly out Mon Aug 26 and return Sep 09. This is mainly a trip for Olga as her last surviving aunt is going to have open heart surgery so she wants to support her. I will try to get some of the sights in that I missed last time like the WWII museum and such.

I will try to post photos when possible on this thread.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: msmob on July 15, 2019, 11:31:53 AM
Looking forward to it..
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Gator on July 15, 2019, 01:03:12 PM
Bon voyage!

Five years is a long time away from the old country.  Olushka will be so excited to see her family, friends, and the culture from her past life.

I will be interested to read what she thinks of Minsk today after 5 years of Western life.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: jone on July 15, 2019, 01:17:27 PM
Hammer,

Belarus is one of the countries in Eastern Europe I have not been to.  I always love to hear impressions from experienced people who go there. 

From my understanding, Luka still has the support of his people, even to the extent of defying Putin on occasion.  When you are there, can you give us a sense of the political climate?

I'm also interested in hearing how the people see their own futures.  Are they optimistic?  Under a totalitarian rule?  (If you define it as totalitarian....)

I was talking to a gal from Minsk last week.  She said that she's been living outside of he country for the last two years and has no desire to go home.

Give us your impressions, Hammer.  You always have good insights.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Gator on July 15, 2019, 01:31:46 PM
Did you and Jone see mendy's thread about traveling to Belarus?

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=23629.msg509520#msg509520
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on July 15, 2019, 01:39:24 PM
Jone, My wife is in constant contact with her friends and family via email and skype. I can tell you that Luka does not have the support of the people. Most are too frightened to do anything about it. They most certainly complain about him behind closed doors. Especially many of the small business owners who are constanly getting their taxes raised. Olga's cousin Irina has a business where she used to have 2 shops in different locations in the city. Taxes and declining sales have forced her to close one shop while business in not doing so well.


Most people still have many freedoms like the ability to travel freely and all Belorussians want nothing to do with Putin! I will definitely share my thoughts  of what I percieve about the people's moods while there.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on July 15, 2019, 01:40:21 PM
Did you and Jone see mendy's thread about traveling to Belarus?

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=23629.msg509520#msg509520 (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=23629.msg509520#msg509520)


Oh most definitely. I always enjoy Mendy's posts. I even shared his thread with my wife.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: tfcrew on July 15, 2019, 01:48:33 PM
What a trip that will be. Take lots of pictures...post the great ones.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: jone on July 15, 2019, 02:21:50 PM
Did you and Jone see mendy's thread about traveling to Belarus?

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=23629.msg509520#msg509520

No.  Thanks for pointing it out.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: BillyB on July 15, 2019, 08:07:41 PM
Have a good trip Hector. It will be a different trip this time since you're a married man and not on the hunt!
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: 2tallbill on July 15, 2019, 08:27:17 PM
Looking forward to it..

+1

Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on August 05, 2019, 08:19:14 PM
Tickets are purchased! We are flying out on the 26th of Aug and will be back 06 Sep. Tickets came out to under $1300.00 each. So looking forward to a break from work...... :wallbash:
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: BillyB on August 05, 2019, 08:50:25 PM
Tickets came out to under $1300.00 each.


Prices to fly during Summer are killer.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on August 05, 2019, 09:00:46 PM
BillyB, agreed. Those were the best prices we could find.....
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: LAman on August 05, 2019, 11:47:01 PM
BillyB, agreed. Those were the best prices we could find.....


Makes me wonder where you looked. I got RT for $636 aug 28- sept 17, depart to moscow and return from Kiev.


Seems to me best pricing is ~~8-10 weeks before trip
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: msmob on August 05, 2019, 11:54:36 PM

Makes me wonder where you looked. I got RT for $636 aug 28- sept 17, depart to moscow and return from Kiev.


Seems to me best pricing is ~~8-10 weeks before trip

Your trip is when kids are back at school ? ..
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: LAman on August 06, 2019, 03:59:09 PM
Your trip is when kids are back at school ? ..

????? My kids will retire in a couple years!!! )))
My great-grand kids are in school!!
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on August 06, 2019, 05:55:18 PM

Makes me wonder where you looked. I got RT for $636 aug 28- sept 17, depart to moscow and return from Kiev.


Seems to me best pricing is ~~8-10 weeks before trip


We were limited to cities we would be flying in and out of and length of flights and connection wait time. Wife did not want to fly through Moscow and she preferred flying through Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt.....Our trip lengths are less than 20 hours each way.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: msmob on August 07, 2019, 12:07:44 AM
????? My kids will retire in a couple years!!! )))
My great-grand kids are in school!!

I'm not sure if I didn't explain or you're being obtuse, deliberately !;)

I refer to a period when kids are at school and prices fall !

Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Trenchcoat on August 07, 2019, 02:15:54 PM

We were limited to cities we would be flying in and out of and length of flights and connection wait time. Wife did not want to fly through Moscow and she preferred flying through Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt.....Our trip lengths are less than 20 hours each way.

Think there is some issue with going from Moscow to Minsk with the visa free stuff I vaguely recall. From the UK direct flights can only be obtain with the Belorusian airline, Belavia to Minsk. Flying from the UK, Belarus is generally a lot more expensive than Kiev, Ukraine. The air fees are way more, not talking the budget airlines either, several hundred pounds. Accomodation is also more expensive in Minsk than Kiev I guess as they have been catering for tourists for less time.

I was messaging a girl from Minsk over the summer, she was too young for me, just 22, but I saw it as an opportunity to learn more. She talked openly that she wanted to get away from Minsk because of father (Lukashenko). I was surprised as the last girl I met there did not want to talk about him. We've all heard the bad news stories of course of what may go down to the more outspoken opponents of Lukashenko. I even skyped with the girl to see if she was authentic, she was, her English though was pretty non-existent and my Russian is pretty poor so the Skype didn't last long. I told her in advance though that it wouldn't, I just want to see her to see what she looked like other than in the photos.

Anyway, there seems to be a big thing for Belarusian wanting out, far more than Ukraine I would say,vas their no. 1 priority. She stated too that most people there don't like Lukashenko and want him to go. Like you say though lots of talk but doesn't look like anything is going to happen there anytime soon.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: LAman on August 07, 2019, 11:11:08 PM

We were limited to cities we would be flying in and out of and length of flights and connection wait time. Wife did not want to fly through Moscow and she preferred flying through Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt.....Our trip lengths are less than 20 hours each way.


I am not sure when you bought your tickets, as I said 8-10 weeks best pricing. Last week of August starts the Fall season pricing. Another week or two would have been better pricing. As Trench said, no way for you to use Moscow for connection. Lately both KLM and Air France have had luggage problems and both offer 'light' pricing( no check-in bag). Lufthansa still has regular pricing( w check-in bag).
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Trenchcoat on August 11, 2019, 04:10:51 AM
I don't really understand why people are so against Lukashenko to be honest. I mean I know you have the whole not speaking out against the regime, accusations of oppression, jail, etc but all in all the society seems a peaceful, civilized and fair place to be. Crime is low and compared to its sister country Ukraine the deal is a whole lot more less chaotic affair. I kind of get the impression if they gave up Lukashenko and the whole quasi-soviet affair they would just be punished with a Ukraine version 2 situation. I hear the economy isn't particularly any better in Belarus than Ukraine but I don't think getting rid of Lukashenko will change that, if anything it could make it worse. The young women there tend to wear nice short tight skirts so I think I could live there quite happily for quite some time :) Just my thoughts on it all anyway.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on August 25, 2019, 06:34:31 PM
Well, we are all checked in for our flights to Minsk tomorrow. Direct from Seattle to Frankfurt with a 6 hour layover, then less than 2 hrs to Minsk!!!!  :clapping:
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: BillyB on August 25, 2019, 09:02:29 PM
Well, we are all checked in for our flights to Minsk tomorrow. Direct from Seattle to Frankfurt with a 6 hour layover, then less than 2 hrs to Minsk!!!!  :clapping:

Don't let the excitement prevent you from getting a good nights rest! There is a McDonald's in the Frankfurt airport that serves the McRib sandwich year around when it's only available for a month out of the year in the States.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: msmob on August 25, 2019, 11:17:31 PM
Hammer,

If one or both of your flights is with Lufthansa and you want in-flight entertainment  you need to download the app, beforehand.

You cannot download it on board.

Have a good one.

Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on August 26, 2019, 09:02:19 AM
Hammer,

If one or both of your flights is with Lufthansa and you want in-flight entertainment  you need to download the app, beforehand.

You cannot download it on board.

Have a good one.


Do you mean for the mobile phone? The long leg of the trip from Seattle to Frankfurt is with Condor. The shorter leg is with Lufthansa
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: msmob on August 26, 2019, 11:12:27 AM
Yup..mobile (cell) phone or tablet..

Sorry, cannot help re Condor
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: ML on August 26, 2019, 11:18:03 AM
Condor is tied in with Lufthansa.

Wife flew Condor into Frankfurt from USA on her trip to Ukraine.

No complaints.

Condor's primary business, prior to this year starting flights to-from USA, has been taking German tourists to Turkey, Egypt, etc.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: calmissile on August 26, 2019, 06:36:22 PM
Have a great trip Hector.  I am interested in what your wife picks up as far a political views of the residents.  My daughters piano teacher and her mother are from Belarus.  They spend about 50% of the year in their home there.  Next time I see them I will ask about their opinions on the politics.  They are not likely to be afraid of speaking honestly.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on August 29, 2019, 08:28:39 AM
We, we made it to Minsk! Spent the last 2 days unwinding and had dinner with Olga's Dad.


Today spent most of the day with Yuliya, Olga's classmate. She had visited us in Seattle a few years ago. We had lunch at a nice German place called Gaststätte. Excellent food and I got to try my wife's favorite dark beer Kozel.  I have to admit its now my favorite dark beer!


The weather is absolutely beautiful here. 72-78 degrees average!



Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: jone on August 29, 2019, 08:42:42 AM
Way neat.

In Ukraine, they took the tanks off the monuments to use against the Russians in the latest conflict.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: ML on August 29, 2019, 11:38:54 AM
Way neat.

In Ukraine, they took the tanks off the monuments to use against the Russians in the latest conflict.

One of my wife's friends has son, a reserve officer in Army.
He has never been called up.
When asked why . . . answer was his specialty was Supply Corps . . . and there are no supplies to manage.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: BillyB on August 29, 2019, 08:53:08 PM
The weather is absolutely beautiful here. 72-78 degrees average!


That's the temperature in the Seattle area today. You're missing out on the weather here. Come back!
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on August 29, 2019, 11:33:50 PM
That's the temperature in the Seattle area today. You're missing out on the weather here. Come back!


Actually Billy, my wife thinks we brought the weather here from Seattle with us. Prior to arriving here, it had been raining quite a bit. Now, its just beautiful!
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on September 21, 2019, 12:46:48 PM
So, I've been back from Belarus since the 6th. We spent most of the time visiting friends and family. Eating out and at dachas. Most of the photos I'll be posting will be from the WWII museum in Minsk. It was was quite awesome and I highly recommend it to those who are interested in WWII history. I'll post the photos a few at a time over the next several days/weeks..
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: BillyB on September 21, 2019, 06:02:39 PM

I love WWII history. Can't wait to see the photos!
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: krimster2 on September 21, 2019, 06:22:11 PM
haha...
how much do they charge these days for you to be allowed to take pictures inside?
you do realize that this money goes into the director's pocket, right?

for some reason, the museum doesn't want to mention the holocaust
probably because it's too upsetting...

TONS of military museums in Moscva!
my new favorite is
http://www.museum-arms.ru/
the Armament Museum in Tula is about a 2 hour drive from SE Moscva...
VERY cool...
and hands on
you are allowed to pick up some of the pieces!!!!!
no other museum will let you do that!!!

5 floors of stuff to see - plus factory tours and MORE in the same area...
past there and you get into fun Gopnick territory where you have to travel in packs!!

Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: HoundDaddyLee on September 22, 2019, 10:04:47 AM
haha...
how much do they charge these days for you to be allowed to take pictures inside?
you do realize that this money goes into the director's pocket, right?





I visited the museum two years ago and took photos throughout. No charge. Just no flash allowed. They also have an iPod like device that will give English explanation of the displays.


My two cents,
HDL
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on September 25, 2019, 07:06:59 PM
haha...
how much do they charge these days for you to be allowed to take pictures inside?
you do realize that this money goes into the director's pocket, right?

for some reason, the museum doesn't want to mention the holocaust
probably because it's too upsetting...

TONS of military museums in Moscva!
my new favorite is
http://www.museum-arms.ru/ (http://www.museum-arms.ru/)
the Armament Museum in Tula is about a 2 hour drive from SE Moscva...
VERY cool...
and hands on
you are allowed to pick up some of the pieces!!!!!
no other museum will let you do that!!!

5 floors of stuff to see - plus factory tours and MORE in the same area...
past there and you get into fun Gopnick territory where you have to travel in packs!!
Krimster, you are talking about Ukraine. Belarus does not operate that way. I paid nothing extra to take photos and the cost was about 5.00 for the museum. Well worth the cost in my opinion.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on September 25, 2019, 07:08:10 PM

I visited the museum two years ago and took photos throughout. No charge. Just no flash allowed. They also have an iPod like device that will give English explanation of the displays.


My two cents,
HDL


You are correct. They also have some of the displays now written in English under the Russian.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 05, 2019, 04:04:53 PM
Finally started to get my pics in order. These are all taken at the WWII Museum in Minsk:

1st pic: Me and the Boss...


last 3 pics: Taken outside
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: BillyB on October 05, 2019, 06:13:14 PM
1st pic: Me and the Boss...


I see you and you're looking good but where's the boss? The real boss...your significant other.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 05, 2019, 06:36:07 PM
I see you and you're looking good but where's the boss? The real boss...your significant other.


She did not want to be photographed at the museum. The tour was mainly done just for me.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 13, 2019, 10:34:50 AM
More pics
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: ML on October 14, 2019, 09:48:53 AM
Hammer, have you been to the Panorama in Sevastopol?

Magnificent layout of an actual battle scene, like a couple of your pictures.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: jone on October 14, 2019, 09:55:51 AM
Hammer,

All you'd have to do is grow a droopy mustache and you'd look just like Stalin!
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 16, 2019, 05:44:17 PM
Hammer, have you been to the Panorama in Sevastopol?

Magnificent layout of an actual battle scene, like a couple of your pictures.


Unfortunately, I have never been to Sevastopol. Spent my Crimea time in Yevpatoria. They did have a small military museum based on the Crimean War though. They too had a Panorama scene but a small one.
Title: Re: HEADING TO MINSK, AGAIN!
Post by: Hammer2722 on October 20, 2019, 10:49:35 AM
More pics