Travel to Mother Russia

[santo]

Is anybody travelling to Russia or recently been there?  How soon do you guys think things will stabilize so travel will be safe?  I had dinner with some Russian friends of mine here and they were saying how there's been a lot of adversarial chatter between Russians and Russian Americans in the online social forums.  Whats the outlook on Russian/USA relations for tourists?

[whynotme]

No any problems to American tourists in Russia.

[BillyB]

If Americans get hurt in Russia, we would have heard about it now. I actually believe it's safer for Americans to be in Russia than in Ukraine right now. If war happens, it's going to happen in Ukraine.

[Muzh]

Is anybody travelling to Russia or recently been there?  How soon do you guys think things will stabilize so travel will be safe?  I had dinner with some Russian friends of mine here and they were saying how there's been a lot of adversarial chatter between Russians and Russian Americans in the online social forums.  Whats the outlook on Russian/USA relations for tourists?

Don't bring your Mastercard of Visa. They MAY NOT work in Russia.

[die_cast]

Don't bring your Mastercard of Visa. They MAY NOT work in Russia.

They do work in Russia. And his Visa will work in Russia, because it very doubtful that Visa will extend their sanctions to American banks.

[tfcrew]

A St Dept travel alert was issued a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/14/us-russia-travel-alert_n_4967341.html

Just don't get into any trouble.

[santo]

Yes I saw that travel alert that's why I was concerned.

[chivo]

The bogeyman strikes again.
 
Yes Americans, be afraid. I mean just last night as I was walking home I noticed this strange person hanging around my building. I didn't pay this person much mind, but this person knows I'm an American and followed me into the building and up to my apartment. Then no matter how much I tried to defend myself, I was simply overwhelmed and this person entered my flat.
 
I offered this person a margarita and something to eat as to calm this person down, but to no avail. You can't calm these people down, they're Russians after all . All of a sudden this person lunged at me, and I was forced into various positions. I knew right away that this person knew the ropes, a true master, and I was attacked from different angles. Bitten, scratched, pulled, tongue lashed, and thrusted upon again and again to within an inch of my life, it's a wonder I'm alive to write this.
 
Fortunately, this "intruder" left by morning or who knows what my fate would have been. Still, I'm nervous because this person did mention that tonight there will be more of the same.
 
Yes Americans, be afraid to come to Russia, be very afraid.
 

[santo]

I'm planning my trip to Moscow for next month. I will be there about a week. Let me know if you guys have any good info.

[clancyhound]

I'm living in Russia now for the past 8 months - there is ZERO to worry about.

Make your trip, have a good time.  All is normal, Visa / MasterCard work, just come and have a good time.  Be more worried about taxi's stealing your money than anything.

[Anotherkiwi]

Glad to see you're alive and well, Chivo - it's been far too long since you graced these boards!

The bogeyman strikes again.
 
Yes Americans, be afraid. I mean just last night as I was walking home I noticed this strange person hanging around my building. I didn't pay this person much mind, but this person knows I'm an American and followed me into the building and up to my apartment. Then no matter how much I tried to defend myself, I was simply overwhelmed and this person entered my flat.
 
I offered this person a margarita and something to eat as to calm this person down, but to no avail. You can't calm these people down, they're Russians after all . All of a sudden this person lunged at me, and I was forced into various positions. I knew right away that this person knew the ropes, a true master, and I was attacked from different angles. Bitten, scratched, pulled, tongue lashed, and thrusted upon again and again to within an inch of my life, it's a wonder I'm alive to write this.
 
Fortunately, this "intruder" left by morning or who knows what my fate would have been. Still, I'm nervous because this person did mention that tonight there will be more of the same.
 
Yes Americans, be afraid to come to Russia, be very afraid.

Did she tell you her name? 

[santo]

What's the best way to go about getting the visa? Should I go through an agency?

[Slumba]

What's the best way to go about getting the visa? Should I go through an agency?

Gotorussia.com and visahq.com seem to have been used in the past by others on the forum.

I used gotorussia.com and followed their instructions exactly for the visa application that must be filled out on the Russian government site, and had no issues with it.

[Larry1]

What's the best way to go about getting the visa? Should I go through an agency?

I suggest using an agency.  They are set up to deal with visa applications and their fees are pretty reasonable.  I've used Cinderella Travel in New York City, but as Slumba mentioned above, lots of people use gotorussia and have been pleased with them.

[Faux Pas]

http://www.travisa.com/

[ML]

Could come the situation that USA and other western countries cut off tourist visas for ALL Russians wishing to come west.

Russia will reciprocate by denying all visas for travel to Russia.

[santo]

I submitted all documents to gotorussia.com. I am waiting now for the visa.  I am planning to go to the city where she lives for our first meet.

In another post, I described how my last girl was most likely a scammer.  I think a mistake I made was not to have our first meet in her home town.  Another mistake is only to talk to one then put all your eggs in one basket and go to see her.  I really like this one so I am willing to take the chance and spend a weeks trip to meet her.  If it doesn't work out, I plan to take a month or more and stay in a Russian or Ukrainian city learning the language and meeting.
 

[Chicagoguy]

Along with some language you will learn the culture, the food and probably some history. All will come in handy.

[steveboy]

Is anybody travelling to Russia or recently been there?  How soon do you guys think things will stabilize so travel will be safe?  I had dinner with some Russian friends of mine here and they were saying how there's been a lot of adversarial chatter between Russians and Russian Americans in the online social forums.  Whats the outlook on Russian/USA relations for tourists?

Russian and Ukrainian women in general do not like indecisive men even more so if you are a wimp, which it sounds like! What do you think is exactly going on in Russia now?? mass detentions, internments, beatings of tourists, arrests of tourists without explanation, KGB following you about:) Get real, only a complete fool would worry about travelling to Russia now as a tourist or anything else. If there ever is a WW3 please make sure your as far away from me as possible))))
No wonder so many Russian women laugh at men searching for a "Russian bride" 

[santo]

Wow that's very mature of you steveboy.  You know nothing about me.

[2tallbill]

If it doesn't work out, I plan to take a month or more and stay in a Russian or Ukrainian city learning the language and meeting.
 

If it doesn't work out I would suggest that you join http://www.mamba.ru/
Put in $20 become a vip. Then you can use all the search functions
There are thousands of girls that you can ask out for coffee. Maybe one of
them might be the one.

Note the best way to join is to start a new fb page and then use that page
to verify your identity. The other method is to enter your phone number and
receive a text message. However, the text messages don't work with most
US services. That's why I suggested a new fb page.

Udachi!

Bill