planning a trip to Odessa in lat june early july ANY TIPS FOR 1ST TIMER? tks

[super9er]

I have been chatting with a chick, for a at least a couple of month.  she was hesitant bout giving her cell number or here  plain old email address out...I didn't thing of those as red flags..jus cautious.  No I'm around all you fiends lol....................but I have been getting pretty good vibes so I have planning my trip aroud her.  If she doesn't work out...well I haven't had a vacation in a couple of years and i'm fighining n alaska in a few months after this:0.................anyway...as a first timer to ukraine (SHE GOT MY WOMANS DAY TULIPS)...i'M planning on reserving a good apt......She doesn't speak very good english nor do is speak the native language.

So when I leave I'm hopping for the best, expecting the worse. 

I'm not going to worry bout did she give me her shit to early or to late, are you a gold digger, are you this that and everything?

I know what i'm going to do...I'm on vacaton and will treat it as every country I have been in.  I'm going to have fun.   I'm leaving around june 22 but date is not set :0

[Dave13]

First off, welcome to the board, you right on track about the vacation part. My first trip to Russia, was for 22 days, my mind set was, at the very least I was going to have a very interesting vacation. Some advice, try and learn some of the language, it helps and does show your interested. Make a make a copy of your passport, just in case it gets lost. Have some money and identification with another credit card as a backup, separate from your wallet. I would stay at least 10 days, it takes a few days to just get over the jet lag. So when will you be in Alaska, its been my home since 1978.

Best of Luck!

Dave

[Stirlitz]

Have back-up plans. Have direct contact details of women (not that of their agencies/interpreters).

Be in control of the situation, manage things on your own or use third parties (don’t use women or their agencies for whatever is different from actually dating them).

[alex330]

I would get an email, phone number and talk to her on skype. It is easy to setup a toss away email address in 5 minutes if she has to.
Make sure any currency you bring to exchange is new and undamaged. Odessa is a fun trip, have a good time.

[Al_C]

While I have never been to Odessa, I have been to Novosibirsk, Moscow, Ekaterinburg, and St. Pete.  I could write a book on tips I developed over the years, so I will try to stay with the important ones:

FINANCIAL:  Call your bank and credit card companies and tell them you will be in Russia.  Otherwise, once they see a stream of charges coming from Russia, they will shut your card down faster than lightning, and then good luck trying to call the 1-800 number to get them to turn it back on.  Take care of that in advance.

What credit cards do you have?  Am Ex is not that widely accepted in Russia.  MC/VISA is much more widely accepted.  Still, many merchants want roubles and nothing else.  Get roubles here through your bank before you leave.  Currency exchanges there are a pain in the butt, and many charge exorbitant commisions, especially if your American bills are rumpled or torn.

Many ATM machines there are not secure, resulting in some criminal organization stealing your PIN and other personal data.  Use one in a bank, not one on the street.

VISA:  Did you get yours yet?  If not, use an internet service to get it.  There are many silly mistakes you can make that can cause you hours of headaches and weeks of delay in getting your visa.  Much better to pay the pros their $100.00 or so and let them get it right the first time around.

WHILE THERE:  You must have your passport and visa on your person at all times while in a public place.  There is no search and seizure law there.  The police can stop you at any time, for any reason, or even without a reason.  Most of the time, all they want is to see that your passport and visa are in order, so have it ready for them.

Apartments are a good money saving alternative to hotels, but did you check hotel prices there?  They are not really all that much, so maybe one is within your reach, saving you chores you really don't want to do there, like housekeeping and cooking your own meals.  Also, the hotel will register your visa, saving you the trouble (and possible hassles) of dealing with the interior ministry once you are there.

INTERNET:  If there is no wi-fi available, many cell phone companies will rent you a cell phone modem for your laptop on a daily or weekly basis.

[Shadow]

I hope your spoken English is better as the written, or she will have a hard time understanding you.

You say you are chatting with her, yet she does not give out her contact data.
That sounds an awful lot like a pay-per-view (s)cam-dating site, and has not brought too much success as far as I know.

More likely she wil disappear in the distance or be mostly interested in dating you wallet.

[Handycam72]

FINANCIAL:  Call your bank and credit card companies and tell them you will be in Russia.  Otherwise, once they see a stream of charges coming from Russia, they will shut your card down faster than lightning, and then good luck trying to call the 1-800 number to get them to turn it back on.  Take care of that in advance.

What credit cards do you have?  Am Ex is not that widely accepted in Russia.  MC/VISA is much more widely accepted.  Still, many merchants want roubles and nothing else.  Get roubles here through your bank before you leave.  Currency exchanges there are a pain in the butt, and many charge exorbitant commisions, especially if your American bills are rumpled or torn.

Many ATM machines there are not secure, resulting in some criminal organization stealing your PIN and other personal data.  Use one in a bank, not one on the street.

Agreed that you should inform whoever supplies your card.

American Express NOT widely excepted, best use Visa

ATMs are everywhere in Odessa, so will not find any problems.

VISA:  Did you get yours yet?  If not, use an internet service to get it.  There are many silly mistakes you can make that can cause you hours of headaches and weeks of delay in getting your visa.  Much better to pay the pros their $100.00 or so and let them get it right the first time around.

Visa is NOT required for Odessa, as its in Ukraine. I feel Al_C has copied and pasted his post from somewhere
Countries that do NOT require a Visa to visit Ukraine are:
USA, Canada, Japan, EU nations, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Vatican, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Mongolia, Lithuania and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (except Turkmenistan).

WHILE THERE:  You must have your passport and visa on your person at all times while in a public place.  There is no search and seizure law there.  The police can stop you at any time, for any reason, or even without a reason.  Most of the time, all they want is to see that your passport and visa are in order, so have it ready for them.

Generally I find the Police will leave you alone as long as you don't draw attention to yourself, in fact on my 3 visits to Odessa I not had any dealings with the Police.  

Apartments are a good money saving alternative to hotels, but did you check hotel prices there?  They are not really all that much, so maybe one is within your reach, saving you chores you really don't want to do there, like housekeeping and cooking your own meals.  Also, the hotel will register your visa, saving you the trouble (and possible hassles) of dealing with the interior ministry once you are there.

Apartments are the better option IMO, Hotels are often expensive if you want English speaking staff.

Oleg at http://www.odessabestapartments.com/ is who I use, very reliable, excellent customer service and a huge range of Apartments.

INTERNET:  If there is no wi-fi available, many cell phone companies will rent you a cell phone modem for your laptop on a daily or weekly basis.

Most mid range apartments have internet connection, as for cell phones you can rent one while there or just buy yourself a card when you arrive.
If your really stuck for the internet, there are plenty of Internet cafes about, and the Irish Bar on the main street (Deribasovskaya Street) has internet.

Another note to add, IMO do NOT go and use the VIP service at the airport in Odessa its not worth it. The airport is only small. Maybe if/when they build the all big new Airport will it be worth it, but that is many years away.


For those interested a litlle look at the New Odessa Airport that might happen one day
http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Odessa-Airport-Concept-Video/139889

[Handycam72]

Super9er

It looks like your going there with your eyes wide open. I agree use it as a vacation, and the date is a bonus if it works.

Like Stirlitz has said, be sure to be in total control and independent. Don't let her smile and beauty cloud your judgement.

You will enjoy Odessa, its a great place, friendly people and lots to see and do

[ECOCKS]

Apartments are almost always better unless you are extremely lazy and have trouble cleaning and cooking for yourself. Even then the cooking issue will probably wash by doing cereal or snack for breakfast and then going out for lunch and dinner around and about.

There are several/many good restaurants there, avoid the street vendors and stick with real places. as always when travelling in a completely new region, avoid water that isn't bottled or fully filtered. There is a great place overlooking the park, Pechesago (sp?) and a nice Mexican place down by the statue of Katherine that I recommend. Avoid the pub but do check out Athena "Mall". There was a halfway decent hamburger available at the restaurant/pub down the stairs to the right (Murphy's?) and another decent place called Friends and Beer which is not bad. I'll check on a couple of others.

Watch street interactions, the kids will be bad in the summertime, following and begging or possibly setting you up for a pickpocket. Stay alert and you should be fine. Avoid that being a nice, helpful guy syndrome which many Americans are so proud of. Don't touch anything which isn't yours, even if you think someone dropped something or you are being helpful.

Watch the taxi's. It's still pretty routine for drivers you approach to rip you off by doubling the fares when they hear your accent or attempt to communicate in English. If you have a terp or date that is supportive, have them call a taxi for you and GET THE RATE before they hang up. Having addresses written down in Cyrillic is a pretty good idea whenever possible.

Keep a copy of your passport in your passport and a couple of more (copies) in your luggage, do not give the police your passport if you have some interaction with them. Show it to them (keeping your hands on it) but if they want it give them the copy to work from while retaining yours.

[Stirlitz]

Generally I find the Police will leave you alone as long as you don't draw attention to yourself, in fact on my 3 visits to Odessa I not had any dealings with the Police.

You must NOT attract attention indeed. In particular, stop speaking English when they are around and pretend to be a local. (It is generally a good idea not to be speaking English too loud in public places). They are very likely to check your passport if they hear you are a foreigner. It is a good idea to have a copy of passport to give to them but something you must have on you at all times is your board pass control paper with the address where you are staying. (It can be a random address, you do not have to actually stay there but it should be a valid address so that they do not see it being fake as locals, for example a street which is not in Odessa, etc).

Watch the taxi's. It's still pretty routine for drivers you approach to rip you off by doubling the fares when they hear your accent or attempt to communicate in English.

That is also essential. In March I had a client who wanted to get around and save on my fees. He did save me of my fees but instead he paid them to taxi drivers. He was charged UAH300 once for a 5 km ride which would normally cost one tenth of that, that is 30. This is not to say that all taxi drivers are scammers but unfortunately many of them are used to taking advantage of people because of their job and foreigners are an easy catch, so be careful. It does not even help to have someone to negotiate the price on the phone if you are on your own.

[remiel6]

I've never had a problem with police in the Ukraine, maybe I'm just lucky.
As for a previous posters comment, you do not need a visa to enter the ukraine just a plane ticket.
Most importantly enjoy

[BillyB]

I know what i'm going to do...I'm on vacaton and will treat it as every country I have been in.  I'm going to have fun.   I'm leaving around june 22 but date is not set :0

Welcome to the forum Super9er. Is that the name of your aircraft in the military?

Although you want to treat this trip as a vacation, be honest with yourself and treat it as if you're going there for a woman. I've heard a few guys say they will treat it as a vacation and a few guys recommend this but the truth is the vacation would not be happening if there was no women there. Seriously, have a backup plan. VO is risky.

I don't care how good looking your lady is, no RW wouldn't get a visit from me unless I have her phone number. You are willing to spend thousands of $ to see her. The least she could do is let you speak to her on the phone. Tell her you won't come unless you can speak to her on the phone. You'll then know more if she cares about seeing you or prefers to keep communicating with you and the other guys on a pay to play video chat.

[Jack]

 They are very likely to check your passport if they hear you are a foreigner. It is a good idea to have a copy of passport to give to them

To anyone reading this bit of advice, if you do try to use a copy of your passport to a Russian or Ukraine policeman who ask's you for your documents, you might as well just reach into your pocket and pay the policeman the bribe he is after. Copies of your passport will NOT work if a policeman wants a little spending money.  Copies of your passport are not a legal document.  In case you try to use a copy of your passport you should be aware of the going rate on "fee for improper documents".

Local bribes can be determined by several factor's, have you been drinking, location and time you are stopped, number and nationalities of individuals who may be with you, etc. Today's going rate for no passport, copied passport, no immigration card is from $20 to $50.

The 'official' way of paying bribe is to ask for your passport back, slip a $20, or 100 grivna, into your passport and give the passport back to the policeman.

No let me also say this with regards to bribes and police.  My opinion only of course.  If I am in the right, have done nothing wrong, have all my documents on me, and not copies of documents, I will give the police absolutely nothing. "Take me to the station officer" And I have told this to police more than a few times when I knew I was in the right.   However if I am in the wrong, I made a mistake, maybe was speeding or not using my turn signals, I don't have my correct documents, had a few drinks, I will pay the going bribe quicker than a scammer tell's a foreign man she loves him.

Already on this current tour we have had some crazy things happening. I am thinking about trying to write a bi or tri-daily account of things going here and on RWA, as well posting some photos.

On Wednesday night one guy met a women he had met on one of the free personal sights.  Good looking girl. They go to a place that serves dinner as well as a club. A little later one of her girlfriends calls, and the guy tell's his date "sure, invite her to join us" and 45 minutes later she does.  Two fine looking women.  After dinner the three go to the night club, dance, have a good time and to make a long story short, the three go back to his flat.  When he awakes that morning he notices his i-pod phone and money belt with $200 AND passport, missing.

After getting as much information as possible I send one of my associates and this man back to this restaurant club.  We tell the manager what has happened and that we have not gone to the police yet but will be forced to file a report of we do not get the passport quickly. There were cameras everywhere in restaurant and club. The manager asked us to give him three hours to find passport, three hours before making police report, we said ok.

Two hours later we were called to come back to club and the passport was found, by the cleaning people.

It is very bad publicity for any restaurant or club to be associated with such activity.

[CanadaMan]

... Copies of your passport will NOT work if a policeman wants a little spending money.  Copies of your passport are not a legal document...

The 'official' way of paying bribe is to ask for your passport back, slip a $20, or 100 grivna, into your passport and give the passport back to the policeman.

 Not that this will ever happen to me but...
How do you slip the $20 to the cop if you just a have a copy of your passport?

More on the passport original/copy.
Isn't it a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation?
If you always carry your passport on you, it is there for the taking should a thug decide you will be his next victim.

If you don't, you open yourself up to a possible bribe request by a cop.

[Gylden]

It is actually very simple and straight forward, as Jack mentioned. When ever you are traveling out of the country it is a requirement to have with you at all times your passport as well as your visa or other official travel documents.

You should have a copy of all of those documents in your luggage or where ever, separate from what you are carrying, because in the event they are lost or stolen, a copy of your passport WILL get you in to your embassy to get a new one.

 

[Faux Pas]

I've always kept my passport at all times in my front pocket and a copy along with other ID, CC's and extra cash stashed away in my luggage in the room. I would recommend keeping your passport on you at all times. Walking around with a copy will do you no good in the event you need it for ID. A copy will help you get a replacement if you lose or have your passport stolen. Always keep your passport on you and cognizant of it's presence. Keep the copy in your room in the unlikely event that you need it later.


Jack, that was good thinking approaching the club owner.

[Stirlitz]

It is a good idea to have the passport rather than a copy. However, a copy always worked in my experience, but having your passport lost or stolen would get you into a lot of trouble. So you decide. I believe it is best to have a copy ready to be produced and your passport hidden in a special inside pocket in case you really need it but impossible to steal.

[Al_C]

Visa is NOT required for Odessa, as its in Ukraine. I feel Al_C has copied and pasted his post from somewhere

I did not copy or paste anything,  I did not realize Odessa is in Ukraine, and yes I realize that U.S. passport holders may enter Ukraine visa free.

Sorry for my mistake in geography.