Hi to all and some help on trip to Siberia

[markc444]

Hi all,
I've been a lurker here a bit and have found that this site is wonderful in some of the questions i have had till now.  I never really thought I would be posting on here or even looking for a Russian woman but it was an innocent meeting on ICQ in January that has now brought I guess her and I to this point.  To make a long story short we have spent those ten months chatting an  enormous amount of time on icq as well as on the phone and have exchanged pics as well as I have mailed her videos of myself so she can know me as well as possible and so there are as few suprises as possible.  I am 46 and she is 25 and I spent a good amount of time telling her I was a bit to old for her but after many talks she really seems to like me and age  is more of an issue to me than it is to her.  But it has become much less of one now.  She spends so much time talking to me on icq that i know she is genuine about what she says and she really does seem to have a heart of gold.  So this weekend I decided the time looks right to go but still need to wait till march to get the time off work and make sure it is planned right.  She lives in Chita and I guess right now I am wondering about the best time to go.  Ok, the best time to fly for a good price.  Obviously going to Siberia in March is not the best time but personally I kind of look forward to seeing a bit of a frozen winter wonderland.  But anyway the main question I have right now is I am trying to find the best time in March to go.  I know April 4th is Easter here in the USA and tickets will be expensive on a return flgiht.  Or so I would think.  But when I checked tickets I did not see price increase higher than any other weekend at that time.  And I know I need to apply for the visa  3 months in advance and from the research I have done to this point I plan on using gotorussia.net as I see a few people have given them good reviews.  And I guess that will put me starting to get a Visa right in the middle of holiday season so will this be a hassle with them even being open.  I guess what I need to know is when is the best time to get the tickets after I get the Visa and will the company I am using for the visa and letter of invitation  be the best to get the airplane tickets I need or should I use a site like igougo which gives multiple site prices.  Ok...that was at least the first question I have for now..this has been a bit overwhelming and I can say the help and experience u offer is greatly appreciated here.
Mark

[Faux Pas]

Hey markc444!

Russian visas are done here in the US for US citizens. I've traveled Siberia quite a bit but I haven't heard of Chita. What exactly is it you need to know?

[wendaaaal]

Hi Mark,
 With regards to flights, there probably isn't much difference through all of March or April. You're so far in advance, there really aren't any "specials" posted. As we get closer to that time, there likely will be some. Chita is definitely off the beaten path. Probably S7 Airlines Moscow-Novosibirsk-Chita would be one place to look. They've got a good English language website if you haven't seen it already.
 Gotorussia.com are a very reliable source of visas. Have used them before with no problems.
 Do you have any backup girls from ICQ or elsewhere? It's a very long way to go, and there is a big age difference. It would be a pity to spend 24 hours traveling there, then be disappointed 24 minutes into your first meeting. Find some backup girls, even if you never, ever think you'll need them. Don't be afraid to ask questions here. Best wishes, Wendell in Austin

[markc444]

Hey..thanks for the quick replies...from what I was seeing I thought I would have to fly into Irkutsk and then take a day train out to Chita from there wendaaaal.  But u probably know better than I.  It would be great to fly right in there, none of the sites I checked on igougo had any options to fly into Chita.  Would it be better to use one of the travel websites as you suggested or would gotrussia.com also be able to help me with that for a good price as well do you know.  As far as other woman I understand why you say to meet others before I go but I really did not go out searching for a Russian woman in particular it was just who I ended up getting along with very well.  I think for me it will be best to keep this limited to her and if does not work out at least I will get a good vacation. There for me is a lot invested in this and I do not want to make her feel uncomfortable by talking to others.  But the advice is apprecited and understood as well. 

[OlgaH]

Hi Mark,

It would be great to fly right in there, none of the sites I checked on igougo had any options to fly into Chita.  

Check Moscow Domodedovo Airport's flight schedules to Chita.

http://www.domodedovo.ru/en/main/timetablenew/

[I/O]

if does not work out at least I will get a good vacation.

Couldn't agree more and IMO that's the way you should keep thinking. You certainly will have an interesting time down in that corner of Russia in winter. From there, north across Baikal and further is some of the prettiest, in fact I'd suggest the most spectacular country I've seen anywhere in the world. It was that area and nothing to do with women that took me to Russia the first time years ago. Lucky you to see that area in winter. I'm green with envy. I've only seen it in summer.

Train round from Irkutsk wouldn't be a 5 minute trip. I'd suggest if you can arrange it, fly in and if you two hit it off and you have time, perhaps the two of you could take a train ride further north. I wouldn't bust my butt to get to Irkutsk unless it is necessary. It's not a bad ol' city but it isn't the best offering Siberia throws up. The villages scattered around Baikal are an education and hold some of my fondest memories in Russia.

You've a number of choices for flights by what I can see. S-7 (not real cheap, about $600 odd return DME Moscow), Ural Air, UTAir (sometimes) and mayber Krasair from time to time. I always cut at these things a few different ways. Work out roughly when you want to go (and return), do some direct research yourself and toss it to a couple of agents (perhaps including your visa invitation mob) to see what they all come up with. I don't think your 3 month thing with the visa is correct unless processing in your neck of the woods is terribly slow. A week or two should sort it out, it certainly does for me.

Couple of shots around Baikal.

Crap I hate it when I hit the post button by mistake before I've finished editing and then have to come back to clean up the mess.

[markc444]

Hey I/O
Thank you for your kind words and help with flight suggestions.  I had expected suggestions to see more than one girl as I had read the boards looking for guidance as this relationship developed.  But in my case the only reason I would go would be to meet her.  I'm not a player as they say and she really is what seems someone who even cares more about me than I do, even from a world away.  So yeah, I think it is best to keep it as a good vacation or to figure out how to get her here if all goes well. 
As far as the flights I had searched Chita on many of the flight sites such as Igougo as my final destination but that never would bring up anything even when I keyed in the airport code.  That is how I ended up picking Irkutsk as the destination and then taking the train from there.  Maybe it was the dates I had chosen as they revolved around weekends or the sites themselves that did not make Chita a choice for me.  Now that ya'll have been kind enough to give me more understanding of my choices to get there I can refine it a bit better.  I think I am seeing the best way to plan this trip might be with a travel agency since the last destination is far off the beaten path.
I am thinking mid March will be the best time for me.  I am not a rich man and with the flights being a bit cheaper then it made more sense for me.  And I could not agree more with you about seeing Siberia at that time of the year.  I am a winter person myself although I think that may be tempered by the fact I live in Virginia.  From what I hear from Natasha I do not think I would be a winter person living in Siberia.  Especially at -40 in January...just omg.  But i had thought about going earlier  but things just worked out better in March and to be honest I would rather see it after a hard winter than before.  Just to see all that is frozen to me just sounds beautiful and facinating...and maybe crazy too.   Thanks I/O and OlgaH as well for you help.  It is much appreciated.

[remiel6]

I've never been to Siberia so I can't offer much help there, but I personally don't see much wrong with going to see only one person. I think this is especially true if you have been writing to them as long as you have. I wish you luck and hope everything turns out well. 
Oh, and welcome to the boards.

[Blues Fairy]

things just worked out better in March and to be honest I would rather see it after a hard winter than before.  Just to see all that is frozen to me just sounds beautiful and facinating...

March can be sometimes just as freezing as January, you never know.  

Why don't you ask her to find you some flights to Chita when you are certain about the dates.  It might be easier to do locally than over the internet; and will give her something to work on while waiting for you.  Moscow airports allow electronic tickets and you can arrange to pay online once she comes up with the acceptable itinerary.

The fact that she displays markedly more affection than you do, before having even met - could be a tiny red flag.  But then, there is no 100% guarantee of anything in this kind of endeavor, and you seem to have the right approach to it. 

[UTRO]

It appears that Chita is better served by flights than my wife's Kirov is You're lucky!
If you fly with S7 you will have no problem paying for a flight Online. www.s7.ru/en/index.html

[Faux Pas]

It appears that Chita is better served by flights than my wife's Kirov is You're lucky!
If you fly with S7 you will have no problem paying for a flight Online. www.s7.ru/en/index.html

Last year they didn't have a decent verification system on their site. Maybe it's better now I don't know. I had to jump through a few hoops i.e. emailing them a copy of my passport and the credit card before I could purchase online. It was a bit of a hassle but I have booked several times since then and no problem.

[I/O]

As Faux Pas said, S-7 does require credit card verification first up but then it isn’t required again. Simply send them an email asking what they require before you book and they will spell it out. Usually some ID and the last 4 digits of your credit card. It’s pretty simple and they’re a good mob to deal with. I have never asked, but I have a funny feeling they may do invitation letters also as they are a registered tour host. I haven’t seen it on their site but it might be worth an ask.

I don’t want to rain on your parade, but like B/F, I just have a sneaking concern on this one. Dunno, maybe I’m jumping at shadows. Anyway, I agree, get her involved in the flight selection and it will tell you as much about her as it will about travel arrangements. FWIW, pay direct for any bookings, don’t pay through her or any friends / personal contacts etc .

I wouldn’t be too concerned about the booking thing, it isn’t rocket science and this lot here will surely steer you through  . Organise yourself to Moscow and then to final desto separately. I think you’ll get shafted trying to do it all on one ticket plate. Furthermore, Etickets are well and truly fashionable all over Russia now (Vastly different from 3 years ago) thus you’ll have no problem booking remotely. Oh, and BTW, -40c happens but seldom that far south. -39c is so much more comfortable  .

[markc444]

March can be sometimes just as freezing as January, you never know.  

Why don't you ask her to find you some flights to Chita when you are certain about the dates.  It might be easier to do locally than over the internet; and will give her something to work on while waiting for you.  Moscow airports allow electronic tickets and you can arrange to pay online once she comes up with the acceptable itinerary.

The fact that she displays markedly more affection than you do, before having even met - could be a tiny red flag.  But then, there is no 100% guarantee of anything in this kind of endeavor, and you seem to have the right approach to it. 

I understand what you mean Blue but the references were more to do with my health earlier in the year when I had a pinched nerve in my back and instead of me saving money for a possible visit to her she was more concerned that i make a doc visit i thought would be expensive...and this happened a second time for a different reason even saying if I did not take care of myself she might turn off icq so I would do it.  But remarking that would not be so easy for her.  But to me suggesting I spend money on my health I was trying to save to visit her was what I meant.  And yes I know my health comes first and did but it showed a little selflessness on her part to me. But that being said, it is nice to know people are watching out for the red flags.  Believe me I have been doing a lot of watching and I have not seen anything but what has been  a very caring and trustworthy person on her side. 

She also has said that looking at the Chita airport flights from her side would be a good idea.  She is as new to airports and schedules  as I am traveling to Russia so we are kind of just wading our way through it and taking in one what we learn on how to proceed.  So to Dave, I/O and Faux Pas I appreciate your help more than you know on the Chita flights.  I was starting to think the best way to do this would be to get the Chita schedule and work the flights backwards from there since not many sites I visited even wanted to use Chita's airport.  Then I guess go with a travel agent seeing what they can match up with that as the quickest way to get there from the states.  Kind of like what I/O was saying about booking separate from Moscow.  Omg, I miss easy American traveling plans...lol.  But you guys are really helping to make a bit more sense of all this and I do thank you for it.  But I would think before I buy the ticket from S-7 for the Moscow to Chita flight, I should talk to the other travel agent about the rest of the flight.  I hope that makes sense, this is all a bit confusing but kind of coming together now. 

[markc444]

Another question I was wondering as well.  She was saying today that there are flats that I may be able to stay in when I get there as opposed to staying in a hotel.  Have any you done this, stayed in a flat and did you like it as opposed to a hotel?  Was it easy to do and how about that letter of invitation and I guess I have read you must register when you get to Chita.  Does using a flat if you think that is better than a hotel make it more complicated with the registering or does it make any difference. I like the idea of a flat, the price seems to be much better but I do not want to make things to complicated by going that route.  Thanks again, Mark

[Ludmila]

Hi, Mark,
If I were you, I'd  stay in a hotel, considering it's your FIRST visit to an unknown place: both out of considerations of overall security, and having everything somewhat more under your own control. On future visits, to stay in a flat  may be a more justified option. IMO.

[yarm]

Apartment is much better than a hotel, and registration is a little more of a hassle but not a big deal. She just has to take you to the police station and you register there.

You're going to Siberia in March. It'll be cold, probably snowing all the time, you'll be stuck indoors. I don't know if your girlfriend lives alone, but if not, your options are to sit in a hotel room all day, sit at one cafe after another all day (small towns in siberia don't tend to have a lot of nice cafes), or if you've gone the apartment route, stay home where you can cook together and relax and be comfortable and have an awesome time together. I'd say the apartment is a no brainer.

[UTRO]

lol! As I/O said southern Siberia, where you are going, is much warmer.... by +1 degree Just keep an eye out for Genghis Khan and his Mongolian warriors! They have been known to slip across the border to pilage, rape and plunder at night 
Svetlana books and pays for my flight from Moscow to Kirov. However, the flight is only about $160USD. Kirov Air Enterprise is small, flying small(er) AN-24/26's  They don't have 'electronic tickets', so I pick up my prepaid ticket at their wicket at Vnukovo airport. Perhaps your girlfriend can do the same if this is the only option? Especially if Language is an issue? The smaller Airways might be cheaper than S7?
Hotels are probably quite inexpensive in Chita, I imagine? Book one and then make apartment enquiries when you arrive there.
Beware of Russian Travel Agents.... if you are a Foreigner, you might get hosed!
www.traveleastrussia.com/chita.html

and don't Register at the Police Station, go to the Post Office

[I/O]

Hotels are probably quite inexpensive in Chita, I imagine? Book one and then make apartment enquiries when you arrive there.

That one and.........

and don't Register at the Police Station, go to the Post Office

That one and.......

this is all a bit confusing but kind of coming together now.

That one. That's how it is first time around but it will come together and you have plenty of time.

Here's the clip. If she quotes you $0-50/day/night for apartments, she is batting for your side, any much higher than that she is batting for Boris's side.

[RussianWind]

A 25 y.o. girl is chatting with a 46 y.o. man for 10 months... she must be a real gem.

And I know I need to apply for the visa  3 months in advance

And where did you find this wonderful source of information?

I/O, I have a feeling that I already saw you in another forum. Did you have any connections with race horses in the past?

[UTRO]

Quote from: markc444 on Yesterday at 07:09:28 PM
And I know I need to apply for the visa  3 months in advance
 
And where did you find this wonderful source of information?

I/O, I have a feeling that I already saw you in another forum. Did you have any connections with race horses in the past?

The sooner he applies, the cheaper the Visa will be. Two months for sure.

[I/O]

Did you have any connections with race horses in the past?

Equine industry yes. Race horses no.

[SMS60]

Mark

Would you be open to discussing your decision to pursue this women?

If not, please ignore this post.

[RussianWind]

Would you be open to discussing your decision to pursue this women?

Nobody wants to lose his pink glasses.

The sooner he applies, the cheaper the Visa will be. Two months for sure.

I advice him to wait for few years. For this period Russia can abolish visas for Americans. Miracles happen sometimes.

[Blues Fairy]

Nobody wants to lose his pink glasses.

What are you talking about?  The OP seems quite level-headed. 

The advice to wait a few years is just silly.

[RussianWind]

The advice to wait a few years is just silly.

No more silly than chatting for a year instead of taking an ass off and make some actions. One year plus, one minus, what's the difference for a 25 y.o. She has the whole life ahead! But don't you think that tomorrow she may go out and meet someone else? Such a gem girl.

Does that few bucks savings on visa really mean so much?