Hi to all and some help on trip to Siberia

[Dave13]

 Markc444 welcome to the board, Sounds like your in for a great adventure, its OK to plan on meeting just one lady but you need to have a backup plan, just in case, you never know until you meet. Also renting a flat is the best plan, it s cheaper plus provides some privacy.

Best of Luck.

Dave

[yarm]

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.

Why are you being so judgmental? The man said they didn't meet through a marriage or dating site. When they first started chatting, chances are they didn't think they'd ever actually meet.

And a 35 year old can't go and meet someone else? What kind of logic is that? So what?

[Blues Fairy]

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?

RussianWind, why so much negativity, what is your point exactly?

[RussianWind]

You misread my intonations, dear Blues. A bit of sarcasm maybe, negativity - never. I feel sorry when people waste time instead of living full life and he is wasting not only his time but hers too, that is the point. "Встречайтесь, любите или не морочьте друг другу голову" 

yarm, my logic is ok, yours - not sure. Everybody can meet someone, depends on who is the first  The more he waits the less chances he has. One year is a long period. 12 months! What if he comes there and they don't like each other? Happened many times, especially considering the age issue. What will this year mean to them then? Something important or just a waste of time? 

I have sympathy to the guy at some level, don't get me wrong. But somebody needs to critisize him a little bit 

[Blues Fairy]

You misread my intonations, dear Blues. A bit of sarcasm maybe, negativity - never. I feel sorry when people waste time instead of living full life and he is wasting not only his time but hers too, that is the point.

One year of correspondence is wasting time? 
My now-husband and I wrote letters for three years before we met, how's that?  And I did not consider it a waste of time.  Isn't it rather presumptuous of you to suggest that they are not living full lives?  How do you know?? And why should he rush things instead of taking it at a pace comfortable (obviously!) for both of them, just because someone on RWD "feels sorry" for him? 

[yarm]

Wind, I understand that when people meet on dating or marriage sites, there's an expectation to meet without wasting too much time, but this situation is different. These people didn't meet looking for a husband or wife and the fact that they now want more than to just chat online doesn't mean all the time they spent doing so would be a waste if things don't work out. They originally met to simply chat, not to date, things progressed, feelings developed and they now want more. The OP can correct me if I'm wrong, but that's how it looks to me.

[RussianWind]

One year of correspondence is wasting time? 
My now-husband and I wrote letters for three years before we met, how's that? 

Horrible. I would give up. Did you sleep with other men while waiting for your husband? [with the most innocent voice] 

[markc444]

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

Wow, step away for awhile to sleep and work and this place comes alive.  Just ask for a little help on travel plans and I also get relationship help as well.  Its all appreciated as you folks know more about this than I from your paths.  I got a few to get back to so I'm just going to do a few quotes and replies.  I'm not trying to clutter the board, I'm just not all that great with this quote thing for more than one quote.  So bear with me and don't flame me to much.  And again, thanks to all the replies on both sides of what I should be thinking.  It seems everyone has my best intentions at heart. 

First off, I think I like the flat idea.  She even suggested it and reminded me when a couple of her friends got one during the year and how quick and easy it was for one night.  And yes I/O she was on my side as I knew she would be as she quoted me 30 to 35 dollars. I know it may seem crazy to seem like I trust someone I am yet to meet so much.  But really, in the whole time I have known her she has not set off one red flag.  After ten months of chatting there has been plenty of opprotunity to look for that. I just checked my icq history and there is 65,000 messages back and forth.  I mean certainly I could be wrong but I don't feel it. And she knows I'm not rich and yet she still keeps hanging around.   

[markc444]

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

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?

Ok here I should have been more clear.  I meant that the earliest you can apply is 3 months in advance.  I got that from gotorussia.net when I called them as well as I think from this board when i was reading in the past.  It was just a poor choice of words. 

[markc444]

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

I was thinking about just applying at the earliest time I could so I could get the paperwork right as quickly as possible and also so if a good deal came up for the plane tickets I could get it.  But why would the visa be cheaper if I apply sooner.  I thought the prices stayed the same.  I mean unless you wait till the last minute and must have it rushed I would guess.

[markc444]

Mark

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

If not, please ignore this post.

I have no problem with that.  I think you may get a lot of what has happened with her and I as well as some of my feelings out of these posts.  But certainly if you want to know more you are welcome to ask. 

[markc444]

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

The advice to wait a few years is just silly.

Ok, here is the silly question of the day.  What is an OP since I think that might be me.?  And thanks for you level headed opinion of me as well.  I'll try to keep earning that. 

[markc444]

Markc444 welcome to the board, Sounds like your in for a great adventure, its OK to plan on meeting just one lady but you need to have a backup plan, just in case, you never know until you meet. Also renting a flat is the best plan, it s cheaper plus provides some privacy.

Best of Luck.

Dave

Thanks for the welcome Dave.  And I am thinking the flat is the way for us to go.  I like as that one post said, its a nice way to spend a cold day.  But I think I am keeping it to just this one girl.  If this was not to work out I'll move on from there.  But really this whole trip is just to meet someone who I have had a good time with and care about  and seems like a really good person. 

[markc444]

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.

I really love this suggestion.  She does not live alone, she rents a room and the landlady lives there as well.  So me staying there really is not on the table.  And having her to have to leave or not get in the hotel after traveling all that way seems kind of crazy.  We would not really get to spend much time togeather and that is the whole point of the trip. 

[markc444]

You misread my intonations, dear Blues. A bit of sarcasm maybe, negativity - never. I feel sorry when people waste time instead of living full life and he is wasting not only his time but hers too, that is the point. "Встречайтесь, любите или не морочьте друг другу голову" 

yarm, my logic is ok, yours - not sure. Everybody can meet someone, depends on who is the first  The more he waits the less chances he has. One year is a long period. 12 months! What if he comes there and they don't like each other? Happened many times, especially considering the age issue. What will this year mean to them then? Something important or just a waste of time? 

I have sympathy to the guy at some level, don't get me wrong. But somebody needs to critisize him a little bit 

Thanks for the critisizm...its good to hear all sides.  I can only learn from what you guys know. 

[markc444]

One year of correspondence is wasting time? 
My now-husband and I wrote letters for three years before we met, how's that?  And I did not consider it a waste of time.  Isn't it rather presumptuous of you to suggest that they are not living full lives?  How do you know?? And why should he rush things instead of taking it at a pace comfortable (obviously!) for both of them, just because someone on RWD "feels sorry" for him? 

Three years, are you just trying to make me feel good for waiting over a year. Just kidding, that is great you two stuck it out and made it work.  But as was said earlier, we did just meet on a chat and just enjoyed each others company.  And as time went on it was kind of like, what is this crazy thought of wanting to meet this woman on the other side of the world.  And it went back and forth in my head.  The cost of the trip, the language barrier at the airports was scary, will we really get along as good as we do on the phone and icq.  And the age thing was a big factor too, thinking she was just to young.  But we have talked that out and joked all about it as well.  And now I am here.  It was not easy to do this.  Certainly it was not a Russian woman I was looking for as I said earlier.  We just get along well at this point and she seems like maybe she might be worth it.   

[markc444]

Wind, I understand that when people meet on dating or marriage sites, there's an expectation to meet without wasting too much time, but this situation is different. These people didn't meet looking for a husband or wife and the fact that they now want more than to just chat online doesn't mean all the time they spent doing so would be a waste if things don't work out. They originally met to simply chat, not to date, things progressed, feelings developed and they now want more. The OP can correct me if I'm wrong, but that's how it looks to me.

You were right, just as I said right above this post. 

[I/O]

Mark: FWIW, If you hit quote for your reply, write your text, space down a line or two, scroll down to the next post you'd like to quote and hit the insert quote on the top right, write your response text and so on, you can roll a lot of responses into one post. You can also edit out the parts of the quote you see and non essential.

[Faux Pas]

Thanks for the welcome Dave.  And I am thinking the flat is the way for us to go.  I like as that one post said, its a nice way to spend a cold day.  But I think I am keeping it to just this one girl.  If this was not to work out I'll move on from there.  But really this whole trip is just to meet someone who I have had a good time with and care about  and seems like a really good person. 

OP is the "opening poster" or that's what I've always considered it to be. A flat really is the way to go for a plethora of reasons. Although, even as much as you like her and trust her, letting her handle those accommodations have pros and cons. You will be reliant on her should things turn south.

She likely will not want to visit you at the hotel. She'll be pegged for a prostitute by the hotel staff and treated badly or turned away altogether. She doesn't want even the idea that she is a prostitute on the table from anyone especially a hotel staff.

You may wish to spend extended time with her that exceed the hotels hours. It isn't the same as it may be at Embassy Suites in your town. The level of service and expectations can be entirely different.

A flat will allow you to come and go as you please with whom ever you please and without the whispers of onlookers. It's likely much cheaper and more convenient to both your lifestyle and needs.

You'll have a kitchen where she can cook you a few meals. If she is serious she'll likely want to cook for you .

Don't let the "first trip" comment deter you from a flat. Trust me on this one, you'll enjoy the flat more. The first trip is confusing as hell anyway, hotel won't make any difference. It would be a bad feeling on the trip home knowing you could have had a flat and spent quality time with her but instead spent most of it in your hotel room alone. 

Good Luck

[Blues Fairy]

Horrible. I would give up. Did you sleep with other men while waiting for your husband? [with the most innocent voice] 

None of your f***ing business.

[Dave13]

It's OK to just plan on meeting one lady, the backup plan doesn't have to be a list of other women to see, just another point of contact in case you need to make different arrangements. You never know until you meet!

[SANDRO43]

OP is the "opening poster" or that's what I've always considered it to be.

Close but not quite it, it stands for Original Poster .

Markc444, when stumped by some acronyms used here, have a look at the RWD Glossary in the Main Menu at left.

[RussianWind]

None of your f***ing business.

That means yes, isn't it. Relax, nobody is going to judge you, it's not my f*** business   But if you said no, I would say it was abnormal... from my point of view of course (...whistling)

By the way... of course it's not my f*** business and feel free to ignore the question, but what's the weighty reason when a man can't visit his lady earlier than in 3 years?  

I know it may seem crazy to seem like I trust someone I am yet to meet so much.

markc444, it is great to trust someone and believe in future

[Blues Fairy]

That means yes, isn't it. Relax, nobody is going to judge you, it's not my f*** business   But if you said no, I would say it was abnormal... from my point of view of course (...whistling)

Wind, your remarks in this thread are insolent and in very bad taste.

[markc444]

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 meant to post this one earlier since you had so much information...I appreciate that Dave.  I have a feeling we will have to charge on my card as she just graduated university so funds are tight on her end.  

 
Yeah I like the post office idea..I really have no desire to see a Russian police station.