First trip to Moscow coming.. a little wary

[judnnc]

HI, it would be great if anyone could offer some advice. I've been corresponding with a girl from Togliatti who is flying (with her money) to Moscow to meet me next month.

Met her on a reputable agency, she is only 4 years younger, all seems on the up and up except for a couple of concerns I am hoping someone can advise me on.

1) 'googling' around, I found her on another dating profile, which she regularly logs into it appears, even though she has said to me she wont talk to other men.

2) I feel certain she is going to actually be in Moscow when I arrive, as she is paying her own way there from her hometown. She is getting in about 8 hours earlier than me, and wants to check into our hotel (reserved under my name) when she arrives then come back to DME to meet me rather than sit in the airport all day. THe hotel says they will do it, but it sorta worries me. in addition, the hotel (Milan) says itll be another 900 rub. per day for 'breakfast' because I have a second guest they were not made aware of.

any advice would be great thanks!  I can give more details if need be.

[boaterguy]

I don't see any problems. If you have not met her then don't worry at this point about the other websight.

The extra charge for breakfast is normale!

[judnnc]

900 rubles? That is $30 USD

[boaterguy]

900 rubles? That is $30 USD

Hmmm, didn't really think about the amount. Seems they are charging for double occupancy.

As a side note. When I was in Moscow(been over 5 years) the nicer hotels security was actually the mafia. They had their "women of the night" working the bar pretty well. They also stood guard at the elevators and stairways. If a lady was not registered they would charge a guy around $200 to allow the woman to go to a man's room. I would wager it was a trade off between the hotel and the mafia.

[Chicagoguy]

$ 30 for breakfast ?!   Welcome to Moscow- probably the most expensive city in the world. You could just decline the breakfasts. I never used them.

If there is a second trip try renting an apartment.

[ohman4966]

why not stay down town so you can see the sites easily? I stayed at the courtyard by Marriot this past August close to Kremlin and not too bad for price. You can walk everywhere

[Gator]

1) 'googling' around, I found her on another dating profile, which she regularly logs into it appears, even though she has said to me she wont talk to other men.

This happens frequently.  She is just keeping her opions open.  You do not have a relationship until you meet.  You are in the driver's seat.  And don't make an issue of this with her.

2) She is getting in about 8 hours earlier than me, and wants to check into our hotel (reserved under my name) when she arrives then come back to DME to meet me rather than sit in the airport all day.

Nothing unusual.  It is good that you fly into DME because she can use public transit rather than expensive taxis. 

Next trip, rent an apartment.  Is it too late to cancel the hotel?  An apartment is more RW friendly and less expensive.

[Dave13]

Welcome Judnnc, I will second Gators point on renting a flat if possible

Have a great trip.

[judnnc]

I went through a travel agency and was dead set on not connecting more than once, and if possible only through LHR since they speak English. So the hotel Milan was relatively close to the airport with a shuttle service, and seemed affordable and nice enough .. so I booked that in case I get stood up at the airport, figuring It would be easier to make my way there than potentially get ripped a new one by a taxi driver unknowingly.

I am quite sure she is legit.. she booked and sent me her flight info for her arrival, and I managed to go through my travel agent to  lower the 'second guest' additional charge to a total of $56 for the entire 4 nights as opposed to $30 for each day. I think the lady at the hotel didnt really mean breakfast as much as she did second person.

Odd for me since in USA no one cares really if there are 2 people- same rate.

I'm not leaving till Xmas day, so I have some more time to brush up on my Russian and gather important info such as US Embassy info, etc.

I also need to devise a back up plan. I was figuring on heading to an agency in Moscow if I get stood up, or if it doesnt pan out. Any recommendations?

Also, I plan to take everything with me on my carry on bag, to speeed up the process going through customs at DME. Any advice on how to make that process go as smoothly/quickly as possible will be quite helpful.

Thanks!

[SMS60]

judnnc

You are going to ruin everything with the fear of her being legit or not.

This is not uncommon especially if you have trust issues from the past.

Where you at on this?? What do you need to get past this feeling???

[judnnc]

Well honestly, my fear stems from stories I have read on these and other forums!

I just have this fear of being alone in a strange country without really knowing the language.

[groovlstk]

I went through a travel agency and was dead set on not connecting more than once, and if possible only through LHR since they speak English.

In the future you shouldn't worry about these details, any international airport will require workers who deal w/the public to have at least rudimentary English. Even in a tiny, out-of-the-way airport like DNK in Dnepropetrovsk most of the workers have enough English to guide you through.

Odd for me since in USA no one cares really if there are 2 people- same rate.

Yeah, this is why most guys rent flats rather than stay at hotels in Russia/Ukraine - less unfamiliar rules about double rooms and inviting visitors, plus lower cost.

Enjoy your trip and good luck.

[SMS60]

Well honestly, my fear stems from stories I have read on these and other forums!

I just have this fear of being alone in a strange country without really knowing the language.

Very understandable.

One big positive is she is paying for her own travel...... very good sign.

[judnnc]

she was hesitant to stay in the same room as me, but I reserved 2 beds. I hope no one tries to pinch me for cash for bringing a woman to my room (although she will be a registered guest).

Met her on Volga girl.. heard nothing but good things, and she is open to engagement if things go well in person.

[boaterguy]

she was hesitant to stay in the same room as me, but I reserved 2 beds. I hope no one tries to pinch me for cash for bringing a woman to my room (although she will be a registered guest.

I doubt you will have a problem. During the week my wife and I stayed at the Hotel Ukraine and a later time we were only checked once and allowed to proceed hastle free. On a side note,(I just asked my wife) when my wife 1st came(this was our 1st meeting) she had her own room the first few days. She was carded everytime she went to her own room!

[RussianWind]

900 rubles? That is $30 USD

They just know you will have a special guest. Champagne included 

[judnnc]

Should I exchange currency here in the USA or there?

How many rubles per day should I allot? I dont anticipate big spending... Modest dinners, lunch, maybe a museum or some light shopping, plus metro fare and possibly taxi fare.

[shakespear]

she was hesitant to stay in the same room as me, but I reserved 2 beds. I hope no one tries to pinch me for cash for bringing a woman to my room (although she will be a registered guest).

Met her on Volga girl.. heard nothing but good things, and she is open to engagement if things go well in person.

How do you expect her to feel - agreeing to staying in a hotel room with a man she hasn't met yet? I'm a bit surprised she didn't flat out refuse such an accommodation plan.  

If it's not too late, cancel your hotel and try and get a two-bedroom apartment instead. Trust me on this dude, you will be MUCH happier, much more comfortable and probably less expensive.  

I'd recommend you check out Moscow Rick at http://www.moscow-star.com/ and see if there is anything left for the holiday season. He can arrange airport pickups that will bring each of you directly to the apartment.  (usual disclaimer about no financial interest in this company applies)

Don't worry about changing money. You probably won't be able to change dollars into rubles until you get to Russia anyway. Bring cash - no travellers checks needed. Change at the kiosks in the city center, not at the airport where you'll get the worst rate.  

Don't worry about customs at the airport. Just breeze through the green line and the likelyhood you'll be stopped is less than 5%.  

Check out the thread "Moscow Night Life" for suggestions about what to do for entertainment in the evenings.    

[groovlstk]

Should I exchange currency here in the USA or there?

Make sure you get brand new bills before you travel, some kiosks and banks will refuse to exchange anything that has even the slightest cosmetic taint (or they may try to job you by offering to do so only at a reduced rate).

[Jooky]

If it's not too late, cancel your hotel and try and get a two-bedroom apartment instead. Trust me on this dude, you will be MUCH happier, much more comfortable and probably less expensive.

100% agree! Moscow Star is a good site. I also recommend apartments through www.apartmentres.com and www.gotorussia.com as well. Those places usually offer the same apartments, but sometimes there will be something different listed. If you book an apartment, usually you will get free pickup at the airport. Possibly you could book a taxi to pick up the woman you're meeting and use the free service with the apartment rental to pick up the lady, bring her to the airport when you arrive, and bring you both back to the flat. (I've done this before).

Staying in a centrally located flat is much much better than at a hotel near Domodedovo.

There's no need to exchange currency back home. You can use ATMs when you arrive. The airport ATMs charge higher fees, so I don't recommend them, but they might be at the same level as exchanging for rubles before you leave. I honestly don't understand anyone bringing cash and exchanging it at a kiosk these days. It's more of a hassle, gets a worse exchange rate and charges higher fees than I get through an ATM.  :noidea:

You can easily spend 100 bucks a day on just meals, museums and light shopping in Moscow. If you rent a flat, you can cut expenses by preparing meals there.

[shakespear]

Staying in a centrally located flat is much much better than at a hotel near Domodedovo. 

ABSOLUTELY!  If you hotel is out near DME, CANCEL IMMEDIATELY!  You'll be 30 miles outside of the city center out in the middle of nowhere.  Staying inside the "ring road" in the city center offers the best location. 

I honestly don't understand anyone bringing cash and exchanging it at a kiosk these days. It's more of a hassle, gets a worse exchange rate and charges higher fees than I get through an ATM.  :noidea: 

Oh I don't agree.  Most banks in the USA charge anywhere from 2-4% foreign exchange fee and then a $2 per transaction outside of bank network fee each time you use the ATM.  Some kiosks charge a fee but most don't.  If the rate being offered is unbelievably high, they're probably charging a fee. 

Every time you use an ATM in the FSU, you run the risk of your account information being compromised.

I always do better by bringing cash and converting it to rubles at a no-fee kiosk.  I do use ATM's on infrequent occasions when I need extra cash in a quick time period.   

You can easily spend 100 bucks a day on just meals, museums and light shopping in Moscow. If you rent a flat, you can cut expenses by preparing meals there. 

Excellent point!  Plus it's a GREAT way to get to see if she can cook!

[RussianWind]

Plus it's a GREAT way to get to see if she can cook!

What if she can't? End of relationship? 

[Jooky]

Most banks in the USA charge anywhere from 2-4% foreign exchange fee and then a $2 per transaction outside of bank network fee each time you use the ATM.

It depends on your bank. I use Wells Fargo, with no foreign exchange free, just the out of network fee. The rate I get is always better than what's posted at banks and kiosks.

[Misha]

It depends on your bank. I use Wells Fargo, with no foreign exchange free, just the out of network fee. The rate I get is always better than what's posted at banks and kiosks.

That is pretty much the case with Canadian banks. There is no foreign exchange fee and you pay $5 per withdrawal.

[judnnc]

Great info guys!

Ill check out moscow star.. as of now, when I ask her how she plans to get from airport to hotel back to airport (when I arrive) she says she will take metro. but I shouldnt worry because "It is my home land,I can get around OK"

This ones already said she cant cook