Greetings to RWD from Kyiv!

[msmob]

You should have good situational awareness anyplace you are in any country, including your own, that goes without saying. Having lived in Russia since 2009 I can say that is a pretty paranoid statement. The people that care about that crap cared about that crap long before this 'political situation' and aren't inclined to do much if anything. And if you think the police or security services care about random Joe Schmo from America- you have an inflated sense of self importance.

Hmm,

More people are more likely to have an opinion and give a crap, nowadays - but for sure I haven't felt unsafe or unwelcome.

[alex330]

So as far as adventure goes, I've uprooted my life and moved to Moscow.

I'm starting at zero and seeing what I can make of it. I wouldn't recommend the same to anyone. But if you are adventurous, want a change in your life, you're able to learn, and you know you only live once and have the courage to stick a fork in it regarding your current situation, then yeah I'd recommend this to you.

I'm now immersed in Russian culture and I'll be meeting Russians every day into the indefinite future. I needed to wait in Kiev for my visa. I liked Kiev and Ukrainians very much, lest there be any doubt. But now I arrived where I planned to be. Everything is working according to plan

Davai!!!

[ML]

There is actually a different price for non-residents. It is not a scam ( not always anyway). Many things are subsidised in Ukraine - a throwback to earlier era- and foreigners  are expected to pay more.

Jay, what you say is true in Russia, but not in Ukraine.

At least I never encountered it in my 20+ some visits to Ukraine.

We are talking about events - - - Theatre, Opera, etc.; right.
Of course taxis, apt rentals, etc. are a different story.

I believe it was Yushenko who abolished the charging of different prices to foreigners at events.

[HoundDaddyLee]

GregFromGA,


After the wall came down? Cops were corrupt Pre-Maiden? We are talking currently. The police have gone through a purge to eliminate the corruption. The came down almost 30 years ago. As an example 30 years ago Times Square in NYC was a crap hole. Now it is almost "Disney like" in its character.


Everyone should have situational awareness. But if you want to really feel afraid, visit Newark, NJ or take the train from downtown Chicago to O'Hare airport at night. Both of those experiences were the most frightening of my life and they happened within the last 2 years. I will also add an early morning train trip from downtown Atlanta to the airport this past September.


Maybe I have been lucky, but I have read very few stories on here of men or women getting attacked in Kyiv or Odessa.


HDL

[GregfromGa]

GregFromGA,


After the wall came down? Cops were corrupt Pre-Maiden? We are talking currently. The police have gone through a purge to eliminate the corruption. The came down almost 30 years ago. As an example 30 years ago Times Square in NYC was a crap hole. Now it is almost "Disney like" in its character.


Everyone should have situational awareness. But if you want to really feel afraid, visit Newark, NJ or take the train from downtown Chicago to O'Hare airport at night. Both of those experiences were the most frightening of my life and they happened within the last 2 years. I will also add an early morning train trip from downtown Atlanta to the airport this past September.


Maybe I have been lucky, but I have read very few stories on here of men or women getting attacked in Kyiv or Odessa.


HDL

Oh I haven't heard of many stories about guys being attacked. My friend Matthew Schwartz was beaten and robbed in the building he was staying in and just from sitting at the bar and talking with locals I heard of a few stories but it's not epidemic. I meant more being a victim of a scam or being shaken down by a cop. When I would go I would always have a  business card from the US Consulate. Those cards would be English on one side and Ukrainian on the other. I've been stopped at least a dozen times over the years by cops asking for my passport. I'd hand them that card and a photo copy and never had a problem. As far a Kiev being safer then a lot of cities in the US I agree.

[Boethius]

If you are not off the beaten track, Kyiv is safe.  But there are plenty of areas you would not be safe.   Crime has exploded there, more so in Zaporizhia than anywhere else, and then pretty much everywhere else.
 
Years ago, a Japanese businessman disappeared in Odesa.  His friend traveled to Odesa to try to learn his fate.  He was told outright by the police that if he did not want to suffer the same fate, he should leave.

[GregfromGa]

The biggest danger I would be worrying about in Ukraine is the chance of finding a future ex wife.

[ML]

The biggest danger I would be worrying about in Ukraine is the chance of finding a future ex wife.

Catty.

[Bounder]

The biggest danger I would be worrying about in Ukraine is the chance of finding a future ex wife.

Good one  . My first time in Kiev, I fell for the dropped bundle of money trick. Based on my upbringing, I saw the money drop and just immediately reacted, not wanting the person to lose their money. As I didn't understand a word he said I just played dumb and kept walking. He decided not to pursue it.

Generally I felt quite safe in Kiev and certainly I feel safe in Moscow. What JayH said about Moscow is an exaggeration coming from someone who hasn't been here lately and is hopelessly biased against Russia.

[Bounder]

Davai!!!

Da da!

[Boethius]

The biggest danger I would be worrying about in Ukraine is the chance of finding a future ex wife.

You were protected in the "tourist" bubble.  A lot of Ukrainians profit from the price differential Westerners pay for everything from apartments to cab rides to restaurant meals.  If those disappeared, it would be a different story, even in the city centre.


My SIL won't pick up $100 sent by WU unless she can do so at a bank, because, in her words "$10 is a lot of money here" and she worries about being robbed, either on the street or in a break in, if anyone knows she has $100.

[Bounder]

The thread has a couple of streams running -- so my reply is specific to Ukraine --but applicable to the FSU generally.

LAman has really got it here.I have written previously about Salsa dancing. If you are trying to meet girls cold this would have to be THE easiest way.
There is regular ( every week) Salsa parties throughout Ukraine and girls love to dance. If you are competent-great--if you have 3 left feet-let them teach you !  You can also go to classes (recommended for the obvious reasons--more opportunities to meet and a way in to a local scene).
Even if you are a hopeless dancer -- it will not matter.!
If you are going to meet one girl -- it is a fun night out . Cost is minimal .
The girls generally dress  to immaculate !

Video is of my teacher who was Ukrainian champion

Hi Jay, thanks for your constructive reply.I appreciate it.  I will have to think seriously about the dancing once I get my situation settled!

[JayH]

Jay, what you say is true in Russia, but not in Ukraine.

At least I never encountered it in my 20+ some visits to Ukraine.

We are talking about events - - - Theatre, Opera, etc.; right.
Of course taxis, apt rentals, etc. are a different story.

I believe it was Yushenko who abolished the charging of different prices to foreigners at events.

ML  --I am not theorising --I am talking about real events !
This is not taxi deal-- but box office at attractions .
A few  I can think of-- sometime ago at Sevastopal Sub base ( I am sure it happened there as my friend worked as a tourist guide on the Crimea  and dealt with many foreigners-- and we discussed it), more recently  was at Yanucovych estate and at Lavra in Kyiv-- also maybe St Sophia's Cathedral  .
I very specifically recall Lavra becuause the lady looked across at me and queried it-- and we parted with more money !
I do not try and avoid paying more-- but it is easiest to have a native speaker doing the talking!And over a period of time-- most girls prefer to pay less !!

[ML]

. . . at Lavra in Kyiv-- also maybe St Sophia's Cathedral  .
I very specifically recall Lavra becuause the lady looked across at me and queried it-- and we parted with more money !

I have been to those places.  And I talked loud in English as we were waiting to go in.

No upcharge for me.

Russia yes; Ukraine no.

[msmob]

I have been to those places.  And I talked loud in English as we were waiting to go in.

No upcharge for me.

Russia yes; Ukraine no.

It's actually the opposite !

The Russians and foreigners REGISTERED in Russia get DISCOUNT

Having a Biz visa and being reg'd at SC's home addy allowed me to open a bank account there. So  I can also talk ( reasonably ) loud in English and pay using the Russian bank Visa card ..

[ML]

The Russians and foreigners REGISTERED in Russia get DISCOUNT

Yes, discount from the Foreigner rate, which maybe gives you the same as Russian rate . . .

In Ukraine everyone (local and foreigners . . . except Jay) pay the same rate.  Note:  I am talking about at Opera, Concerts, Attractions, Events, Exhibitions, Museums, etc. . . . not about private transactions with taxis, apartments, etc.

[msmob]

Yes, discount from the Foreigner rate, which maybe gives you the same as Russian rate . . .

In Ukraine everyone (local and foreigners . . . except Jay) pay the same rate.  Note:  I am talking about at Opera, Concerts, Attractions, Events, Exhibitions, Museums, etc. . . . not about private transactions with taxis, apartments, etc.

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