Ukraine vs. Russia

[Goombah]

Hi all.  I've spent the last 6 months getting VERY comfortable with visiting Ukraine, and indeed went last December.  I know how to get there, how to travel while there, where credit cards are taken, which ATMs to use, currency conversionr rates, proper prices for apartments, K-1 process (through Kiev), etc.

So... naturally I've fallen for a lady that lives in Omsk, Russia.

Come somebody give me a crash course on whats different?  I've picked up that multi-entry 5-year VISAs are unlikely (if they even exist?), one must register upon arrival?  Heck, I don't even know how much a ruble is worth.

Help!

Kevin

[Fiorella]

Hi Kevin,

do you know that girl from Omsk personally? Or, for now only by letters?

You can be disappointed with russian women after ukrainian - we are much more complicated.

[jb]

http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
This will help you with the money exchange question.


Fiorella is right, Russian women are more of a challenge than a lot of men like, but if you get the right one......

There is no multi-entry visa that I know of unless you are a businessman doing business in Russia, the best you can do is a 30 day visa.  And they still require you register the visa within 72 hours, or 3 business days after you arrive in country.  www.traveldocs.com can help with the invitation and get the visa in your hands very quickly, and they can also do the registration once you arrive there.

[Elen]

Aga!:D Now it's you who are talking about differences Russians vs Ukraine's:D:D I'm not the only one who do know the difference does exist:P:P

[Goombah]

Fiorella -

I have been introduced to this lady through a mutual friend - a gentlemen we both highly respect that has known her for 4 years after dating her sister.  Since then we have learned to respect each other, and have just recently started lightly flirting.  I am considering visiting her in her home town, perhaps in April, and we have talked of vacationing on the Black Sea (perhaps Yalta) this summer.

So far, she is exactly what I want in a person - smart, kind,  adventerous, fun, intelligent, dedicated...  Oh, she is pretty nice looking too!

She is a bit older than most I have cooresponded with in the past, she will be 33 on the 15th.  I don't know if that is why I sense such a huge difference in maturity vs. the 25ish ladies I typically write to, but the difference is profound.  The fact that she has raised an almost 10 year old daughter as a single mother may have a lot to do with that as well.  Her daughter is very well adjusted too and is involved in her mothers efforts to find a husband and father.

So, sparing me the "X girls are always better than Y girls" , what do I need to be aware of when dating a Russian? <smile>

Kevin

[Elen]

So, sparing me the "X girls are always better than Y girls" , what do I need to be aware of when dating a Russian? <smile>

 

To my (only my) mind to induce Russian woman to leave Russia is more complicate task than to talk Ukraine one to say good bye to Ukraine

[Goombah]

Hmmm, sensed that.  In our conversations around life in the USA she has stated that with the right support and love of her man, it would be heaven, without one or the other, it would be hell.

Thanks!

Kevin

[Bruno]

[line]
To my (only my) mind to induce Russian woman to leave Russia is more complicate task than to talk Ukraine one to say good bye to Ukraine
[line]


By my personals experience, it was more easy for my ex-russian wife for quit russia that now with my future wife from Ukraine ...

Of course, the russian one have ask the divorce the same day she have receive the Belgium nationality :X:shock:...

The only complexity i have know with russia was the administration...

[Elen]

Now I do guees Dan will suspect me in all possible sins again but to my mind Russian women's decsion more depends on "feelings"than Ukrains one. Also Ukraine women are more practical and more "pushing"

[Elen]

By my personals experience, it was more easy for my ex-russian wife for quit russia that now with my future wife from Ukraine ...

Exception to thе rule just proves the rule:P

 

[Bruce]

If I were you I would not go to Omsk until late May / June, unless the highly likely rainy, sleet, snowy, windy colder weather does not bother you.   Probably your best deal will be on Aeroflot.  I have not been to Omsk but I have been to Novosibirsk and the surrounding region four times, the last this past September.  I have been in October, late February and early March, late May and early June and September.  Last September 9 in Novosibirsk it was such a cold windy rainy day - it was everything but snow.  The weather is very severe.  In late May and early June when I was there it was suprisingly hot and they had insects the size of small birds, if you get my drift.  So, dress / prepare accordingly.  No worry about the insects if you do go in April. 

Lots of hot looking Siberian woman, so if things do not work out you will have plenty of options.  If you do not mind a woman with a young / middle child you will have so many to choose from your head will spin.  Any guy with any means, looks, charm and intelligence really should be able to get the girl of his dreams with a child between ages 25 and 35.  So, this girl better be really great!  Back-up plans should be easy in that city for you.

Omsk supposedly is much more expensive a city than people expect even though it is in Siberia.  Do your homework on that ie. places to stay, where and what you will be eating.

There are good and bad women all over the FSU.  My over all experience was better with Russian woman.  With Russian woman I always found that what they said was what I got, no beating around the bushes, which was not as true with my Ukrainian experiences.  then again, I only was in Ukraine twice (Kiev and Kharkov) and my experiences were limited in duration. 

I always prefered Russia over Ukraine.  Nothing against Ukraine, but to me a good analogy would be Bud vs Bud light with Ukraine being Bud light.  Then again it is easier to travel between cities in Ukraine.  When you are in Omsk, travel to other cities is much harder.  I found Ukrainians and Russians equally friendly to Americans.  Do not act like an ugly American and you will be treated with respect and class. 

You must register your visa within 3 days of arrival.  A hotel should register it for the length of your stay.  Make sure this is done or you may be severely hassled at the airport in Omsk on your way to Moscow.  Make sure your luggage is light or expect to pay on the way out of Omsk.  I believe you are allowed just 20 Kg in luggage plus 5 Kg in carry on with Aeroflot.  Chances are your luggage, including carry on bags will be weighed at one point in the Omsk airport.  Overages will be fined and the time it takes to work things out can be 10 to 15 minutes extra, and thats if you can communicate with the people handling your tickets / baggage etc.  Oh, make sure you get your visa for the full 30 days in the event you want to extend your stay.  If you arrive June 1, count until the 30th day for the expiration of the visa.  Make sure you know your address and phone number of your contact person in Russia, or at least have it handy to show anyone in passport control etc. if you are coming in alone.  You will have to write your address on the little white piece of paper coming into Russia twice (entry and exit form).  I recommend you staple your copy above your visa in your passport so you can not loose it.  Carry your passport with you at all times in Russia in the event a policeman wants to chat with you.

Other than getting in and getting out where you may feel severely hassled I would expect no problems what so ever once you are cleared to go into Russia.  Russian people are very friendly, though I suppose they are getting less friendly with the current economic squeeze the average person is going through.  Each time I go to Russia I see more grafitti, more garbage in the street, buildings looking increasingly less up-kept.  It is not as pleasant a place to visit as it once was.  The one exception has been Moscow, which really has come a long way.  Every time I go to Moscow it gets better and better - but a tourist really has to pay.

Make sure you eat some of / lots of varieties of Siberian Pelmeni - it really is the best there!  I really hope you would meet more than one woman, especially since you have no problems considering woman with children.  You probably could really find a super model looking woman of great character if you want to consider a woman with a child.

[Fiorella]

I second Elen.

Kevin, if you want, I will ask one my friend who has a girlfriend from Omsk and he can answer all your question about that town.

By the way - I heard something that now registration is not needed for first month or something. Elen, do you know something about this new rule?

[Elen]

Nope I know nothing as I'm too far from all these business but if the guestion will be

phrased more concrete I'd may to lookr for information

[Goombah]

Thanks all.

Mostly interested in logistical needs.  Over the past few weeks I've gone from worrying about having a backup plan to simply not worrying about it.  Part of that is that this first visit will be relatively short - perhaps 7-8 days including travel, but no more than 5 actual vacation days.  The other part is my raw comfort level with this lady.  If things went poorly and we agreed that it was a mistake to come, I'd track down an agency in town and just meet other woman.  Ok, I'm a bit anal in planning, so I'd probably have that agency identified in advance.  Along those lines, any suggestions for agencies in Omsk?  Perhaps an agency I could use for Apartment renting and other related details?  

Kevin

[Fiorella]

It was made first for Ukrainian sitizens and after scandal that it is against other people rights they made this time for registration longer for others.

[Muzh]

You can be disappointed with russian women after ukrainian - we are much more complicated.

Ooooo, sounds like sour grapes:P

[Bruce]

I just took a look at Jb's currency converter link.  I was amazed that the Ukrainian Hyrvnia is equal to 5.5 US dollars while the Russian ruble was listed at 27.7.  Last time I was in Russia, the dollar was 29.7 or so, and that bought a little less than I was used to.  On the other hand, last time I was in Ukraine the dollar was 5.2 and that was 2-3 years ago.   Now, the 5.2 Hyrvnia did not buy nearly as much as the 32.2 or so Russian ruble did about that time (2002 if I remember correctly).  That was part of the reason I decided to just go to Russia, the dollar went a longer way.   Perhaps now the situation is reversed, where the 5.5 Hyrvnia buys more than the 27.7 Ruble.  The reality is that it depends where in Russia or where in Ukraine you go to, because when you get out of the bigger cities almost everything becomes cheaper with the caveat that you can not find everything in the smaller cities and towns.  Everything is a consideration and when you are Internationally dating the exchange rate is not the biggest factor in where to go, but a 3 ruble difference sure does add up over time ie. 2,700.0 rubles is alot less than 3,200.00 rubles on a $100 note.  Anyone can buy alot for 500 rubles.

[Goombah]

Bruce -

If I go to Omsk, which now appears likely, I will go to meet the woman, not bask in the weather.  That I will consider secondary, and a far second, to just meeting her.

Her 9 year old daughter has offered to let me borrow her bed - looks like I will be staying with the two of them.  Something I'm oddly comfortable with, although I have flatly rejected other womens offers to stay in their flat.

Suspect that will complicate the registration of my VISA somewhat.  Yet another thing to work out.

There is no way I can get by on 20 kg of luggage.  I have offered to work on her house, I'll probably take at least 10 kg of tools alone.  Suspect I'll just have to pay.  Hopefully the fee is reasonable ($1/kg???).

Mostly since there has been no need, I have not spent much effort looking at ladies with children.  This lady is only the third I have considered, the first remains a friend, the second never responded to my mail.  I have done enough self analysis to know that I do not have any negative feelings towards a lady with a pre-teen daughter, but surprisingly (to myself at least), I do react negatively to women with sons.  I have NO idea why, but at least I recognize this, so just don't go there.

Thanks for the information,

Kevin

[Albert]

Kevin, see the Ukraine vs Russia thread under the Experienced Thread also.

[Photo Guy]

Aga!:D Now it's you who are talking about differences Russians vs Ukraine's:D:D I'm not the only one who do know the difference does exist:P:P

Yes, we KNEW you were correct, but we did not want
to admit it, to give you the pleasure.    :cool:

[Photo Guy]

[line]
To my (only my) mind to induce Russian woman to leave Russia is more complicate task than to talk Ukraine one to say good bye to Ukraine
[line]
Of course, the russian one have ask the divorce the same day she have receive the Belgium nationality :X:shock:...

Wow, that must have been a total bummer. Did you see it coming? -doug

[Erwin]

To my (only my) mind to induce Russian woman to leave Russia is more complicate task than to talk Ukraine one to say good bye to Ukraine

Elen,

I have personally found this to be true, unless she truly loves you and wants to be with you.

Regards,

Erwin

 

[BC]

To me the difference is more like the difference between coke and pepsi.

[TigerPaws]

 I found there is a real difference between Russian and Ukrainian girls, while I found Ukrainian girls attractive and somewhat family oriented I prefered what I preceived as a greater depth in Russian girls. Additionall I found Ukrainian girls to be a bit more independent as well as having a desire to have more control withing the family structure, while Russian girls were a bit more subservient.

 Hum... Maybe this would be a better subject to another thread?

[BC]

.. Additionall I found Ukrainian girls to be a bit more independent as well as having a desire to have more control withing the family structure, while Russian girls were a bit more subservient.

Must be more a woman than cultural difference.. albeit my experience with Ukrainian women will remain minimal my RU wife has a good 'handle' on most family matters here.. definitely the opposite of an ex EU GF that was 'sub' which got very boring after a while..

I'll skip decaf for the more challenging 'real stuff'..