Curious about winter travel...

[Kuna]

OK...  forgive this question but please keep in mind that I live in a sub-tropical climate and the biggest issue I have in January is whether to go to the beach or rainforest on the weekends!

 

I'm planning my trip to Ukraine and Latvia around January/early February.

I know it's going to be cold, no, VERY cold. (I've experienced "very cold" before")

What I am curious about is everyones opinions on "stuff to do" while I'm there.

What I mean is... how dramatically does winter impact on things to do?  Obviously long walks in the park or going to the beach will be out but will I be struggling to find things to do in cities/towns such as Riga, Kiev, Kherson or Nikolaev?

I haven't decided on my Ukraine destinations yet (so remain flexible at this stage) but will the weather have a major impact on my enjoyment?

What would I like to do?

Visit galleries and museums, read a book in a coffee shop, find some clubs with real locals (not expats) and generally learn about the places that I'm visiting.

Oh, what would I really like to do?  Find a spectacular girl before departing to do all of the above with!

Cheers,

Kuna

[jb]

Kuna,

I can't speak for winter time in Ukraine, however Riga is right up there in the Moscow category, weather-wise.  Jan/Feb can be brutal in the northern climes.  I suspect Ukraine will be milder since it's farther south.

Yet life does go on, even in Moscow, during the winter months.  People still go to work every day, entertain friends for holidays, attend social events, etc., albeit at a somewhat slower pace.  The problems with living there that I've observed in those deary months is depression, it seems to affect everyone.  There is no sun for days at a time.  People go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, skies can be overcast for weeks at a time, and a dull dim light filters weakly through the cloud cover for only a brief few hours a day. You will note no cheeriness amongst the people on the streets.  Summer time is much better.  A visitor to Russia during the winter will come away with a very different view of Russians than another visitor who goes in summer, there's a definite Jekyll/Hyde syndrome going on there.

I'm not saying it's really bad, but you should be prepared for it.

[Kuna]

Hey JB,

Thanks for the reply. It was really descriptive and I appreciate it.

I didn't even think about the daylight hours but I imagine the lack of daylight has as big an impact as the cold does. 

I guess going there at the height of winter will help me understand why I heard comments in my family about them having no desire to ever return.

My trip will probably be an adventure on several levels, and I guess the weather is going to add to it!

Cheers,

Kuna

[groovlstk]

I was in St. Petersburg last February, and man was it cold. I would wake up at 9AM ready to hit the road and visit some sites, only to look out the window and discover it was pitch black outside. Like JB said, most days are gray and depressing, and usually you don't see the sun until after 10AM, if at all.

You'll find that some museums might be closed outright, or have off-season hours.

The cold will effect your visits to local sights unless you use taxis often. If you are meeting a girl, she'll be able to ferry you around using buses, metro, or the marshrutka.

I'm sure if you're visiting one of the larger cities, you can find local travel agencies that offer bus tours. Unfortunately the tour guides will not speak English, but at least you'll get to see the major attractions without freezing your tush off.

You might also want to brush up on your "browsing" skills. A girl I met in SPB had it down to a science... while we were outside, the moment she felt really cold we'd duck into a cafe or shop, and she'd feign interest in whatever products they were selling, until she was sufficiently warm to continue on to wherever we were going. On days when it was -30c, we'd make it maybe three blocks before we had to warm up. So if you plan to do some walking, make sure it's in the city center where you can duck inside every few minutes if the cold is too much.

On the plus side, your airfare and apartment rental will be much cheaper. I certainly don't regret my trip (other than the fact that the women I met weren't for me), as it was the women I was more interested in than sightseeing.

[ConnerVT]

Gee, jb, you could be describing Vermont in January...  

Especially for me, as I work an AWS (Alternative Work Schedule - 7AM-7PM).

I've been to the FSU during all four seasons, and winter can be tough.  The weather is similar to that here in Vermont, but you need to be more prepared there.  If for no other reason, in the USA we are too accustomed (dependent?) on our personal automobiles.

Two survival tips:

Dress in layers.  You will be outside more when you travel from place to place.  Walking, taxis, buses all require you to spend more time in the weather than running out to your car and driving away.  Then, once you get inside, you will find many places heated to tropical temperatures.  It helps when you can peel off a few layers, unless you wish to be sweating like a pig (not the most appealing or romantic presentation you can make).

Good winter shoes with some traction on the soles.  Snow removal in the FSU is hit and miss (it seemed mostly miss to me).  Slushy roads to step off the bus or taxi into.  Hard packed, snow and boiler plate ice on the sidewalks.  The right shoes will help to avoid unhappy moments.  Black leather short boots, like those sold by Timberland and others, do the job.  BTW, your shoes will be one of the first thing the women check out on you...  

[jb]

Well, guys,,, I didn't mention coats, gloves, hats, boots, etc., I thought that those things would be self evident.  My "Moscow" coat weighs 35 lbs, at least 47 little animals gave their all for me to have a warm coat, and I thank them every time I put it on in Moscow.

Yes, the trick to winter survival is *insulation*.  I also always take two pairs of winter boots because they need time to dry between uses.  Nothing is worse than wet feet in the snow.  Unless you plan outings to the opera or ballet I wouldn't even bother bringing low quarter shoes to Russia in the winter.

[KenC]

Being from Michigan, I can say the cold didn't bother me too much when I visited Russia during the holidays, but the heat did.  As Conner mentioned, the Russians don't really have a grip on thermostat control of their heating systems.  They have two settings:"on" or "off."  I found the weather to be bearable but the heat inside the buildings (flats, museums, stores) to be stifling.  Layering can only do so much good.

On the "plus" side of things, you will have far less competition during the winter months than the summer months.  Of course less men go in winter, but you will have less competition for the women's attention because there is so much less for them to do in winter. Personally, I would let the timing of a budding relationship dictate when I was going and not the season.
KenC

[BC]

As Conner mentioned, the Russians don't really have a grip on thermostat control of their heating systems.  They have two settings:"on" or "off."  I found the weather to be bearable but the heat inside the buildings (flats, museums, stores) to be stifling.  Layering can only do so much good.

Ahh.. but the luxury of watching snowflakes fall through a wide open window in your undies.. priceless..

[Gator]

GO! JUST GO!

In contrast to the dreary scene depicted by a couple of posts, I was in Moscow at New Year's and it was a festive time, day after day for 9 days.  Outdoor concerts, decorations, party mood! 

Then I went to Kiev and one of the coldest winter blasts in history hit. The temp was -27C for many days.  Still had a good time.

What do you do?  You bundle up and start walking.  You marvel at the ordinary people who must stand in the cold air to grab a ride.


You walk another 200 meters and marvel at the New Year’s decorations in contrast with crunching sounds of slow traffic on ice covered pavement.


You walk another 100 meters and enjoy a cup of coffee with two lovely women (notice my long underwear and tears in my eyes).  You will not notice that when I had to go to the toilet I had trouble retrieving my thermodynamically shriveled pecker through all the layers of clothing.


You mostly hang out in your apartment where your 5” 9” woman demonstrates her acrobatic skills from having worked in a circus for two years before becoming a model for 14 years.  You learn a lot about each other when it is too cold to walk around.  You take a lot of showers.


Museums!  Kiev is not famous for museums (go to Moscow or St. Piter).  Kiev has two very interesting churches and a Caves Monastery.  If you are there at New Year’s there will much to do and celebrate.

Did I enjoy my trip (I also live in the sub-tropics)?  Most assuredly!  I found it stimulating to experience the bitter cold and to observe and interact with people who must go about their daily routines (men on a scaffold and outdoor concerts).  I was happy to return to +22C.  And I returned with deep respect for these rugged people, particularly the men on that scaffold.

You are trying to touch your roots.  I think you would enjoy it even more if you found a decent, intelligent woman to be your guide.  Do not hook up with a Walmart cashier bimbo, no matter how good she looks in her bikini photos.  If you are there 1-9 January, she will not have to take off from work because most people do not work.

[jb]

Geesh Gator, I didn't think cameras would even work at -27C.

[Gator]

-27C is only -17F.  Still bitter cold.  It was probably even colder during the wee hours (but I was not out to read the temp gauges).

I have experienced colder temperatues when studying at Cornell U in upstate New York.  The difference is that in Kiev, the cold lasted day after day.

By the way, there was little wind.  When wind did occur, it was like a knife.

I failed to mention that one time it seemed that my nostrils froze together briefly.  I made a point after that to clear my nose before walking.

[Rvrwind]

All too Funny, LMAO!!!

[viking]

Gator

How is it that when I showed a photo of myself and a young (er) lady who BTW was approaching 40, I get hit with being out of my league, and you show up with these two cuties and no one says a word. ???? Were these two just company for the time being or was there something more going on.? Would love to hear the story behind the photo.

I think it was CaptB who was in SPB in early May and took a photo showing snow and being bundled up and I was there maybe two weeks later and only wore a light shirt.

But I have heard some horror stories about winter. Last year they hit a record low for about 2-3 weeks. Hope no one runs into this type of weather. Brutal

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=2629.0

[jb]

I could be mistaken, but those young girls may be Gator's g/fs daughters.

[Todd]

I would want to know what was very cold mean to you.  Just waiting a month until March would make a very large difference as well as still qualifying for all the offseason cheaper fares, etc.  As well as a jacket, hat, and gloves, you should definitely remember your thermals. 

Like Ken, I come from Michigan, and I find the cold to be very pleasant in a stimulating way.

[ConnerVT]

My "Moscow" coat weighs 35 lbs, at least 47 little animals gave their all for me to have a warm coat, and I thank them every time I put it on in Moscow.

Wow!  Those belka must be stretched awfully thin!   

[jb]

And what part of Michigan would that be?

I spent two winters in MI, one in the Lansing area (Charlotte), and the next winter in the Grand Rapids area.  It was waaay too much cold and snow for me.  Grand Rapids got the most snow, they called it "lake effect".   All I can say is you Michiganders are some tough folks if you find winters up there to be "stimulating".

I also spent a dozen years living in the Denver area, and while the day-to-day temps were actually colder than Michigan, I found the cold to be much less miserable.  I'm sure the relative humidity and general lack of wind had a lot to do with that phemon.

[jb]

Conner,

The coat is made of shearling lamb, reversed to have the "fur" facing inside.  Lots of little lambs became lamb chops before that coat got put together.

[KenC]

And what part of Michigan would that be?

I spent two winters in MI, one in the Lansing area (Charlotte), and the next winter in the Grand Rapids area.  It was waaay too much cold and snow for me.  Grand Rapids got the most snow, they called it "lake effect".   All I can say is you Michiganders are some tough folks if you find winters up there to be "stimulating".

I also spent a dozen years living in the Denver area, and while the day-to-day temps were actually colder than Michigan, I found the cold to be much less miserable.  I'm sure the relative humidity and general lack of wind had a lot to do with that phemon.

jb,
My daughter went to college in Traverse City, MI and it was crazy for snow there because of the "lake effect" snow.  It wasn't unusual for it to drop 8" to 12" at a time!  I loved going to my summer home in Charlevoix (a little further north) during the winter but I would keep my butt inside near the fireplace and admire the snow from there!  There is also great downhill skiing in that part of MI.  Between Charlevoix and the Mackinac Bridge (connecting the lower peninsula to the upper) there is a town, Pelston that regularly has the coldest temperatures in the country.  Of course that is near Hell, MI but that is another story.
KenC
(Go Tigers!)

[BC]

So I ran for Luxembourg, but got stranded in a little German village (don't remember the name, but it's the place famous for gems).  Here are some pics.  Take a look at my poor car!

It's a little place called Idar-Oberstein.

Used to live not far from there.

You should have stayed on the autobahn!

hehe..

[Kuna]

You might also want to brush up on your "browsing" skills. A girl I met in SPB had it down to a science... while we were outside, the moment she felt really cold we'd duck into a cafe or shop, and she'd feign interest in whatever products they were selling, until she was sufficiently warm to continue on to wherever we were going. On days when it was -30c, we'd make it maybe three blocks before we had to warm up. So if you plan to do some walking, make sure it's in the city center where you can duck inside every few minutes if the cold is too much.

HAHAHA... reminds me of my first trip to Canada.  I only had a couple of days notice and turned up in Vancouver just with my business suits.  I'd called the hotel a few days before (to book my accommodation) and asked what the weather was like.  The (very helpful) girl on the other end said "Ohhhhh, noooo, it's fine. It's warmed up now."

Well, Vancouver was in the middle of an unusual cold snap and when she said "warmed up" she meant they weren't hitting -20c (with wind chill).

Needless to say the first thing I did in Vancouver was BUY A COAT.  And that coat has never been worn again because all of my other trips there were in summer.

Oh, and browsing sounds good.  I've just realised I made a silly mistake back then by drinking coffee to stay warn.

My day kinda went like this...

Walk, stop and drink coffee, walk, stop and drink coffee, walk, stop and drink coffee AND go to the loo, walk, drink coffee and go to the loo, walk, go to the loo, walk, go to the loo, and finally, get back the the hotel at night and not sleep a wink until 3am!

:-)

[Michelangelo]

It's a little place called Idar-Oberstein.

Used to live not far from there.

You should have stayed on the autobahn!

hehe..

Idar-Oberstein...  That's it!  Small world :-)

I actually enjoyed the day I was snowed in there--beautiful little village.

[Kuna]

Personally, I would let the timing of a budding relationship dictate when I was going and not the season.
KenC

Thanks Ken...

Travelling around this time is basically my first chance in my calendar that I will get to go.  

I've considered leaving it a few months but somehow I think if I do meet someone it'd be best without a shaved head.  (I participate in a charity fundraiser once a year where hundreds, no, thousands of people shave their heads in an effort to raise money for a cancer organisation down here).

I went to China once on business when I had a shaved head. I had some really interesting "experiences" going through immigration with a passport photo that only barely looked like the man standing in front of them.

 

Kuna

[Michelangelo]

I agree with Ken, Kuna...go for it!

And it will better help you understand the culture of the people there and your future wife.

[Kuna]

I would want to know what was very cold mean to you.  Just waiting a month until March would make a very large difference as well as still qualifying for all the offseason cheaper fares, etc.  As well as a jacket, hat, and gloves, you should definitely remember your thermals. 

Like Ken, I come from Michigan, and I find the cold to be very pleasant in a stimulating way.

The coldest I've been was a few days where it hit -26c (with wind chill) but a few times in China I've been in sub-zero but without "appropriate" clothing.

I'm the internal optimist, and would consider myself to be fairly adventurous (and resourceful).  I think I can deal with the cold but I guess I wanted to make sure that the trip itself wouldn't be a waste of time.

I'm pretty sure I'll be in Riga first so maybe Kiev will be like a "little winter paradise" when I get there.