Leaving .... on a jet plane ...

[USCFAN]

Got my tickets this week! 

From Denver, to Chicago, to Zurich, to Kiev ... 9/2 to 9/17 ... Ukraine here I come and I can't wait 

I decided to follow my heart ... and a lot of your advice, and just "get over there". I got tired of the letters 'scene' and want to meet some nice women face to face.

I'm trying to keep the mindset that this is both a vacation AND a chance to meet some new friends. If I happen to connect with 2 or 3 and start to develop something special that would be great, but since this is my first trip there, I want to soak in and learn as much as I can while I am over there.

[Wayne B]

Are you staying in Kiev...

[USCFAN]

I will be in Kiev for a couple of days ... then on to Kharkov, Lugansk and Dnepropetrovsk.

[Wayne B]

USCFAN, just in case...don't forget a foriegn electrical convertor, when sight seeing...leave your passport in your flat/hotel....take only the money that you need for that day...because like all big cities...there are pick pockets, mainly around the tourist sites especially in Kiev

[BC]

Sounds like Jack's fall tour..

Have fun.

[USCFAN]

Sounds like Jack's fall tour.. Have fun.

Yep ... Jack has been extremely helpful and good to work with. Poor guy has had to put up with a ton of questions already

I'm trying to make this first trip more of a 'feeling the scene out' kind of journey instead of 'I have to find the love of my life this time' ... I'm hoping that if I'm more relaxed, just being myself and having fun, not being too serious, that I will enjoy the trip even more 

Thanks Wayne ... I'll remember that 

[GregfromGa]

Since I'm a huge Notre Dame fan and I'm still getting over the Bush push,dont worry about pick pockets or gypsies. Date only women from the strip joints and pay at least $200 a night for an apartment. No need to get the sleeper on the overnight train to wherever as well.

Just kidding.LOL Hope you have a great trip. Obriens is not a bad place to have a few beers. The little hole in the wall place across the street from there is cheap and very good. Take in the culture and dont be afraid to talk to that beautiful girl that you lock eyes with because you never know. Keep us posted.

[BC]

I'm trying to make this first trip more of a 'feeling the scene out' kind of journey instead of 'I have to find the love of my life this time' ... I'm hoping that if I'm more relaxed, just being myself and having fun, not being too serious, that I will enjoy the trip even more 

Do try to get away once in a while, try to take a day in each city on your own.. wander the parks, see some sights, mingle with the locals, have lunch at a nice cafe.. all by yourself - grab some real experiences while you have the chance.  If you are not an introvert, even without language you will have fun.

After all, at the beach you should not concentrate only on a few nice shells.. smell the sea breeze, watch the waves, feel the sand between your toes..

[RK]

USCFAN, just in case...leave your passport in your flat/hotel....

However, make absolutely sure you have a good copy of it on you at all times when out and about. This comes from experience, though only from walking the streets of Kharkov. Out of approx. 13 trips to Kharkov in the past 17 months, I have been stopped by the police as I was walking asking for my passport on three separate trips. Not bad odds, really, but you want to have your passport or copy and your immigration card you fill out on arrival into the airport with you. I've known of other foreigners being taken to the station for further questioning when they could not produce it. Normally, that good 'ole US passport will get you on your way quickly, but there are always exceptions.

[wxman]

Don't worry too much about the pickpockets, etc. Common sense and you will be ok. I always carry my passport with me, and put it in the front pocket of my pants along with my wallet. Every guy can tell when a hand goes in the front pocket, whether wanted or not. 

I never carry a lot of cash. I always bring 2 atm/credit cards and keep one in the wallet and one in the flat. Just in case one is stolen, I have the other. As with any card, keep the CC number and toll free number in the flat in case you need to call to report it stolen or lost. 

[MaxxumUSA]

USC Fan...

Enjoy!

Hey...  I'm looking forward to your trip report.  I'm sure many of us are.

It is interesting that you came here, soaked up a ton of advice, then planned your trip.

Job well done RWD members. 

[Wayne B]

However, make absolutely sure you have a good copy of it on you at all times when out and about. This comes from experience, though only from walking the streets of Kharkov. Out of approx. 13 trips to Kharkov in the past 17 months, I have been stopped by the police as I was walking asking for my passport on three separate trips. Not bad odds, really, but you want to have your passport or copy and your immigration card you fill out on arrival into the airport with you. I've known of other foreigners being taken to the station for further questioning when they could not produce it. Normally, that good 'ole US passport will get you on your way quickly, but there are always exceptions.

   Yes RK, but they have seen you so much lately, they are wondering if you are legal or not

[RK]

LOL, Wayne! I think you might be right! It has actually been a few months since I was stopped. Maybe because they see me enough not to bother me anymore  Every time they let me go immediately upon seeing my passport, although the last time they stopped me, it was in the courtyard of my apt. and I didn't have it on me. Fortunately, they let me run upstairs to get it and let me go after that. There had been a murder in the area recently, so they were checking everybody.

The first time I was ever stopped, last year, it was late in the evening, I was walking back to my apt., and two cops and their "sarge" jumped out from nowhere from behind some bushes. Scared the heck out of me. I knew what they wanted, showed them my passport and they were still talking away. I then showed them my military ID card (reservist with the NC Air National Guard) voluntarily as another form of ID and they immediately became friendlier and sent me on my way.

The next time I was again walking back to my apt. late at night and they pulled up next to me in a police car. I showed them my passport, they smiled and waved me on. Another time shortly after that, I was stopped with an American friend of mine during the day on a popular street. They took a look at it and sent us on our way.

As you can see from Thor's most recent travel report with his friend last night, I say don't leave home without it (your passport).

[Rags II]

Have a great trip USCFAN! Jack's people will take good care of you and you have a good attitude that this is only an adventure/vacation. I've seen too many guys with the "I'm only going to do this once or I've got to come back with some results" mindset.

Enjoy every moment but just remember that there is a very good possiblity that you will never be satisfied dating the girls back home again.

[Mir]

I have not done it yet but perhaps it is a good idea to keep a copy of the passport in the pocket,I have never been stopped but then there is always a first time , however I would be worried to take the immigration card as loosing it can be a hassle.
As for the problems Thor and his friends had, I must say it looks like they were courting trouble.
At is sound advice for all foreigners to keep a low profile in public places to avoid such problems.

[Shadow]

I would advise to keep your passport and immigration card with you at all ties and keep a copy in your hotel in case you lose it. If you get unlucky and are stopped by the police, without original ID you will need to convinc€ them of your Identity.

[MaxxumUSA]

I have never been asked for ID in Russia.

I almost always carry my passport anyway.  Where I visit (Samara) it's like a get into VIP party without an invite ticket. 

[ScottinCrimea]

I two years of living in Ukraine and traveling throughout most of the country I have never once been stopped and asked for my ID.  I used to carry it around with me, but after losing it once (Luckily it was found by a local shopkeeper who knew me), I kept it safely in my apartment.  I no longer even carry my wallet since there isn't much in there I need on a day to day basis, and keep cash in my front pocket.  It seems you have to be more careful about them snatching your sell phone than anything else.

[Wayne B]

Guy's do you still need a passport in Russia to exchange currency ???  I don't carry my passport all of the time...because I am afraid that I might loose it...but, that is me....I have never been stopped before....but, there could be 'that' first time    Like Scott said, maybe keeping a low profile is best....and yes, with the SIM card in cell phones now...they are fare game to be stolen....From what I have seen in phone stores, they seem to cost more money in FSU countries vs U.S.

[USCFAN]

Thanks for all the input guys ... 

I will be sharing a TR with the board ... but as busy as I hope to be, I may have to share it when I return ...

5 1/2 weeks ... I can't wait !!!

- Steve -