Is it Wise to Attempt a Trip to Tiraspol ?

[Stix]

Greetings all,

I'm probably headed over to the FSU during the second week in June. I'll be in Odessa, Ukraine and possibly Moldova.

I've read the advisory on the website of the US Embassy in Moldova about foreigners travelling in the Transnistria region of Moldova. However the advisory dates from late 2008 and I would like to visit a young lady there. Has anyone been to Tiraspol lately? Any recommendations? Would it be better to meet in Chisinau?

Thanks!

Stix

[JR]

Greetings all,

I'm probably headed over to the FSU during the second week in June. I'll be in Odessa, Ukraine and possibly Moldova.

I've read the advisory on the website of the US Embassy in Moldova about foreigners travelling in the Transnistria region of Moldova. However the advisory dates from late 2008 and I would like to visit a young lady there. Has anyone been to Tiraspol lately? Any recommendations? Would it be better to meet in Chisinau?

Thanks!

Stix

Back in 92 when I first went to Moscow the US Embassy said pretty much the same thing. I survived. If there isn't an open civil revolt going on and you keep your head about yourself you should be fine.

[Stix]

Thanks JollyRats. I haven't heard about anyone actually being harmed, so that  seems like sound advice.

[2tallbill]

I have never been to Moldova, I agree with Jolly

Udachi


Bill

[facetrock]

I spent two and a half weeks in Moldova last November,  but I was in Chisinau. To me it seemed about the same as any Russian or Ukrainian city.

[JR]

If you are going to 'visit' people just stick with them, they'll avoid the bad spots.

[ECOCKS]

Sigh, others may be reading this....

He is not talking about Moldova, Transnistra is a different proposition.

I suggest you ask yourself a serious question concerning this.

Are you on an adventure holiday looking to prove your manliness or are you looking to setup the foundation for a relationship?

Transnistra is not Somalia, but there is no Embassy or diplomatic presence to intercede on your behalf IF something happens. It may not, in fact it probably won't. However, they are not used to many tourists, shakedowns are common at the border and the "country" is considered one of the main sources of human trafficking, illicit arms, smuggling and drugs. You might wish to try "Transnistra+smuggling+corruption" or add EU+Interpol+Human Trafficking" or even "Human rights" on a google search, it will give you some solid information to base your decision on. Among expats, the belief is it is best to go around it (when travelling to Moldova) but if you simply MUST travel through it then do so during daylight hours without stopping even for gas or lunch.

Particularly notice the warnings concerning people of African and Arabic descent. Even in Odessa, people with darker skin are better off staying in the touristy areas or at least in fair-sized groups and be VERY careful about venturing too far from the main drags on ANY pretext. It's worse than in Moldova and Moldova is a bit worse than Ukraine (see below).

A few widespread journalistic and legal comments:

http://www.tiraspoltimes....ter_moldovan_gag_law.html

http://www.independent.co...ovas-frontier-510983.html

http://www.peacecenter.sc...sue3_FP1_Felix-Buttin.pdf

There are plenty more if you google, select responsible sources and think about them critically. When looking at the sources, notice which ones originiate in Tiraspol and which are in the rest of the world. Then remember propaganda and spin.

Most of us (expat residents) have a set of balls and are willing to face down the occasional overenthusiastic cop or too-rigid bureaucrat, but it just isn't worth the hassle in this case.

Simply, it isn't a vacation spot. Nor is it where I would want to date and get to know a new GF.

Have her meet you in Odessa is my advice.

Odessa is about 10 times more internationally-minded than Moldova and I know of NO ONE with any Eastern European experience who would advise you to solo into Transnistra without experience and some sort of support on the scene (co-workers, tour guides, etc.).

Ed

[JR]

Sounds like good advice from Ed. I have friends who travel to southern parts of Mexico each year to visit relatives. They talk about certain areas where they won't stop for nothing, no eating, gas, stretching the legs and no pee stops. No stops period!

[Stix]

Thanks all, Ed in particular.

I just finished reading a 2008 article from the New Yorker called "The Countertraffickers" that focused on the problem of human trafficking, particularly in Moldova. It mentioned one rare case where a young woman was trafficked from Ukraine to Moldova. I had heard of some of the problems in Moldova but didn't know how bad things were. And of course, despite international measures against trafficking, it's hard to see how things will improve much unless there are increased legitimate economic opportunities in Moldova. With the world economy in it's present  state that is probably a ways off. Bait and switch offers for work abroad will no doubt continue to be enticing to many

As for the color issue-are the locals in Odessa likely to react negatively when I'm walking along the street with one of the local ladies?

Thanks,

Stix

[mendeleyev]

Has anyone been to Tiraspol lately? Any recommendations? Would it be better to meet in Chisinau?

Yes, was in Тирaсполь (Tiraspol) on assignment. My wife went with me as she was worried sick about me making the trip alone. My first trip was several years ago, also work related, and she was not with me then. As she is a Russian citizen/passport holder, having her with me on this trip was a good thing. Russia is on the side of Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria) independence from Moldova. As Ed pointed out, this is a breakaway region with their own government and border guards althought the only outside country which recognizes their independence is Russia.

Edited based on helpful info from Ed: Stix, as this is your first trip to Eastern Europe, I'm thinking you should not venture into this part of the FSU at this juncture. Travel there can be tricky for first timers as it is, and some of these folks can be downright unfriendly. I also think you should look at more than one lady in this case.

Marriage in the East is viewed at a 180 degree angle from how we see it in the West. You are going to need her family support to pull this off, and stay married for the long haul. Frankly, her age doesn't matter--this is the East with lots of family involvment and input. She could be 65 and you'd be smart of ask her family blessing. And with any marriage where there are differences, whether in race or politics or religion, etc, you need her family support for her to make the cultural transition over the long haul. If she is for you but her family isn't, keep looking. This isn't the West where kids do the opposite of parents and make it long term. That is a hard challenge when you have reasonable doubts about being accepted in the land that her heart and very soul calls "home."

The good news is that there are plenty of beautiful ladies in areas of Ukraine and Russia where you'll do fine.

If you still decide to go, as Ed pointed out there is no Embassy representation and while they don't like to call it a dictatorship, having a president who is re-elected as often as he pleases while his opposition sits in jail doesn't lend the country to stability. Not many visitors come to Transdniestr. Its not that they're unwelcome, they're just not that really wanted. A visa to enter the country means little at the border if the guards don't like you, or if you don't have cash for a bribe. They like American dollars and with the typical results of a less than developed economy, about $20-40 each will be a windfall for a border guard. Transdniestr is not Somali I would agree, but it's 2nd world not first.

Walking around Tiraspol is like stepping back into a time machine. They do have an active KGB and they will know you're there and why you're there. However its likely that they could care less about tourists as long as you're not overly camera happy. They seem a little more interested in Western journalists so I seldom took photos unless my wife was with me.

This is definitely not the place for any man to try a WMVM approach as about the 3 or 4th interview in a hotel or cafe you'd likely be questioned to see if there was cause for suspicion of violating public meeting laws.

The 3 official languages of this tiny area are Russian, Moldavian and Ukrainian with the Moldavian done in Cyrillic as was common during the CCCP era. Due to geography both Arabic and French are also spoken. Almost 20% of the population is Romanian so you'll hear that spoken frequently too. The largest population is Ukrainian as this was part of Ukraine until Stalin attached it to Moldova.

The true definition of caucasian can be seen here. Caucasian by definition (we Americans have it wrong) means slightly dark skinned and many of the ladies are very lovely with the dark hair and darker (much like Georgian or South American Latino) skin tones. That is the description of people from the Caucasus'. The fair skinned blonde ladies are likely of Ukrainian or Russian lineage. If you think those ladies are beautiful as I do, wait till you visit Georgia or Uzbekistan.

But don't let that (above) fool you. As Ed wisely pointed out, given demographics of the region this is not a place to be out alone or at night. Were you my brother or best friend, I would be very nervous about a place like this being your baptism into Eastern Europe. The rule of law here is who has the biggest tire iron, and can summon the most friends quickly.

You can still go, and if you do despite our concern we'd want you to have a safe and successful trip. It's not the freedom of the West so don't be surprised if leaving takes more than a few minutes, and regardless of who you are they'll want to know where you stayed, where you went, whom you met, why you came (this info should match the same answers you gave when entering), etc.

Unless you're an expat who can afford such, some of the technology will be a bit slower. Not many such economies fare well under central control, and this one has been hit with the International crisis just like everyone else. Hotels, etc, will be a bit more dated...but very inexpensive.

Registration: Once inside Ukraine or Moldova you won't need a visa for Trans. Foreign tourists are required to register with local police within 24 hours of entering the country. Here is a helpful link for everything from hotels to where to register: http://www.luxlana.net/Transdniestr.html  Some of the info dates back to 2008 but that really isn't that long ago.           

 

[Ade]

I agree with the vast majority of what Ed has said, and certainly appreciate his knowledgable perspective. I will respectfully disagree with only one suggestion--that of meeting outside her homeland. True that Ukraine is a golf ball swing away, but it's not her home and I'm of the firm belief that to know a lady is to spend time where she lives and third party destinations lead to disaster. You need time to get to know her family too (her age doesn't matter--this is the East with lots of family involvment and input unlike the West).

Of course, there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking the first trip to meet in another country to see if there's any compatibility before taking the risk of journeying to her home town. We all know that it's very possible that there will be no chemistry...

[Stix]

Again everyone, thanks for the advice; Mendeleyev, thanks for the detailed rundown on Tiraspol. Since she has mentioned travelling to Odessa before, I will ask her to meet me there; and if she shows up, I can offer to help cover travel and lodging. Even if we don't take it any further, that seems the gentlemanly thing to do. By the map it looks to only be a couple of hours away by road.

[mendeleyev]

Given the situation I think thats wise, especially after communicating with Ed. As he mentioned, this is not a part of the world where you can go up and start introducing yourself to single ladies. Some English is spoken but as a foreigner approaching locals in English, you'd definitely attract the attention of the local KGB boys and you don't need that.

Odessa is a great place, as is most of Ukraine, so have fun!

[Ooooops]

We are getting those warnings all the time because we live overseas and register with local US embassy.   Most of the time they are just being "on the safe side" and you listen to them then the best thing to do is to move into White House and lock the doors.       Read the papers, Google most recent info about the region and do what you want.   

[2tallbill]

Sigh, others may be reading this....

He is not talking about Moldova, Transnistra is a different proposition.

I suggest you ask yourself a serious question concerning this.

I obviously have no idea about the area,

Disregard my previous post, I thought it was Moldova,

Bill