Finland?

[JamesDH]

Taking a lot of advice from this board I've expanded my "interest circle" to include more females.

I've been chatting with a couple from St. Pete and one suggested that when I come to visit that we meet in Finland.
She said it's beautiful and it's easy for her to get a visa as well as easy to travel there by bus. I don't think US citizens are required to have a visa. (researching that now)
Sounds like a great idea to me.

Thoughts or suggestions?

James

[ECOCKS]

Sounds fun to me.

I assume you are being wary and carefully considering anything which involves money, so as long as you are comfortable with the time and expenses involved you'll probably have a blast. As to whether she's real or not, you'll have a great setting to explore that question.

[Ade]

Taking a lot of advice from this board I've expanded my "interest circle" to include more females.

I've been chatting with a couple from St. Pete and one suggested that when I come to visit that we meet in Finland.
She said it's beautiful and it's easy for her to get a visa as well as easy to travel there by bus. I don't think US citizens are required to have a visa. (researching that now)
Sounds like a great idea to me.

Thoughts or suggestions?

James

As far as I know, Americans don't need a visa to visit Finland. It's also probably one of the easiest schengen states for a Russian to get a visa for as well, almost a formality, and travelling from SPB can be done quickly by plane or a little more (actually a lot more) slowly by bus.

One of the times my fiancée and I arrange to meet up was in Helsinki - She suggested to take a bus but I wasn't going to have her sit on a bus for a day - you may consider buying an e-ticket for your friend if you want to be nice.

I thought it was a cool place and we enjoyed walking around the harbour and the botanical gardens. A couple of the restaurants we tried were very good too and very reasonable prices (well, they seemed that way at least compared to Norway and SPB). I'd recommend a hotel right in the centre by the main square as it's easy to walk from there to most of the interesting things in the centre of the city. We stayed in the quaint Hotel Seurahuone http://www.hotelliseurahuone.fi/?switch=ENG

The Finns are nice people in general but be prepared to see some drunk and weird ones around in the nights in the city especially on the weekends

[Sculpto]

james.. why doesn't she want to meet in St. Pete?  Its an awesome city.

[JamesDH]

Sculpto.

She is perfectly open to meeting in St. Pete.
In the letter before I told her that I have to go thru the process of getting a visa to enter Russia. I think she picked up on that as her words were "I think it is very difficult to open a visa to Russia" and then suggested that we meet in Finland, as she says "For the dwellers of my city it's very easy to get the visa there and it's no problem to get there by bus." (I will fly her there for sure)

Actually there are two women in St. Pete I would like to meet. Meeting one in Finland and one in St. Pete would be perfect. No deception required. (I would feel better that way)

[Gator]

Some RW will jump thru hoops to faciltate a meeting with a Western man.

One RW took a 24-hr train ride from her city to St. Piter and then an overnight bus from St. Piter to Helsinki.   Then she took a flight on Air Finn to meet me on the Med.  Something I would never do, yet she did it without a complaint.  She arrived perky with a big smile.

As Seriously Jaded stated, Finland is an easy jump-off point for the RW.  They find it relatively easier to get a Schengen visa from Finland.  With such a visa, they travel there to catch flights throughout Europe.

And Finnish men have been known to have an interest in the RW.  Almost as much interest as they do in cheap vodka.

[Sculpto]

ok, just checking James.. and you know.. if she is capable of getting herself there and willing to do it.. let her!  not all the ladies are destitute and if she suggested Finland.. it could very well mean she has the means to get herself there.

My lady refused any $ to travel from Siberia to Moscow to meet me.

[Gator]

No deception required. (I would feel better that way)

Ha!  Ha!   

Russians invented interrogation.  Be prepared for a $hitstorm if the woman you meet in Finland happens to really like you after you spend a few days together.  "My dearest James, what flight do you take to Houston?  I go to airport with you."

[Gator]

ok, just checking James.. and you know.. if she is capable of getting herself there and willing to do it.. let her!  not all the ladies are destitute and if she suggested Finland.. it could very well mean she has the means to get herself there.

My lady refused any $ to travel from Siberia to Moscow to meet me.

You should offer to pay her travel and to wire her some money to have some cash in case the Finnish border patrol ask.  If she refuses, fine!  Most RW expect the man to pay.  If you do not offer, she may think you greedy.

The one RW I met returned the cash.  And the bus ride and train ride were about $100.  Peanuts!

[Sculpto]

You should offer to pay her travel and to wire her some money to have some cash in case the Finnish border patrol ask.  If she refuses, fine!  Most RW expect the man to pay.  If you do not offer, she may think you greedy.

The one RW I met returned the cash.  And the bus ride and train ride were about $100.  Peanuts!

I agree.. probably didn't write what I meant correctly.. though I am not sure the expectation of the man paying is so universal.

[JamesDH]

Russians invented interrogation.  Be prepared for a $hitstorm if the woman you meet in Finland happens to really like you after you spend a few days together.  "My dearest James, what flight do you take to Houston?  I go to airport with you."

One reason I thought to make Paris my base of operations. Travel to Paris on the company dime then Finland, Paris, St. Pete, Paris, Odessa, Paris, Houston. Even though I hate Paris airport.

[Shadow]

In the letter before I told her that I have to go thru the process of getting a visa to enter Russia. I think she picked up on that as her words were "I think it is very difficult to open a visa to Russia" and then suggested that we meet in Finland, as she says "For the dwellers of my city it's very easy to get the visa there and it's no problem to get there by bus." (I will fly her there for sure)

Unless you would be more comfortable meeting them in different countries, you might tell that getting visa to Russia is much easier as getting visa to the US.
There are not many people denied.

[Faux Pas]

Taking a lot of advice from this board I've expanded my "interest circle" to include more females.

I've been chatting with a couple from St. Pete and one suggested that when I come to visit that we meet in Finland.
She said it's beautiful and it's easy for her to get a visa as well as easy to travel there by bus. I don't think US citizens are required to have a visa. (researching that now)
Sounds like a great idea to me.

Thoughts or suggestions?

James

You won't have any difficulty getting a visa to Russia. It's just a added step and small expense. Registering it after arrival is a PITA but still no biggie.

James I would strongly suggest to meet her at least the first time in Piter. Not for the list of usual reasons one generally hears on the forum but solely for another one. St Pete is a very interesting city and a wonderful place to visit and especially to explore a budding romance. With the exception of the caviar I find it to be extremely reasonable in price and relatively easy to find everything you need. If the romance happens to not work out you may never have another need to go to St. Pete and you would truly have missed one of the finer cities of the world. The Venice of Europe.

[Ade]

I'll be honest and say I enjoyed Helsinki more mainly because it's so much cleaner there than SPB. I found the car exhaust smog in SPB unpleasant at best and after a week I felt my lungs were glad to get out of there. When I was on my way home from Arkhangelsk at the beginning of June flying via SPB, landing there on a bright sunny day was an eye opener.

Of course, it really much depends why you're going there; SPB has far more touristy type places to visit for sure. But I still wouldn't call it "the Venice of Europe" for one thing I thought that distinction went to, um, Venice. I'm not even sure if I'd call it one of the finer cities of the world although I'll admit that it has some of the finer monuments and museums.

[Faux Pas]

I'll be honest and say I enjoyed Helsinki more mainly because it's so much cleaner there than SPB. I found the car exhaust smog in SPB unpleasant at best and after a week I felt my lungs were glad to get out of there.

The smog was bad and the exhaust that was prevalent, I smell in every city in Russia of good size. I am unsure if it is from cars or industrial. Nonetheless, I have a problem with smog in every large city I have been to. The smog in Piter doesn't diminish the wonderful time available.

Of course, it really much depends why you're going there; SPB has far more touristy type places to visit for sure. But I still wouldn't call it "the Venice of Europe" for one thing I thought that distinction went to, um, Venice. I'm not even sure if I'd call it one of the finer cities of the world although I'll admit that it has some of the finer monuments and museums.

My bad. Should have stated, The Venice of Russia. Difference of opinions but I am not surprised, as you and I have so many of them. Piter IMO, is one of the finer cities of the world. I would love to go back but at this juncture I don't know if it will ever be in the cards. I would highly recommend James visit Piter if he is so inclined. James said IF he goes it will be to meet a lady. It is a great place to do so. Also, should the meeting not go as well as hoped, I couldn't pick a better city to be in for a plan B.

[JamesDH]

I will be meeting one in St. Pete.

Anyone know the Moskva hotel? Is it good?
Where would you recommend?

Any other recommendations? Museums? Historical sights?

[ECOCKS]

Forget hotels, rent an apartment.

[Ade]

Forget hotels, rent an apartment.

Of course there are pros and cons of both approaches. Some people seem to be hung up on the idea that all decent RW won't dare be seen in a hotel room with man they aren't married to. A "fact" which is patently false btw although admittedly some women may feel uncomfortable. As he's only visiting one woman, I'd talk to her and work out what her preferences are.

James,

Moskva hotel says it's 10 minutes drive from the centre and Nevsky Prospect. I'd be looking at a hotel or apartment closer to or on Nevsky Prospect itself.

The Hermitage Museum is a must see.

[Ade]

The smog was bad and the exhaust that was prevalent, I smell in every city in Russia of good size. I am unsure if it is from cars or industrial. Nonetheless, I have a problem with smog in every large city I have been to. The smog in Piter doesn't diminish the wonderful time available.

Yes, but some Russian cities seem to be worse than others. I guess the heavy cough I came down with while I was there didn't help.

FWIW, I can't remember any Western city when the car fumes bothered me half as much as SPB.

[Faux Pas]

I will be meeting one in St. Pete.

Anyone know the Moskva hotel? Is it good?
Where would you recommend?

Any other recommendations? Museums? Historical sights?

The Hotels like the caviar are expensive. The good ones are anyway. How long will you stay? If a week or more, I too suggest an apartment. Much more reasonable in price yet, much more convenient. There are many on Nevsky or you might prefer one just off Nevsky which to me, is more ideal. There are many that are modern and completely furnished. I have some info on airport transfers and apartments if you are interested.

If you need the pampering of a hotel there are several but the good ones are expensive and well worth it. If you don't stay in a good 4 or 5 star, your accommodations and service will be akin to staying with some crusty old Aunt that don't like you.

It can take several days to see all of the Hermitage. In fact, I don't know if you can see it all if you went every day for weeks. Peterhof (Peter the Great's Palace) , Pushkin's school, Catherine the Great's summer Palace is a nice trip too. I went to many museums too but I'd have to look at my pictures to remember which ones. Even if (not implying) you have redneck roots like myself, I strongly encourage a visit to the ballet. Marinsky Ballet was quite a treat and excellent seats very affordable. Your lady will be impressed.

[jdk1963]

And Finnish men have been known to have an interest in the RW.  Almost as much interest as they do in cheap vodka.

Sounds a lot like the U.S.!