List of steps to leave US

[SingleDad318]

Yeah I know it sounds like an idiot question but can someone from the US please tell me exactly what I need to do and need to get in place before I go to Odessa or the Ukraine in general.
*I already heard about the toilet paper deal*
Other than Canada I have never been out of the US.
Start from scratch please.
Thanks in advance.

[Del]

... in response to List of steps to leave US, posted by SingleDad318 on Jan 16, 2002

There is a lot of valuable information on:
www.brama.com/travel/travelboard.html

and, check out "R.J.'s Tours Ltd" on the left of Brama - Robert has a lot of useful info on his site.

[Patrick]

... in response to List of steps to leave US, posted by SingleDad318 on Jan 16, 2002

I've deleted the other two usernames you registered.  One of the rules here is one person, one username.

Thanks,  Patrick

[SingleDad318]

... in response to Please use a single username, posted by Patrick on Jan 17, 2002

Sorry about that patrick, I was having trouble with my ISP when I registered, I dont use my ISP for anything but a connection and forgot the password (signs me in automatically). As I'm sure you noticed I never posted under any other name.

[Richard]

... in response to List of steps to leave US, posted by SingleDad318 on Jan 16, 2002

If you don't have a passport, I would consider getting one now if you're seriously considering this.  The passport will take a month or so at this time of year.  This way you avoid the expense and hassle of getting a passport at the last minute.  You will have to send your passport to the appropriate embassy or consulate to get a visa for eastern Europe. This also can take several weeks.

[snowwego]

... in response to List of steps to leave US, posted by SingleDad318 on Jan 16, 2002

one last thing make sure you contact our embassy when you arrive that would be an ace in your pocket and make sure you have a ride set up at the airport and just do not jump in any cab. other wise do not speak to any one you do not know for safety reasons. Remember over there english speaking means money.

[snowwego]

... in response to List of steps to leave US, posted by SingleDad318 on Jan 16, 2002

you really do not have to worry to much if you are going to odessa they have everything you need at a cost of course. Make sure you keep your wallet in your front pocket. Just everyday toiletries is good (travel size is good)  the toilet paper is a good thing. Take some vitamins and common cold remedies make sure they are sealed though. Asprin is another thing maybe you might want to take other then that you will be fine except for the culture shock.

[micha1]

... in response to List of steps to leave US, posted by SingleDad318 on Jan 16, 2002

Write to Jack, the best I can come up with from what I have read here.

[Bobby Orr]

... in response to List of steps to leave US, posted by SingleDad318 on Jan 16, 2002

1.  A plan: (writing letters before you go or just going there, big agency or small agency, advertisement or not, tour or solo trip?  one girl or many, place in Russia, Ukraine or some other FSU, time of year).
2.  A backup plan
3.  A backup to the backup plan
4.  Valid passport
5.  Time off from work and someone to take care of your stuff while you are gone who can contact you in the event of an emergency
6.  Appropriate INS paperwork viewed in advance.  If you are really an optimist, sure of yourself and your judgement, a little crazy or both take a couple of 325A forms and adit visa picture instructions with you.
7.  Appropriate clothing depending upon the season, pack properly; bring one suit and tie just in case you meet her family.  Plan on bringing plenty of the color black, no blue jeans and ideally black leather jacket with black hat and gloves if travelling in winter.
8.  Whatever medications you may need; cold medicine in the winter just in case.  
9.  Sugar substitute if you are dependent on it as well as herbal tea (if you are into it).
10.  An English/Russian phrase book if you are travelling for the first time and want to say a few things in Russian.
11.  A money pouch or money belt to keep your money secure while you are travelling.  Two rolls of double-Charmin toilet paper.
12.  Crisp new $100 bills for spending while in Russia / Ukraine.  A minimum of $200 per day in case of problems - though you can easily live on $100 per week if you wanted to.  My advice depends on your spending habits, wealth and propensity for trouble.  $100 in small bills for smear money / cop money if necessary.
13.  Get your appropriate visa or have the service / travel agency you are booking your trip with get it for you.
14.  Look at your plan and ask hard questions.
15.  Go - enjoy the time of your life!

I am sure some other people could add alot of things but this is a step in the right direction.  Good luck.

[Deckard]

... in response to Re: List of steps to leave US, posted by Bobby Orr on Jan 16, 2002


I would like to add that you probably won't be able to drink the tap water over there.

If you can, get a water purifier. Not a water filter, you actually want to kill the viruses and germs in the water, a filter won't do that. Look for them in department stores, outdoor supply stores. I got mine at a place called REI.

As an alternative, you could just buy all of your drinking water (water for brushing teeth too), OR, you could boil all of your water if you're staying in a place with a small kitchen.

I bought a lot of my drinking water while there, but in the 3+ months that I was there, I did run into a few situations where I was very thankful for bringing a water purifier.

As a side note, don't order drinks that have ice cubes in them, they might be made from tap water.

Good luck,

-Deckard

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: List of steps to leave US, posted by Bobby Orr on Jan 16, 2002

Though my trip was to Russia, I am assuming Ukraine is similar...

A) Power converter. If you are taking laptop, DVD player, or CD player, check your power rating. Most of these have convertors built in (the voltage rating is on the "boxie" part that plugs into the wall, or the box that cord runs into for a laptop. It should show a voltage rating of 110 to 220. If so, you're golden), so you won't need a power inverter. But you still need an adapter plug. I bought mine at Frye's. It says: "Europe" on it, though, not Russia. I also saw these at airport stores in Chicago. And at Radio shack. Each plug should cost about 5-10 bucks. No more. You only need one, though it's nice to have a few so you don't have to unplug to play something else.

B) DO NOT take #6 on Bobby's list. You should NOT be THAT sure of yourself. Keep it at home. You can always express it to her later. But the flight back will clear your head. I thought I was in love when I was there... when I came back, I realized I was simply caught up in the romance of the trip. If we had started paperwork... I would have followed through with it...

C) Toilet paper is fine, but take those little kleenex travel sizes with you. They can go in your pocket, and work as toilet paper when you're out and about. (Don't expect public restrooms to have paper)

D) Condoms. Tacky thing to say... but things happen. And, honestly, you don't know where she's been... and she doesn't know where you've been.

E) Reading material. You will be spending HOURS on the plane. And waiting for planes. Do NOT forget to plan for this.

F) Camera. Consider the throw-aways, unless you are a photo-buff and really WANT good pictures. Don't forget to have pictures taken of you alone by famous sites. You don't know what will happen, and the next time you go, it will help your letter campaign if you can show the girls pictures of you in their homeland. That separates you from the men who will never go over -- a big concern to these ladies, and rightly so.

G) I will second that you should take cold medicine. Don't count on finding anything you'd trust over there. I took some even though I felt fine when I left. But twelve hours on a plane will get you. I had a sinus infection from day two, and don't know what I would have done without my medicine. Seriously consider a flu shot before you go.

There is more... but I can't remember it now. If you go WAAAAY back in the archives, I listed several things in my trip report. A lot of guys do. Go back and read them with a notepad. There's a lot of good stuff there...

-M-

[Richard]

... in response to Re: List of steps to leave US, posted by Bobby Orr on Jan 16, 2002

I would suggest brining a lot of bills of smalller denominations that $100 for various things.  For example, your rent will not work out to an even multiple of $100.  Yes, I know it's illegal to pay in $ in Ukraine...

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Re: List of steps to leave US, posted by Richard on Jan 16, 2002

Ukrainian laws stipulate that it's not legal for a Ukrainian citizen to *receive* payment for goods/services in US Dollars (or other foreign currency), but it is perfectly legal for a US citizen to pay in US Dollars.

I know it is only a small distinction, but perhaps an important one of you find yourself answering questions from the Militsia about a transaction gone bad.

FWIW

- Dan

[Richard]

... in response to Actually, It's Not Illegal . . ., posted by Dan on Jan 17, 2002

I agree that it's a useful thing to know in case a problem arises.  I was not aware of this. Thanks.

[Zink]

... in response to Re: List of steps to leave US, posted by Bobby Orr on Jan 16, 2002

Many people have said never wear blue jeans. I wore jeans and a t-shirt regularly with no problems. I saw lots of young Russian guys wearing blue jeans. I even bought jeans for my lady because that's what she wanted to wear some days. Maybe only the older guys didn't wear jeans.

My lady didn't like my cowboy boots. But I wasn't going to trade them for a god-awful pair of square toed shoes. And the Russian guys loved my boots. They wanted me to send them some of the same style.

Black is very popular but I did not notice that everybody in Russia only wore black. The ladies in particular got quite colourful at times. And when it's 30+ C and sunny, wearing an all black outfit will just about kill you. I've done it. The one thing I did notice is they love the big brand names, adidas, nike.

Just my observations.