The flight to Minsk booked through Lott on the web was uneventful.
American to JFK, Lott to Warsaw, and Lott to Minsk. Lott was first class all
the way no complaints at all, although we were delayed at JFK for an hour
I had no problems with my connecting flights.
Arrived in Minsk with Andre from Smok Travel Center holding a sign
with my name. Introduced myself and he wisked me away to the Visa office.
Ten minutes later and 140.00 lighter I had my visa no problem. He did all
the talking and such with the officer and I just had a nice slow smoke. Next
came customs and with Andre there doing the talking the only thing I had
to do was show the officer my money and he just flipped trough it and stamped
my papers giving me a copy of the paper with the amount of money I was
bring into the country. Important note here...this paper is vital with going
home and if lost you will have problems with customs leaving...BIG PROBLEMS. No I didn’t lose mine. All they checked was my money seemed
they could care less about the bags, although another guy came when
the big boss was there and had a few minor problems with his bags.
Leaving that counter behind and walking out to the waiting people
my lady ran to me and gave me a nice hug and kiss. Nothing drastic, but
nice and subtle. Felt good ya know and on top of it her photos did nothing
for her. She was much more than they showed her to be! Irina the Belarus
side of the agency I used was there also. Very pleasant arrival.
Andre took us to the hotel for our one night stay in Minsk where we
relaxed for an hour so, then went to dinner at a good Spanish Restaurant. We strolled around the lake area of Minsk taking in some sights
and photos. We retired rather early, since all of us had a long day.
In the morning had our free breakfast at the Hotel and spent a few hours
sightseeing. Visited a craft selling area, a small outside Military musuem,
and a couple of other museums. Time came for the train ride to Vitebsk,
which would take four hours. It was suggested to get the train with cabins
and I did. Boy was I glad as you could be private with your lady and begin
to get to know one another. Later in my stay I would see what the CHEAP
train would be like with the seats metal with vinyl covers and little padding.
I spent an hour on that one...four hours would be brutal. We arrived in
Vitebsk around 8:00 PM Irina grabbed a cab for us and away we went. The
train station isn’t a place I’d want to hang around at outside unless it was
in the day.
Arriving at her house, bid goodnight to Irina and dragged my bags
into her place. No sooner I get in the door her Momma gives me a hug and
kisses on the cheeks and I meet her son. I unpacked rather fast and was
pointed to the kitchen to eat. Boy Momma wants to fatten me up as she
keeps telling me eat, eat, eat! Tired and full the bed was very inviting. Called
it a night.
For the next 4 days we spent walking around Vitebsk talking, figuring
out each other, sight seeing, holding hands at times, other times the famous
Russian arm lock, strolling in the park, checking out an old church and such
things.
We ate at home every day this week as I really wanted experience
living like a Russian, plus I was going to live like I do at home and not gove
the chance for her to think I eat out all the time, go to cafes every night and
other such things. Lots of vegetables, sour cream, fruit juice, bread, beet
soup, chicken soup and noodles. This was fine with me..except for the
sour cream farts! *-)
I had a very nice first week and no problems or complaints.
Continued in My Trip Week #2
If you feel you have the need to private mail me feel free to. If you want
to comment on the list please do so as that’s what this list is for, but don’t
bother posting if all you want to do is flame.....me, the way I pursued my dream, who I used and the like. I don’t need to read it and others don’t need
to read it. Feel free to discuss other ways to meeting a lady, other questions
to ask when writing, or anything helpful to someone.
