FSU R/W advice...

[Geo InTx]

Greetings. I am new to this(fsu, r/w, etc), an was wondering if this forum will be helpful, or detrimental. I have tentatively scheduled to go to southwest Russia to meet my 'special' friend. I was wondering if you all experienced folk, will give good advice or just wise-cracks. On my excursion into the unknown, what should I expect? Any concerns with the attire? I'd hate to look 'touristy'.
Any other major concerns or worries? Let me know...

[Frank O]

... in response to FSU R/W advice..., posted by Geo InTx on Jun 24, 2005

Another thing make sure you have a contact APART from your girl in the place you are going to. I use Jack/Galina when I go to Kiev. They are great. WHen things go bad, as they did for me, Galina & Jack were ALWAYS there ready to help out. I would NOT plan a trip without consulting them for flat rentals, etc in Kiev. Not sure about where you are going though. But I would STRONGLY suggest you do that.

[Felinessa]

... in response to FSU R/W advice..., posted by Geo InTx on Jun 24, 2005

I'd say control your spending.  If she's not as special as she seems, at least you won't have dropped thousands.  And do your research on the city: how much things cost, taxis, car rentals, hotels, etc., so you don't get swindled out of a fortune.

[Geo InTx]

... in response to Re: FSU R/W advice..., posted by Felinessa on Jun 24, 2005

Thank ya'll for ur useful advice. It is appreciated. If ya'll think of anything else, LMK...

[Jack]

... in response to FSU R/W advice..., posted by Geo InTx on Jun 24, 2005

Hey George, when you say SW Russia are you referring to Volgograd, Rostov, Krasnodar regions or UFA, Ekaterinburg, Samara?  Russia is big (so big that when the sun is setting in western Russia it is rising in eastern Russia) so could you explain what area you are considering when you say southwest Russia?

This forum will certaintly be helpful, just don't take everything you see written as being the gospel. Whatever approach or method an individual used will generally be his recommended "best" method. So generally I would recommend you to review the archives and read the recommendations and experiences of many and see what method best fit's with your personality.

About attire. I agree in that you don't want to look to touristy. The attire in the fsu is changing and we are seeing more colorful clothing than we saw only five years ago. But the tourist are still easy to spot, there the ones wearing white shorts with white socks and tennis shoes.

[Geo InTx]

... in response to Re: FSU R/W advice..., posted by Jack on Jun 24, 2005

FYI. I will venturing to the city of Samara. Also, where exactly is the customs declaration form pick up at? Upon arrival at Moscow airport or...?

[Jack]

... in response to Re: Re: FSU R/W advice... , posted by Geo InTx on Jun 25, 2005

George, I may not be much help to you in Samara. I have no personal experience there but did have a client who went there and used an agency called All Samara Ladies and they took pretty good care of him.  There phone number is 7 846 217 6200 and address is on Bezimianny street, building 9, third floor, office 8.

You can get the customs form (although not sure you'll need it) at the Moscow airport when you arrive.

[Philb]

... in response to Re: Re: FSU R/W advice... , posted by Geo InTx on Jun 25, 2005

Usually these will be handed out by the stewardesses during the flight.  Otherwise, they can be picked up in the baggage claim area.

[Jack]

... in response to Customs form, posted by Philb on Jun 25, 2005

Phil, had a somewhat different experince with Russian customs declaration forms recently. When we flew from Kiev to St. Pete and after clearing passport control we went to the area just this side of customs where the custom forms and baggage were. There was a custom official there who said if we were not declaring more than $3000 that we did not need to fill out a declartion form, so we (myself and three other individuals) didn't feel out a declartion form. This bothered me over the next several days as I was imaging what problems I could encounter as I left Moscow and not having filled out a declartion form.

So I was prepared to tell my story and go out it with the custom officials as I departed Moscow, pay probably $50 or $100 in a bribe and be on my way. When I got to the declartion both the officer asked if I had anything to declare, I said no and he waved me thru.

So in essence I never filed out a declartion form and was never asked for one.

[Art]

... in response to Re: FSU R/W advice..., posted by Jack on Jun 24, 2005

I've always heard wear black clothes and square tipped black shoes and you'll blend well.

[OldRed]

... in response to Re: Nothing wrong with lookin sporty, posted by Art on Jun 24, 2005

Then I guess cowboy boots are out of the question?

[Frank O]

... in response to FSU R/W advice..., posted by Geo InTx on Jun 24, 2005

You will hear BOTH so disregard those that are negative. I KNOW because I've taken a LOT of flak over 2 years. Many of it MUCH deserved however.
As for your attire it DOES matter a LOT over there. I had a LOT of complaints on my attire. Being from Texas I didn't give a rats arse about it however. That bothered my wife. Apparently Harley Boots are not very popular over there. Many complaints about shoes mostly. Strange to me. My wife realized this when she arrived here iN Texas.
I've never been to Russian so I can't really offere advice on that . Been to Ukraine 5 times though & I LOVE IT!!!
Main thing is do NOT ignore red flags regardless of how insignificant & petty they might seem. I did this to my own detriment. Also SHOULD things progress go the route of a K1 NOT a K3 as I did. What a HUGE mistake this was.
Don't be afraid to bail out. Also it would be better if you went to see more than 1 girl. I could NOT do that. Just couldn't "focus" or whatever & could only visit 1 at a time. That screwed me in the end. I'm getting ready for another trip in a couple months & will try to do things "right" this time around.
Best of all what REALLY matters will be YOUR ATTITUDE in this whole matter. My first trip could have been considered a failure by most expectation however I had a BLAST!!! I got around town & met many wonderful people & ladies & started to "feel my oats" so to speak. Just don't let 1 bad apple sour you. You just have to find the right one for you.