New modified banknotes from summer 2004

[Jutman]

Hi

If you have some old banknotes, it could be an idea to bring them to Russia this summer.
Russia is upgrading its banknotes with more security features to prevent false notes.

Here is a link with picture of the improved notes (text in Russian)

http://www.goznak.ru/r_main.php?page=338

[mistermopar]

Hi Jutman,

Thanks for that information.
How long will we have to use the old bank notes.
I still have a lot of Rubles from my last trip and did not exchange them because I know I will be going back again,someday.............I hope :dontknow:

Thanks Jutman,

Randy

[Andy72]

This is interesting!

So, will I find the new notes going there next july? I plan to exchange my money or get cash with my credit card when I arrive, do I do the right thing?

and by the way (I take the chance to ask this), what do you say it is the best way to get cash when I am in Russia? ATM are common in remote regions, or will they accept my credit card in banks? What do you suggest?

[Jutman]

Hi

About the the time the current circulation will be valid, I have not been able to find any information about. However as an European my experience tells me, the worst case is that you have to take the money to bank, even in 1, 2 or 3 years time you can still convert until the new money, so I daubt they will be lost. Its just a question on how easy it will be.

About ATM's.
My GF lives in a regional administration city with 600000 including suburbs. They have to my knowledge (after 4 visit) 2 ATM with english instructions, but several other ATM, just in Russian.

I would dare to say if the city do not have any industry / education with international contacts, there will be no ATM with english instructions.
On my way to her city we pass trough a local city with 100000 citizen. I assume they will have one ATM. That will be my guess of a limited were a city has a ATM. (below 50000 I don't think so)

BR

[ConnerVT]

I'm a firm believer you can't go wrong with cash. In your situation, I would bring new (clean, un-torn, and with no writing or other extra markings) Euros with me.

Although there are limited network ATMs popping up all over the FSU, you never want to get caught in a situation where you don't have access to your money. I've read one story where someone almost spent the night sleeping on the beach, as his card wouldn't work. It is difficult to explain that you aren't really poor, when you don't have a way to pay your way. Explanations of credit, bank debit cards, visa networks, all are pretty foreign to those who live in what is basically a cash-and-carry economy.

Of course, common sense should prevail. Don't carry all of your cash with you on the street (or late at night in a nightclub); don't flash large amounts of money around; don't put cash in your checked luggage; etc. The same rules you would use whenever traveling away from home.

[andrei]

Originally posted by ConnerVT
I'm a firm believer you can't go wrong with cash. In your situation, I would bring new (clean, un-torn, and with no writing or other extra markings) Euros with me.

Although there are limited network ATMs popping up all over the FSU, you never want to get caught in a situation where you don't have access to your money. I've read one story where someone almost spent the night sleeping on the beach, as his card wouldn't work. It is difficult to explain that you aren't really poor, when you don't have a way to pay your way. Explanations of credit, bank debit cards, visa networks, all are pretty foreign to those who live in what is basically a cash-and-carry economy.

Of course, common sense should prevail. Don't carry all of your cash with you on the street (or late at night in a nightclub); don't flash large amounts of money around; don't put cash in your checked luggage; etc. The same rules you would use whenever traveling away from home.

THATS GODAMN RIGHT

AND DONT SPEAK ENGLISH OUT LOUD IN THE STREET AT NIGHT

IN APRIL I WAS WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH A FRIEND OF MINE, HE'S AN AMERICAN, WE WERE DRUNK AND WERE SPEAKING ENGLISH. A COUPLE OF BASTARDS HEARD THAT, CHASED US AND BEAT ME THE HELL DOWN AND TOOK MY MONEY AND MY MOBILE PHONE. I SPENT 2 WEEKS AT HOME BECAUSE MY MUG LOOKED AWFUL I COULDNT GO TO WORK.

SO BEWARE AND ACT LIKE YOU'RE A LOCAL.

[mistermopar]

Hey Andrei,

:crutches: Sorry to hear about what happened to you,hope you are doing better now.

Is this normal that people get beat up for speaking English in Omsk.
You say to act like a local,but I am sure any Canadian or American will stand out like a sore thumb in Omsk,even if we try to hide that we are not from there :bagover: .

Hope your doing better,

Randy

[andrei]

Originally posted by mistermopar
Hey Andrei,

:crutches: Sorry to hear about what happened to you,hope you are doing better now.

Is this normal that people get beat up for speaking English in Omsk.
You say to act like a local,but I am sure any Canadian or American will stand out like a sore thumb in Omsk,even if we try to hide that we are not from there :bagover: .

Hope your doing better,

Randy

It wasnt for speaking English, Randy))))))) It's because they thought if I speak English I got lots of cash with me. F-ckin bastards, I only had 600 roubles)))).

Its easy to become a local. Just buy yourself some regular clothes here, dont be always smiling like an idiot and dont speak English loud. And dont carry a backpack if you're not a teenager. And iron your clothes)))) (sorry dude, but lots of foreigners around here look like they never iron their clothes)

:D

[mria]

When I was in Russia, I had Russians coming up to me and asking me for directions. They obviously thought I was local.

But actually yes, I had to learn not to smile at everyone who made eye contact with me. I chose to wear dark colours- I usually wear make up, but I wore a lot more than usual for day time.
And for God's sake make sure your shoes are clean! That really is a sign that you are a foreigner- if you have a speck of dirt on your shoes, its a giveaway.
Taking photos is normal, though. Lots of my Russian friends enjoy taking photos in their own cities.

[Natalie]

Yes. a lot of this is true. I'm Ukrainian.but live in England now and on March I visited my mom in Ukraine. So I just smiled on the bus to somebody.because we just occasionally made an eye contact. Then that woman said "What a hell,she is smiling to me. Why are you bloody smiling to me?" It was not good feeling and I just told that she looks like my friend and I was thinking that was my friend.
Well, so be careful with the smiles;)