Minsk, Belarus: Planning stages - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Minsk, Belarus: Planning stages
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Posted by: zaniac

Hi all!

As the title suggests, I'm making plans to goto Minsk, Belarus. The idea is to go for about 1 week, from the 30th October to 5th November. On this occassion I am not going alone, as a friend (who wanted to come with me to Kiev in February) is this time coming with me.

Once I find the Belarussian Embassy phone number, I will give them a ring and see what needs to be done. Me and my friend will need to fill out a forms to obtain a visa each. Hopefully the whole visa process will not take long, as we only plan to be in Minsk for one week. I will ask if i really need an 'invitation' to gain entry.

This is the first time me and my friend have gone to a country which requires filling out forms before a holiday, so I'm inexperienced in procedures. Can anyone tell me how long the whole Belarussian visa process might take? I'm just curious as I have a slight worry that we are perhaps to close to the date we wish to travel.

With regards to hotel etc, it is probably best to wait until after we get the visa, would you guys agree?

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Posted by: zaniac

Aha I have found the Embassy website, the application form looks a little daunting though

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaniac

Aha I have found the Embassy website, the application form looks a little daunting though

Have you given up on the idea of going to Brazil now then??

can't your new found Brazilian friend help you with the docs....she won't charge much based on $300 just for an email address

There must be someone here - maybe Randy (Mistermopar) who has been to Belarus who can help you with the visa forms etc?

Chris

Posted by: zaniac

Brazil was always going to be a no-go. I just wanted to resume contact with a friend. However i have just sent an email flaming the person who was demanding $300. I have told them that they have up until the end of saturday to look into their hearts and give me their email address (that I once had).

Me and my friend will fill out an online form on Thursday and then get the passport photo etc attached. Actually the embassy gives a guideline of how long processing a visa will take. Should have plenty of time, but best to get the visa thing sorted asap. I think also we need to book a trip through some sort of Belarussian agency if I am correct in thinking. Is this true?

Posted by: zaniac

Super! Looks like the Hotel Yubileinaya room will get booked up and confirmed tomorrow. Then I can start worrying about the visa paperwork

Posted by: alena-krasavica

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaniac

Super! Looks like the Hotel Yubileinaya room will get booked up and confirmed tomorrow. Then I can start worrying about the visa paperwork

Don`t worry. It shouldn`t be that bad. It usually takes about a week to get a visa.

Posted by: zaniac

Hi Alena!

I've never seen you before, so welcome to the forums

Always good to see some more female representation. Thanks for the confidence booster

The hotel has been booked and the agency will send me my visa support documents tomorrow. Once I get them I'll send off my application form. Will finally book flights as well. I got side-tracked and didn't find time to book over the phone.

Posted by: Raspberry

Hi, Alena, glad to see a new female person on the board!

Zaniac, when I went to Belarus 10 years ago, an agency handled everything, including the hotels to the visa, to the prepaid cab fares from the airport to the Yubleinaya. But i was sitting on pins and needles waiting for the passport to come back from the Belarusian embassy. I did not get mine until two days before the trip.

I wish I was going with you, by the way.....

Brazil has a really screwy visa deal. You must enter the country in a certain time frame, otherwise it will be considered invalid.....despite the fact you have not gone past the written expiration date. Most countries need a visa to visit Brazil, but the UK citizens, oddly enough, don't.

Posted by: alena-krasavica

Thanx

I remember how we were going through all this for the first time, when my husband was coming to Minsk for the first time. Than, I had to do an official invitation, which is a hastle and money, its good that its not the case anymore.

Posted by: zaniac

Well I'm having problems with the online visa form, supplied on the Belarusian's embassy website. I can't get the form to display correctly in Wordpad. Keep seeing rows of squares on parts of it. I'm now thinking with only less than a month to go, I'll have to pay the money and get the agency to try and help me.

Posted by: zaniac

Alena - you have nice breasts!!!!!!! (in your avatar)

Posted by: alena-krasavica

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaniac

Well I'm having problems with the online visa form, supplied on the Belarusian's embassy website. I can't get the form to display correctly in Wordpad. Keep seeing rows of squares on parts of it. I'm now thinking with only less than a month to go, I'll have to pay the money and get the agency to try and help me.

are you using this one? http://www.belembassy.org/uk/visainfo.html
just save it to your computer and open it in word.

Posted by: alena-krasavica

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaniac

Alena - you have nice breasts!!!!!!! (in your avatar)

stay focused

Posted by: zaniac

I'm trying to believe me,

Yes that is the application form I tried to open. Does it open up ok in Word?

Posted by: alena-krasavica

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaniac

I'm trying to believe me,

Yes that is the application form I tried to open. Does it open up ok in Word?

yes, it does. if you are having problems i can email one to you.

Posted by: zaniac

i'll pm you my email address now.

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaniac

So you are off again Gary....doesn't seem that long ago you were worried to death about going to Kiev!! now there is no stopping you!!

are you meeting anyone this time?

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by alena-krasavica

Thanx

Welcome Alena....it is nice to see some new people around here!! especially one with such an interesting avatar!

your husband is a lucky man!!

Chris

Posted by: zaniac

Can I just say

"THANK GOD FOR 'OPEN OFFICE' SOFTWARE"

(It's really just free software that some people like to try and sell on Ebay for �5.99. It can play all Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint files, but is not related to Microsoft in anyway I don't think)

Hi Chris,

Yes it was about this time last year I was very worried about going to Kiev. Funnily enough I got a message from Natasha a few weeks back wanting to meet up again. It turns out she still kept my number, which confused me a little. I deleted her mobile number not long after the events which followed the 2nd trip to Kiev. I'm open to just being simple friends with her, but NEVER am I ever going to want anything more than that, not after the way she broke all ties in the manner that she did.

With regards to Belarus, yes I am meeting a lady, but I don't want to reveal the ladies identity as she might not want her username to be mentioned in relation to this trip. The only clue I will give is that this person is female

She is a true, caring, sweet little angel and I'll leave it up to her if she wishes to add anything.

I will send my application form off on monday, if all goes to plan

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaniac

Hi Chris,

Yes it was about this time last year I was very worried about going to Kiev. Funnily enough I got a message from Natasha a few weeks back wanting to meet up again. It turns out she still kept my number, which confused me a little. I deleted her mobile number not long after the events which followed the 2nd trip to Kiev. I'm open to just being simple friends with her, but NEVER am I ever going to want anything more than that, not after the way she broke all ties in the manner that she did.

With regards to Belarus, yes I am meeting a lady, but I don't want to reveal the ladies identity as she might not want her username to be mentioned in relation to this trip. The only clue I will give is that this person is female

She is a true, caring, sweet little angel and I'll leave it up to her if she wishes to add anything.

I will send my application form off on monday, if all goes to plan

Good news Gary...have a great time, I hope it works out for you.

Quote:

The only clue I will give is that this person is female

Phew!!! I am glad about that

Weird about Natasha though isn't it?? maybe she realises now what she missed out on!! or maybe it is coming winter time and she needs a new pair of boots or something

Posted by: zaniac

Bless her though, she hasn't changed her ways I don't think. She mentioned about coming to England, to which I replied fine if she wants to. I thought my parents will be ok with her staying for a week and I wouldn't be seeing us any further than just friends. Her next was "I want to live in Savoy", to which I replied "are you paying then? I thought I was going to just invite you?" and she replied "I was jocking". That made me think that she was testing the water, so to speak - I don't think she has changed. Other than that dreadful characteristic, she means well

Posted by: zaniac

Thanks Chris I shall let you know of my experience when I arrive back, subject to approval of course

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaniac

Bless her though, she hasn't changed her ways I don't think. She mentioned about coming to England, to which I replied fine if she wants to. I thought my parents will be ok with her staying for a week and I wouldn't be seeing us any further than just friends. Her next was "I want to live in Savoy", to which I replied "are you paying then? I thought I was going to just invite you?" and she replied "I was jocking". That made me think that she was testing the water, so to speak - I don't think she has changed. Other than that dreadful characteristic, she means well

It is no good going back....looks like you have moved on and found someone else now, so best to concentrate on the new lady!!

Posted by: zaniac

I am, believe me I am!!!!!!!!!!! It's just that I see Natasha now, as being quite funny in the 'want-this-want-that' style in which she behaves. I've honestly never seen another person behave in such a manner.

Posted by: alena-krasavica

Reading your posts reminds me how it all started with my hubby. It is always so romantic and sweet. He was so impressed with Minsk`s wide pavements and roads

Posted by: zaniac

Yes the guide book I have for Belarus says Minsk has wide roads and pavements, sounds interesting. I used Google maps to get an idea of scale.

Posted by: zaniac

I ordered the flight tickets yesterday from Belavia and they arrived in the post this morning.

All I'm waiting for now is the visa to be sent back from the embassy. I sent it off on Wednesday evening, so hopefully it will arrive on monday.

Posted by: zaniac

Hotel booked

Flights booked

Visa sorted

MINSK HERE I COME!!!!!!

Posted by: alena-krasavica

How did it all go?

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by alena-krasavica

How did it all go?

Hey Alena

He did a trip report here Zaniac Trip Report he has still not finished it though, the boy is slacking!

Chris

Posted by: zaniac

Hi Alena and Chris.

Yes, I have been very slow in writing this report. I'll try and get the final days written within the next 7 days. That's my challenege haha