looking for a Russian female friend - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

	The Russian Meeting Place: A place to meet people and talk about all things Russian... International Discussions about Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Travel, Music, Russian News, Ukrainian culture, Belarusian Dating, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kiev and other intelligent topics about life in the former Soviet Union.

Pages: 1

looking for a Russian female friend
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Hello

My name is Shaun I’m 43 and I live on a small island on the south coast of Great Britain called the Isle of Wight. I’m looking for a Russian female friend. No, not that kind of friend! A genuine friend that I can get on with and share e-mails and hopefully meet one day.

Why you’re asking? That’s simple, in the real world I get on with females better than men, it’s that simple. You’re still suspicious? OK then I’ll give you a little more information. I’ve just started planning a big motorcycle trip and it’s going to cost a lot of money so I’ve got to save for a couple of years while I’m doing the planning.

The route I’m taking is through Europe the Czech Rep and Slovakia from there into the Ukraine. After that it’s push on through Kazakhstan then into Mongolia with Ulaan Baatar being the destination. I plan on stopping there for a couple of days then heading north up into Russia to Ulan Ude. After that it’s back west and north probably following the Trans Siberian Railway to Moscow. From there it’s on to St Petersburg then carry on north into Finland, then Norway and Sweden. I’m getting the boat back from Sweden to the UK

I’ve just got some maps and guide books for all the places that I’m going through but it would be nice to discuss some of the Russian stuff with a real Russian person. For that I’ll need a Russian female friend. If we get on well I’d also like to exchange pictures and hopefully meet up with you when I’m on the road for coffee and a chat for a few hours before I carry on.

Hopefully there is a kind Russian female out there who doesn’t mind helping out with my research questions. I know a lady from the place I live that comes from the Ukraine and I’m hoping that she will teach me how to speak a little Russian to help me on border crossing and ordering food or finding a place to sleep for the night!!

Thanks for reading this. You should be able to email me from this site I think I clicked the box that allows this during registration. If not just ask

Kind Regards

Shaun

Posted by: AkMike

As far as a must have phrase book for your trip. I reccomend one that you can get from lonelyplanet.com. I have use it and it'll cover most of the things you'll need.
It shows the phrase in russian and english, then it helps you phoneticly pronounce the wording.
BUT I can't help with your russian lady friend..

Posted by: AkMike

Actually the forums at lonelyplanet.com would be a great help for this trip too.

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Hi AKMike

i've just got my lonelyplanet books in the post, sweet books loads of stuff in them. i've got the....

Ukraine Travel Guide
Europe on a Shoestring Travel Guide
Czech & Slovak Republics Travel Guide
Trans-Siberian Railway Travel Guide
Russia & Belarus Travel Guide
Central Asia Travel Guide
Mongolia Travel Guide

i'm looking for the answer to this question if anybody can help ?

If you look at my first post you will see that I’m going to need a business visa because I’m in Russian territory in-between the Ukraine and Kazakhstan and Mongolia before i go up north to start the main run through Russia. My question is this… do I need to register the visa each time I’m in Russian territory or do I do it the once when I leave the Ukraine before I go into Kazakhstan ?

thanks

shaun

Posted by: AkMike

LOL, I don't have a clue!
Wait a bit and some of the more knowedgeable folks will chime in. I've focused in Ukraine, and have only been to the airport in Russia on stop-overs.

Posted by: AkMike

BTW... What are you going to be riding? BMW Touring?
Way back when I rode I had a series of old 650 Beezers.

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

LOL, thanks Mike

think I’m going to need the whole two years of saving to do the research; it’s a huge ass bike ride. Only thing that does worry me is this. I spend all this time saving and planning then apply for the visa in the year that I’m going and Russia says NO… if that happens I’ll do trans US I think !

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkMike

BTW... What are you going to be riding? BMW Touring?
Way back when I rode I had a series of old 650 Beezers.

BMW F650GS or GS Dakar

Posted by: AkMike

I doubt that they'll say no but if they do a trip going full length of the Americas would be a great ride. Ak or Canada to Peru or Argentina to the south..

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

When I’ve done this ride I’m definitely going to ride from your place…. Alaska to Florida then do Africa. I’ve done the marriage and house stuff twice, now at 43 life is going to be about the road and meeting new people

Posted by: AkMike

Sounds like a plan. Just don't look at the "scenery" when you ride thru the FSU or you'll change your tune.

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkMike

Sounds like a plan. Just don't look at the "scenery" when you ride thru the FSU or you'll change your tune.

may sound like a stupid question but what’s the FSU ? lol

Posted by: AkMike

Sorry,,, It's short for 'Former Soviet Union'.

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

thanks for that! i should have figured that out i recon

Posted by: Chrismc

Shaun

Based on the fact that you may be entering, leaving and re-entering Russia a number of times on your trip I think you will require 6 month Multi Entry Visa.

I don't know how long your trip will be for, but bear in mind that effective 01.06.07 according to new laws (dependent upon nationality) there may be restrictions on how long you can stay in Russia within specific periods. This restriction, if it applies, will be written into the visa. All nationalities are restricted to a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period when using a multiple entry visa.

A business visa can also be used for non business reasons such as tourism and/or visiting friends etc.

All foreign citizens arriving in the Russian Federation must register their visas within three working days of their arrival (excluding weekends and public holidays). An unregistered visa can cause problems and delays with even the most common tasks that require a passport as identification and even cause you to be denied exit from Russia.

Visa registration procedures and requirements can differ in each city and region of Russia, you need to decide beforehand where you are to visit and plan your route.

Hope this helps a little,

Chris

PS also bear in mind relations between Russia and the UK are not at their best at the moment, depending on when you are planning to go, keep your eye on any changes in Visa restrictions as Russia has a habit of changing things without warning

'Its Russia, its normal'

Posted by: sawman

Thanks Mike,I just got off the phone with my lawyer and with the co-sponsor there is no problem.If I need one,it's my brother anyway.

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Hi Chris

Thanks for your input. I’m still in the very early stages of tentative planning. I’m looking at starting the ride in 2010 or I may extend it to 2011, not sure see how the saving goes. I’ll be coming back to no job so I might save for the extra year so I’ve got some bucks in the bank when I get home

I should have a good route planned at the end of this year I hope. I got enough research maps and books to keep me going that’s for sure.

I’m thinking when I leave the Ukraine I should aim for about 80 days to clear Kazakhstan – Mongolia and back west through Russia until I hit Finland. I’ll be on the road for about 5 months in total but I know that I’m on a time limit on the hardest part.

If it looks tight I guess I can always put the bike on the train and make up some time for a couple days.

Sorry if I sound stupid but I’m not sure what you mean with the visa registration? You Said “Visa registration procedures and requirements can differ in each city and region of Russia” Is it done the once or will I have to do it multiple times?

Kind regards

Shaun

Posted by: AkMike

Based on what I've seen of the drivers in Ukraine,,, I wouldn't do this on a large bet..
My theory is that they were trained by a kamakazi pilot during a demolition derby.
That coupled with the fact that you're hampered by driving on the wrong side of the road would worry me!

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

That’s a funny comment m8

lol - but after riding in Italy and taking my bike round the ring in Germany at 140mph and having nutters pass me at 180 + making me S*^T myself I recon I can cope with a few Ukraine nuts

Posted by: AkMike

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK-Iceman43

That’s a funny comment m8

lol - but after riding in Italy and taking my bike round the ring in Germany at 140mph and having nutters pass me at 180 + making me S*^T myself I recon I can cope with a few Ukraine nuts

Been there done that!
But nowhere in my reply did I say a few nuts!
I'm talking 99.97348%... Think 3 abreast on a 2 lane road and 2 of them are busses. I'm not joking! I'm a heavy duty truck driver here and I wouldn't drive there in anything smaller than an Abrams tank. (BTW the milage on them suck but parking is easy)

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

That’s proper funny

you got me thinking now….. do BMW make a tank ? Going to bed now, almost midnight in the UK and work tomorrow

night dude!

Posted by: AkMike

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK-Iceman43

That’s proper funny

you got me thinking now….. do BMW make a tank ? Going to bed now, almost midnight in the UK and work tomorrow

night dude!

I believe that BMW does build them. Check http://www.ebay.com/
and search for panzer.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Don't drive in Russia or the Ukraine. There are few traffic signals, stop signs, and the roads are so bad they would shake apart a motorcycle. You must slow down and most of the time stop at an intersection before you cross a road. Then just pray everyone else does also.

Don't believe me ... here's proof, http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...ead.php?t=18171

If there is an accident, you will be at fault because you are foreign and can't speak the language. How will you pay for a lawyer and to fix the guys car, not to metion your ride will be ruined.

Don't do it but if you do good luck!

Posted by: AkMike

But if you do...

Be Safe!

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoingToRussia

Don't drive in Russia or the Ukraine. There are few traffic signals, stop signs, and the roads are so bad they would shake apart a motorcycle. You must slow down and most of the time stop at an intersection before you cross a road. Then just pray everyone else does also.

Don't believe me ... here's proof, http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...ead.php?t=18171

If there is an accident, you will be at fault because you are foreign and can't speak the language. How will you pay for a lawyer and to fix the guys car, not to metion your ride will be ruined.

Don't do it but if you do good luck!

Hi

I’ve looked at some stuff in my books about driving in the Ukraine and Russia and like you and AKmike point out, they are ALL crazy. However I’ve not got much choice I’ve got to get into Kazakhstan so I need to tackle the Ukraine. You mentioned the bad roads; at least they have bad roads, unlike Mongolia they have no roads

As for Russia I guess I could avoid it and carry on east along the road of bones. But doing that I’ll then need to fly myself and the bike to Alaska ride down the US then fly back from the US to the UK.

Too much money although I’ve not counted it out yet, see how the savings goes. If I did that I could drop in on AKMike for a coffee!!

I’m not worried about the bike it’s not a standard road bike it’s the kind used on the Paris to Dakar Rally should hold up well I think. As for the videos, I think the lesson is avoiding the city but they were funny (ish) I guess they don’t call it adventure motorcycling for nothing ….

Regards
Shaun

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkMike

But if you do...

Be Safe!

That’s Cool I’d get to dress up and play with guns

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkMike

yes thats right Mike,they certainly have a different way of using the roads over there to what we do in the Western world, I was once going from Kiev or Kharkov at night and my driver was overtaking, on the wrong side of a dual carriageway, in the dark with cars coming towards him, unbeleivable, if you attempted that her they would lock you up and throw away the keys

But over there they just seems to do what they want. I have had some pretty hairy taxi rides, but outside the cities although the roads are in poor condition, you don't get the weight of traffic you get here.

But if you are going to do it Shaun, be prepared for every eventuality and some more, the FSU has a way of throwing the odd spanner in the works when you least expect it

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by UK-Iceman43

Hi Chris

Thanks for your input. I’m still in the very early stages of tentative planning. I’m looking at starting the ride in 2010 or I may extend it to 2011, not sure see how the saving goes. I’ll be coming back to no job so I might save for the extra year so I’ve got some bucks in the bank when I get home

If you are going in 2-3 years time the visa regulations could well have changed by then, they do change things quite regularly, so you would need to check on everything nearer the time.

With regards registration, this is a minefield, it all depends on what city you enter from, where you are staying, what cities you are visiting,how long you will be there etc etc etc. Some cities like Moscow and St Petes are classed as special cities so the regulations can be a little different, overall it is not hard, just need to know what you are doing. Normally you have to register in 3 days, last time I was there, I was supposed to register in Moscow but waited until I got to Ufa, it wasn't a problem, however I did make sure both cities were listed on my visa.

Anyway when you are nearer the date of daparture you can ask here again or we can guide you to places to find out for sure.

Chris

Posted by: AkMike

Feel free to drop by for coffee or my wife has a special stash of Earl Grey we might be persuaded to break into.

BTW, is this a solo ride or are you buddied up? I'd suggest a small group. Each with some extra parts, tires ect. Might be better for the police 'gift' stops.

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Hi Mike and Chris and Going To Russia

Thanks for the replies …it’s a big contrast the advice given on motorcycle overland adventure sites who all say “just do it” I think I’m going to crack on and plan the whole trip but also plan a plan B and C.

Plan B will ovoid going back west through Russia and carry on to Yakutsk along the Road of Bones to Magadan fly to your place Mike then do the US

Plan C – Trans US or Trans Africa

With regards to your question Mike it’s a solo ride!!! I can’t find anybody stupid enough who wants to come with me.. But I am taking extra parts AND a back tyre

You might find this bike site interesting or not ? have a look and tell me what you think. Might take a year to read it all - lol

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/

so what do you guys think of plan B and C ?

Regards, Shaun

Posted by: AkMike

The forums at that site look like just what you need for help and advise. There's even a section to find others interested in a ride like that.
Looks like lot'sa similar minded riders. I'm surprised at all the places scattered around the globe that are mentioned.

Posted by: UK-Iceman43

Yeah it’s a really good site, but it’s always interesting to get input from other people like you guys. Going to bed now, its been a long day. I work in an ice rink and it was hockey night tonight and the game turned nasty on and off ice.. glad to be home

Posted by: Subtitle-D

Sounds like a bold adventure IceMan - good luck with it ! And travelling in a small group of bikers might not necessarily be better than going solo - the locals (or a Russian biker gang) may think it is an invasion !