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Cairo?

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Posted by: blucatz

I have been looking at taking a trip to Cairo for a vacation/meeting, I know there are some people here that have been there, I have looked at hotels on the web and they are incredibly cheap, are these prices I am seeing for real or are they dumps all dressed up? The one I was looking at only charges $46 a day and its a 4 star hotel. Also, what do they use for money over there? What is a good amount to take for a 10 day trip to have a decent time? I was thinking about 1k, will that be enuf for 2 people for 10 days? This will not be used for hotel expenses, just for food and entertainment. What is there to do in Cairo besides the pyramids? Any type of night life?

Being from the US, I don't have to do anything special to go there like a visa or anything do I? I was told just get on the plane with my passport and go.


Posted by: Pin Boy

try an easy internet search and you'll find loads of info!


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I have been looking at taking a trip to Cairo for a vacation/meeting, I know there are some people here that have been there, I have looked at hotels on the web and they are incredibly cheap, are these prices I am seeing for real or are they dumps all dressed up? The one I was looking at only charges $46 a day and its a 4 star hotel. Also, what do they use for money over there? What is a good amount to take for a 10 day trip to have a decent time? I was thinking about 1k, will that be enuf for 2 people for 10 days? This will not be used for hotel expenses, just for food and entertainment. What is there to do in Cairo besides the pyramids? Any type of night life?

Being from the US, I don't have to do anything special to go there like a visa or anything do I? I was told just get on the plane with my passport and go.

Hi Blucatz,

Here is a great site for Cairo, http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelgui...iro_vacations-i.

I know a few people that have been to Egypt and they all say it is cheap.

They've had a few cases of bird flu over there so don't eat any poultry or eggs. Almost half of these people have died.

I don't know about the visa. I've heard yes and I've heard no.

The currency is the Egyptian Pound, 1 dollar equals about 5.5 Egyptian pounds.

If you go let me know how you liked it.


Posted by: Jill

I've been to Egypt and had a fabulous time there. However, while Cairo is certainly worth seeing, I wouldn't stay there the whole time--a day or two tops, just to see the museums, etc. For me, the city is too dirty, intense, and overwhelming (but then again, I'm not really a "big city" person in general). We stayed in Hurghada which is beach resort of sorts--quiet, clean, cheap, and lovely all around. We took organized excursions from there (by bus) to Cairo, the pyramids, and a few other tourist attractions. We also took a motocycle trip through the desert which was a lot of fun. For nightlife, we usually took in the shows at our hotel--they had bellydancing, whirling dervishes, and various other acts who performed each night. It worked very well for us

You do visas in the airport upon arrival.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoingToRussia
Hi Blucatz,

Here is a great site for Cairo, http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelgui...iro_vacations-i.

I know a few people that have been to Egypt and they all say it is cheap.

They've had a few cases of bird flu over there so don't eat any poultry or eggs. Almost half of these people have died.

I don't know about the visa. I've heard yes and I've heard no.

The currency is the Egyptian Pound, 1 dollar equals about 5.5 Egyptian pounds.

If you go let me know how you liked it.

Thanks for informing me about the bird flu thing, I had heard about it on TV, never made the connection though. Note to self - "Don't eat chicken or eggs" - got it!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jill
I've been to Egypt and had a fabulous time there. However, while Cairo is certainly worth seeing, I wouldn't stay there the whole time--a day or two tops, just to see the museums, etc. For me, the city is too dirty, intense, and overwhelming (but then again, I'm not really a "big city" person in general). We stayed in Hurghada which is beach resort of sorts--quiet, clean, cheap, and lovely all around. We took organized excursions from there (by bus) to Cairo, the pyramids, and a few other tourist attractions. We also took a motocycle trip through the desert which was a lot of fun. For nightlife, we usually took in the shows at our hotel--they had bellydancing, whirling dervishes, and various other acts who performed each night. It worked very well for us

You do visas in the airport upon arrival.

Do you think 1k is enough for food and entertainment for 2 people for 10 days or should I bring more? While on the subject of funds, should I bring the cash with me or take it out of an ATM when I get there? I have been looking online for what it costs for things over there and all I seem to find out is the cost of hotels and such, I have no idea what the touristy stuff will cost. I am trying to pull this trip together on a budget cause I was off work for 2 months for health reasons.


Posted by: Jill

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
Do you think 1k is enough for food and entertainment for 2 people for 10 days or should I bring more? While on the subject of funds, should I bring the cash with me or take it out of an ATM when I get there? I have been looking online for what it costs for things over there and all I seem to find out is the cost of hotels and such, I have no idea what the touristy stuff will cost. I am trying to pull this trip together on a budget cause I was off work for 2 months for health reasons.



It depends on what you want to do. For us, each excursion we took (i.e. to the pyramids) was around $100 per person. Souvenirs are generally pretty cheap. Will your hotel provide meals, or will eating out be an additional cost? Also, if you drink, alcohol is pretty expensive. We spend A LOT of money on bottled water because it was so fricken' hot. 1k could be about right--but again, it depends on how many tours you take and whether or not your meals are covered by the hotel.


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Definetly use the ATM for your cash. Be sure to go when you wake up because it could be empty by the time you finish breakfast ... at least this is how it was in Bulgaria last summer.


Posted by: blucatz

This is all great information, thanks! You can't find this kind on the net. The hotel I am looking at only provides breakfast so dinners are on me. I am not a big drinker, except for water when its hot. It cost $100 just to walk thru the pyramids or is that a guided tour? The hotel is suppose to be within walking distance of the pryamids so they say, I don't know what their definition is of walking distance.


Posted by: Seaview

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
This is all great information, thanks! You can't find this kind on the net. The hotel I am looking at only provides breakfast so dinners are on me. I am not a big drinker, except for water when its hot. It cost $100 just to walk thru the pyramids or is that a guided tour? The hotel is suppose to be within walking distance of the pryamids so they say, I don't know what their definition is of walking distance.


The pyramids are not in Cairo. They are in El-Giza. It's not a walking distance. It's in suburbs of Cairo. If your hotel is within working distance from the pyramids and the Sphinx it is not in Cairo.

About 80$ was the price of a guided tour from Hurghada (8 hours by bus) in 2002 when I was there. It included National museum in Cairo, the pyramids, a dinner in a restaurant, a row upon the Nile.


Posted by: BluesTraveler

Jill's right on this one. You don't want to stay IN Cairo. Get outside of the city as quickly as possible. The traffic in the city is insane. The air quality, pollution, and debris levels are not ideal either.

If I was you I would try and find an all inclusive resort. Several of the resorts will include meals and drinks too! Many of the hotels have enough Russian visitors that they will have Russian speaking staff.

AFter you pay for your hotel, the only other expense you should have is the tours. And really you HAVE to do a bus tour to visit the pyramids. If you go without a tour guide you will be missing sooooo much.
If your friend is living in Russia, she can get the tour information a little easier then you I am sure. Then you just have to meet her at the airport.

Just my $0.02.


Posted by: stevo

Was our old buddy 4x4living not in Egypt?


Posted by: AkMike

Why yes he was/is! Maybe Blucatz can look him up and say Hi from all of us!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Why yes he was/is! Maybe Blucatz can look him up and say Hi from all of us!

I would be glad to, not a problem, I will get the information from you when it gets closer to the time for me to go. My hotel is listed as being 18 miles from the airport, is that considered the suburbs? It says it has a view of the pyramids from the bar. My friend is getting info on tours while we are there, her cousin is the manager of a travel agency and she says she can get the hotel and tours cheaper than I can, we will see. Hopefully so.. I did make it clear that I was not purchasing her ticket to Cairo, that was kind of a misunderstanding we had on the Costa Rica thing. When she found out how much the trip was going to cost her she was hoping I would pop up and offer to pay for her ticket. So, we compromised and decided on Cairo instead. Comes out to about the same $$$ for both of us.

I have read too much on this forum about vacation grabbing girls so I made it very clear on this one. Should be a fun trip though, I always wanted to see the pyramids and the Sphynx, what better way to do it than with a beautiful FSU woman at my side.


Posted by: AkMike

If you have the option to... Make sure you take the boat ride upto the Aswan Dan and see all the sights in between.. It was awsome! I'm so glad we went when we did.

OH Ya BTW... The soldier boys in their black wool suits with AK-47's behind the bullet proof shields, They're there to protect you..
If you want more detailed info I'll PM my phone # and tell you more.


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
My hotel is listed as being 18 miles from the airport, is that considered the suburbs? It says it has a view of the pyramids from the bar.


Blu

You could be 20 miles away and still have a view of the pyramids, they are quite big you know

Still, I worked there for a time in the early eighties and one hotel that I used to frequent was right across the road from the pyramids about a few hundred yards thats all, but cannot remember the name and I have no idea if it is still there.

Chris


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrismc
Blu

You could be 20 miles away and still have a view of the pyramids, they are quite big you know

Still, I worked there for a time in the early eighties and one hotel that I used to frequent was right across the road from the pyramids about a few hundred yards thats all, but cannot remember the name and I have no idea if it is still there.

Chris

It also said it was within walking distance, but I wonder what their definition of "walking distance" is.


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
It also said it was within walking distance, but I wonder what their definition of "walking distance" is.

That may be walking distance for a camel I would make sure what they mean on both counts


Posted by: AkMike

Our downtown hotel was ok. Nothing great but the smog from the roof top dining room cut the view down and smothered the foods taste.
Then there was the hashish den across the street, (legal?) But they were open early and had coffee so we sat outside away from the hash smell.


Posted by: freebird

I have wondered about going to one of these places, I wonder which would be best, Egypt, Cyprus, Malta or Turkey?

I've heard that they are all easy to get visas from FSU


Posted by: TheWongs

I know a few people who have been to Egypt. They all loved it! I had a word with one today and he said his hotel was on the Nile. He also said to stay away from Cairo, except for a visit.

What I always do is have a look at Google Earth before going somewhere new. If you can find your hotel or at least the area where it is, then you can get a "feel" for the surrounding area and see how far it is to various places. Works for me.

Good luck and let us all know how it goes. I'm jealous! I've always wanted to see the pyramids!


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWongs
Good luck and let us all know how it goes. I'm jealous! I've always wanted to see the pyramids!


Do I smell a trip coming on


Posted by: TheWongs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrismc
Do I smell a trip coming on


*sniff* *sniff* I can't smell a thing mate! Want to ride my bike to Kerch first. Still looking for someone to do it with. As soon as I mention how many miles, they run away! Don't know why.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWongs
I know a few people who have been to Egypt. They all loved it! I had a word with one today and he said his hotel was on the Nile. He also said to stay away from Cairo, except for a visit.

What I always do is have a look at Google Earth before going somewhere new. If you can find your hotel or at least the area where it is, then you can get a "feel" for the surrounding area and see how far it is to various places. Works for me.

Good luck and let us all know how it goes. I'm jealous! I've always wanted to see the pyramids!

Thats why I picked a neutral country for our first visit, and with the pyramids and everything, if she bails on me or it doesn't go very well, I can always find something to do. Much easier than trying to keep myself occupied in Omsk for 2 weeks if it doesnt' work out....LOL


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Yes but they don't have Russian women in Egypt you can date! If you stay in her city, you could meet "the one" if things don't work out.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoingToRussia
Yes but they don't have Russian women in Egypt you can date! If you stay in her city, you could meet "the one" if things don't work out.

But, unlike Kiev, Moscow, St. Pete, or somewhere on the Crimea, Omsk is not what you call a hot spot for the single scene or a touristy city for that matter. And there are Russian women in Egypt, lots of tours with many, many Russians there on vacation. Besides, we both agreed this is best for us, if it works, I will spend the extra $$ and go to Omsk at the end of summer and probably for New Years, I love the way them Russians party


Posted by: TheWongs

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoingToRussia
Yes but they don't have Russian women in Egypt you can date! If you stay in her city, you could meet "the one" if things don't work out.


A good point.

If not Omsk, then how about meeting in a "neutral" city? One where the girls are plenty and the vodka runs free (well... Nearly free).

Although I love the thought of Egypt. I just had a think about it and put myself in the same position... It's a little worrying to me. What if you hate each other? Do you send her home next day? If not, do you look after her so you can't enjoy the holiday? Can you leave her in the hotel every day, so you can find another lady? If you find another lady, do you kick the first one out of the hotel? What if she finds another man and you don't find a lady? Too many questions for me. There is also another question... Are you paying for her travel etc? If so, I would worry about her liking me for the wrong reasons. Do you know this lady well enough to spend all this money and know she is genuine?

Maybe you have all this covered and I should shut up?


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWongs
A good point.

If not Omsk, then how about meeting in a "neutral" city? One where the girls are plenty and the vodka runs free (well... Nearly free).

Although I love the thought of Egypt. I just had a think about it and put myself in the same position... It's a little worrying to me. What if you hate each other? Do you send her home next day? If not, do you look after her so you can't enjoy the holiday? Can you leave her in the hotel every day, so you can find another lady? If you find another lady, do you kick the first one out of the hotel? What if she finds another man and you don't find a lady? Too many questions for me. There is also another question... Are you paying for her travel etc? If so, I would worry about her liking me for the wrong reasons. Do you know this lady well enough to spend all this money and know she is genuine?

Maybe you have all this covered and I should shut up?

All good points, for one, she is paying her own way there and paying for the tours. She has a good friend thats a travel agent and can get the tours cheaper than I can. I pay for the hotel, which is dirt cheap by US standards. We are not really worried about US not working out, we just wanted to meet somewhere away from the pressure of family and just enjoy ourselves and to be sure we are going to continue before I meet the family and her daughter, even though I have talked to her daughter on the phone already. This trip is cheaper for me, I have been off work for a while for health reasons, than going to Omsk. Plus, to me at least, it shows a bit of a commitment on her part for paying her way to Cairo, so at least we both have an investment in this adventure we call a "relationship". It eliminates any thoughts of her being a GTG.

Make no mistake, I want to go to Omsk, but I want a vacation with her first. Its kinda like meeting someone while your on vacation but with the benefit of already knowing them beforehand if that makes any sense.


Posted by: TheWongs

I thought you would have it covered and should shut up! Maybe I'm just jealous?

I understand now and it sounds a lot better than I had imagined, but you must cover your a$$ at all times.

I hope you have a fantastic time and Egypt loves you both!








I'm STILL jealous!!!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWongs
I'm STILL jealous!!!

Actually it is I who is jealous of you.. You have already been thru this part and are already enjoying your lady which is where I want to be right now.


Posted by: AkMike

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
You have already been thru this part and are already enjoying your lady which is where I want to be right now.


Your turn will come in due time Grasshopper..


Posted by: TheWongs

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
Actually it is I who is jealous of you.. You have already been thru this part and are already enjoying your lady which is where I want to be right now.


Yeah, but you get to see Egypt! I've been all over the world, but this is the one place still left in my "to see" list.

Seriously though... I know you're right. I would hate the thought of having to start again! It's a minefield out there! If I had to, at least I can speak some Russian now. That never fails to impress!


Posted by: Raspberry

It may have been the Aswan Dam, or it may have been the Suez Canal, but one of those Egyptian projects had Soviet help in being built......I don't recall which, but it was on a TV special a while back. And most of the USSR people that came to build it were from Belarus......


Posted by: Raspberry

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
But, unlike Kiev, Moscow, St. Pete, or somewhere on the Crimea, Omsk is not what you call a hot spot for the single scene or a touristy city for that matter. And there are Russian women in Egypt, lots of tours with many, many Russians there on vacation. Besides, we both agreed this is best for us, if it works, I will spend the extra $$ and go to Omsk at the end of summer and probably for New Years, I love the way them Russians party


I am considering going to Omsk myself, since this one girl and I have been corresponding somewhat frequently. But I do often think of a "contingency plan" if things between me and the girl don't go as planned. I am also hesitant of going there, not only because there is not much to do, but the fact it is relatively isolated, and more costly to get to.

At least there are things to do in Minsk. At least, when things go bad in Vinnitsa, you can go to Kiev or Poland. In Omsk, you are a bit isolated. Where do you go if nothing is happening? Ride a train 13 hours to Yekaterinburg?


Posted by: AkMike

The Aswan Dam was built by the soviets. But it was a bid job. They went up against some of the worlds biggest construction companys and won the bid.


Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspberry
I am considering going to Omsk myself, since this one girl and I have been corresponding somewhat frequently. But I do often think of a "contingency plan" if things between me and the girl don't go as planned. I am also hesitant of going there, not only because there is not much to do, but the fact it is relatively isolated, and more costly to get to.

At least there are things to do in Minsk. At least, when things go bad in Vinnitsa, you can go to Kiev or Poland. In Omsk, you are a bit isolated. Where do you go if nothing is happening? Ride a train 13 hours to Yekaterinburg?


Your forgeting about the 3rd largest city in Russia if you go to Yekaterinburg. Novosibirsk is much closer and has many things to do! Quite a few marriage agencies as well! The population is probably somewhere north of 2 million!


Posted by: TheWongs

I'm confused! So many guys are writing to ladies in Omsk, but if a meeting doesn't work out, there's nothing to do? There must be a lot more ladies there? There must be something to do? Never been there or looked at it, so I don't know, but I'm sure there is something to do and somebody to meet in Omsk. Is it a "one horse town"?


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWongs
I'm confused! So many guys are writing to ladies in Omsk, but if a meeting doesn't work out, there's nothing to do? There must be a lot more ladies there? There must be something to do? Never been there or looked at it, so I don't know, but I'm sure there is something to do and somebody to meet in Omsk. Is it a "one horse town"?

No I think its a 'One Women' town by the sounds of it


Posted by: Raspberry

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spakoyna
Your forgeting about the 3rd largest city in Russia if you go to Yekaterinburg. Novosibirsk is much closer and has many things to do! Quite a few marriage agencies as well! The population is probably somewhere north of 2 million!


Good point, Spakonya. Novosibirsk is indeed closer to Omsk. And I know about the world-renowned opera there, so there's bound to be other things too. Bottom line is to have more knowledge on the cities.


Posted by: Chillidog

Blucatz,
I noticed your mood is "gloomy" and read a post you made today in the "jokes" thread, about needing a good laugh after the week you have had.

What's up? I hope everything is going well with your lady and the planned trip with her to Cairo. You do not need to saying thing, just hoping that everything is OK with you

Bob


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chillidog
Blucatz,
I noticed your mood is "gloomy" and read a post you made today in the "jokes" thread, about needing a good laugh after the week you have had.

What's up? I hope everything is going well with your lady and the planned trip with her to Cairo. You do not need to saying thing, just hoping that everything is OK with you

Bob

The trip is still on, just having a rough time at work, fuel prices are killing me. Not really sure how long I can stay in business if they keep skyrocketing the way they are. Just have some really tough decisions to make in the next 4-6 months about it.


Posted by: goforit

How will this affect your pursuit of a FSU bride?


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
The trip is still on, just having a rough time at work, fuel prices are killing me. Not really sure how long I can stay in business if they keep skyrocketing the way they are. Just have some really tough decisions to make in the next 4-6 months about it.

sorry to hear about the work problems, with everything going on and the way the talk is about the economy, I hope everything will workout for you in the long run. I know this wieghs heavily on your mind, and hope it will not cause any difficulties for you with your lady.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by goforit
How will this affect your pursuit of a FSU bride?

My persuit will still go on. I still plan on meeting in Cairo in May and Omsk later this year. I will just have to work around the problem. Might slow things up a bit, but it will not stop it. I won't let it. I am really taken in by this woman and I really want to see where it goes and persue it to the end if possible. I may get knocked down, but don't count me out just yet.


Posted by: AkMike

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
The trip is still on, just having a rough time at work, fuel prices are killing me. Not really sure how long I can stay in business if they keep skyrocketing the way they are. Just have some really tough decisions to make in the next 4-6 months about it.



Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, buddy! It's goning to be a bad year.. Fuels up $.70 from last falland I'm locked in at last falls wages...


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, buddy! It's goning to be a bad year.. Fuels up $.70 from last falland I'm locked in at last falls wages...

Fuel down here has gone up $.70 just since February 1st. and is rising an average $.02 every day. What are you paying up there for fuel?


Posted by: AkMike

#1 grade winter fuel is $3.48 last time I looked.( it gets alot higher further out of town.) It should drop .10 as soon as #2 is available again..


Posted by: Spakoyna

Why don't you guys have a contract with a fuel surcharge???? When I was running a truck that's what we did.(this was when the prices would jump from a buck to a buck fifty....couldn't imagine it now.) Hell Mike. If you are locked in at last falls prices and fuel does what some say it is .....You might as well tellem your truck's broke down and you can either buy fuel for a truck that doesn't run or fix your truck!


Posted by: AkMike

I do road building for the state and feds. They're hard money bids usually done a year or more in advance and there isn't any interest from them (the govt)to put and surcharges into the contracts. We're just supposed to look into out crystal balls and be able to forcast the fuel prices..


Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
I do road building for the state and feds. They're hard money bids usually done a year or more in advance and there isn't any interest from them (the govt)to put and surcharges into the contracts. We're just supposed to look into out crystal balls and be able to forcast the fuel prices..


Hope you use concrete and not asphault up there! Or is it all crush n run or the like? I still think you could put in a stipulation based on changing costs of supplies needed for the project!


Posted by: AkMike

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spakoyna
Hope you use concrete and not asphault up there! Or is it all crush n run or the like? I still think you could put in a stipulation based on changing costs of supplies needed for the project!



We use asphalt only. Concrete will cause huge problems with the frost heaves and perma frost.
I have been trying to get surcharges put in for 20 years.. They don't want the accounting nightmares.


Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
We use asphalt only. Concrete will cause huge problems with the frost heaves and perma frost.
I have been trying to get surcharges put in for 20 years.. They don't want the accounting nightmares.


So how much has the cost of asphault gone up?

LOL Man...talking about getting off topic!


Posted by: AkMike

Last summer it went up over $5.00 per ton. It is going to be alot higher when we get rolling in the spring.


Posted by: sidney

Mike I can hardly afford to fill the f250 with diesel which is $100+/filling.
I can't immagine what the big rigs cost to operate at todays prices. We are at 3.95/gallon and rising.
Sid


Posted by: Spakoyna

It would have cost over $1000 to fill up the last rig I had. OUCH!


Posted by: Raspberry

Footnote: Egyptians are paying record high prices for Washington apples. In fact, you will see billboards advertising Washington apples, of course, in Arabic. At one time they were going for $2.75 each---I'm not sure if this still is the case.


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by sidney
Mike I can hardly afford to fill the f250 with diesel which is $100+/filling.
I can't immagine what the big rigs cost to operate at todays prices. We are at 3.95/gallon and rising.
Sid


Jeepers guys I wish it was so cheap over here, it costs me over $200 a week just to go to the office and back. We are now closing in on £5 ($10) a gallon mostly everywhere and just the other day, it cost me £1.12 a litre around £5.09/gallon or $10.20/gallon ish.


Posted by: AkMike

I know it's always been more in Europe and Britian. But this has been happening very rapidly and the trucks can't keep up with the price increases Chris.
2 of my trucks are 300 gallons each and the other is the baby at 225..

Ca CHING!!!!!


Posted by: blucatz

Fuel here at my truck stop just hit $3.80 a gallon, and yes, we do get a fuel surcharge, but it does not even come close to covering the cost and the cost is rising faster than the surcharge. I will prolly end up selling the rig this summer if this keeps up. It raised up $.05 a gallon in 2 hours today, I about crapped my pants on that one. Told dispatch that if the surcharge doesn't go up a good deal on Monday, don't bother dispatching me on Tuesday, I will be looking for a company job.


Posted by: blucatz

And don't worry about being off topic, its my thread anyway...LOL.


Posted by: AkMike

I sent a PM to "Stirlitz" and asked the price of fuel in Ukraine..
$1 per leiter.. Roughly $4 per gallon.


Posted by: Chrismc

Yes when I was there in January it was just under $1 a litre, I will take another look in 11 days


Posted by: AkMike

11 days and counting!

I have a sneaky suspicion you're looking forward to this trip...


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
#1 grade winter fuel is $3.48 last time I looked.( it gets alot higher further out of town.) It should drop .10 as soon as #2 is available again..

Why is fuel so high up there? you have the pipe line, crude oil, refineries, why so high?


Posted by: AkMike

Simple!
They can get what ever price they want because we need it. They can raise it $5 per and we'll still need it. We will curtail it use as much as possible but we still need it.

It's even more spendy in the towns with the refinerys!


Posted by: sidney

I get a farming magazine and they've attributed the rise to many factors. The weak dollar has the US exporting bio fuels to europe because they have even more stringent regulations on emissions. They are closing down bio fuel plants in PA because the state only subsidizes 5 cents compared to 50 cents in other states. There are several alternative fuels on the horizon to get us off dependency on middle east oil. One is a tree that grows 90 feet in 6 years with a high sugar content to convert to ethanol. Switch grass shows promise as both bio fuel and wood pellets. Too much corn has gone to bio and effected the price of pasta because of a shortage of wheat. So now wheat has a price spike.
Sid


Posted by: AkMike

I just looked at the fuel here. $3.54.9.. Another price hike..


Posted by: blucatz

I can see it now, a mass of voluntary repossesion of big trucks just like when it hit $2 a gallon. The used truck lot is full of trucks now. O/O's are dropping like fly's around here. When it hit $1.50, the industry was up in arms, strikes and stopages all over the country, now, nothing but people B*tching about it and doing nothing against it. Gasoline took a $.20 jump overnight here literally and people still driving them big ass SUV's with only 1 or 2 people in them paying $100 a fill up. I traded in my P/U last november for a car cause I was tired of 12mpg and $80 fill ups.


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I can see it now, a mass of voluntary repossesion of big trucks just like when it hit $2 a gallon. The used truck lot is full of trucks now. O/O's are dropping like fly's around here. When it hit $1.50, the industry was up in arms, strikes and stopages all over the country, now, nothing but people B*tching about it and doing nothing against it. Gasoline took a $.20 jump overnight here literally and people still driving them big ass SUV's with only 1 or 2 people in them paying $100 a fill up. I traded in my P/U last november for a car cause I was tired of 12mpg and $80 fill ups.

Sounds like you guys are going through what we went through in 2001 to present day, I think it was 2001 we had fuel blockades etc because the price had hit something like £0.90p a litre, everyone was up in arms, now it jumps from about 96p/litre straight up to £1.10ish/litre and no one says anything.


Posted by: AkMike

True Chris!
But IMO the end isn't in sight yet. I wish I knew where it'd bottom out.
The stockmarket is in the tank and it's going to get worse. I am starting to get worried about the economy for the whole world.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
True Chris!
But IMO the end isn't in sight yet. I wish I knew where it'd bottom out.
The stockmarket is in the tank and it's going to get worse. I am starting to get worried about the economy for the whole world.

The whole world? Im worried about the economy in my own house right now.


Posted by: AkMike

You and me both Bubba! But if the world isn't working then neither will we...


Posted by: blucatz

I've looked into other companies to maybe move the truck to, did the figures, seems like all the companies are having the same trouble of keeping the surcharge up with the cost now. I have no clue as to what I'm gonna do if this doesn't break soon.


Posted by: deccie

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
. Gasoline took a $.20 jump overnight here literally



It costs in the region of $13.00 USD to fill a standard 4 door sedan here in Oman. And they (the oil companies) can still make a profit at those prices too.

What I don't understand is why your prices at the pump are increasing every day. It's not like the price of the oil the companies paid is increasing once it gets to the refinery!

Didn't you also notice that during the decrease in prices several months back that the oil companies were decreasing prices at a FAR slower rate than they are increasing them now? Sounds distinctly like price goudging to me!

So, if we outline ALL the factors we have:

1. gas prices taking off.

2. Decline in house prices.

3. Low interest rates.

4. gold prices at record highs.

5. People starting to get laid off and record mortgage foreclosures.

6. Huge US budget defecit.

7. declining US dollar.

hmm.. Stagflation anyone?


I'm still convinced that a large portion of the increase in the price of oil we are seeing is due to the speculators though as opposed to any real supply/demand shortfall.


Posted by: BluesTraveler

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
I sent a PM to "Stirlitz" and asked the price of fuel in Ukraine..
$1 per leiter.. Roughly $4 per gallon.

1 US gallon = 3.78541178 liters

$1 per liter would equal $3.78


Posted by: AkMike

Do what I'm doing,, pull in your horns and be very selective on what you haul.



BT, I said rough.. It's alot easier to call a liter the same as a quart for fast figureing.
The same for a meter and a yard. It's not correct, I know, but it's good enough for rough figures.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by deccie
It costs in the region of $13.00 USD to fill a standard 4 door sedan here in Oman. And they (the oil companies) can still make a profit at those prices too.

I cannot remember when I could fill up my car, even my little Toyota in my picture if I downgraded to 87 octane, for $13.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Do what I'm doing,, pull in your horns and be very selective on what you haul.




You must have your own ICC numbers, I don't, I have to rely on leasing to the best company I can find, and I aint finding any worth a crap right now.


Posted by: deccie

Personally, I think this is going to be one rough ride...

I am also feeling the pain as I am paid in a currency tied to the US dollar.
I cringe these days every time I do a money transfer home.

There are a lot of people out there who have (justifiably or not) lost faith in the US dollar right now. As a result they have moved their cash into commodities speculation - hence the high prices for just about everything.

I have heard China has started selling off some of their US treasury bonds now too.


Posted by: deccie

Quote:
Originally Posted by sidney
Too much corn has gone to bio and effected the price of pasta because of a shortage of wheat. So now wheat has a price spike.
Sid


I don't understand this. Aren't wheat and corn two different crops?
How does a shortage of corn affect the price of pasta made from wheat?


Posted by: deccie

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I cannot remember when I could fill up my car, even my little Toyota in my picture if I downgraded to 87 octane, for $13.


Comparing it to Australian prices would be equally futile.. now if only the locals could actually DRIVE properly!
The idea of staying in one lane, or even on their side of the road, indicating.. all these things are concepts they don't quite get.

I've seen more car accidents in my one year in Oman than I had seen in my entire life back in Australia.


Posted by: AkMike

I don't do interstate..Intra state only. No need for ICC#'s. We had Ak numbers but now we have USDOT only.


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by deccie
I don't understand this. Aren't wheat and corn two different crops?
How does a shortage of corn affect the price of pasta made from wheat?

Farmers due to getting higher prices for corn (for use in bio-fuels) have allocated more of their land to grow corn, so less wheat and other crops are being farmed, which then causes an increase cost in these crops. The higher price of corn also has a direct effect on the cost of milk, because a big portion of feed that a dairy farmer uses for his cows is corn. If he has to pay more for corn then the cost of milk produced goes up.
There are no oil/gas product shortages, it is due to speculation by comoditeis brokers seeing the the stock market falling and moving their money into comodities like oil, corn and such that also pushes these prices up. The tru sad thing is the gas we are buying at the tanks today was actually a brokered price 6 months ago, in the oil buisness the price you pay today is not at all related to the price that Exxon, or Chevron, BP paid for this 6 months ago, but all based on the going comodities rate they can get for it today. Whether live in the US or the UK, Europe the oil compainies could cut the price in 1/2 and still make a gigantic profit. Then for all products the increased cost of fuel that the truckers and trucking companies must pay is passed on to the consumer, hence the increase in everything you purchase at the supermarket. if the truckers don't increase the cost of hauling then they go out of buisness.


Posted by: goforit

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I traded in my P/U last november for a car cause I was tired of 12mpg and $80 fill ups.


Yup, $80 fill ups. I told a co-worker this awhile ago and he darn near had a heart attack.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by goforit
Yup, $80 fill ups. I told a co-worker this awhile ago and he darn near had a heart attack.

$80 fill up was at old gas prices, wouldn't want to fill it up now at $3.15 a gallon X 35 gallons.


Posted by: goforit

Oh yeah, I should have said today's price with my 20 gallon tank.


Posted by: AkMike

Imagine the palpitations we get when we add up to 300 gallons!


Posted by: goforit

Holy Iraqi oil wells Batman! The Penquin must be behind what is happening to gas prices today!


Posted by: blucatz

Been there, done that, only at $3.80 a gallon.


Posted by: blucatz

Well, change of plans. Seems that my Lady wants to be at the beach, so she goes to her travel agent friend and works up some numbers for a trip to Hurghada and emails them to me. I'm thinking great, must be a great deal, until I priced the flights to Hurgada, $2962 just for the plane ride, Cairo was only $1200. I don't know why the big increase since its only one extra stop. So I started looking into Alexandria as a beach front destination. Anyone ever been to Alexandria Egypt? A round trip straight into Alexandria is only $1400 bypassing Cairo altogether. So, I call her up, tell her that Hurghada is not gonna happen and suggested Alexandria, she acts kinda bummed out, but I think it will be even cheaper for her since its not as far. She said she will talk to her agent again about it and if she cannot come up with something I guess I will book the hotel online myself. After a while I got her in a better mood and she felt better about the trip. I think she was thinking I was looking for a way to postpone the trip. There is no way I would postpone it, if I could, I would leave tomorrow to see her. That made her feel better, plus my feable attempt at speaking some Russian phrases really made her laugh


Posted by: AkMike

If you want sun and sand and Egypt isn't gonna work check out Turkey..


Posted by: royalpalace774

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
Well, change of plans. Seems that my Lady wants to be at the beach, so she goes to her travel agent friend and works up some numbers for a trip to Hurghada and emails them to me. I'm thinking great, must be a great deal, until I priced the flights to Hurgada, $2962 just for the plane ride, Cairo was only $1200. I don't know why the big increase since its only one extra stop. So I started looking into Alexandria as a beach front destination. Anyone ever been to Alexandria Egypt? A round trip straight into Alexandria is only $1400 bypassing Cairo altogether. So, I call her up, tell her that Hurghada is not gonna happen and suggested Alexandria, she acts kinda bummed out, but I think it will be even cheaper for her since its not as far. She said she will talk to her agent again about it and if she cannot come up with something I guess I will book the hotel online myself. After a while I got her in a better mood and she felt better about the trip. I think she was thinking I was looking for a way to postpone the trip. There is no way I would postpone it, if I could, I would leave tomorrow to see her. That made her feel better, plus my feable attempt at speaking some Russian phrases really made her laugh



Why change plans when everything was ready to go as it was? What was wrong with plan #1


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by royalpalace774
Why change plans when everything was ready to go as it was? What was wrong with plan #1

Actually I was taking the advice from everyone here on not staying in Cairo because its too big, dirty, crouded, etc. Thats when the subject of the beach came up between her and I. Nothing was cut in stone yet, we were just nailing down some details before we booked our flights. I kinda like the Alexandria scenario better anyway, get the beach and the pyramids are only like 100 miles away for a tour. And, we bypass Cairo altogether on our flights.


Posted by: AkMike

Hurgadah is about 200 miles awayI'd guess. I can't imagine why the tickets are so much higher. I thought they had cheaper landing fees than Cario. That's what I was told was the reason for flying into there and then traveling over to the Nile for our boat ride.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Hurgadah is about 200 miles awayI'd guess. I can't imagine why the tickets are so much higher. I thought they had cheaper landing fees than Cario. That's what I was told was the reason for flying into there and then traveling over to the Nile for our boat ride.

Its more than 200 miles away, its on the other side of the country. I know I about sh*t when orbitz and travelocity came back with the prices, I had no idea it would be that much more. I kinda think it may be that there are not that many flights going there and the scheduling is harder. I know I would have changed airlines 4 times to get there and only one time to Alexandria or Cairo.


Posted by: AkMike

It's not on the other side but I don't know how far. We got in late and had to get up at 3 am to catch the bus. Then the long stop at the compound for the other busses to make up a convoy across the desert. Get the map out and look it up.
It was the cheapest from Kiev and a non stop flight. Might be different from this side.


Posted by: Chrismc

Hurgadah to Cairo is 250miles


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrismc
Hurgadah to Cairo is 250miles

Well, those 250 miles cost an extra $1762 or $7.05 a mile....wish I got paid that much per mile in my truck. For what it cost for the plane ride, I could go to Omsk, pay for the apartment and take my Lady to dinner all week.


Posted by: AkMike

Bring her a fur bikini and live it up there!


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
Actually I was taking the advice from everyone here on not staying in Cairo because its too big, dirty, crouded, etc. Thats when the subject of the beach came up between her and I. Nothing was cut in stone yet, we were just nailing down some details before we booked our flights. I kinda like the Alexandria scenario better anyway, get the beach and the pyramids are only like 100 miles away for a tour. And, we bypass Cairo altogether on our flights.

My personal feelings are "Omsk" should be your meeting place. I know this subject has been brought up before on this thread, and your reasons for not doing this have been thought out by you and are sound. I think Cairo or Alexander either would be good, neither one of you have ever been there, even if Cairo is crowded or dirty (I do not know not been there myself) I think they both would be great places for the two of you. My one and only suggestion, the FSU woman wants a man who leads, aka "head of household" I think it would be in your best interest to just decide on one place or the other, and for good or bad (the location) go with it. Say this is where we will go. When the two of you are together, if it is not what both of you expect, I do not think she will think less of you because of your decision on where you spent your time together, but I think she will be happy that she is with you, a man who will make a decision and take responsibility. After all that is what is most important to both of you, not the place you meet but that YOU ARE MEETING.


Posted by: blucatz

Thats what I keep telling her, I really don't care where we meet, I am there to see her, but at the same time, I want to have a great time with extra activities without spending every freaking dime that I have just getting there. She was kinda bummed when I put the brakes on the Hurgadha idea and brought up an alternate destination. But she got over it after a while, besides, its not her money thats paying for my ticket, its mine, and I dont' waste it foolishly.


Posted by: Spakoyna

Why don't you just meet her in Novosibirsk? Tons of stuff to do in the spring and summer.

I am starting to feel too much importance being placed on where you meet and not about meeting each other.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spakoyna
Why don't you just meet her in Novosibirsk? Tons of stuff to do in the spring and summer.

I am starting to feel too much importance being placed on where you meet and not about meeting each other.

Because we both want the first meeting to be "vacation" like. Fun and enjoyable, without the pressure of family and friends. Meeting in a neutral country is a lot easier and cheaper than all the headaches associated with a trip to Russia. I just want to make the hotel and plane reservations and go. If she lived in Ukraine where I didn't have to deal with all the visa crap and all it would be different, but she doesnt.


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
If she lived in Ukraine where I didn't have to deal with all the visa crap and all it would be different, but she doesnt.



Why don't you meet in Kiev then easy for both of you and a lovely city to boot


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrismc
Why don't you meet in Kiev then easy for both of you and a lovely city to boot

You know, I brought up that idea to her, maybe go down to the crimea, maybe to Yalta. It was one of the first places I suggested. She rejected that idea for the reason that there are too many pretty women in Ukraine and I would probably find someone else. Go figure


Posted by: AkMike

You've got to build up her ego! Yalta is a neat town with alot to see and do. The beaches I saw were mostly gravel, I didn't see any Hawaii type sand beaches there.


Posted by: blucatz

Believe me, I tried, I really wanted just to meet in Ukraine, would have been a whole lot easier and cheaper, I think she just wanted to get away from all that was Russian or maybe it was that Russia vs. Ukraine thing you guys were talking about earlier in another thread. Who know's, I get a headache trying to figure out what AW's think, a freaking migraine trying to figure out RW's mind thought.


Posted by: AkMike

I'm a bit concerned that she'll expect this kind of treatment all the time and might expect this as a 'normal' way for you. It could be unrealistic financially everyday..
I went low budget initally and she was tickled pink. During my third trip,( the 2 month visit) we went to Egypt towards the end of it after I pretty well decided that she was THE ONE for me. I proposed to her at Hurgahdah!


Posted by: blucatz

I really don't know whats going on in that pretty little blonde head of hers. I have made it very clear throughout this whole time that I am not rich, I work very hard for every dime I have. I am not gonna spend a boatload of money on the first visit, no sense in it when I am not 100% certain that there will be a 2nd trip. That's why Costa Rica was cancelled because she was hoping I would pay for her ticket when she found out how much it was, and why I said "uh, no" to a $3000 plane ride to Hurgadah. This is just the first meeting, the first date, I am not in love yet so I am not opening up my wallet the whole way the first time. Deep in the back of my mind, I do have the tinyest feeling that this will backfire before it ever happens because of some of the reactions I get from her when I say "no".


Posted by: AkMike

Hmmm, Keep trusting you 'gut instinct'. IMO 9 times out of 10 it's dead on right..
I endorse the idea of meeting her on her own turf the first time. #1 you'll be able to see her interact with family and friends in everyday situations. It'll show how she really is. And #2 she'll be at home and comfortable in the surroundings.

But it's your call to make.


Posted by: blucatz

Well, I am standing my ground on the Alexandria thing, she wanted the beach, I am giving her the beach but at a much reduced cost than she wanted. I will see next week how this plays out, she is suppose to talk to her travel agent friend again about Alexandria to see what she can come up with. If she comes up with some BS excuse again, well, I guess thats strike 3, I'm done. It just tells me she would be better off with someone with more money at his disposal than I have.


Posted by: AkMike

Check into Turkey. It's an easy trip for you and her I think.. You've got your choice of the Black Sea or the Med.


Posted by: royalpalace774

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
Well, I am standing my ground on the Alexandria thing, she wanted the beach, I am giving her the beach but at a much reduced cost than she wanted. I will see next week how this plays out, she is suppose to talk to her travel agent friend again about Alexandria to see what she can come up with. If she comes up with some BS excuse again, well, I guess thats strike 3, I'm done. It just tells me she would be better off with someone with more money at his disposal than I have.


It seems like you are jumping thru alot to just figure out where you are going to meet in the 1st place. I personally think that you are the one who should be happiest about where & when because you have the biggest financial payout in all of the air fare & other things.

As far as her being happy that it is a vacation type of atmosphere I don't see where that makes things better when you meet her.

I agree with Ak, meeting where she lives is always a good thing so you can see how she is around people she knows well like her mom or her sisters or friends.

I seem to think that 2nd or 3rd meetings are good out of her hometown. But I am sure there are success stories in every way here. I guess time will tell.

I don't know if this is something worth discussing, but I seem to think from being around in the Ukraine a few times that the women there do not want to have the impression that a man they are with is counting dollars & keeping a record of what he is spending on them or the trip to see her.

I am not saying you are doing this. But I am saying that I think they don't want to think that you are worried at all about what the expense will be if they think it is a reasonable expense. I don't know if this means anything in this situation but it is something that came to my mind.

But I also think changing plans all the time just to get a plan A is a little crazy also especially when you had a plan that you were originally happy with to begin with.


Posted by: blucatz

I was happy with Costa Rica, she wasn't, I was happy with Cairo, she wanted the beach. I am counting my dollars, AkMike knows why. I don't want to say here on an open forum. I did check out Turkey at Mikes suggestion, that is a possibility, have to see what she wants. I am about ready to pull the plug on this whole thing, I think she would be much happier with someone with more money at his disposal than what I have. I am just working man that works hard for every dime I have. Maybe she would be more understanding of that if she wasn't a CFO of a major company and just a normal working girl herself, I don't know.


Posted by: royalpalace774

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I was happy with Costa Rica, she wasn't, I was happy with Cairo, she wanted the beach. I am counting my dollars, AkMike knows why. I don't want to say here on an open forum. I did check out Turkey at Mikes suggestion, that is a possibility, have to see what she wants. I am about ready to pull the plug on this whole thing, I think she would be much happier with someone with more money at his disposal than what I have. I am just working man that works hard for every dime I have. Maybe she would be more understanding of that if she wasn't a CFO of a major company and just a normal working girl herself, I don't know.



Don't throw in the towel just yet. See what happens with the end result of your plans. I'm sure she wants to meet. You just have to solidify it now and stop changing plans.

I understand about the working for your dollars also. You just have to do what you think is right and hope she agrees with it. If she can't agree with it
then she is asking to much from you. But don't just end it. End it when you are absolutely sure it is the end for you.

Sometimes a day or 2 of waiting can make a difference. It did with me.

Turkey is beautiful and probably close to where she lives. Evey time I leave Odessa I land in Turkey 1st and I hear everyone saying they love it there!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by royalpalace774
Don't throw in the towel just yet. See what happens with the end result of your plans. I'm sure she wants to meet. You just have to solidify it now and stop changing plans.

I understand about the working for your dollars also. You just have to do what you think is right and hope she agrees with it. If she can't agree with it
then she is asking to much from you. But don't just end it. End it when you are absolutely sure it is the end for you.

Sometimes a day or 2 of waiting can make a difference. It did with me.

Turkey is beautiful and probably close to where she lives. Evey time I leave Odessa I land in Turkey 1st and I hear everyone saying they love it there!

Oh, Im not throwing in the towel yet, I have too much time invested in this one (6 months now). I just don't want to hear another BS excuse or something because I said no to Hurgahda. I was happy with Costa Rica, I was happy with Cairo, at first I mentioned about going to Omsk way back when, she's the one who suggested another place. I think she got that idea from her cousin who met an Australian, went to see him in Australia first for 3 months then to Sri Lanka for a month, the man had never even went to Omsk and they got their K1 approved and she's on her way to Australia. So it makes me wonder if she's thinking thats the way it should be. Funny, the man from Australia has never met her cousins daughter or any of her family and they are getting married. Thats something I could never do. I have to meet every one, especially the child, its a package deal in my eyes.

All I want to do is meet the woman and she's making what should be a simple process into some big freaking ordeal.


Posted by: AkMike

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I think she got that idea from her cousin who met an Australian, went to see him in Australia first for 3 months then to Sri Lanka for a month, the man had never even went to Omsk and they got their K1 approved and she's on her way to Australia. So it makes me wonder if she's thinking thats the way it should be. Funny, the man from Australia has never met her cousins daughter or any of her family and they are getting married. Thats something I could never do.



Oh those Ozzies are messing it up again. J/K Guys....
You're right, it is a package deal. You need to make sure everything is going to work out right.
I got a package deal too and I'm very happy with my new family. "Our" son is a great guy and he has a great work ethic that provides for his family. I do wish the economy over there was better for him but it is what it is.


Posted by: Chrismc

It all sounds to me there is a lot more importance being put on where to meet than the relationship itself! I have met a few women from there FSU, not had one yet who recommended we meet in a neutral country the first meeting. I they had I would have smelled a rat.

Second, third visits etc no problem, but I am of the thinking the first visit should ALWAYS be on the ladies home turf, unless there is an absolutely genuine reason why, I don't see one here.


Posted by: BluesTraveler

Turkey is a cheaper alternative. You can fly into Istanbul pretty easily. Izmir region has plenty of nice beaches. Antalya is also very nice. You can live like a king for little money that is why plenty of Russians go on vacation there.


Posted by: TheWongs

I'm with Chris on this one. I wouldn't dream of meeting someone in a foreign country (to her I mean). It is easier, safer and more relaxing for her to be somewhere she feels safe and knows the people, culture, language etc.

There does seem to be too much worrying about where to meet. I'd just tell her I was getting on a plane to Ukraine and she should be there to meet you (actually, I did this once). If she has 6 months invested in this relationship, she won't create a problem. If she does, she's the wrong woman and not somebody who would be good for you anyway.

Just my 2c, 2p, 2 kopecks, 2 grivnas or whatever currency you like.


Posted by: Texas Proud

Suggestion.... as I have been to Egypt twice to see my lady...

Go to BA.com and do a search on their site...

They have vacation flights to Hurghada and Sharm el Sheik... but only on certain days... look for those days... THEN go back to get a full price to one of these two... it is a LOT cheaper... (remember you have to put in the day before the BA flight as the flight to London is overnight)...

It is cheaper for them to get to these resort towns as they have direct flights to them

You can also fly into Cairo and take a 'local' flight to one of these.. it is cheap... but the timing can be horrible...

Also, on both my flights home, I had to stay overnight in the airport... not a lot of fun, but doable...

She probably does not want to get to much out of her 'comfort zone'.. and her friends are talking up these places as Russian go there all the time...

Alexandria is not a 'tourist' beach town per se...

Good luck...


Posted by: AkMike

Hey long time no see TP. Welcome back!


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrismc
It all sounds to me there is a lot more importance being put on where to meet than the relationship itself! I have met a few women from there FSU, not had one yet who recommended we meet in a neutral country the first meeting. I they had I would have smelled a rat.

Second, third visits etc no problem, but I am of the thinking the first visit should ALWAYS be on the ladies home turf, unless there is an absolutely genuine reason why, I don't see one here.


Bluecatz, I agree also with Chris, to me the 1st visit should always be done in her home town. I know for you, you had concerns about meeting the family that you did not want this to happen unless you felt she was the "one". this scenerio can be done in her city also, where you can just walk and visit the town with her and not meet any family until your ready. I also agree with you about money, you have not met so you do not want to spend money needlessly, and this for me is again a good reason to see her in her own town.
I hope this is just a bump in the road for you two, maybe a pre-meeting jitters on her part. I suggest you just determine which location you are most comfortable with (with also keeping her feelings in mind based on your converstions with her) and just say this is the location, it works best for both of us, it meets with our desires for a vacation but most of all it gives us the best oportunity to learn about each other. You have to do what is best for yourself, any of these places will work, if she still complains about the choice then say forget the vacation we will meet in Omsk end of discussion.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chillidog
if she still complains about the choice then say forget the vacation we will meet in Omsk end of discussion.

We had what started out to be a not so pleasant discussion online about this very subject today in which I basically told her that very same thing, that I was ready to bag the whole Egypt thing and just go to Omsk. She fired back what I considered a pop shot comment in which I basically sternly, but politley, laid down my position on the whole subject. I ended up calling on the phone (yahoo was going way too slow today) and she ended up changing her tune real quick. Now she is more than happy to talk to her travel agent friend about Alexandria or another beach front type place that will not cost me $3000 just for the plane ride. After all that, we had a great 2 hour talk. I already checked online about Alexandria and it is very doable for me, cheaper and easier right now than Omsk, but, I will go to Omsk if she gives me any more crap about this trip. If she doesn't like that idea, then I guess she needs to find a man that has more money at his disposal than I do.


Posted by: nocomfortzone

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
Believe me, I tried, I really wanted just to meet in Ukraine, would have been a whole lot easier and cheaper, I think she just wanted to get away from all that was Russian or maybe it was that Russia vs. Ukraine thing you guys were talking about earlier in another thread. Who know's, I get a headache trying to figure out what AW's think, a freaking migraine trying to figure out RW's mind thought.


lol

look after youself...

but yeah, it is interesting to see your plans to meet in a different country. I don't agree with others that would suggest not. It depends on the individuals and I think in general I tend to like your approach of looking for a partner that is putting as much thought, energy and effort into establishing a situation of partners supporting each other rather than lopsided if you are doing all the effort. If she is really interested in developing this relationship she will find a way of working *with* you to make that happen. All the best and Costa Rica would have been a great place to meet up. I been there aswell as Ukraine and it is wonderful to explore other countries and cultures for everyone.


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Well I did both and it worked out great! I first met her in her city, Chisinau Moldova. I met her friends and son, then we flew to Kiev Ukraine. It was a good time with no problems!


Posted by: blucatz

Well, I received another email from her and she talked to her travel agent friend. I think she totally forgot my suggestion of Alexandria because her friend came up with 2 totally different destinations in Egypt. One would cost $2300 just for the plane ride and the other I could not even pull up on Orbitz or Travelocity so I dont' think it even has an airport anymore. I just sent her a one liner email asking her if she forgot about Alexandria or what? I also told her to try again that $1500 for the plane ticket is my limit (thats the cost of ticket to Omsk). Maybe this travel agent works on commision and the higher the price of the trip the more money she makes, I don't know, but times getting short and so is my patience.


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
Well, I received another email from her and she talked to her travel agent friend. I think she totally forgot my suggestion of Alexandria because her friend came up with 2 totally different destinations in Egypt. One would cost $2300 just for the plane ride and the other I could not even pull up on Orbitz or Travelocity so I dont' think it even has an airport anymore. I just sent her a one liner email asking her if she forgot about Alexandria or what? I also told her to try again that $1500 for the plane ticket is my limit (thats the cost of ticket to Omsk). Maybe this travel agent works on commision and the higher the price of the trip the more money she makes, I don't know, but times getting short and so is my patience.

as you say time is running short, and I can see all this being difficult to show patience. wish I could make any usefull suggestions other than hang in there. for your sake I wish the plans had been finalized months ago, there are always worries and concerns when going into your first meeting, and now to add the additional concern of still trying to finalize plans, can try the patience of anyone. Wishing you the best and hope that the plans can be worked out in the next few days.


Posted by: blucatz

Well, finally some good news. We nailed down the destination. And can you believe it, its Hurgadah....LOL, she came up with this great idea to keep me from having to pay $3000 for the plane ride. For some reason Russians get fantastic deals to Egypt, so she asks me "How much it cost you to come to Moscow?" I did the quick Orbitz thing and seen its only $1000, then she says " I meet you in Moscow, we fly to Hurgadah together and back and will only cost you $1500". I was totally blown away buy this idea, so I asked her, just to make sure there were no miscommunications between us "what does all this include?". She says that for 28000 rbls ($1120) will cover 2 round trip tickets from Moscow to Hurgadah, 12 days in hotel with 2 meals, she had the agent on the phone at the time confirming this.

All I told her was 4 words "Baby, book the trip". So now I am working on getting my visa to enter Russia 2 different times, looks like I need a business visa with multiple entry. Just waiting to hear from the service about a cover letter that is required by the Russian Consulate in DC. I am finally excited about something. We are going to spend a couple of days in Moscow touring at the end before I fly back, kind of a wind down from Egypt. Hopefully no problem with visa, she kept asking me if there will be, I don't think there will be, didn't have one getting my passport and I am using a service for the invitation letters and all to get things together to send to the consulate.


Posted by: Chillidog

if I understand you correctly you pay $1000 to fly into Moscow, and then just 1/2 ($600 roughly) of the rest for your portion of the trip to Hurgadah?

That's not bad, I am glad things have worked out and you will finally get to meet.

As for the visa---I'm no expert, but on the flight in to Moscow, if you are basiclly just changing flights there I do not think you need a visa for that, you will not be leaving the airport. At the end of the trip your few extra days that you will be staying you will need a visa.

But even if you need a visa for both times, this can be done on a "multi-visit tourist visa" you should not have to go the buisness visa route, because then you have to present business related paper work. A mulit-visit tourist visa is all you should need and I beleive cheaper and easier to acquire, the length of your trip falls well within the limits of this type of visa.


Posted by: AkMike

He shouldn't need a visa for the inbound leg IF he doesn't change terminals. Shev2 IIRC is the international terminal and IF thet is the only one he uses he should be fine. BUT they do things differently there. Shev1 is the domestic generally. Khashyar had a problem at Shev2 headed to Belorus and had to pay to get out after a long time of waiting.

Glad you got to go to Horgudah! Ride the 4 wheelers out into the desert while you're there. They drink a tea there made from the flower of the hibiscus called Karkade. It's red and tasty!
Don't worry about those soldier boys with the AK-47's on every street corner. They are there to protect your lilly white azz from the terrorists and bedouins. Lot'sa tourist trinkets also, be prepared. Everyone there speaks 4-7 languages fluently so you'll be understood by everyone. (Except her)


Posted by: BluesTraveler

You need a multi-entry tourist visa. You can make the days longer then you really need. So if you will be there for 17 days you can ask for a visa that lasts for 22 - 25 days. I think the max is 30 days.

If you will stay in Moscow for a few days, you should think about renting an apartment there.


Posted by: AkMike

If he's just changing planes and not leaving the terminal he won't need one to enter and go to Egypt, provided it's at Shev2.

Uncle Pasha rents apts in Moscow IIRC. He's got a link about it here.


Posted by: blucatz

A multi entry tourist visa will only work if I am entering the second time from a CIS country, Ukraine, Belarus etc. If I am entering the second time from any other country then I need a business multi entry visa. I dont' know what CIS stands for, but since it only listed country's of the FSU, I doubt Egypt is one of them. I don't know which airport the flight to Egypt goes out of.

Chilli, to answer your question, a cover letter covering your itinerary and purpose is the only additional paperwork needed, and that is provided along with the invitation letter from the visa service. Yes, the fee's are a little bit more than a tourist visa, but, what am I gonna do, hafta do it. And yes, you do understand correctly, $1000 round trip to Moscow, roughly $600 round trip from Moscow to Hurgadah with 12 days at hotel with 2 meals a day included. Good deal huh? I received a text message today saying that she booked the trip, so she should be in a good mood.


Posted by: AkMike

Fake-N Bake ahead of time. The suns hot over there even mid winter when we were there.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Fake-N Bake ahead of time. The suns hot over there even mid winter when we were there.

I was thinking of doing that if I don't feel too weird about it.


Posted by: AkMike

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I was thinking of doing that if I don't feel too weird about it.



Just do it! It's better than frying there and screwing up the vacation time.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Just do it! It's better than frying there and screwing up the vacation time.

Yes oh wise one... ...LOL, Those 4 wheelers in the desert you mentioned above sound like fun, definately will have to do that


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
A multi entry tourist visa will only work if I am entering the second time from a CIS country, Ukraine, Belarus etc. If I am entering the second time from any other country then I need a business multi entry visa. I dont' know what CIS stands for, but since it only listed country's of the FSU, I doubt Egypt is one of them. I don't know which airport the flight to Egypt goes out of.

Chilli, to answer your question, a cover letter covering your itinerary and purpose is the only additional paperwork needed, and that is provided along with the invitation letter from the visa service. Yes, the fee's are a little bit more than a tourist visa, but, what am I gonna do, hafta do it. And yes, you do understand correctly, $1000 round trip to Moscow, roughly $600 round trip from Moscow to Hurgadah with 12 days at hotel with 2 meals a day included. Good deal huh? I received a text message today saying that she booked the trip, so she should be in a good mood.


CIS-- is abbreviation for the Former Soviet Union, like Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, to just mention a few.
Your Visa agent will know best, but if you are flying into Shev2 (international terminal) your flight to Egypt will also be out of Shev2 so techinicaly you do not even set foot on Russian soil so when you return to Moscow after Egypt, this would be your first entry.
The cover letter is needed for all tourist visa's it can be either documention from a hotel showing the Russian consulate that you have already paid and booked a room, or a letter from a private buisness or person such as a apartment owner stating you have arrangments to stay in a apartment, or a personal letter from the individual you are meeting stating that they are responisble for you while you are in Russia. A buisness visa can be good for up to 6 months and usually needs a lot more documentation, it is much more expensive and from what I have heard takes a little longer to acquire they look into longer stays much more throughly. A mulit-entry tourist visa is just slightly more expensive than a regualr visa and any toursit visa can be for up to a 30 day stay.
I know you could care less what kind of Visa you get just as long as you get one! I am happy for you that everything is coming together


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
I was thinking of doing that if I don't feel too weird about it.

blucatz,

I agree with Mike, I wrote the same earlier, get a tanning package!!!! hide them pearly whites (and I do not mean the teeth :brshteth I mean the legs and don't use the cheap beds you will just red/burn use one of there top of the line beds, it will cost more but actually you will only need to use them a couple of times each week instead of every day to get a tan.

You'll have a great time 4-wheeling


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chillidog
CIS-- is abbreviation for the Former Soviet Union, like Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, to just mention a few.
Your Visa agent will know best, but if you are flying into Shev2 (international terminal) your flight to Egypt will also be out of Shev2 so techinicaly you do not even set foot on Russian soil so when you return to Moscow after Egypt, this would be your first entry.
The cover letter is needed for all tourist visa's it can be either documention from a hotel showing the Russian consulate that you have already paid and booked a room, or a letter from a private buisness or person such as a apartment owner stating you have arrangments to stay in a apartment, or a personal letter from the individual you are meeting stating that they are responisble for you while you are in Russia. A buisness visa can be good for up to 6 months and usually needs a lot more documentation, it is much more expensive and from what I have heard takes a little longer to acquire they look into longer stays much more throughly. A mulit-entry tourist visa is just slightly more expensive than a regualr visa and any toursit visa can be for up to a 30 day stay.
I know you could care less what kind of Visa you get just as long as you get one! I am happy for you that everything is coming together

I have been emailing back and forth tonight with a man from Consular Assistance in Alexandria VA, he checked the flights from Moscow to Egypt and they can originate from 2 different airports. I am waiting till my lady gets to work to call her and have her ask the travel agent which airport we are flying out of and into in Moscow, because your right, if its SVO, then I only need a tourist visa, but, ole man Murphy has been paying me a visit alot lately, so with my luck, it will be a different airport


Posted by: AkMike

They won't let you romp and stomp with them. Take off in top gear and no shifting...
But it still was fun. I tried to tell them that I have alot of time on them but big deal... You ride our way or walk! Tanya even drove most of the way. Her first time.... I got to hang onto her! (hint hint)


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Tanya even drove most of the way. Her first time.... I got to hang onto her! (hint hint)

That was better anyway right?
Its gonna be really hard not to romp with them, I ride my friends all the time and romp the sh*t out of it, didn't know there was any other way to ride them.



Posted by: AkMike

I know but it's still fun and dirty/dusty.. And you'll have bragging rights about riding on the Saraha.. Oh yeah, bring a cap or get a turban. They don't use or have brain buckets there.


Posted by: blucatz

Oh, I know about the hat thing, I don't have much more hair than you do and I learned the hard way the first time I took my boat on Lake Erie without one.....OUCH!


Posted by: AkMike

Good. `nuff said about that problem..
Do you know where you're staying? On the shore or in town?


Posted by: BluesTraveler

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
I got to hang onto her!

for 4 years now!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Good. `nuff said about that problem..
Do you know where you're staying? On the shore or in town?

She told me its a 10 minute people (not camel) walk to the beach.


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
She told me its a 10 minute people (not camel) walk to the beach.


Auh Heck, wouldn't it be neat to ride a camel to the beach!!!! Even without this this it sounds like you are going to have a great time, and of course hopeing you will keep us posted during this trip or even after this trip and about the fun you had (of course keep all the personal stuff to yourself) have a load of fun, is the trip taking place next month?


Posted by: AkMike

They'll get their chance to ride the Egyptian taxi while they're there.

BUT remember that they have a camel scam.. Cheap rides.. but $$pendy dismounts.. Or maybe they doubled the price for 2 after the ride.. I forget.. Jill to