Things I learned on my first trip to Crimea - 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

Things I learned on my first trip to Crimea
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Dave1

I just returned from my first trip to Ukraine, specifically the cities of Simferopol and Yalta in the Crimean peninsula. I thought I would share some observations:
1. Men wear shorts in Yalta in the summer. Standard attire for men in Yalta in June 2008 was shorts, sandals, pullover shirt.
2. Not many men wear shorts in downtown Simferopol in June 2008, but not many wear dark colors either. The attire I observed most on men was light colored slacks such as Khaki's, light colored short sleeved button-up shirt, pointy leather shoes.
3. Men don't wear hats or caps in Yalta or Simferopol in June 2008. White sneakers are rare, white sneakers with socks are practically non-existent.
4. Ukrainians like it warmer indoors than Texans. People generally think I like it too warm indoors, but I was hot much of the time. Kiev airport was warm. Common areas of Yalta Hotel (Hotel Yalta Intourist) were warm. The lady I met kept her room much warmer than I kept mine. The fancy hotel in which I spent one night in Simferopol had no air-conditioning in standard rooms.
5. Taking your girl a rose from your home town is not always a good idea. My rose looked fine when I arrived at DFW. It looked mostly okay when I arrived at JFK. Somewhere between JFK and KBP it failed. When I arrived at SIP, it looked like I picked it up out of a gutter, my girl was not impressed.
6. The drivers are maniacs. Don't even THINK about renting a car and driving yourself.
7. Things are expensive there. I read somewhere on this board that the exchange rate is roughly 4 or 5 hrivnia to a dollar, but that things are priced in hrivinia like they are in dollars; i.e. something that would cost one dollar in America cost one hrivnia in Ukraine. In Yalta I paid 150 Hrivinia for a bathing suit that would have sold for $15 in America. Most of my meals cost at least 200 hrivnia. My unairconditioned hotel room in Simferopol cost 340 hrivnia for one night.
8. Public toilets are more disgusting than I ever imagined. Squatters! Yup, 2 footprints and a hole, bring your own toilet paper. BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANY IN THE PUBLIC TOILET YOU JUST PAID 6 HRIVINIA TO SQUAT IN!
9. Buses aren't air conditioned. No one yells at you for opening windows on a bus when it is hot.
10. The police always carry a big club.
11. The beaches on the Black Sea aren't sand, they are pecan-sized rocks. These rocks are sometimes used by young women as their only upper-body attire at the beach; one per side.
12. Lines are not for standing in, they are for getting to the front of. Cutting in line is an artform.
13. Jellyfish in the Black Sea have not tentacles and don't sting you if you bump them in the water.
14. Ukrainian women are helpful to strangers.
15. The women in the lost baggage area at the Kiev airport speak good English and are very helpful.
16. Even if you are travelling with someone who is fluent in both Russian and your language, you need to at least know how to say in Russian : "Excuse me", "Do you understand English?", "I would like to buy", "Please", "Thank you", and learn your numbers.
17. If you arrive in Ukraine on Friday 13, your luggage will be lost, and the hotel will only have one room when you reserved 2. Seriously, pack all your essentials, and change of clothes, deodorant, powder, and plenty of underwear in your carry-on.
18. The Black Sea isn't black, it is beautiful clear blue water.
19. The shore drops away rather quickly from the beach.
20. If you travel Aerosvit Airlines, beer and wine are served free during the flight.
21. If you travel Aerosvit Airlines, don't drink your beverage until the food is served. The food will be served soon, and you won't have anything to drink.
22. If you travel Aerosvit Airlines, don't ring the bell for the flight attendant when you want something to drink, just go to the flight attendant's station and ask, they will be happy to serve you. I was very impressed with Aerosvit. On the trip from JFK to KPB and the return flight, we were served 2 tasty meals, we were provided headphones, pillows, blankets, and in-flight movies. Service of drinks and meals was quick and efficient. Once the beverage cart or food cart was brought out, it didn't take long for everyone to be served.
23. Use ATM's to get local currency. Don't expect to use credit cards or dollars, as neither are widely accepted. Have plenty of small bills (1's and 2's)so you can pay exact amount on the bus.

Posted by: Manchester

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

18. The Black Sea isn't black, it is beautiful clear blue water.

That is classic! Did you expect it would be?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

The attire I observed most on men was light colored slacks such as Khaki's, light colored short sleeved button-up shirt, pointy leather shoes.

I have never gotten to the bottom of the pointy shoe issue. My wife convinced me to buy a pair in Estonia, I did, and when I got home people said, "Whats with the pixie shoes dude?" or "when did winkle-pickers come back in style?"

I sold them on eBay.

Posted by: Stirlitz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

7. Things are expensive there.

Some people need to come over here to realize it’s true

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

11. The beaches on the Black Sea aren't sand, they are pecan-sized rocks.

Well, there are sand beaches on the Black Sea. Actually most of the Ukrainian coast. Except for the southern coast of the Crimea. But if you go to the western coast you will find sand beaches there.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

I sold them on eBay.

Somebody actually bought them?.....LOL. How much did you get?

Posted by: disculmawsu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

That is classic! Did you expect it would be?

I have never gotten to the bottom of the pointy shoe issue. My wife convinced me to buy a pair in Estonia, I did, and when I got home people said, "Whats with the pixie shoes dude?" or "when did winkle-pickers come back in style?"

I sold them on eBay.

I am tempted to sell my two pairs of pointy shoes (I have another pair on the way - O's mother just loves those pointy on men). I like the rounded toed shoes O bought me though.

Posted by: Manchester

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

Somebody actually bought them?.....LOL. How much did you get?

I got around $120 for them, to a lawyer from London. I photographed them so they didnt look so pointy. He never left me any feedback.

Posted by: AkMike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

6. The drivers are maniacs. Don't even THINK about renting a car and driving yourself.
.

Most of the drivers were trained by Ex-Kamakazi pilots and tested during a demolition derby!

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

I got around $120 for them, to a lawyer from London. I photographed them so they didnt look so pointy. He never left me any feedback.

A lawyer huh? Luckily he didn't sue you....LOL

Posted by: matt235

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkMike

Most of the drivers were trained by Ex-Kamakazi pilots and tested during a demolition derby!

Ex-Kamakazi? Is this possible? Were they trained by dead pilots? Or is it the pilots that lost face when they were not allowed to fly a plane into the side of a ship? Either way...pretty scarry!

Posted by: Dave1

Imagine a race track with cars racing both ways on the same track at the same time. Now give all the drivers cell phones.

Posted by: freebird

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

6. The drivers are maniacs. Don't even THINK about renting a car and driving yourself..

I drove around on my third trip, and every trip after that. Nerves of steel!

I can't stand the sweltering buses, crooked taxis... But I can speak & read russian, that helps to get around. You have to learn to 'push" your way into traffic, just like a native.

But I wouldn't advise anyone to try driving on their first trip..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

7. Things are expensive there. I read somewhere on this board that the exchange rate is roughly 4 or 5 hrivnia to a dollar, but that things are priced in hrivinia like they are in dollars; i.e. something that would cost one dollar in America cost one hrivnia in Ukraine. In Yalta I paid 150 Hrivinia for a bathing suit that would have sold for $15 in America. Most of my meals cost at least 200 hrivnia. My unairconditioned hotel room in Simferopol cost 340 hrivnia for one night..

Depends where you shop. In Yalta they have "tourist prices". Restaurants, taxis etc {labour} are cheaper there, imported goods {electronics, name brand stuff} are the same or MORE expensive than the USA. Things bought at the "Rinok" {Bazzar or Market} used to be cheaper, but deals are harder to find now.

You should try hotel "Victoria", it was about $60 a night, modern with A/C. You are mainly correct though, prices are going up fast there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

8. Public toilets are more disgusting than I ever imagined. Squatters! Yup, 2 footprints and a hole, bring your own toilet paper. BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANY IN THE PUBLIC TOILET YOU JUST PAID 6 HRIVINIA TO SQUAT IN!.

Always try to use the john at the restaurants you eat in, about 90% have normal toilets.

The public ones are indeed very nasty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

9. Buses aren't air conditioned. No one yells at you for opening windows on a bus when it is hot.

My first trip, I rode the buses and just about melted....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

11. The beaches on the Black Sea aren't sand, they are pecan-sized rocks. These rocks are sometimes used by young women as their only upper-body attire at the beach; one per side.

The beaches on the southwestern coast {Yalta, Alushta etc} are like that, I would recommend the beaches at Fedosia or Sudak, there is real normal sand. Also the Crusader Fortress at Sudak is a must-see

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

20. If you travel Aerosvit Airlines, beer and wine are served free during the flight.

I had good service on AreoSvit too. {and KLM, Lufthansa}

I wouldn't recommend AreoFlot or Alitalia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

23. Use ATM's to get local currency. Don't expect to use credit cards or dollars, as neither are widely accepted. Have plenty of small bills (1's and 2's)so you can pay exact amount on the bus.

Credit cards are accepted usually only at large hotels, some supermarkets, some major shops {Tsum, or the Ukrainian type "Circuit City"}

When you buy something, try to give the next larger bill, so that you will get change, you then have enough 2's, 5's & 10's to use. Many street vendors etc willnot give change

Posted by: Aaron2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

You know, in Poltava, where I was, I thought things were very reasonably priced, at least as far as food and drink is concerned. Think about it -- 200 hrivnas is only $40. I found that 200 bought a pretty nice meal for two in Poltava. We had several lunches and dinners at the Palazzo Hotel, which I think is one of the nicer hotels there, and had some great meals, all of which were in the 200-250 hrivnas range. We sure as heck couldn't have eaten that well in the U.S. for $20-$25 per person! Of course, we didn't drink, so that probably saved us a few bucks.

By the way, you only paid $30 for that bathing suit. What's wrong with that?

The hotel room was only about $68. Again, that doesn't seem unreasonable. Just divide by 5.

Aaron

Posted by: deccie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

I got around $120 for them, to a lawyer from London. I photographed them so they didnt look so pointy. He never left me any feedback.

Manchester, aren't you breaking site rules by linking other sites?

As per the FAQ:
7) We have a special request regarding writing messages about other forums. So as to respect Lena's and my work and efforts in developing these particular areas of the website, we respectfully and kindly ask that you do not post links about other forums in this forum. We just feel that it works against our efforts and the many hours that we spend in developing the RMP forum. Thank you for your understanding and courtesy regarding this. We would like there to be a free flow of helpful information in the discussions in the RMP, so we are allowing links to specific threads in other forums that illustrate a specific point, or contribute a relevant idea to a discussion in the RMP. But, please do not place links to other forums that are merely advertisements or promotions of other forums.

Posted by: Cheburashka

oops!

Posted by: Manchester

Quote:

Originally Posted by deccie

Deccie - I do not link specifically to another forum in my links. On one of my linked pages there is a further link to another forum. That is not the same, that would be a link from a page with several links. That does not contravene the TOS you quote.

I think you will find my minimal participation here over time is illustrative of reasonable on topic content and thus cannot be referred to as trolling either.

Looking at your side bio, it does not appear that you are a mod or an admin here. Assuming you are not, then you are best served keeping your innacurate and incorrect opinions to yourself methinks.

If the actual mods or admins have a problem with anything I post, I am sure they are quite capable of editing or PMing me about it. As they do not seem to have done that, it seems nobody is objecting. Other than you of course.

It is a curious sidenote that we attempted to exchange links with this site long ago but there seems to be an inactive admin in that regard as noted at the time.

Posted by: freebird

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

Deccie Looking at your side bio, it does not appear that you are a mod or an admin here. Assuming you are not, then you are best served keeping your innacurate and incorrect opinions to yourself methinks.

If the actual mods or admins have a problem with anything I post, I am sure they are quite capable of editing or PMing me about it. As they do not seem to have done that, it seems nobody is objecting. Other than you of course.

Mods are not always here on the board, so members often help to "mind the store". Deccie framed it as a question, not an accusation, a reasonable inquiry I think.

Don't take offence at it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

It is a curious sidenote that we attempted to exchange links with this site long ago but there seems to be an inactive admin in that regard as noted at the time.

You would be best to PM Admin: Waiting123, as Khashyar is very busy and Searcher is not here as often.

Posted by: deccie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

I did frame is it as question you know. There is also the difference between obeying the exact wording of a request and keeping within the intent of a request. Clearly we can see which side of that debate you think you belong on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

I think you will find my minimal participation here over time is illustrative of reasonable on topic content and thus cannot be referred to as trolling either.

Since when did I call you a troll? Or are you calling me one? If you are would you be more open about it? Or are ytou just being "slippery" again?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

Looking at your side bio, it does not appear that you are a mod or an admin here. Assuming you are not, then you are best served keeping your innacurate and incorrect opinions to yourself methinks.

Youthinks wrong gungadin.
Every member has the opportunity to use the "report post" feature and every member has the right to query the posts of another member. Perhaps not on your own forums however but your entitled to run those how you see fit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchester

If the actual mods or admins have a problem with anything I post, I am sure they are quite capable of editing or PMing me about it. As they do not seem to have done that, it seems nobody is objecting. Other than you of course.

I'm sure they are.
I really don't care what your opinion of me is but is interesting you seem to be getting rather defensive and resentful over the whole thing.

I asked a question. The matter ends there.

Posted by: Manchester

And I answered it; albeit in what you consider a slippery way.

To clarify; you asked if I was breaking the TOS by linking to another forum. My reply is no - because I do not link to another forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deccie

The matter ends there.

Indeed.

Posted by: j_c

Sorry am I mising something here , wheres the link, has it been removed????

JC

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_c

Sorry am I mising something here , wheres the link, has it been removed????

JC

I think it was on another thread. Its just the SOS being brought up again and argued about.

Posted by: Dave1

In a doubtless vain attempt to unhijack this thread, I add the following:
24. There is no breakfast menu at McDonalds in Yalta. No Egg McMuffins, no big breakfast with eggs, pancakes, sausage and hashbrowns. You can get a Big Mac first thing in the morning to go with your orange juice though!

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

In a doubtless vain attempt to unhijack this thread, I add the following:
24. There is no breakfast menu at McDonalds in Yalta. No Egg McMuffins, no big breakfast with eggs, pancakes, sausage and hashbrowns. You can get a Big Mac first thing in the morning to go with your orange juice though!

Can I get fries with that?

Posted by: Legal

I thought this mite clarify some things for everyone.

Guidelines for posting website or business advertisements in this forum
Dear webmasters,

Since our visitors and guests enjoy the fact that our website is advertisement and commercial free, our forum guidelines state that webmasters may NOT post advertisements in our forum for their websites, services or businesses.

1) You can exchange links with the Russian Meeting Place website, so that both of our websites receive the benefit of reciprocal links. There are two places where you can exchange links with the Russian Meeting Place: a) on our "Links" Page: http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/..._website_links/ or b), on our "Top 100 Russian Websites page": http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...ssian_websites/

2) You can ALSO exchange links with the "Russian Internet Guide": www.russianinternetguide.com

3) You can post genuinely helpful information in the forum, and then include your website's link in the signature of your profile, so that your website's link will appear at the bottom of every message and thread that you post. However, your posts MUST have genuinely helpful information for our forum visitors, and it must NOT be a direct advertisement for your service, website or business. You can add a "signature" to the bottom of your messages by 1) logging on, 2) clicking on the "user cp" button near the top of the forum pages, 3) click on "edit profile" and then 4, in the "Optional Information" section, you can add your signature. 5) Make sure to press the "Submit Modifications" button at the bottom of the page the save your signature.

Regarding your signature, please only include your website's URL in your signature, and not a blantant text advertisement for your website. Also, please do not add advertising images or banners to your signature. You are limited to 3 URLs per signature.

Any posts that do not follow these guidelines will be deleted.

Thank you for helping to keep our forum interesting and advertisement and SPAM free.

Khashyar
Administrator
Russian Meeting Place
__________________
*It is important to read the forum guidelines before posting: Forum Guidelines -Thank you.

Posted by: matt235

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

I'm sorry, but I have to have some fried pig first thing in the morning. It goes great with my gallon of coffee. Makes me a happy camper all day!!!

later,

Posted by: freebird

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_c

Sorry am I mising something here , wheres the link, has it been removed????

JC

The links are in the Siggy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1

I found it difficult to find a good "breakfast cafe" in Ukraine

Posted by: Dave1

My lady tells me I must revise #13--she says the jellyfish in the Black Sea are not so harmless by the end of summer when they have grown up.

Posted by: Legal

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird

I found it difficult to find a good "breakfast cafe" in Ukraine

I was in Ukraine lo-o-ong time ago. My mother and I loved to have our breakfast at the cafes that called "Vareniki" and it was most delicious vareniki with different filling and also kompot made of fresh fruits. m-m-m

Olga (Legal's wife)

Posted by: GoingToRussia

If you want a good breakfast, stay at a hotel that has a free breakfast buffet included with the room or you can buy. These were the best non homemade meals of the day from my point of view.