Omsk, will I get it right this time? - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Omsk, will I get it right this time?
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Posted by: Chillidog

I have not been frequenting RMP too much this past couple of months, mostly due to my surgery on my knee which has caused me to put any thoughts about travelling to meet a girl on the back burner.

Also just prior to (or about at the same time-funny how the short term memory fades once you reach 40) I was in contact with a girl from Mariupol and thru letters arranged our second phone conversation, and low and behold there was no answer at the appointed time 7PM her time and 3 hours later when she did answer the phone, let's just say to be nice she was a little upset and wondered why I was even calling her.

So with this---going back to square one and the knee, I was a bit bummed.

I must give a big thanks to SPARKY114----Thanks Mark!!!

He has been instrumental in keeping my spirits up, we discussed at length my past relationship (almost 2 years---a more off again then on again relationship you will not find) he pulled no punches and we discussed the things I did correct, the things I did wrong and the many things I had completely no control over.

It is amazing how when you are close to things, how blind you can become, you become closed minded and not open to new thoughts and a different way of doing things. Women are women BUT Russia is at times 180% opposite to what I have grown accustomed to growing up.

If I could give one piece of advise to those like me----STILL LOOKING--- remain always open minded, be willing to accept doing things sometimes completely different then we have become accustomed to or grew up doing things the same way---just because this is the way it has always been done.

I am not sure of how the saying goes, I think it goes something like like this "it is usually when you stop looking that you find what you have been looking for"

Sparky114, insisted I stay in the game. Much to my chagrin and lack of desire, I gave in, I looked at a bunch of profiles at RussianEuro.com again at his insistance! for two-three weeks there were a couple of profiles that were worth a look or two but nothing really caught my eye (again my mind was not in it, and was making more excuses to NOT write then to find reasons to write.

Then one day I was browsing thru profiles that were on line at the time,and at this time I think the only thing keeping me awake was my head slamming into the desk everytime I dozed off (remember I had knee surgery and have been heavily and I stress heavily medicated-or is it that I am a "Sally" and just can't handle drugs?) and then I saw Miss Omsk's profile, instant adrenaline rush!!! no longer tired, can't even remember if I had surgery or not.

Well previously on this site I had sent some EOI's to a few women, but none really expressed the same interest back to me (in a way because of my mind set this did not bother me at all)

with Miss Omsk, I sent a EOI but wanted her to know I was serious about her (my mind is now back in the game!!!!) so I also sent her a letter of introduction (this was not a copy and paste of a generic intro letter) one I had hoped would catch her attention, that paid attention to her profile, and I hoped showed I was sincere in my desire to find a lifetime partner and her.

Well this all happened one month ago...........

Posted by: GoingToRussia

And how has your relationship with Ms. Omsk progressed over the past month?

Posted by: AkMike

I hope that you're NOT concentrating on the pics alone. Personality and similar wants out of life counts for alot more in the long run.

Posted by: Chillidog

sorry hit submit before I finished typing

Edit:
Deleted my last post, to continue you it in full in my next post (sorry-must still be the drugs from surgery-for my lack of cordination of my fingers on the keyboard)

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkMike

I hope that you're NOT concentrating on the pics alone. Personality and similar wants out of life counts for alot more in the long run.

pic's are important, But what I find attractive

(blond hair, blue eyes, tall and lean others may not find attractive

)

but you are correct, the personality, similar interests, and life goals are truly the important matters. I would also add the desire of both parties to be with and make sure the relationship works is also very important.

I hate talking about hopes and dreams, things that have not happened and may not happen or the results will be different then what is hoped for, but with Miss Omsk, there is just a sense of something different (from the past) that keeps drawing us closer, it feels right, and it feels that all that is missing is meeting in person.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoingToRussia

And how has your relationship with Ms. Omsk progressed over the past month?

GtR,

not wanting to put the horse before the cart here on RMP or with Miss Omsk, but will continue the updates very shortly

Posted by: swindoom

There are lots of great women in Omsk, my misses being one of them. I always enjoy my visits, maybe because we no longer have a proper winter in England any more.

Posted by: Sparky114

Way to go CD

You know you back in the game now!!!!

Good luck as always, and hi from sunny southern Russia

Mark & Elena

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

GtR,

not wanting to put the horse before the cart here on RMP or with Miss Omsk, but will continue the updates very shortly

Okay, no problem, I understand, no details needed. Sounds like things are progressing nicely.

Good luck!

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

GtR,

not wanting to put the horse before the cart here on RMP or with Miss Omsk, but will continue the updates very shortly

Cmon CD, Im leaving for Omsk on the 14th of Sept. I will buy the beer on the way there and you can buy on the way back.

Posted by: vic2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by swindoom

There are lots of great women in Omsk, my misses being one of them. I always enjoy my visits, maybe because we no longer have a proper winter in England any more.

Couldn't agree more!

My lovely wife is from Omsk too. We're going there next month! It will be my seventh visit, yet my first in the Siberian Summer. Like Swindoom, I'm used to going when there's waist high snow!

Maybe I'll be proved wrong , but in the last three years on RMP, I can't remember anyone having a bad experience with a girl from Omsk!

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

vic2012,

if you are proven wrong, I hope I am not the one to be the exception to the rule!

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

Cmon CD, Im leaving for Omsk on the 14th of Sept. I will buy the beer on the way there and you can buy on the way back.

Blu,
I was thinking about your trip, and that is why I mentioned to you I might have some news that would be of interest to you and the city you will be traveling to.

Right now it is still a little soon, to make any deffinite plans.

How long will you be in Omsk?

If things work out in the next couple of weeks like I hope, I will do my best to be in Omsk while you are there. Heck for one of my trips to Russia, was last minute deal, so I scheduled a flight out of New York to Moscow on a Monday. The day before this flight I flew into New York because I did not have my Visa for Russia yet. So at 9 am on the morning of the flight (my flight was at 5pm to Moscow) I was at the doors of the Russian Embasy in New York appling for my Visa, and by 1 pm I had my Visa and was on my way back to my hotel to collect my bags and then head over to JFK.

for me leaving by 9/14 might be a big rush, but anything is possible.

Also need to comfirm a few things with Miss Omsk before I truly start planning anything.

Where are you staying? renting an apartment or staying in a hotel?

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky114

Way to go CD

You know you back in the game now!!!!

Good luck as always, and hi from sunny southern Russia

Mark & Elena

Thanks Mark!

Have a fantastic 2 weeks in Russia with Elena!

Posted by: Buckeye5702

CD, that's awesome news. Good for you! I've missed our emails since I moved and have been thinking of you and looking for your posts when I check in.

Best of luck to you and write man!
Tim

Posted by: Chrismc

Good luck Bob with your lady from Omsk, I hope all works out for you.

Hey Mark hows things, enjoying life in Russia are we?

Chris

Posted by: Sparky114

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrismc

Good luck Bob with your lady from Omsk, I hope all works out for you.

Hey Mark hows things, enjoying life in Russia are we?

Chris

Hey Chris, and also sorry Bob to crash your post

Things here in the South of Russia are just great nice +35 degrees and long hot days

Having the time of my life. not working just relaxing and being looked after by most beautiful Lena

So in answer to your question, do not want to come back home

how is your new life with Ira ? what you doing and where have you been?

Best wishes

Mark & Elena

Bob !!!!!! give us a mail and tell us of the updates

Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky114

Hey Chris, and also sorry Bob to crash your post

Things here in the South of Russia are just great nice +35 degrees and long hot days

Having the time of my life. not working just relaxing and being looked after by most beautiful Lena

So in answer to your question, do not want to come back home

how is your new life with Ira ? what you doing and where have you been?

Best wishes

Mark & Elena

Bob !!!!!! give us a mail and tell us of the updates

Things are great Mark and it would be easier to say where we haven't been

we seem to have done lots, but are now settled into normal daily routines and everything is going just fine, couldn't be better in fact.

I will get round to posting some more pics soon in my thread, as soon as I get chance.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

Chilli, I fly out of CMH on the 14th and fly out of Omsk back to SVO on the 30th. As for accomodations, well lets just say if I stayed anywhere other than my GF's flat I would be in deep doo doo. I didn't know you could get the visa on the same day you apply, I thought it took 10 days? One thing I am dreading about the trip tho is the long layover at SVO both ways, its like 12 hours going and 5 hours on the return. My GF is so worried that I won't be able to navigate my way between SVO1 and SVO2. Does anyone know what the normal rate for a taxi between the 2 terminals, its only like 5 miles apart from each other? I told her if she was so concerned that a dumb american can't find his way 5 miles than she should fly to Moscow and hold my hand to make sure I get on the right plane. Havn't gotten an answer on that one yet.

Posted by: vic2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

My GF is so worried that I won't be able to navigate my way between SVO1 and SVO2. Does anyone know what the normal rate for a taxi between the 2 terminals, its only like 5 miles apart from each other?

DONT TAKE A TAXI, unless you want to get skanked as soon as you touch Russian soil.
The express bus goes every 15 minutes or so from right outside the terminal from SVO1 to SVO2 and visa versa. I think it is operated by Aeroflot and it may be free? if you are transferring between Aeroflot flights.
There are fixed rate taxis, but finding them in the melee of taxi touts might prove difficult!

Posted by: EasyTarget

I took the city bus. It costs 15 ruble? Just print out what Шереметьево Sheremetyevo looks like in Cyrillic. Make sure you have change for the bus. The bus comes right near where the taxis are, and if you have time to kill, it is better to kill the time in the international side than the domestic side. There is very little with regards to waiting areas / shops / cafe on the domestic side. The bus number is 817 or 851? I am not 100% positive. I just learned how to read "Шереметьево 1" and the driver took pity on me for not having correct change.

There is a transfer bus if you arrive on an Aeroflot flight and transfer to another aeroflot domestic flight. You will need someone from Aeroflot to direct you -- it is between the gates, and impossible to find on your own. The people at the information desk only speak Russian.

The airports website.
http://www.sheremetyevo-airport.ru/?act=part&pid=512

Posted by: blucatz

I was going to take the bus anyway, I just told my GF that I would take a taxi so she wouldn't worry about me getting lost in Moscow. You know how incompetent we Americans are....LOL

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

I was going to take the bus anyway, I just told my GF that I would take a taxi so she wouldn't worry about me getting lost in Moscow. You know how incompetent we Americans are....LOL

Blu there is a free shuttle bus, (looks similiar to a GreyHound Bus)---at least whenever I took it it was free between SVO1 and SVO2, so there is no need to take a taxi.

I have experienced a couple 9 hour layovers at SVO2, so you will get no sympithay from me!

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

Chilli, I didn't know you could get the visa on the same day you apply, I thought it took 10 days?

Like everything in Russia it is just a matter of paying more money.

Actualy the Russian Embasy site does inform people that you can get a Visa in one day (same day service) it just costs $300 USD instead of $100 USD.

Funny thing is I had downloaded their application and filled it out prior to applying at the Embassy, they took one llok at this application and gave me a new application to fill out, of course it was absolutly the same as the one I tried to give them when it was my turn at the window

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

Ya think I should hang out at SVO2 for a while before heading to SVO1 or head straight over there? I have a 12 hour layover and I am not venturing out into Moscow on my own......LOL. This dumb American would definately get lost

Posted by: Chillidog

The trip is on!!!! but when is still up in the air????

Have been in communication with Miss Omsk, there are a few details still to work out.

mainly she is looking into getting some time off of work. Her work schedule is 2 days working then 2 days off. On those days that she works her schedule is 9am to 9pm not including the rougly 40 mintues it takes her to travel each way.

She lives city center, and I asked her what hotels are near her flat. I was informed that there is a hotel with 5 minutes walking of her flat. I believe it is the "Tourist Hotel", just looking into the hotel today, so have not confirmed this is the hotel she refered to??? ----her words were 'hotel Omsk'

The hotel looks nice, with nice amenities, but pricey, from what I have seen with a couple of other hotels in Omsk.

My dilemma, is I have not worked in 2 months, so income lately has not been much (because of the surgery), but I certainly want to find a place as close and as convienent to her flat as possible.

What I think I will do is ask her about the other hotels in sense that I am not sure which one she is actually refering to and gauge her reponse to these other places and chose the one that utlimately gives me the most time to spend with her.

to me this is about meeting a woman who I feel has the potential to be my life partner, and to give her the most time with me so she can also guage her feelings and thoughts about me, and most importantly to start this relationship off on the right foot.

of course 1-2 weeks together is only the start, there will have to be more time together (this is of course if we hit it off on the first meeting) but I certainly do not want to pinch pennies and book a hotel that is not close to her, and cause undo stress or leave a bad first impression (which if this happens a person usually will not overcome this damage)

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

I just went straight to the domestic airport and just hung out there, it is boring but the last trip spoke for about 3 hours with a Ukrainian woman and her daughter, who were returning to Russia to visit friends (they had been living in Seattle for the last 9 years) so her English was good (thank you for small favors)

I will do my best to try and match your dates for my trip.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

If you use Areoflot on landing, you can get a free bus to the national airport. Since you don't speak much Russian, you might have a difficult time finding it but ask someone for directions, a sweet young "thang". They are the most apt to answer your questions.

There is also a darkish blue bus that makes the run every 20-30 minutes. If you leave the airport and go to your right, you will see a place where it picks up people. It cost about $3 about 2 years ago so I'm sure it costs more now. You'll need rubles.

If you want a taxi, go outside and find one, most of them speak enough English to bargain for a fare. I think I found one for $30 ... 2 years ago. The cabbies in the airport wanted $100!

Good luck Blu!

Posted by: blucatz

$100 for 5 miles, Im on the wrong side of the transportation industry.....LOL

Posted by: swindoom

The only time I took a taxi I managed to get it down to $10, simply by putting $10 worth of Roubles in one pocket and claiming that is all I had left. Eventually when all the passengers from my flight had gone they gave in.

Posted by: vic2012

The Tourist Hotel is in the centre overlooking the river. Its in the square which houses the globe marking the origins of Omsk (there's a photo in my gallery).

But, I am a firm believer of apartments which you give you much greater flexibility.

I'll be in Omsk during the last week of August, let me know if there is anything you want to know.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

The Tourist Hotel is in the centre overlooking the river. Its in the square which houses the globe marking the origins of Omsk (there's a photo in my gallery).

But, I am a firm believer of apartments which you give you much greater flexibility.

I'll be in Omsk during the last week of August, let me know if there is anything you want to know.

Hang out in Omsk a couple of more weeks and I will buy you dinner when I get there on the 15th of Sept....

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

The Tourist Hotel is in the centre overlooking the river. Its in the square which houses

It seems every FSU city I visited had a Tourist Hotel. It must be a huge Europen hotel chain. Something like our Hotel 8 maybe.

Posted by: vic2012

Shame, because I have a five year old now, who goes back to school on 3rd September. Otherwise I would have gone a little later.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrismc

Good luck Bob with your lady from Omsk, I hope all works out for you.

Hey Mark hows things, enjoying life in Russia are we?

Chris

Thanks Chris,

So far so good, keeping my fingers crossed.

Read your thread often and great to see how good things are for you and how Nata is making friends fast

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

Thanks Vic2012,

I found another hotel that states "city center" called the "Mayak Hotel" and one on the left bank called "Molodyozhnaya Hotel" so emailed Miss Omsk to find out which hotel is within walking distance of her apartment, should know tomorrow, if not we talk on the weekends and will know then.

In my trips to Russia I have never stayed in an apartment (well except for staying in a friends apartment) so I should say never 'rented' an apartment.

not sure how the hotels in Omsk deal with visitors, if they are like the one I stayed in Moscow, but then never had any reason in Moscow to invite a "friend" to stay with me there.

In Arkhangelsk never had any problems, questions or anything, my friend came and went as they pleased.

personally I cook all the time and it is the last thing I want to do when I travel, I would much rather get up and head to the hotel resturant for the Buffet breakfast--I might add the Pur-Navolok hotel in Arkhangelsk has a fantastic all you can eat buffet breakfast served untill 11:00 am, if anyone goes up that way, and for my money the only hotel to stay in when in Arkhangelsk---- (included in the room rate) then try to scramble around to find some place to eat or go shopping and buy the groceries to cook something if I get hungry.

so anything you can offer (words of wisdom) about apartments in Omsk, also any websites I can review them on, will be greatly appreciated

I would love to make the trip the on the same days as blu, but running into $1700+ for the airfare and $2000+ for the hotel for 9/16 check-in and 9/30 check-out like Blucats dates are. So I may have to scale back the length because of the hotel rates, and not working for the last 2 months and will not be back to work before this trip

My biggest concern is finding a place to stay hotel/apartment that is convienent to Miss Omsk's apartment (which is city center)

Posted by: swindoom

I have stayed at the "Molodyozhnaya" a couple of times and I preferred it to the "Tourist". There is an excellent sauna within two minute walk of the "Molodyozhnaya".

Posted by: EasyTarget

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoingToRussia

It seems every FSU city I visited had a Tourist Hotel. It must be a huge Europen hotel chain. Something like our Hotel 8 maybe.

InTourist hotels are owned by Holiday Inn folks.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Well I figured it was a big chain. Most of the ones I saw were of the higher low end quality.

Posted by: stevo

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyTarget

InTourist hotels are owned by Holiday Inn folks.

I would have thought that was a different chain. Hotel Tourist would be a common name for a hotel, in the same way that every town or city has streets called Karl Marx and Lenin, and a district called Muscovite (except perhaps Moscow). They weren't very imaginative that way.

Posted by: Chillidog

well I was wrong on all of the hotels!

Per Miss Omsk the hotel is called "Omsk" and she gave me the address, and for a few frustrating hours searching the internet, I thought I would never find a hotal at the address she gave me (at least finding it thru the internet

) yet eventualy I did find the hotel (I think?)

I found 2 sites that list a hotel at, or close to the address Miss Omsk gave me---"Irtysh Quay 30"

on http://all-hotels.ru/h3669/hotel/in...l?kk=c40a6fa189 they list a hotel called "Omsk" at "Irtyshskaya Embankment 30"

and on http://www.pribaltiyskaya.com/hotels/russia/omsk/omsk/ they list a hotel called "Pribaltiskaya Hotel" at "30 Irtyshskaya Naberejnaya"

these maybe one and the same hotel (even though listed under different names) problem is one site shows a picture of the hotel and the other does not.

also the "all-hotels" website does not give room rates, but sent them a email asking for prices. the other site looks like it is affliated or booked thru "A Foreign Affair" and have not looked into this site deeply yet.

Posted by: JohnnyLaRue

No phone numbers on those pages?

Would be easier to call them I would think, but hopefully an email works out ok.

Posted by: Sparky114

Hey Bob!!!!

How u doing? just reading your latest posts and see you have not discovered the phone numbers for hotels in Omsk.

Here is somthing to look at for you!!!! http://www.univer.omsk.su/omsk/reference/gost.html

Try googleing omsk apartment rental aswell I think this is a better route to go down and one I have always done, gives you and your lady so much more freedom to do what you like and when you like!!!!!!

I know you do not want to cook

but who said you had to? eat out get some small bites for when you want somthing at an odd time, you will do this in a hotel room any way!!!!!!

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky114

Hey Bob!!!!

How u doing? just reading your latest posts and see you have not discovered the phone numbers for hotels in Omsk.

Here is somthing to look at for you!!!! http://www.univer.omsk.su/omsk/reference/gost.html

Try googleing omsk apartment rental aswell I think this is a better route to go down and one I have always done, gives you and your lady so much more freedom to do what you like and when you like!!!!!!

I know you do not want to cook

but who said you had to? eat out get some small bites for when you want somthing at an odd time, you will do this in a hotel room any way!!!!!!

Mark,

are you back home?

thanks for the link will look into it.

what is most important to me is finding a hotel/apartment that is conveniently located near Miss Omsk's apartment. She has said on many occassions how close and easy it is for her to walk to "Hotel Omsk" that this would provide us with the opportunity to spend many more houres together each day.

So my thought process is, I will spend a few extra dollars (but not if were talking 100's each day) to stay at this hotel if it is closer to her.

as far as eating, I never snack at home or hotel unless it is to grap a piece of fruit, so when I have stayed previously I will always pick up some fresh fruit and some juice to have in the hotel, but nothing else really.

not sure if I want the hassle of finding a place to eat breakfast, before being with Miss Omsk during the day, with trying to shower and look nice for her (trust me I need all the time and help I can get for this) then stroll arond looking for somewhere to eat and possibly get sweaty and have to shower all over again before seeing her.

I think I would just forego eating, in hopes of staying somewhat presentable if I rented an apartment.

also since I have never done that, what is the hassle of geting your passport registered with the police when staying at an apartment? (hotel has always done this for me in the past)

it is not that I am against doing this, it is I would much rather concentrate on Miss Omsk, then having to make side trips with her or without to register. Just want to cut down on anything that could add to the anxiety and stress---isn't meeting a woman you hope will be your future beloved stressful enough?

as with all things that a person has never done before, I am probably making a mountain out of a mole hill, and after doing it once will wonder why I have never done it this way in the past

Posted by: clark

Hey Chili

An apartment is certainly the way to go. It offers so much more flexibility for you and your lady. If you're lucky she might even be able to fix you a few meals. Usually, a very nice apartment is better than a hotel room and also usually cheaper.

Most likely you can find a really nice place for in the neighborhood of about $75 bucks a night or even cheaper if renting a week or more. I haven't been to Omsk but I imagine it isn't much different from the Siberian cities I have been to. Taxis are cheap and you can get to anywhere in the city for about 10-15 bucks (100-300 rubles). Even better if you are budget minded, is the city buses. They'll get you almost anywhere for about 9 rubles. You just need to know what bus route number you need. Most likely your lady will know them all by heart.

Also, American airlines is flying into Domodevodo (sp) DME from Chicago from there you can find a flight to Omsk on S7, Krasnair or Air Union without having to change airports. There are several flights scattered out through the day to Omsk I believe to avoid hopefully too long of a layover.

As for registering your visa you can use your lady's address. Quite honestly and my recent trip confirms it, registering a visa is a waste of time unless for some reason you get stopped by the militia. Once I didn't register it and leaving and re-applying for a visa was no problem. Passport control didn't even want it the times I did register. It takes a half of a day to register and it is a hassle with the copies and what not. I still see no point is registering if only staying for a week or so.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I was asked twice for my passport, who sent the invitation, and where I was staying. Both times it was at the airport in Russia. I was also asked every time if my passport was registered by the hotel and hotel security.

I wouldn't take any chances. Someone could try to shake you down for some cash.

Glad to see your making plans to go to the FSU.

Best wishes, have fun, and be safe.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

Hey Chili
Also, American airlines is flying into Domodevodo (sp) DME from Chicago from there you can find a flight to Omsk on S7, Krasnair or Air Union without having to change airports. There are several flights scattered out through the day to Omsk I believe to avoid hopefully too long of a layover.

But, for only $6 more he can take Delta into SVO with only 1 stop in atlanta. Your way would into DME would take him thru Germany. Actually the Delta flight is cheaper than the AA flight. DME airport is old, not much there, and very few people speak English there, plus its out in the middle of nowhere. It would take you an hour by train just to reach the closest most metro station to DME to get into the city to do any site seeing. Then you would have to find out what Russian airlines fly out of DME into Omsk, get on their websites, hopefully they have English versions of the site to find a flight to Omsk. Its so much simpler to fly into SVO then to Omsk, and its about the same price. Plus you have more flexibility on the flight times.

The cheapest flight into DME according to Orbitz is thru Lufthansa, $1100, 1 stop in Germany out bound and 2 stops inbound to US (Germany and DC). Delta is $1106 from ORD to ATL to SVO. Plus, some of the planes I seen at DME didn't look too good, I would not use some of them for crop dusting.

Posted by: clark

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

How much it is depends on how far in advance you book and for what days you book. The American airlines flight from OHare in Chicago is a direct non-stop to Moscow. There are no stops in Germany or anywhere. Singapore airlines has or had a direct flight to DME from Houston for $800. The American flight is about $900 if I remember correctly. Mine was higher than yours because I had 2 additional legs because I live in the sticks.

DME is not an old airport. It is newer and updated well over SVO1 and 2. It compares to any newer airport in the world. It is not a bad airport to have to layover in. Personally, I'd much rather layover at DME than SVO. The flight schedules are posted in english and there is someone at the info desk that speaks english. They book sight-seeing excursions, leave and return right at the airport. I haven't been everywhere in DME but you must have went somewhere in DME I didn't. All I saw was a comfortable and modern airport.

S7 and Air Union both have english websites and booking online but there is a catch. You have to provide them some information before making the transaction. (a copy of the credit card front and back with certain numbers of the card removed and a copy of your passport).

I haven't found any Russian airport to be exceptionally helpful to non-russian speaking people although DME and SVO both announce arrivals and departures in both russian and english. I have seen those raggedy planes in every airport in Russia I have been to. DME has a plane graveyard they are quite proud of. The pilot even made note of it on the intercom as we went by it

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

S7 and Air Union both have english websites and booking online but there is a catch. You have to provide them some information before making the transaction. (a copy of the credit card front and back with certain numbers of the card removed and a copy of your passport).

That sounds like a pain in the rear to me. All that to save what? $50? Maybe I didnt' see all of DME that you did either, but from what I saw, I liked SVO allot more, especially on the departure leg. Besides, my choice between Delta and AA, I will choose Delta every time. Much nicer airlines to fly IMO. But, this is Chilli's trip, he will choose whatever meets his needs. I hope he goes into SVO then we can fly together to Omsk via Aeroflot. Much nicer than flying alone. Plus, My GF can help with any translation problems that come up during that initial 2 minute awkward meeting.....LOL.

Posted by: Spakoyna

LOL! You guys must look like spies or criminals or somin!

Out of 14 times of passing through FSU security I really only had 2 issues! These were both on my last trip there. The 1st was at SVO2 when I was checking my baggage to Novosibirsk. I had some aerasol mosquito repellent. Man dem women was freakin lookin at the x-ray screen. They motioned me over with wide eyes pointing at the 3 cylinders lined up side by side! Made me take them out of the chemadon. Then had the supervisor study them! Finally someone figured out what it was and I was on my way!

The 2nd time was a clash of registration issue which I have discussed before!

Posted by: blucatz

I think you would have been handcuffed, strip searched, next of kin called if you tried that in a US airport......ROFLMAO, 3 cylinders lined up in a suitcase, oh hell no, not on my watch....

Posted by: vic2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

As for registering your visa you can use your lady's address. Quite honestly and my recent trip confirms it, registering a visa is a waste of time unless for some reason you get stopped by the militia. Once I didn't register it and leaving and re-applying for a visa was no problem. Passport control didn't even want it the times I did register. It takes a half of a day to register and it is a hassle with the copies and what not. I still see no point is registering if only staying for a week or so.

I have mentioned before that, for my first five visits, I never registered and at passport control at the airport, the officials didn't even look at the back of my bit of official entry paper, which gets stamped when you register. I've never been asked for my docs and, I'm sure that I look a lot more shifty than you do GTR!

As I had nothing better to do, I did register on the last visit and what a hassle that was. I had to pay R29 registration fee (about $1), but not at the registration office. It had to be paid at the Peoples Bank which was a half hour journey away. And we're talking Omsk here!. But I did register under my fianc�'s address. And that was no problem at all.

Although I agree with others that apartments give you far more freedom for half the price (or less), there aren't many specialised apatrments in Omsk. They tend to be up market flats, whose occupants have been shunted out in a hurry. You will usually find a large cupbord stacked full of their belongings!

Finally DME is streets ahead of SVO. They've just built a new frontage and an international terminal (which is attached to the original building). Everything is under one roof and it's easy to find English speakers there. I like the movie rental facility, where you can lose hours watching the latest films for a few dollars.

BTW the website for Omsk hotels given a few comments back, features a tiny picture at the top. And if you use a magnifying glass, you will see the Tourist hotel in the centre of the picture!

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

Maybe it was my American accent, beard, and age. Russian wanted to see all my papers, Ukraine and Moldova wanted me to register my passport.

I really can't explain it ... maybe just bad luck!

Posted by: clark

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

The dates I checked were 49 days in advance thru Orbitz and Travelocity, and neither had a direct flight thru AA from ORD to DME or SVO. These were the dates Chilli is checking on. and both were over 1k. My Delta flight was $950 for the same dates from CMH to ATL to SVO. I just found the direct flight on AA website, they are not very flexible on the dates. Forget about leaving or returning on a weekend, no flights, and the price was more than what I paid with Delta which had more of a selection on departure and return dates. Right now the flight you are talking about for 49 days in advance is $1075. And with AA's past history of maintenance and mechanical issues, I really wouldn't trust them very much.

That sounds like a pain in the rear to me. All that to save what? $50? Maybe I didnt' see all of DME that you did either, but from what I saw, I liked SVO allot more, especially on the departure leg. Besides, my choice between Delta and AA, I will choose Delta every time. Much nicer airlines to fly IMO. But, this is Chilli's trip, he will choose whatever meets his needs. I hope he goes into SVO then we can fly together to Omsk via Aeroflot. Much nicer than flying alone. Plus, My GF can help with any translation problems that come up during that initial 2 minute awkward meeting.....LOL.

I haven't checked them in the last 6-8 weeks since booking my last trip. I am sure they have increased but that was the status the last time I looked. I tend to look on both the travel sites and the airline sites and many times there is a big difference in the two in both prices and flights offered. All airlines don't post all of their flights on the travel sites.

I am okay with spending some extra time perusing the sites and saving a few bucks where I can. Usually, you can find flights that better fit your schedule if you look deep enough that aren't offered on a travel site. I have booked them both ways and with a travel agencies. The travel sites tend to sell slow seats on the less desirable flights and agencies tend to push one into a package. I like to keep myself flexible for my schedule.

I travel often for work and now much more since finding a lady in Russia. I have flown Delta, AA and Northwest to FSU and haven't found a dimes worth of difference in the three. I imagine it would be good to have a travel companion, especially from the forum and if you two can make it work, that sounds like a great time. I was just throwing it "out there" in response to Chili's question.

Posted by: clark

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

Before going to DME my only impression of Russian airports were SVO and St Petersburg. I wasn't impressed with either. DME gave me some renewed faith. I actually liked it. I had a 12 hour layover on my first leg. I did some sight seeing some serious beer tasting and made a few friends.

As for registering my visa, it has been a real PITA every time. The passport control seems annoyed that it is in my passport. They hand it straight back with a stern look of annoyance. Never looking at it, stamping it or anything. The one time I didn't register it, nothing was said ever anywhere. I expect the militia might pat you down for some cash if they caught you without it. But, I don't know about this personally as I have never had problems with them. My future wife didn't seem to think it was important either but registers me anyway because I seemed to think it was important.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

Hey Chili

An apartment is certainly the way to go. It offers so much more flexibility for you and your lady. If you're lucky she might even be able to fix you a few meals. Usually, a very nice apartment is better than a hotel room and also usually cheaper.

As for registering your visa you can use your lady's address. Quite honestly and my recent trip confirms it, registering a visa is a waste of time unless for some reason you get stopped by the militia. Once I didn't register it and leaving and re-applying for a visa was no problem. Passport control didn't even want it the times I did register. It takes a half of a day to register and it is a hassle with the copies and what not. I still see no point is registering if only staying for a week or so.

I have done "google searches" for apartments in Omsk, and have not come up with any (not saying there are none, just not finding any yet)

everytime I have travelled to Russia when I was leaving, I was always asked for my registration papers for when, where I stayed, so for me I am surprised you have never been asked to supply and give passport control this paper when you where leaving the country.

not sure I want to take this risk, also you stated it was no big deal to register on your own, but yoy said it took half a day, did you have to stay at the office you registered for this half a day, or did you drop it off and return later to get the registration?

I do not think I would want to waste a 1/2 a day waiting in an office for this when, time is already limited to learn and be with the woman I am visiting.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

I imagine it would be good to have a travel companion, especially from the forum and if you two can make it work, that sounds like a great time. I was just throwing it "out there" in response to Chili's question.

Wish I knew how to link posts by different members together to repsond to bith in my own post

Blucatz----doing my best to match your dates.

Clark---I agree, I think it would (will) be great to meet and travel with a fellow forum member, it is a shame that Vic2012 is going to Omsk in August (I can not make these dates)

Blucatz has already booked his travel and his dates are do able for me, at least arrive in Omsk (if this time works for Miss Omsk regarding her getting time off from work)

as far as DME versus SVO, I can not comment, have only experienced SVO1 & 2, but since I am trying to match Blucatz flight from Moscow to Omsk, this way we can hang out together on the layover and fly into Omsk together. I am concentrating getting the best flight into SVO.

My hang up is in arrangements once in Omsk (hotel/apartment) as I stated in my previous post I have thru google searches not found any apartments to rent.

Recieved an email today for the "Hotel Omsk" (5 minute walk from Miss Omsk's flat) and the hotel she is hoping I can arrange because of the convience to her flat, that the cost of the room is----- 3600 Rubles per day!!!

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

Recieved an email today for the "Hotel Omsk" (5 minute walk from Miss Omsk's flat) and the hotel she is hoping I can arrange because of the convience to her flat, that the cost of the room is----- 3600 Rubles per day!!!

Bob,
Try searching for real estate agents in Omsk to find an apt. for rent. That is what Jenya was going to do for me the first time if we met in Omsk. Luckily this time accomodations are taken care of for me. Personally, I think 1000 Rubles a day is too much for a hotel in Russia unless its the Hilton or Marriot.

Posted by: stevo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

not sure I want to take this risk, also you stated it was no big deal to register on your own, but yoy said it took half a day, did you have to stay at the office you registered for this half a day, or did you drop it off and return later to get the registration?

If it's anything like Belarus, you go to OVIR with your migration card to fill in the registration form. OVIR gives you another form to fill in and take to a bank. You go to the bank, hand over the registration fee, get your receipt and go back to OVIR to present the receipt and collect your stamped migration card. Depending on how far the bank is from OVIR, the entire pointless charade could well take half a day.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Hi C-Dog. I think you need your girls help on this. Ask her to find an apartment or a hotel for you.

I had my girl take my passport to the police station in the morning. She dropped it off and came back to pick it up before closing on the same day.

Posted by: Spakoyna

LOL! How do you think it got to Russia?

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

I think you would have been handcuffed, strip searched, next of kin called if you tried that in a US airport......ROFLMAO, 3 cylinders lined up in a suitcase, oh hell no, not on my watch....

Posted by: Spakoyna

Chilidog. On my both trips to Novosibirsk I stayed in a hotel the 1st night. My wife(at the time my fiance) arranged for them to register my entire stay.On my 1st trip she had alredy done the legwork and found us a wonderful 3 room apartment pretty much in the city center. 1 night at the hotel Siber my 1st trip-$145......wonderful apartment for 1 month-$600!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

Posted by: clark

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

$150 bucks a night is pretty stout. Sounds like a high end hotel for Omsk. You may wish to do as Spakoyna and just book it long enough to let them register your visa. I would have paid $150 just to not fool with it.

When/if I stated registering my visa on my own, I apparently was not clear. I couldn't do it on my own without the help of my lady, no question. Not only can I not read cyrillic to find the building, I couldn't understand the form, it was all in Russian. The OVIR office is open at odd times on different days. My last trip I wasn't even able to register until 2 days before leaving. When you do it yourself, you fill out the form and wait, wait to be seen and further instruction. A very brief interview then directions to pay and follow up. As for whether you register it or not, you just need to go with your gut feeling with what you feel best. I don't think I will register next time.

I strongly suggest enlisting the help of your lady in finding an apartment as well. She can find one where you most likely cannot. My last trip, my lady found a very nice one for $50 a night. Newly renovated and very nice. I couldn't find but 1 listing online and had her to check it out. She came back after looking at it and told me I wouldn't want that one, to trust her in finding one and she did. She found a better one for a better rate. It actually wasn't a rental but a friends daughter who wish to make some extra money. Apartments are very difficult to find outside of Moscow and St Pete without some inside help.

Posted by: vic2012

To find an apartment in Omsk, you need to ask an Omsk based dating agency to arrange it. I did a quick check on line and found this one. I would send them an email. BTW, the website features a gallery of photos of Omsk. I've never seen it look so good! (But it's always been snowing when I went).

I think the days of $600 a month have long gone and you will be looking at around $70 per night.

Quote:

Originally posted by stevo
If it's anything like Belarus, you go to OVIR with your migration card to fill in the registration form. OVIR gives you another form to fill in and take to a bank. You go to the bank, hand over the registration fee, get your receipt and go back to OVIR to present the receipt and collect your stamped migration card. Depending on how far the bank is from OVIR, the entire pointless charade could well take half a day.

That is exactly the proceedure in Omsk. It would all be over in less than an hour, but for the ridiculous journey to the Peoples Bank miles away, to pay 29 Rubles which they refuse to accept at the office and then, make your way back with your payment slip duely stamped to get your passort back.

Posted by: Chillidog

a Question then about getting my friend to help.

1st-- this will be our first meeting. I feel it is very much up to the man to arrange his trip. In my previous trips I made all of my arrangements (in regard to the 1st meeting, even down to booking excursions, museums, etc... for us to do during the week all thru thr computer) the women did make suggestions to me on the best place to stay, whether this was because either the location was better for our meetings (as is the case with this trip and Miss Omsks suggestion of the "Hotel Omsk") or they suggested a different hotel because they did not feel the one I was originally going to book would be comfortable with me (and I am glad I listened to this suggestion)

my concern is how to approach my friend and ask for help?

I do not want to tell her I priced the hotel and felt it was too expensive and could you help me find a more resonable place to stay? (do not want one of her first impressions of me as being a cheap person, which could very well be her last impression of me?)

then the scenerio comes up with if she does find a nice apartment close to her flat, if this apartment rental is not on the internet, how I do I pay for it prior to making the trip?

I will NOT have her pay for it and then me pay her back when I get there.

I guess the solution is to just wait and see what happens, and if need be send the money by Western Union.

also my plans are to travel in about 6 weeks, I still need an invitation so I can apply for my Visa. Too late for my friend to get a notorized letter of invitation--this is also a 1st visit and a lot to ask from her before we even have met.

I know there are some sites on the internet that will get you your visa stamp even if you do not book a hotel and have an invitation (not sure if I have any links to sites like this saved on my puter?)

so this is another thing to have to think about

my biggest concern again, is how to broach the subject of finding an apartment with her help. Because she has already stated to me that the Hotel Omsk is very convenient, it is where she would like me to stay, and in her words to me on Sunday were......

"it is comfort for you (me) and easy walk for me (her), we can spend many, many hours (together) because so close to flat"

if I do not feel comfortable in coming across the correct way in talking to her about finding an apartment (fear--looking greedy or cheap, lacking in being a man by just taking care of things).

as you all know LDR can be very fragile and we really have only just begun communicating, one social FOPA could turn things south.

even though I do not want to spend money needlessly (I am a penny pincher, I get it honestly, my father was this way as well) I would much rather just spend the additional money for Hotel Omsk, then put additional concerns and worries in Miss Omsk of trying to find a different place for me to stay, beyond the usual worries a women would have when meeting a man for the first time. or possibly come off in a bad light, due to cultural or communication difficuties.

truly looking for help/suggestions or opinions on this matter

Posted by: EasyTarget

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

one social FOPA could turn things south.

What does the acronym FOPA mean? I am guessing it is a play on the French phrase faux-pas?

To get the visa invitation letter and visa use an online service like gotorussia.com. You just tell them the city and they figure out the rest for you.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

To find an apartment in Omsk, you need to ask an Omsk based dating agency to arrange it. I did a quick check on line and found this one. I would send them an email. BTW, the website features a gallery of photos of Omsk. I've never seen it look so good! (But it's always been snowing when I went).

I think the days of $600 a month have long gone and you will be looking at around $70 per night.

That is exactly the proceedure in Omsk. It would all be over in less than an hour, but for the ridiculous journey to the Peoples Bank miles away, to pay 29 Rubles which they refuse to accept at the office and then, make your way back with your payment slip duely stamped to get your passort back.

Vic2012,

thanks for the link, I will deffinitly look into this site tomorrow when I have much more time.

for me I would be happy to pay $70 dollars a nite, if I can find a rate like this I would be able to stay the 2 weeks that Blucatz is staying if it is $150 like the email I received from the Omsk Hotel, then my stay will probably only be 7-8 nites.

I would much prefer to handle the matter of the hotel/apartment without involving my friend, after all it is our first meeting. But she is very excited and eager to meet, and I would also hate to book a place that is not as convienent to her flat as the Omsk hotel is, and start out in this meeting on the wrong foot.

additional comment: Vic2012 the pictures of Omsk on this site do look fantastic, just looking at them makes me want to see the city, but my friend down plays the city, mentioning it is an industrial city, some places very dirty, she is worried that there will not be enough things to do, that I won't like the city and therefor (in her mind) have a negative effect on my thoughts of her

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyTarget

Easy,

yes exactly (FOPA= faux-pas) just did not know how to spell it correctly, sorry for my ignorance

Posted by: clark

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chillidog

a Question then about getting my friend to help.

1st-- this will be our first meeting. I feel it is very much up to the man to arrange his trip. In my previous trips I made all of my arrangements (in regard to the 1st meeting, even down to booking excursions, museums, etc... for us to do during the week all thru thr computer) the women did make suggestions to me on the best place to stay, whether this was because either the location was better for our meetings (as is the case with this trip and Miss Omsks suggestion of the "Hotel Omsk") or they suggested a different hotel because they did not feel the one I was originally going to book would be comfortable with me (and I am glad I listened to this suggestion)

my concern is how to approach my friend and ask for help?

I do not want to tell her I priced the hotel and felt it was too expensive and could you help me find a more resonable place to stay? (do not want one of her first impressions of me as being a cheap person, which could very well be her last impression of me?)

then the scenerio comes up with if she does find a nice apartment close to her flat, if this apartment rental is not on the internet, how I do I pay for it prior to making the trip?

I will NOT have her pay for it and then me pay her back when I get there.

I guess the solution is to just wait and see what happens, and if need be send the money by Western Union.

also my plans are to travel in about 6 weeks, I still need an invitation so I can apply for my Visa. Too late for my friend to get a notorized letter of invitation--this is also a 1st visit and a lot to ask from her before we even have met.

I know there are some sites on the internet that will get you your visa stamp even if you do not book a hotel and have an invitation (not sure if I have any links to sites like this saved on my puter?)

so this is another thing to have to think about

my biggest concern again, is how to broach the subject of finding an apartment with her help. Because she has already stated to me that the Hotel Omsk is very convenient, it is where she would like me to stay, and in her words to me on Sunday were......

"it is comfort for you (me) and easy walk for me (her), we can spend many, many hours (together) because so close to flat"

if I do not feel comfortable in coming across the correct way in talking to her about finding an apartment (fear--looking greedy or cheap, lacking in being a man by just taking care of things).

as you all know LDR can be very fragile and we really have only just begun communicating, one social FOPA could turn things south.

even though I do not want to spend money needlessly (I am a penny pincher, I get it honestly, my father was this way as well) I would much rather just spend the additional money for Hotel Omsk, then put additional concerns and worries in Miss Omsk of trying to find a different place for me to stay, beyond the usual worries a women would have when meeting a man for the first time. or possibly come off in a bad light, due to cultural or communication difficuties.

truly looking for help/suggestions or opinions on this matter

Chili,

I understand your concern as most any red-blooded male would but I think it may be misplaced. There is nothing wrong with asking your lady for some help or telling her that the hotel is more than you wished to pay. She might even appreciate that you asked for her help. The convenience of the hotel is fine but only if you are willing to pay for it. It's no reflection on you or your character if it is out of your budget at this juncture. Such a request by you of her could also be a test of her intentions and character.

$150 a night is expensive and might project the wrong image. Apartments are definitely the way to go and usually much more affordable. Hotels in Russia can be a bit "confining". The best way to approach it with her is I would think to be totally open and honest. You would like to spend as much time as possible with her and the hotel would limit that. Your hotel bill for one week is most likely more than she earns in a couple of months (but don't mention that).

No matter where you do eventually settle in, in all likelihood you won't be to far for her to visit. Pay for her cab or bus fare. I think the faux pas would be in not being honest rather than worrying about being the "man". I would think she knows you would be a stranger and unfamiliar in her town. She has already recognized you as the man, thus she wants you to visit. Forget the macho BS. The concerns on the forum about handling everything from cradle to grave on the man's visit are greatly over exaggerated as to importance of being Alpha male. Sure every woman loves when the man is the man but that has nothing to do with you needing some of her guidance.

Posted by: JohnnyLaRue

I don't know if I can be much help to this issue but when I visited my RW on the East Coast (for the first time) she had found the closest hotel near where she was staying. Unfortunately it was on the higher end and a chain I don't particularly care for.

I waffled and was on the fence about telling her and had found one cheaper (and nicer) about 5 minutes away from the one she found.

I ended up telling her and she was NOT upset and mentioned how it showed I was not reckless with money.

I understand the concern about coming across as cheap and I felt the same way but unless you are downgrading from a 5 star to half star place I don't see a major cause for concern. Besides you can make it up other ways as in taking her to a nice restaurant or something if you are still worried.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

I was under the impression (and so is my GF) that we can register the visa at the post office now and bypass the OVIR altogether. Are we both wrong on this or what?

Posted by: Sparky114

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

I was under the impression (and so is my GF) that we can register the visa at the post office now and bypass the OVIR altogether. Are we both wrong on this or what?

Hi Blu,

I am actually in Russia now, and to answer your question yes you can register in the Post Office no problem

it is what I have been doing for the last 6 or 7 visits here and is so much cheaper than doing it in OVIR it cost only about 300 Roubles

So there is no problem as long as one of you reads Russian as the form is all in Russian and the people in the Post Offices do not generally speak English

Hope this helps

Mark

Posted by: Spakoyna

Chilidog,I understand your reservations. Better to start early weaning a lady off the idea you are the rich American stereotype!

There are so many reasons an apartment is better(I am certain your lady probably understands this). I will admit my wife ran under the radar when she arranged for the apartment I rented.(Side stepped a real estate companies outragous commission) You also might ask your lady if she can book your hotel room for you. My 2nd trip to Novosibirsk she booked my hotel room. She got an equal or maybe a tad nicer room for $69!

Posted by: sidney

Chili, could you stay one night at the omsk hotel and do some looking for a better option when you're there.
I don't pay in advance for anything and usually get a better deal when a local is doing the dealing.
Sid

Posted by: clark

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidney

Chili, could you stay one night at the omsk hotel and do some looking for a better option when you're there.
I don't pay in advance for anything and usually get a better deal when a local is doing the dealing.
Sid

I have never paid in advance either even though I tried to. I was a bit baffled when one landlord didn't show up until 5 days later to collect the money I owed. In fact it wasn't even him who came to collect but a young hot Smokinova. He left the key with the transfer driver and the same driver collected the key on the way back to the airport. I never did meet him.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spakoyna

Chilidog,I understand your reservations. Better to start early weaning a lady off the idea you are the rich American stereotype!

Spakoyna,

I know that a local person will get a better rate with the hotel, but how does that workout with a hotel? if a local Russian arranges for a cheaper rate won't the hotel/apartment just change it back to a foriegners rate when I registar to stay in the room?

I've never done it this way

also I am never comfortable travelling without all accomodations booked and paid for in advance (even thr trips to Russia) don't know how comfortable I would be (worried/nerveous) to just book one day and then while on the ground try and scramble around to find a place to stay.

also not the lightest packer, and having to pick up all the luggage and move it a time or two while there just does not sound like fun, and takes away from the real reason for why I am there, I would think?

but good sugestions and food for thought.

Posted by: Chillidog

I emailed Miss Omsk tonight asking her thoughts about staying at an apartment, that the cost might be less and would allow me to visit longer.

I stated as long as we could find an apartment that is close and convienent like the Hotel Omsk is from her flat.

I will be talking with her on the telephone tomorrow night---Midnight my time, Noon Friday for her. We communicate decently but unless her niece is present (she is fluent in English) we struggle at times to get complicated thoughts understood

Looked at the link for the Marriage Agency in Omsk (that Vic2012 gave) they give an email address and state they can book apartments and site seeing tours (over and above just the internet dating thing) so I sent them off an email asking about apartments.

Hopefully will hear from them in the next day or two.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by clark

Clark,

Thanks, I understand what your saying about the macho BS. Not really doing it because "it is the mans job to do it" in a sense I am,

but a lot of it is because we have not met yet, and I feel a little uncomfortable in asking her to do something like this, if this was a second or third trip to see her, I would not hesitate in asking for her help, or help me in making arrangements (if it was the 2nd trip I would hope we would be staying together)

I have always been a person that does have a little trouble in asking for help from others (yes, a macho thing, I'm a man damn it I can do it!

I don't need any help

)

so it is something in me I need to try to change a little.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky114

Hi Blu,

I am actually in Russia now, and to answer your question yes you can register in the Post Office no problem

Helps out allot Sparky, thanks. Next question tho, I used a the same visa service as for my last trip. The invitation letter has the address of some hotel in Omsk and not my GF's address. When I go to resister the visa, what address do I put down, the hotels (which I am not staying at) or my GF's where I am actually staying?

Posted by: Buckeye5702

I used an agency for my invitation letter too BC and they listed a Hotel as well, but I put my MIL's address for my stay on my migration card and had no issues at all.

Tim

Posted by: Chillidog

I received a response to the email I sent to the marriage agency in Omsk (thanks to Vic2012 and his post and link in this thread) they responded back that they have an apartment in Omsk that is 'city center' and the cost is a savings over a hotel room 1900 Rubles compared to 3600 Rubles.

But cost of a room is not the only factor that needs to be taken into consideration.

1) the hotel cost includes a buffet breakfast (and for me this is important- 75% of the time at home this IS the only meal I eat in a day)

2) I do not know exactly where in city center the hotel is located, it may still not be walking distance to Miss Omks's flat, therefore taxi's and buses may be needed to get to and from her flat (an additional cost that needs to be factored in) so I have sent an email requesting an address of the apartment to see how close it compares to Miss Omsk's flat.

3) the reason and only reason I travel is to SPEND TIME WITH MISS OMSK, so this is my priority, any taxi travel to get to and from her apartment will take away from our time together. (granted this apartment maybe convenient and the taxi travel maybe be no more then the walk to the hotel so the taxi travel may not have any deterent to our time together)

4) staying at the apartment, I will need to register my Visa, so no matter how quickly during a day it takes to register my visa, this is an additional distraction that will take away from my time spent with Miss Omsk (even if she is with me during this whole process)

5) add these additional costs (if they pertain to this situation) to the apartment, breakfast every day $10-15 USD a day, Taxi fare at least 2 times a day $10-15 a day or more depending location, and the biggest possible cost--less time spent with Miss Omsk

so, after very little thinking on my part (because I feel this is a no brainer) I have come to this conclusion:

This is our FIRST meeting, nothing is more important than spending time with Miss Omsk and I travel to BE WITH Miss Omsk, nothing more nothing less, I will not let anything distract from this agenda.

if the apartment is as convenient as the hotel (in location to Miss Omsk's flat) then I would be a fool not to stay in this apartment, but if it takes time away from our meeting or adds outside distractions that Hotel Omsk does not, then Hotel Omsk is where I will stay, regardless of cost.

I spoke with a good friend today (friends to me are those who tell me when I am full of bullocks, and trust me I am full of bullocks very often) before I could even get the words out of my mouth, he stated "Why do you travel?" "Stay at whatever place that will give you the MOST time together, even if it is only an extra 5 minutes a day!"

Blucatz,

when you read this post, my plans are not confirmed yet, BUT no matter how long I stay we WILL hang out in Moscow together on September 15th and fly into Omsk together, may just not be able to stay until the 30th, looks at this time like I will travel back on the 25th

Posted by: Buckeye5704

Hey Bob,

Been wondering how things are going for you.

I can't remember (or find it) if you said you used a travel agency for your invitation. If you did then you can pay them to stand in line at the milititsia and register for passport for you. It cost me $45 and I came back the next business day to collect my migration card and other papers.

Posted by: Chillidog

Tim,

still working out the details of where I am staying, an apartment or the hotel.

Just recieved pics and address of the apartment on Monday, so emailed this info to Miss Omsk yesterday, for her to check to see how close and convenient it is to her flat. Presently it appears the Hotel is the front runner, and hope by the end of the week this will all be put to rest and I can in earnest start making all of the travel arrangements

Posted by: Chillidog

From the very begginning of my correspondence with Miss Omsk, in my emails I have always included not only my letter in English, but also through "Promt" have included a full Russian Translation. She is aware the translation is computer generated and may not give the proper feel of my words (I do back translate to make sure it comes across as close to my intent as possible)

so a couple of weeks ago I asked her if she needed both the English and Russian translation in the emails I send her or if she would prefer just the Russian translation?

My concern is the length of the letters (with both English and Russian included, most times the letters end up being 4 pages +) and her only having dial-up internet in her flat, and did not want to burden her with a lengthy down load time (I send my photos in a seperate email and also resize them, again to not burden her with download times)

Miss Omsk's reponse was, please continue to send both, she understands the translation is not by a professional, so if she is not sure of the translation, she has the original English letter she can refer to (also her niece has good knowledge of English)

she said she appreciates recieving both and the consideration on my part for providing her with both versions. She also stated sending the emails this way helps her in her understanding, and learning of English.

P.S.

any American members who CRINGE when they get there phone bill and see the additional charges for international calls, look into VONAGE, this is the phone service (VOIP) that I have as my only phone source. I talk to Miss Omsk 1-2 times a week for roughly 1 hour every time and the total cost of all of these phone calls to Omsk has been $0.00---- yes, that is correct.

I have been billed absoultely ZERO (they are included in my unlimted long distance minutes) for my calls over and above what the regular monthly phone rate is. The monthly phone bill is $32.39 ($24.99 plus taxes) a month where I live in Illinois

P.S.S. I have no stake or financial interest in VONAGE

Posted by: EasyTarget

CD: be careful about vonage, on the website they say the rate is between $0.07 and $0.12 a minute, depending on where you call and if it is a landline or mobile number. My guess is that you will get a big bill soon.

Well not too big. $0.07 a minute is the normal calling card rates. So you are most likely spending about $4 - $5 a phone call.

Posted by: vic2012

If its anything like 'Talk-Talk' here in the UK, you get everything included for a set price. for under $50 a month you get your line rental, ALL calls local, national and international (35 destinations, including Russia) 100 minutes to mobiles and fast broadband. Not bad.
I keep saying I am going to switch, but I haven't yet.

CD can you find out what is the nearest main road to Miss Omsk?

Posted by: JohnnyLaRue

www.ooma.com is new and I see it in the Best Buys out here in Cali.

Worth a look. I don't own one yet but my friend bought one and no complaints yet.

Posted by: vic2012

Guys, my trip to Omsk is off. looks like a winter trip yet again, in 2009.

My wife and son have been in Omsk for four days (of a month's holiday) and now she wants to come back home early next week
I was supposed to go out there for the last week of August, so that we could all come home together on the 31st. But as she will now have to go back to Omsk before the end of August and collect our 5 year old, who is staying for the whole month; it means that, I cant afford yet another round trip ticket for me to go as well.

Ah well! Another time.

BTW I suggested that our 5 year old could go on his own from Omsk to Moscow. But mum is having none of it. Says he still too young

Posted by: Sparky114

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

Guys, my trip to Omsk is off. looks like a winter trip yet again, in 2009.

My wife and son have been in Omsk for four days (of a month's holiday) and now she wants to come back home early next week
I was supposed to go out there for the last week of August, so that we could all come home together on the 31st. But as she will now have to go back to Omsk before the end of August and collect our 5 year old, who is staying for the whole month; it means that, I cant afford yet another round trip ticket for me to go as well.

Ah well! Another time.

BTW I suggested that our 5 year old could go on his own from Omsk to Moscow. But mum is having none of it. Says he still too young

Hi Vic

I am sorry to hear that you will not be going out this summer, and I am sure we all understand about the finances. It is not getting any cheaper and the prices change on a daily basis for the Airlines always up but never down

I hope there was not a bad reason for your wife having to return so early, but I am sure your son will enjoy his time there being spoilt by the family

Regards

Mark

Posted by: Buckeye5704

I signed up for http://www.internetcalls.com which was recomended here at RMP. I still have to send my 10 euro to the acct. but the trial 10min call to my mom in Maine was crystal clear. The only complaint I has so far is that they don't have an e-payment option. I need to send my payment by Western Union so we can make our calls.

Russia, FREE, Ukraine about $0.05/min. Irina has friends in Germany, UK and Australia and she can call them for free too. It's great that she can talk to her mom and niece/dochka for nothing whenever she wants.

Oh, PS my folks called us at mama's from Maine via Vonage for about $0.09/min.

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyTarget

CD: be careful about vonage, on the website they say the rate is between $0.07 and $0.12 a minute, depending on where you call and if it is a landline or mobile number. My guess is that you will get a big bill soon.

Well not too big. $0.07 a minute is the normal calling card rates. So you are most likely spending about $4 - $5 a phone call.

Easy,

yes, before I had been getting billed around $0.12-0.13 for my calls to Russia, for whatever reason this past month, they started being free included in the normal monthly billing (I can go on-line and check each and every call I recieve or make and if there is any additional charges associated with this call.

I was very surprised to see roughly my last 4-5 hours worth of conversations with Miss Omsk as free, the billing period for me ended on August 4 and was billed only my normal $24.99 plus taxes.

Vonage does state that you can call Ireland, England, France, Spain, Italy (may have the countries wrong) and I think a couple of other countries for free (no additional charges over the regular monthly bill)

so maybe they have included Russia now? or they are screwing-up (

) on my phone calls to Russia, either way right now I am VERY HAPPY

Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic2012

If its anything like 'Talk-Talk' here in the UK, you get everything included for a set price. for under $50 a month you get your line rental, ALL calls local, national and international (35 destinations, including Russia) 100 minutes to mobiles and fast broadband. Not bad.
I keep saying I am going to switch, but I haven't yet.

CD can you find out what is the nearest main road to Miss Omsk?

Hi Vic,

sorry to learn your trip is off. Like Sparky wrote I hope it was not cancelled due to some serious problems, and only that your wife is missing and wanting to return to the UK

regarding the main roads nearest to Miss Omsk's flat, I was given a good deal of help with this from Blucatz, he (thru his GF in Omsk) sent me via email a small map of Omsk it does not give street names, but

Blucatz's GF marked on the map where the apartment was that I had found (3.73 KM from Miss Omsk's flat---to walk about 1 hr 45 min, taxi ride roughly 20-30 min. Blucatz's GF also marked where the Hotel Omsk is, roughly just around the corner from Miss Omsk's flat, a 5 min walk.

unless Miss Omsk states (I will be talking with her in less than 1 hour) that the additional distance to the rental apartment will pose no problems, I have decided to just fork over the bucks and stay at the Hotel Omsk.

It is our first meeting, I want to keep any outside distractions to a minium and want to just concentrate on Miss Omsk, I think staying at the hotel will be benificial for this, and for this particular meeting

Posted by: vic2012

Hi CD

I should be flattered, she�s missing me. But then I know that, we have become really close over the last year.
Now we have the ironic situation of her being homesick for the UK!
However, she hasn�t got much to do there for a month, so I think skooka has something to do with it! (скука).
We live close to the beach which she loves and she also loves driving here and looks quite at home driving my big elderly BMW Tourer around. And, she mastered driving on the left very quickly. She never lets me drive these days, so I bet she�s missing that.

Anyway, it means that, for the first time, we will have a couple weeks solely to ourselves. And, to be honest, I�m quite happy that I�m not making the long haul down to Siberia again.

CD, I only stayed in a hotel once on one of these �visits� (in Kiev). But I found the room became quite claustrophobic after a while. I�ve stayed in apartments ever since. And although you say you don�t want distractions, I found it offered much greater freedom and flexibility. Especially in those first few days, when you are getting to know someone for the first time.

When I first went to visit V, I stayed in an apartment in the centre of Omsk. V lived up North (about 30 mins by taxi) and came to see me in the mornings and went home in the evenings. She really wanted to cook for me and knocked up some traditional dishes. Most of the time, we ate out. To be honest, I can�t imagine that first trip being played out of a hotel room!
BTW I�ve only travelled in Omsk when the roads have been impacted with ice. And it still only took 3 or 4 minutes for an Omsk taxi driver to do 3 kms!!! However, I am sure you can find an apartment nearer Miss Omsk, if you look around. Unfortunately, I have long since lost the contact, I used.

CD, I�ve attached a map of Omsk. You can find a slightly more user friendly version here. But you have to view it in pieces. The Omsk Hotel is exactly 3km from the Tourist Hotel and both