Lena is slowly buying presents/ gifts for her family for our trip to Belarus in Sept. - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Lena is slowly buying presents/ gifts for her family for our trip to Belarus in Sept.
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Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Everyone,

Lena and I are planning our trip to Belarus (which is in less than 2 months), and Lena is slowly thinking about and purchasing gifts for her family.

So far, we have purchased:

1) 4 walkie talkies for Lena's dad (with a range of 6 miles (9.6 kilometers)

2) Tommy Cologne for Lena's dad (he liked the Tommy that I brought when I first came to visit in the summer of 2002, and I left it with him).

3) a BIG bottle of Jack Daniels for Lena's dad (as well as many small bottles of different kinds of alcohol)

4) a nice purse for one of Lena's best friends

5) a DVD player for Lena's parent's computer so that they can watch DVD movies and DVD's of personal videos that I burn for them.

6) a webcam and various software for Lena's parent's computer

7) lipstick and other makeup for Lena's family and friends.

8) and other various things that I can't remember right now

We are planning to buy and bring with us:

1) a digital camera for Lena's parents

2) perfume and other things for Lena's mom

3) perhaps some good leather shoes (shoes are expensive in Mogilev)

4) more perfumes, etc...

5) more alcohol for Lena's dad (my father want me to bring Lena's dad some very good high quality whiskey as well as a very good American vodka).

6) and other things that Lena is thinking of and that we will buy

I thought that I would share with you some of our gift ideas so that you might get some ideas when you visit Russia...

Khashyar

Posted by: Jerico

Khashyar,
You forgot to list the kitchen sink you are taking with you.

Just Kidding ,of course.
Sounds like you will have to pack an extra bag with you to carry all that stuff.
Jerry

Posted by: Khashyar

Yea... I'm also bringing an extra desktop computer with me (without the monitor)... That counts for a piece of luggage all by itself...

Let me add that Lena went to Victoria Secret today and bought 7 perfumes and cremes as misc. gifts

Khashyar

Posted by: Eryk

>>1) 4 walkie talkies for Lena's dad (with a range of 6 miles (9.6 >>kilometers)

Be aware that the FRS frequency walkie talkies (462 and 467 MHz) commonly found in the USA are not legal for use in Belarus (or anywhere else in Europe for that matter). Same goes for the older 27 MHz band ('CB' band).

>>5) a DVD player for Lena's parent's computer so that they can >>watch DVD movies and DVD's of personal videos that I burn for >>them.

>>6) a webcam and various software for Lena's parent's >>computer

If you are getting close to your baggage limits then these sort of devices are easily available locally for not that much more than you'd pay over there. Example:

http://alderamin.shop.by/153.html

>>5) more alcohol for Lena's dad (my father want me to bring >>Lena's dad some very good high quality whiskey as well as a >>very good American vodka).

You can only import 1 Litre of alcohol 'duty free' ...above that you'll end up paying customs duties.

Eryk

Posted by: ConnerVT

I wont question any of your decisions on the things you are bringing with you. But it is interesting to see the comparisons between items chosen to bring to Belarus vs. Russia.

You may have some issues with the radios. I know that they would certainly raise a few flags at Russian Customs, as well as guarantee that the US TSA will open and inspect your bags several times.

Shoes? My wife is a professional shoe shopper.

Her #1 comment is that there are relatively few quality shoes available in the US, compared to Russia. After shopping for shoes for both of us for our wedding, I must agree with her. It's amazing the amount of low quality product flowing in from China.

Quality American Vodka? Didn't know the stuff exists.

It does sound like Lena's dad and his friends will have a good time...

Posted by: Castlestormer

You guys can come visit me in Texas any time you like!!!!!!!

Posted by: rtking

Hmmm... I don't know if I've found a good American Vodka yet. But I've found some fantastic vodkas from Czech Republic, Poland and Netherlands. Maybe those would be good choices?

I have to admit that I was going to travel light...but I think I'll be bringing a roller suitcase for stuff to give away when I visit...

Bob

Posted by: Khashyar

hi guys...

I started a new thread about importing 2-way radios, cb radios, and walkie talkies to Russia:

http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...p?threadid=2624

(Let's continue that discussion seperately there so others can more easily find it if they need to).

Khashyar

Posted by: Khashyar

Regarding the vodka...

my dad (who is Persian and grew up in a culture of drinking vodka because northern Iran was very influenced by Russian culture) is a vodka and whiskey connoisseur

.....and he actually recommended a couple of whiskey's and a good American vodka that I should buy for Lena's dad:

1) The vodka he recommended is called "Liquid Ice" and is made in Idaho. He said a good price for it is about $25 per bottle.

2) The first whiskey is "Blanton Single Barrel" (my dad said a good price is about $28.00 per bottle)

3) The second whiskey my dad wanted me to buy for Lena's dad is called Bookers Noe (a good price is about $40).

My dad definitely knows his stuff, so you might want to try the "Liquid Ice."

I think that Lena's dad will be happy to drink anything but the basic store vodka that he can normally afford, especially if it comes from the U.S. from his daughter and son-in-law

Khashyar

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Eryk...

I was just reading about the Customs Import regulations on the Belarus Foreign Ministry site, and they said that each person can import 3 litres of alcohol without paying a duty:

Quote:

"Following items may be brought to Belarus without paying customs duties:"

...no more than 3 liters (about 5,25 pints) of alcohol beverages per person, that has reached the age of 18;"

I posted the Customs regulations from the Foreign Ministry's site here:

http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...?&threadid=2629

I think that I will open up a new thread (in the travel section) about how much alcohol a person can bring into Russia, Ukraine and Belarus... That thread is here: http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...p?threadid=2630 (Let's continue to alcohol importation discussion there....)

Khashyar

Posted by: Eryk

Quote:

Originally posted by Khashyar
I was just reading about the Customs Import regulations on the Belarus Foreign Ministry site, and they said that each person can import 3 litres of alcohol without paying a duty:

They changed the rules from 1st. July. You know what web updating is like over there ...the site will probably catch up by 2010

According to the MFA the new limit is 1L.

There are a bunch of brand new duties and rules in there as well ...I'm getting the full details tomorrow, hopefully.

Eryk

Posted by: sleepisdreamier

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khashyar

I'm also bringing an extra desktop computer with me (without the monitor)... That counts for a piece of luggage all by itself...

Hello! I'm traveling to Moscow at the beginning of next month and I was thinking of taking my desktop computer minus the bulky monitor, of course. I have a few questions:

1. How much of a hassle was taking the computer? Did customs inspect, it, ect. Do you think I could have problems or have to pay taxes on it?

2. How did you pack it, exactly?

3. Do you think it's a good idea for me to take my computer? (The major reason that I want to take it is for acess to music, Russian language mp3 and other language learning software and so that I can write papers.)

4. Did you insure your computer? If yes, with which company?