Trip to Yekaterinburg - 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

Trip to Yekaterinburg
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: smoke20

Hey guys,
Any advice you can give me for my first trip to Russia would
be greatly appreciated! Here's a little background info in case
you need it! My RW and myself have been corresponding for
a little over 4 months. I have sent her flowers and a package
so I know she's legit. There have been no red flags (asking
for money, "love" letters, etc.). She lives in Yekaterinburg and
about the only thing I know I definitely need is a passport
and a Russian travel visa. I also read that I'll need to have an
"Invitation letter"?!? We just started talking about me visiting
her so I just want to make sure I don't miss anything!!!

-Smoke20

Posted by: Raspberry

The "invitation letter" is needed only if you are staying in someone's home, or some kind of facility other than a hotel. If you are staying in a hotel, the proof that you are staying at a hotel will be enough----but must be given to the embassy/consulate before getting the visa. Usually the hotel or travel agency sends a fax.

And, like some other FSU cities, if you wish not to have to transit Moscow, there is a Lufthansa flight that goes direct to Yekaterinberg from Frankfurt.
However, a few things on that.....flight doesn't operate every day.....it also may be more expensive, but you also figure if it's worthwhile for that convenience.....however, if you have accumulated miles on United, US Airways or Air Canada, you can get a freebie on Lufthansa.

Posted by: Brad-in-Minn

I traveled to Ukraine in January and will be visiting Yakaterinbug in May. Be sure to register you Visa when you arrive in Yakaterinburg. If you do not, you may find it very difficult to leave Russia.

Posted by: RBS

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoke20

Hey guys,
Any advice you can give me for my first trip to Russia would
be greatly appreciated! Here's a little background info in case
you need it! My RW and myself have been corresponding for
a little over 4 months. I have sent her flowers and a package
so I know she's legit. There have been no red flags (asking
for money, "love" letters, etc.). She lives in Yekaterinburg and
about the only thing I know I definitely need is a passport
and a Russian travel visa. I also read that I'll need to have an
"Invitation letter"?!? We just started talking about me visiting
her so I just want to make sure I don't miss anything!!!

-Smoke20

Smoke 20,

Don't be surprised if your come to the airport and no one turns up. Have a backup plan so that you are not emotionally devastated as so many men have been who have undertaken venture such as yours. And dude, you have not idea if "she" is legit or even if it is a she. And did it ever strike you that if a scammer wanted to do a proper number on an American dupe he would read this forum to see what people think are red flags? Man, you could be corresponding with a teenage boy who wants to frig you up. And please, please be careful. Yekaterinburg is one of the most dangerous towns in the FSU.

Gib

Posted by: so cal rick

Smoke 20, .... small world, my girl lives in Ekaterinburg, I was there for a week in May of 05, she just left here, visited me in calif for two weeks in Feb.

Might I recommend Ekaterinburg travel (google). Mr. Alexander Korjev runs the outfit, and does a first class job at it. Provided me with apartment, and transport to and from aeroport. All at reasonable cost. He's also good at gifts.

I arranged to have my girl to be picked up and to meet me at aeroport.

Ekaterinburg is easy town to get around buses, subway, trolley. A good meal will cost from $20 to $40

the beer is fantastic.

Mind your P's and Q's If you like opera and ballet, they have nice theater..
I had no troubles, Yeah you need to register when you arrive, Alexander can take care of all that, Also he provides letter of introduction.

Need to get visa from russian consulate nearest you.

maybe take 300 to 500 dollars in rubles the stuff lasts a long time.

feel free to contact me if you want more info

So Cal Rick

Posted by: smoke20

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBS

RBS- yeah, you are right that I will not fully know whether or not she's
a scammer until we meet in person, maybe not even then. Here's a little
info to "clue" you in why I feel she's legit (at this point in time). 1)We have
been corresponding for a little over 4 months- most scammers won't stick around that long. 2)I sent her flowers for Womens Day with photo proof
of the delivery plus I sent a package to her work address ( I actually got
that address off the internet when I did a google search on the model
agency she works for) without her knowing I was sending her the package
there and she emailed me back pictures of her wearing the tshirt and hat
I sent her that same day. 3) she has NEVER asked for money at any time
4) we have talked on the phone quite a bit (able to call her at any time
without her knowing when i would be calling. 5) she has ALWAYS answered
all my questions in emails/phone conversations without delay.6) she is
setting up an apt for me to stay in through the model agency she works
for and is providing me with the invitation letter. I even told her I could send her the money for the apartment ahead of time and her response was that I should just pay the model agency she works for in cash when I arrive in Ekaterinburg (i would think if she were a scammer, that would be a perfect opportunity to get the $350 USD from me without even meeting!!
One last thing...do you have any personal knowledge that Ekaterinburg
is sooo dangerous? i have talked with several people that have gone there
with no problems (I also noticed by your personal profile that you have
never even been in Russia so how would you know this of Ekaterinburg?)
Just asking because I would like to know if you have personal knowledge of the safety of Ekaterinburg or if it comes from actual events, news,etc.
Smoke20

Posted by: swindoom

My wife says Ekaterinburg is a fairly dangerous place as criminals understand many people will be visiting either the US or UK or Polish consulates for visa's and will be carrying cash to pay for their visa application, sometimes alot of cash.

Posted by: Turboguy

I was there a long, long time ago. I really liked it there. I plan to be back in June for the first time in 8 years.

Under the circumstances you are describing the chances of your gal not showing up are between slim and none. She will be there. I have met a ton of gals from the FSU. I have even sent travel money to gals I have never met (my suggestion, not theirs) but only if we had been corresponding for a long time and have yet to have one not show up.

Have a good time and don't worry about things. The easiest thing on the visa is to find a good agency to handle it for you. The one I use is www.russia-visa.com you can track the progress online. It will run you about $ 160.00 I believe it is. I have used them about 8 times. I have referred some friends to them that have had good luck and the only time I know there was a problem was when FedEx goofed and sent the visa for a friend to wrong distribution center and they got on the phone and made sure that he had it in time for his trip. (he had to pick it up at fedex to make it)

Have fun and tell us about the engagement when you get back