Favorite Pictures in Russia

[eekee 182]

My mom's parents immigrated from Czarist Byelorussia in (grandfather 1910 & grandmother 1913). I have relatives in Belarus (Byelorussia) and in Russia. I took my first trip to Belarus in 1993 to meet my relatives there and since then have been able to travel to Moscow and St. Petersburg to meet my relatives there as well. I met my wife in Belarus on one of my trips there. Here are a few of my many photos taken on my trips.

i'm belarusian too, although my family came to the us much later (1950). i want to visit my relatives as well, although i hear getting a belarusian visa in russia is much easier than in the us...

Visas to visit Belarus are always a pain in the a$$ due to the registration requirements. My cousin Igor always got me business visas to go to Belarus. He would then get me registration documents at a hostel, but I never stayed there. I would just stay at my relative's homes.

Travel between Russia and Belarus can be tricky for US citizens. Russians and Belarusians do not need visas to travel between their countries. For an American to get all the proper visas, registrations, and insurance to travel back and forth between Belarus and Russia and to stay with relatives in their homes in both countries is impossibly complex. I did it in 1995 and 2002, but cut enough corners to have been in deep sh*t if anyone would have scrutinized me. Travel by train is a lot more lax than going through the international POE terminals in Minsk or Moscow. They didn't even charge me the higher "foreigner" fare because my Belarusian relatives bought the train tickets.

The funny thing is that I always jump through hoops to make sure I have all the proper required documentation (visa stamps, registrations, insurance, customs forms, etc.) when I depart through the Minsk airport, but none of the Belarusian militia ever want to see it. I seem to get more sh*t entering Belarus than leaving to go home to the USA at their airport.

The fact is that Russia and Belarus have a lot of restrictions on foreign travelers. Complex travel itineraries should probably be done by a local Russian or Belarusian travel agency. It would save you a lot of grief and give you peace of mind.

well hopefully by the time i get to go to belarus i will have a multi-entry russian working visa, which should make it easier in terms of crossing the border.

i just have read about how hard it is to get a belarusian visa in the us... i've read horror stories about the consulate stealing passports and etc.

[KGSodie 0]

Lots of excellent photos and stories everyone, thanks!

[peejay 327]

Loved the pics Peejay! Keep 'em coming if you have more!

Peejay and wife (Al) - Minsk, Belarus 2003

Cousin Elena's husband (Evgenny) - Baranovichi, Belarus 2003

Wheat Field - Belarus 2002

Peejay with cousins Marina & Natasha - Slutsk, Belarus

Cousin Ann at Peterhof Museum - St. Petersburg, Russia 2002

Savior on the Blood Orthodox Church - St. Petersburg, Russia 2002

St. Petersburg, Russia 2002

Red Square - Moscow, Russia 2002

Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil's Church - Moscow, Russia 2002

Peejay, cousin Oleg and family - Ozeretskoe, Russia 2002

[Danno 1,228]

Great pics PeeJay, the colors in the wall rug were kinda unique, those blues.

Anyone know the history of hanging Rugs on the wall?

[Minya's wife 24]

Great pics PeeJay, the colors in the wall rug were kinda unique, those blues.

Anyone know the history of hanging Rugs on the wall?

Not sure about history, but they do serve to provide insulation.

-P

[mox 298]

Pretty sure they're just ornamental in nature, plus yeah they probably do a lot to keep out the cold and probably provide a degree of privacy in more cramped quarters.

[slim 1,523]

My wife was shocked when she came here and the rugs were so expensive. I, being a young bachelor guy, had no rugs on my walls so one of the first things she wanted to do to the apartment was hang some rugs. We looked for some and the cheapest ones we could find were around $100 each. Needless to say we don't have any rugs on our walls.

We do, however, have some blankets hanging up.

[Buck and Natalia 0]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5975

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5976

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5980

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5979

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5977

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5978

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5983

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5982

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ost&id=5981

Edited January 29, 2008 by Buck and Natalia

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I don't know why, but I really enjoyed the photo of you two holding the crossed pool cues in front of the painting. Must be the cool juxtaposition.

[mox 298]

I don't know why, but I really enjoyed the photo of you two holding the crossed pool cues in front of the painting. Must be the cool juxtaposition.

Have to agree, I like that one a lot.

Reminds me of when we went to play the crazy Russian version of billiards. Had no idea until 1/2 way through the game that the pockets were smaller. Hadn't sunk a single one, and I was thinking "I mean...I'm drunk, but not *that* drunk!"

[Chuckles 0]

I can sum up the night I tried to teach my wife pool, in the bar, in one phrase I repeated over and over...

"NO HIT THE WHITE BALL !!"

[mox 298]

Here's the happy couple in a bronze replica of Catherine The Great's carriage in Jeffrey's old stomping grounds, Kazan. I'm told it's a popular prop for wedding pics.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Kirk, you are making me second home sick!

Would you believe Alla & I have never had a photo taken together on that carriage? Probably becasue we walked by it, seriously, over 100 times!

Hey, love Nadya's jacket and matching shoes!

Here's the happy couple in a bronze replica of Catherine The Great's carriage in Jeffrey's old stomping grounds, Kazan. I'm told it's a popular prop for wedding pics.

[Bobalouie 0]

I cant see the picture mox!!!

[mox 298]

I cant see the picture mox!!!

Hmm...maybe Flickr was down for maintenance this morning? Can you see it now?