taxi in kiev

[payxibka 10,047]

Sergey, driver 011-39-067-158-00-60 Alla had to travel quite a bit for her business and had a bunch of numbers for private drivers in many cities. She could always get us a car in less than 15 minutes and for a good price. But this guy was her favorite. He is a very nice young man and would always help her with her bags.

Please verify 011-39-0 as Ukraine country code is 380 so shouldn't the number be 011-38-0....

[1HappyGuy 45]

If you can find a private party that can drive, you will generally do much better. They are happy for the opportunity to make pretty good money and you get usually good service. If you can, have your SO call a friend in Ukraine that can either recommend someone or arrange for someone to pick you up. The taxi's are getting more expensive each time we go back, darn inflation! Last I checked the dollar only bought 4.83 hrivna, by far the lowest I've seen.

You are right about talking, especially in the negotiation period. If they find out you are American, expect a 20% increase right off the bat. I always have my wife call the cabs and negotiate. But then, there seems to be a difference even in the hotels. They have their "international" rates and the "domestic" rates.

Regarding the difficulty of speaking languages, whoo, where do you start. I know that Americans don't seem to be very accomodating to foreigners. I've told my wife, its as if their ears close up once they hear your accent. I suspect it is because America is really a very isolated country. We have four neighbors: Canada (speak English), Mexico ($peak Engli$h), the Atlantic and Pacific (don't speak at all).

I have noticed that in most countries, if you make an attempt to speak their language, they generally are much more helpful to you. Of course, there are those countries where just being an American can be a problem.

[nyhazmat 2]

If you can find a private party that can drive, you will generally do much better. They are happy for the opportunity to make pretty good money and you get usually good service. If you can, have your SO call a friend in Ukraine that can either recommend someone or arrange for someone to pick you up. The taxi's are getting more expensive each time we go back, darn inflation! Last I checked the dollar only bought 4.83 hrivna, by far the lowest I've seen.

You are right about talking, especially in the negotiation period. If they find out you are American, expect a 20% increase right off the bat. I always have my wife call the cabs and negotiate. But then, there seems to be a difference even in the hotels. They have their "international" rates and the "domestic" rates.

Regarding the difficulty of speaking languages, whoo, where do you start. I know that Americans don't seem to be very accomodating to foreigners. I've told my wife, its as if their ears close up once they hear your accent. I suspect it is because America is really a very isolated country. We have four neighbors: Canada (speak English), Mexico ($peak Engli$h), the Atlantic and Pacific (don't speak at all).

I have noticed that in most countries, if you make an attempt to speak their language, they generally are much more helpful to you. Of course, there are those countries where just being an American can be a problem.

I would agree on all counts. My wife does the negotiating and I somewhat play the part of the the 'sluggish' uncle, i.e. just sit there like a bump on a log. When I do use the Russian that I know they enjoy listening and appreciate the effort. As far as Americans not being accomidating, amen! That is an understatement. I think those are some of the reasons that I enjoy my visits there. That and the different speed of life.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I agree as well, and never fail to enjoy the legendary hospitality of any country in Eastern Europe that I have visited. Normally my SO negotiates everything in advance of the vendor hearing my voice. Even when my friend's wife had a family friend take us from Odessa to Kherson - he charged me about double the going rate. Vita was furious. Another example of the price going up when an American is involved. I was able to tell my friends and SO that "this is often what it is like for Americans who travel". So maybe the lack of flexible prices for everything is our version of hospitality, or at least as close as we can come Otherwise, Eastern Europe really puts us to shame in that regard.

[payxibka 10,047]

Last I checked the dollar only bought 4.83 hrivna, by far the lowest I've seen.

OMG, when was the last time you were in Ukraine... Just a little more than a month ago I saw 4.50 on the buy up to 4.60 on the sell ..... I saw 4.20 at the train station but that was a outlier.

Privat Bank is advertising 4.74 - 4.80 today with the official rate at 4.725

[1HappyGuy 45]

I just checked a web site I use to keep up with the news. The rate on their site is 4.8514. I think that's pretty average for now.

[payxibka 10,047]

I just checked a web site I use to keep up with the news. The rate on their site is 4.8514. I think that's pretty average for now.

Like I said... it has recovered but look at the trend line

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?...;submit=Convert

[nyhazmat 2]

I was also there last month, 4.53 was the best that I got. Of course it starts a recovery right after we leave...

[payxibka 10,047]

I was also there last month, 4.53 was the best that I got. Of course it starts a recovery right after we leave...

We have got money currently in dollars ready to move to Ukraine as soon as the exchange rate is more favorable.

Edited September 10, 2008 by fwaguy

[Brad and Vika 129]

I was also there last month, 4.53 was the best that I got. Of course it starts a recovery right after we leave...

We have got money currently in dollars ready to move to Ukraine as soon as the exchange rate is more favorable.

Do you really want to do currency arbitrage in Ukraine? Really?

[nyhazmat 2]

The only money that we have right now is getting ready to move as a down payment on a house... Though taking some retirement funds and playing might not be a bad deal.

[Brad and Vika 129]

The only money that we have right now is getting ready to move as a down payment on a house... Though taking some retirement funds and playing might not be a bad deal.

Because in uncertain or unstable times, the world flies toward the safety of the hrvna. Each to his own, and good luck to all.

[payxibka 10,047]

I was also there last month, 4.53 was the best that I got. Of course it starts a recovery right after we leave...

We have got money currently in dollars ready to move to Ukraine as soon as the exchange rate is more favorable.

Do you really want to do currency arbitrage in Ukraine? Really?

No, but we will be buying a vacation/retirement flat, so we have a need to move money across and will do so at opportune times.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I was also there last month, 4.53 was the best that I got. Of course it starts a recovery right after we leave...

We have got money currently in dollars ready to move to Ukraine as soon as the exchange rate is more favorable.

Do you really want to do currency arbitrage in Ukraine? Really?

No, but we will be buying a vacation/retirement flat, so we have a need to move money across and will do so at opportune times.

Makes sense. Did you sell your old place in Kherson?

[payxibka 10,047]

I was also there last month, 4.53 was the best that I got. Of course it starts a recovery right after we leave...

We have got money currently in dollars ready to move to Ukraine as soon as the exchange rate is more favorable.

Do you really want to do currency arbitrage in Ukraine? Really?

No, but we will be buying a vacation/retirement flat, so we have a need to move money across and will do so at opportune times.

Makes sense. Did you sell your old place in Kherson?

We sold the "business" but not the flat yet....