Best, Worst, Most unexpected thing about FSU

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Are you even allowed to have a gun on a gunrack in your car anymore? Last I had heard about that was when they restricted it in Texas. I guess I just figured that if Texas was going to ban it, there was nowhere left.

Of course. The majority of states allow it. I Have not heard Texas changed anything. Vermont has no restrictions whatever on the carrying of firearms, open or concealed

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I was on a diverted plane that landed in Moskow about a decade ago. The airline had a smaller plane that was flying out of Moskow to Munich the next morning for the important people. The rest of us plebes were relegated to waiting. Two days I got to spend in Moskow, with no preparation or resources to research, I literally was just walking around blindly. I would like to go back and visit some day, but I get the impression, and I think you two have just confirmed for me that it would be best to visit with someone who is knowledgeable about the area.

How pervassive is bribery there? I have visited countries where there was obvious solicitations of a bribe, but you could get around without paying it. It seems like from what I have read here that you really need to if you want to get things done.

How did you visit Moscow (not Moskow) without a visa? we would all like to know. Maybe you bribed someone?

Edited March 10, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Just curious - where were flying from that you were diverted to Moscow? And how in the world did you get through passport control without a visa?

Busted. He didn't. It is BS just like Capn Hammers "wife".

FYI Alla is curious also. How much did you bribe them, maybe it is cheaper than a visa.

Edited March 10, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Long story short, I did have a visa to go to Russia. I was on a 2 month trip with a group of friends and we had planned on going to Moskow for a couple of days before heading to Istambul. Things got crazy in Germany and Poland and we decided to go to Bucharest instead of Moskow as we had wasted too much time elsewhere.

Who invited you? You have to have an invitation for a Russian visa. Throw out enough city names to muddy the BS. Germany, Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey. Maybe Bangledesh? No way you to Russia without an invitation in advance. The visas are expensive for a two day trip. I call BS Post a copy of your passport stamp and something to prove it is your passport.

Long story short, I did have a visa to go to Russia. I was on a 2 month trip with a group of friends and we had planned on going to Moskow for a couple of days before heading to Istambul. Things got crazy in Germany and Poland and we decided to go to Bucharest instead of Moskow as we had wasted too much time elsewhere.

Long story short.

[Krikit 1,164]

Following up on Brad's warnings that those making provocative posts will be thread-banned..... one person has been thread-banned. Please keep things civil. Thank you.

[eekee 182]

Msybe you can get a transit visa is an emergency.

Edited March 10, 2011 by eekee

[james&olya 1,121]

Msybe you can get a transit visa is an emergency.

But he didn't think of this dodge. His story seems to be morphing as he realizes it doesn't fit the realities of travel to russia. Having been there several times myself I was highly suspicious of his claims. Before I ever traveled there I might have thought their visas would be like ours, that it is for entry anytime over a certain extended period that could be used whenever during that time you wanted. People are invariably surprised when I describe the steps involved in planning a trip there, getting hotel and airline reservations, then an 'invitation', lining up an insurance policy, and only then sending in my passport with the application for the visa and the appropriate fees. Spur of the moment travel there is not something I have figured out how to do yet. Is there a way it is possible without being a Russian citizen? Maybe with a business visa?

[eekee 182]

You can get a multi-entry business visa for a year, yes.

[ONA 133]

But he didn't think of this dodge. His story seems to be morphing as he realizes it doesn't fit the realities of travel to russia. Having been there several times myself I was highly suspicious of his claims. Before I ever traveled there I might have thought their visas would be like ours, that it is for entry anytime over a certain extended period that could be used whenever during that time you wanted. People are invariably surprised when I describe the steps involved in planning a trip there, getting hotel and airline reservations, then an 'invitation', lining up an insurance policy, and only then sending in my passport with the application for the visa and the appropriate fees.

Are you kidding me? Now I'm surprised You found the most complicated way to get a Russian visa, really. All my fiance would do was just go on travisarussia.com, fill out the application visa form, fill out an additional form to get an invitation from them and then just send his passport and pay the money. All of that won't take longer than 1 hour. And he's been to Russia several times now, so I know for sure, he's telling the truth

It's more complicated to get a homestay visa, but why you would even go for it, planning a short trip to Russia, when travel visa is that easy?

[james&olya 1,121]

Are you kidding me? Now I'm surprised You found the most complicated way to get a Russian visa, really. All my fiance would do was just go on travisarussia.com, fill out the application visa form, fill out an additional form to get an invitation from them and then just send his passport and pay the money. All of that won't take longer than 1 hour. And he's been to Russia several times now, so I know for sure, he's telling the truth

It's more complicated to get a homestay visa, but why you would even go for it, planning a short trip to Russia, when travel visa is that easy?

I used Travisa also. They require you to have already arranged hotel reservations and an insurance policy before getting the 'invitation'. I found the 'invitation' cheaper from the place I rented an apartment the last time but it is convenient having Travisa able to do that. I am getting quicker with all of it but it still takes way more than an hour to get plans in place for a trip! Maybe it would be faster if my fiancee was able to make the lodging reservations for me. And I am always looking for good prices too. If I just took the first airline fare I saw and the first hotel it would be faster too. I also have to make a trip to a place that has the overnight express mail service that Travisa wants that we use. It would be great if Russia made these visas simpler or even waived them for US citizens like in Ukraine!

[ONA 133]

I used Travisa also. They require you to have already arranged hotel reservations and an insurance policy before getting the 'invitation'.

No they don't. They really don't, cause my fiance never did any of that.

If you would like Travisa to obtain the voucher and confirmation for you, you can place an order by including the Russia Tourist Voucher/Confirmation Order Form along with the visa application materials. The number of entries permitted and validity of the visa will depend on the number of entries and dates specified on the Tourist Voucher and Confirmation.

That's what it says on their website and that's the only thing he did - just fill out an extra form: no reservations, and i never ever heard anything from him about the insurance (what's up with that?) and every time he was filling out the visa application in front of me, while we were talking on skype, so he would have said something.

I found the 'invitation' cheaper from the place I rented an apartment the last time but it is convenient having Travisa able to do that. I am getting quicker with all of it but it still takes way more than an hour to get plans in place for a trip! Maybe it would be faster if my fiancee was able to make the lodging reservations for me.

Well, maybe it is a lot easier for us, cause my fiance stays at my place every time he comes, so we never have to do any reservations.

It would be great if Russia made these visas simpler or even waived them for US citizens like in Ukraine!

Yeah, Russia is not going to do that.

[james&olya 1,121]

No they don't. They really don't, cause my fiance never did any of that.

That's what it says on their website and that's the only thing he did - just fill out an extra form: no reservations, and i never ever heard anything from him about the insurance (what's up with that?) and every time he was filling out the visa application in front of me, while we were talking on skype, so he would have said something.

Well, maybe it is a lot easier for us, cause my fiance stays at my place every time he comes, so we never have to do any reservations.

Yeah, Russia is not going to do that.

So does he do a homestay visa or a tourist visa? Maybe I am doing it wrong but I am just trying to do it as they explain on their instructions for tourist visas. I wondered if I could get away without buying the health insurance policy. The hotel reservations also I found out on my first visit can be changed afterward with no hassles. Still, why can't they relax at least a little with all the restrictions, especially with Putin talking to Biden about eliminating the visa requirements completely. (Which the US is unlikely to do considering the relative economic disparities for the average citizens)

[eekee 182]

Yeah, I've never bought insurance or stayed in a hotel.

[ONA 133]

So does he do a homestay visa or a tourist visa? Maybe I am doing it wrong but I am just trying to do it as they explain on their instructions for tourist visas. I wondered if I could get away without buying the health insurance policy. The hotel reservations also I found out on my first visit can be changed afterward with no hassles. Still, why can't they relax at least a little with all the restrictions, especially with Putin talking to Biden about eliminating the visa requirements completely. (Which the US is unlikely to do considering the relative economic disparities for the average citizens)

He does a tourist visa. As for the hotel - they require a voucher, but I've never seen them requiring an actual reservation.

I've never seen any information about getting insurance to obtain visa either. And I was the one in charge of finding out all the information about getting a Russian visa, so I looked through different websites, including the embassy website.

[eekee 182]

I think the whole insurance thing is to make sure that the person visiting has enough money to cover medical care, and I guess they assume that someone from America who has enough money to go to Russia has enough money to cover medical costs.