Your experience in E. Europe or Russia

[abella 13]

As we wait here for this long and tedious process, maybe you want to share your trip or trips experience in E. Europe.

I myself have been there 3 times. It's always been a very cool experience.

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

My fiancé and I last visited Turkey in March. It was such a culture shock! But it was quite amazing. The food was delicious and the history was rich. I can't wait to go back! I'm heading over to Russia next month as long as I get a visa. Can't wait for that, either! I'm excited to see Sochi and Abkhazia!

[TheFoxxy 76]

Flew to Moscow and then to Astrakhan last summer to meet Diana for the first time. I had not left the United States before besides going to Nassau in the Bahamas back in 2002.

When I arrived in Astrakhan my luggage didn't make it with me. I was very tired and jet lagged, plus in huge disarray of being on the other side of the planet. My iPhone fell out of my pocket in the taxi and then Diana ran off to her home to get the phone number of lost baggage in Moscow Domodedovo.

So i was sitting alone in a rented flat with no luggage and no cell phone. It was probably the single most terrifying moment of my life. I hear a knock on the door and for sure thought this is when im kidnapped and my kidneys are taken. It was a pizza guy, Diana ordered a pizza unknowingly to me. She soon came back, we called the taxi and they brought my phone back thankfully and eventually when i flew back through Moscow I was able to locate my luggage.

It was quite the adventure. I can honestly say i will never experience the same thing as i did again. It was such a culture shock to be in another country on the other side of earth where no one spoke english for the most part. I always urge anyone to have this experience, im grateful i did it!

Edited August 5, 2014 by TheFoxxy

[Texasav8r 183]

I have been to the FSU 5 times now and each was a unique and interesting experience. My first 2 trips were to Ukraine where I visited Kiev, Sumy and Poltava. I rented a car both trips and will never do so again. All I can say is thank God for GPS or I would have been in a world of hurt with no English to be found anywhere. That and the drivers and roads are horrible. One trip was in January of 2012 which was one of the coldest winters on record. Brrrrr.

My next 3 trips were to Russia. First trip was St. Petersburg during White Nights. That is one incredibly beautiful city with a vast amount of history and culture (the Venice of Russia). Very European and not so much traditional Russian. Moscow was the second trip (New Years in Red Square) and a swim in the ice covered lake for Christmas (Jan 7th)..holy ####### was that cold (water was 37deg F)!!! and then Kazan for the most recent trip this Spring. I was most impressed by the public transportation in all 3 cities. The metro is beautiful and quite efficient. The museums, galleries and theaters are very impressive also. The country loves the arts and history and it really shows.

It wasn't much of a culture shock for me as I have traveled all over the world and been to very poor 3rd world countries such as Philippines, Kenya, Thailand, Brazil, Jamaica and others. Russia may be second world compared to the US and most of Europe but it resembles the modern world in most respects, especially in the larger cities. The one thing that took some getting used to was very little English being spoken by anyone and the behavior of most people. Very rude by western standards but they get along just fine. When you are in the circle, you will be treated better than anywhere else on the planet. I love that about the them.

I will be going back and meeting Tanya and a bunch of relatives from all over the country (mostly from Tatarstan and Bashkortostan Oblasts) when her Visa finally gets approved. They all want to see her before she leaves and see me before I take her away . I will then escort her to her new home.

We will take about 3 weeks next year to go have a traditional wedding ceremony and drive all over the western half of the country to see all the relatives so she can introduce her husband to them. I am really looking forward to that...especially having a native Russian speaker in the car to tell the cops to get screwed when they demand bribes lol. Good times.

P.S. Meghan...glad to see you guys worked it out. Happy for you.

Edited August 5, 2014 by Texasav8r

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

I have been to the FSU 5 times now and each was a unique and interesting experience. My first 2 trips were to Ukraine where I visited Kiev, Sumy and Poltava. I rented a car both trips and will never do so again. All I can say is thank God for GPS or I would have been in a world of hurt with no English to be found anywhere. That and the drivers and roads are horrible. One trip was in January of 2012 which was one of the coldest winters on record. Brrrrr.

My next 3 trips were to Russia. First trip was St. Petersburg during White Nights. That is one incredibly beautiful city with a vast amount of history and culture (the Venice of Russia). Very European and not so much traditional Russian. Moscow was the second trip (New Years in Red Square) and a swim in the ice covered lake for Christmas (Jan 7th)..holy ####### was that cold (water was 37deg F)!!! and then Kazan for the most recent trip this Spring. I was most impressed by the public transportation in all 3 cities. The metro is beautiful and quite efficient. The museums, galleries and theaters are very impressive also. The country loves the arts and history and it really shows.

It wasn't much of a culture shock for me as I have traveled all over the world and been to very poor 3rd world countries such as Philippines, Kenya, Thailand, Brazil, Jamaica and others. Russia may be second world compared to the US and most of Europe but it resembles the modern world in most respects, especially in the larger cities. The one thing that took some getting used to was very little English being spoken by anyone and the behavior of most people. Very rude by western standards but they get along just fine. When you are in the circle, you will be treated better than anywhere else on the planet. I love that about the them.

I will be going back and meeting Tanya and a bunch of relatives from all over the country (mostly from Tatarstan and Bashkortostan Oblasts) when her Visa finally gets approved. They all want to see her before she leaves and see me before I take her away . I will then escort her to her new home.

We will take about 3 weeks next year to go have a traditional wedding ceremony and drive all over the western half of the country to see all the relatives so she can introduce her husband to them. I am really looking forward to that...especially having a native Russian speaker in the car to tell the cops to get screwed when they demand bribes lol. Good times.

P.S. Meghan...glad to see you guys worked it out. Happy for you.

Thank you! Just needed a little time to breathe, step away from all this visa stress & the distance and remember why we're together. Long story but we're happier than ever. I really can't wait to go to Russia next month. I'm flying in to Sochi this time to meet his mom & then go stay with him in Abkhazia. I get to spend Christmas & New Years in Moscow & Izhevsk so I can meet his dad. My entire family is freaking out about my going to Russia but I'm not worried & I am really excited. Applying for the 3-year multiple-entry visa in 2 weeks. I doubt it will be as much of a shock as Turkey was just because I had only been to Mexico before that. Now I'm a little more accustomed to the no English & very different customs routine. So many airports, so little English. Then there was the being kicked out of the airport in London for the night because my plane landed too late. And almost losing my luggage because the airport staff told me they were keeping it for my layover but I just happened to see it on the belt when I walked by. Quite the experience! I think all of the little hiccups in the plan like that help make it easier from then on.

Andrey wants to take me to Crimea. I think I'll pass for now lol We plan to visit Ireland within the next year or so. Any suggestions on what country to put on the list next? We'll take at least one trip to a new country every year.

[Texasav8r 183]

Thank you! Just needed a little time to breathe, step away from all this visa stress & the distance and remember why we're together. Long story but we're happier than ever. I really can't wait to go to Russia next month. I'm flying in to Sochi this time to meet his mom & then go stay with him in Abkhazia. I get to spend Christmas & New Years in Moscow & Izhevsk so I can meet his dad. My entire family is freaking out about my going to Russia but I'm not worried & I am really excited. Applying for the 3-year multiple-entry visa in 2 weeks. I doubt it will be as much of a shock as Turkey was just because I had only been to Mexico before that. Now I'm a little more accustomed to the no English & very different customs routine. So many airports, so little English. Then there was the being kicked out of the airport in London for the night because my plane landed too late. And almost losing my luggage because the airport staff told me they were keeping it for my layover but I just happened to see it on the belt when I walked by. Quite the experience! I think all of the little hiccups in the plan like that help make it easier from then on.

Andrey wants to take me to Crimea. I think I'll pass for now lol We plan to visit Ireland within the next year or so. Any suggestions on what country to put on the list next? We'll take at least one trip to a new country every year.

Sometimes it is necessary to take a time out.

Personally, if you have never been, I would take a tour of Italy. Start south and take the trains north to Rome, Florence, Milan and end up in Venice. There are several other nice cities in between as well.

Incredible views, food, history and shopping to be had. A great vacation for a new couple too...very romantic.

Germany is a good place to tour...Frankfurt..Hamburg...Munich and many others in between as well.

Switzerland and Austria in the winter if you like skiing. Summer too for incredible views

Japan for a taste of culture that is unique and beautiful.

China too. The great wall is on my bucket list.

Australia is another great place to visit...Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The outback if you feel adventurous.

[abella 13]

I actually visited E Europe 4 times. I was still half asleep when I created the tread. Well, I met Diana for the first time in Kiev. She took a train from Belarus and I flew from Miami. It was January and as you can imagine, I was not ready for the weather. I got to the hotel and she was waiting for me. we had been speaking for 3 months prior, but when I saw her in person I was taken by her beauty! Yes, when in the taxi, I had my thoughts of being kidnapped and my organs taken from me. Lol Even when I got to the hotel, I was thinking that what if it isn't her waiting for me, but a big Ukrainian guy waiting with a butcher knife. Jajajajaja. But when she opened the door, wow!

The second time I went to Kiev, but it was much warmer. I went in March almost April, nice weather. I went to Belarus in October and it was a bit scarry as the county is still very Soviet and less open to the west, but I was surprised with how many malls and US/Europe stores they have, they are actually quite modern. Very beautiful country. The last time, it was in February and when I arrived in Belarus, there was a problem with my visa and they turned me around back to Germany I sorted things out with Diana and we ended up in Ukraine, but in the middle of the conflict in Kiev. A little scary, but we survived as it was only the very beginning.

A month later I submitted the i129F and know I'm just waiting. It will be 2 years since I met her in October. I hope to be able to celebrate the anniversary here in Miami.

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

Sometimes it is necessary to take a time out.

Personally, if you have never been, I would take a tour of Italy. Start south and take the trains north to Rome, Florence, Milan and end up in Venice. There are several other nice cities in between as well.

Incredible views, food, history and shopping to be had. A great vacation for a new couple too...very romantic.

Germany is a good place to tour...Frankfurt..Hamburg...Munich and many others in between as well.

Switzerland and Austria in the winter if you like skiing. Summer too for incredible views

Japan for a taste of culture that is unique and beautiful.

China too. The great wall is on my bucket list.

Australia is another great place to visit...Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. The outback if you feel adventurous.

Oh my goodness how could I forget! My dream vacation is touring Italy, France, Spain & that area. I found a cruise that starts in Barcelona and goes up through Marseille, Rome & Genoa that I WILL be taking! Its on the list! Those are all great places. I was briefly in Frankfurt this year but I would love to go back with Andrey and explore. I have friends there, too. I also want to visit every continent so Asia, Australia and Africa are on the list, as well. Andrey just wants to travel and doesn't really like to plan so he's just along for the ride with me when it comes to where we go (:

[Dashinka 24,508]

I have been to Russia three times over the past two years or so. My first two trips were to Krasnoyarsk to meet and visit with my fiancé. Krasnoyarsk is a very nice city particularly in summer. We spent a lot of time together on the first trip exploring the city, and meeting her immediate family. It was great since she speaks very good English, so communication was very easy. Stolbi was also quite nice as we both like hiking.

On the second trip we spent much more time together, and I had my first dutcha experience. My fiancé's family has a small dutcha on the outskirts of Krasnoyarsk and we spent a few days out there enjoying the company of the family. We also took a train to Omsk to meet some more family and spend some more time at their dutcha there. We ended the trip with a visit to Abakan to meet more family, and of course we did more exploring at Stolbi. My Russian was a little better on this trip thanks to RStone, at least I was able to read the signs.

Both times to Krasnoyarsk it took at least two days for my bags to catch up, but that wasn't too much of a problem since the city is quite modern and there were a lot of places to shop. The food was great, but this was not much of a surprise for me as I have eaten ethnic food all over the world, and have not had a bad meal yet. Also, public transportation was quite good, and I was able to stay in touch with my family even on the train to Omsk.

My last trip was the best as I met my fiancé in Moscow for her interview last March. Moscow was a wonderful city, and we were able to do a lot of exploring of the regular sites (the Kremlin, St. Basil's, etc.). She was approved for the K1, and now we have just 36 days before she arrives here and I can start showing her around Michigan.

I cannot wait to travel back with her and visit Lk. Baikail, but first we are planning a visit to Australia.

[bretthalimule 7]

I was lucky enough to live with my fiance in St. Petersburg for 3 months on a private visa. Also met her family in Rostov-on-Don. Took a 2 day train ride from Rostov back to St.P and it was a pretty cool experience! I was living in St.P from December to March so it was a little cold but I loved every second and as it turned out my home state (Maine) got absolutely buried with snow whereas St.P was only maybe a few inches the whole winter. I bought subway/bus passes that were good for a month at a time and got pretty familiar with commuting around. We saw ballets, music performances, an SKA hockey game and tons of mueseums! Definitely a beautiful city with a great history. Architecture like I have never seen. The people really are not too much different from Americans. In the street they may seem unfriendly but enter their homes and they will give you the shirt off their backs. I am pretty blessed to have this once in a lifetime experience. If you are going to travel I suggest to do it in the winter months. My plane ticket from New York to St. P was $600 round trip! Anyway I am still waiting for our NOA 2...terrible process. Good luck to all!

[Dave&Roza 748]

Not E Europe or Russia, but Kazakhstan is a very nice place to visit if you like Kansas . Okay, Almaty is very nice with the mountains, but the drivers are crazy, the cars smoke, and the pollution is worse than LA but not quite as bad as Mexico City. You have not experience anything until you go to the зеленый базар. Meeting all the relatives in the extended family is quite the experience and so is the food. I really wish we could get kazy here in the US. Too bad everybody turns their noses up at horse meat. You eat lamb or horse with very little beef. Vegetables are fresh there. Not picked 5 days before ripening and shipped across the country. My wife tells me there is a much larger bazar that I hope we visit in September.

здоровье

Dave

[fariasgio3 1]

My fiancé and I last visited Turkey in March. It was such a culture shock! But it was quite amazing. The food was delicious and the history was rich. I can't wait to go back! I'm heading over to Russia next month as long as I get a visa. Can't wait for that, either! I'm excited to see Sochi and Abkhazia!

Sochi is amazing, there's a lot to see and do and the weather is great. I still remember the first time i went a few family members were worried that i was going all the way to Russia and that i should dress warm because i was gonna "freeze my butt off" but then were surprised to see the black sea beach and palm trees of Sochi! My wife is currently living there while we do the whole visa process. Last time i was there was 3/2014 i had been there exactly one year earlier and couldn't believe how much it had changed in just one year. Putin invested a lot of money into Sochi's infrastructure and the result is absolutely amazing. We also wanted to visit Abkhazia but the tour company warned us that i might have trouble since i am US citizen. I later did some research and found out it is not at all difficult for USC to go there so maybe next time.

[Neonred 3,564]

I have been to Russia 10 or 11 times. The first time was 11 years ago and the last time was 6 or 7 years ago. Since then my wife and I have been visiting "more interesting places" as she says, including Australia, France, Italy, etc. Next month off to Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic.

My first tip to Russia was a real adventure. Landed at SVO and got my first experience with Russian drivers on a wild and expensive ride over to the old 50's era terminal 1. There I saw things I won't even write about here. No one could speak English, but somehow I was able to buy the special ticket to use in the very old "pay" phone to call my girl to tell her I had made it that far. When I was boarding the Soviet built TU aircraft for the flight to Rostov-on Don, I noticed bald tires on the aircraft that were so bad they were showing cord. Got into the plane and noticed the inside had recently been repainted.....with a paint brush! I was sure I was going to die alone in Russia in a plane crash. Then stupid me, I ate on the plane including some type of sausage. Needless to say a day or so later I was curled up on the floor of my girls bathroom feeling near death. At the end of my stay my girl and I spent several days in Moscow staying at the old Russiya Hotel next to Red Square for $60 a night. Fantastic location and a great price.

My last trip was much different. Aeroflot-Don airlines was now flying Boeing 737's, the new terminals at SVO were under construction, and the Russiya Hotel was closing and would shortly be torn down. So much new construction everywhere, especially in Rostov where many new and modern apartments are going up. Unfortunately we wont be going back to Russia, at least not anytime soon due to Russian passport issues. Glad I had such interesting experiences when I did.

[Sekhvaruli 74]

My fiance and I first met in person in the city of Aqtau in Kazakhstan. That place is really disgusting - shabby ugly town, the stone jungle in the desert by the Caspian Sea. No way that I will ever want to go there again. Everything is very pricey there too. The food at the restaurants was yucky.

Then we went to my sweetheart's native country of Georgia to meet his family. Georgia and it's capital Tbilisi is a fabulous place indeed. It's a fabulous vacation place as well - apartment rental is cheap, the food at any restaurant is awesome and cheap and the city itself is unique and amazingly beautiful.

Our fourth meeting was in Turkey. I just came back from it a week ago. We did have a fabulous trip - we have spend a day in Istanbul and the rest of the vacation in Antalya. But honestly, Turkey is a lousy vacation place, we will never go there again - the service is terrible, the food is disgusting, the prices are high. Only clothes shopping is good and Medditerrainean sea is perfect. And of course, being together wherever we are is unbeatable

I've rented a car there, since my cousin was on vacation in Turkey as well, and my fiance and me traveled to my cousin's resort hotel for a "family visit". So, I have to warn you guys - GPS in Turkey is untrustworthy. It took us to totally wrong places, and i am not sure what we would do if my fiance' didn't speak Turkish. We would just stop at all the intersections and ask people how to get to a certain place.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Sekhvaruli

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

Sochi is amazing, there's a lot to see and do and the weather is great. I still remember the first time i went a few family members were worried that i was going all the way to Russia and that i should dress warm because i was gonna "freeze my butt off" but then were surprised to see the black sea beach and palm trees of Sochi! My wife is currently living there while we do the whole visa process. Last time i was there was 3/2014 i had been there exactly one year earlier and couldn't believe how much it had changed in just one year. Putin invested a lot of money into Sochi's infrastructure and the result is absolutely amazing. We also wanted to visit Abkhazia but the tour company warned us that i might have trouble since i am US citizen. I later did some research and found out it is not at all difficult for USC to go there so maybe next time.

Yay! Someone who has been to Sochi! I'm really excited. Can't wait. Andrey says they're very accommodating to Americans right now because they just hosted the Olypics. I'll let you know how Abkhazia is! He's shown me pictures and told of places we should visit. From my understanding, you just apply for the visa via email and they send you a confirmation letter you use to get in. Then you have so many days to take the letter and your passport to their office so they can give you the official one.

My fiance and I first met in person in the city of Aqtau in Kazakhstan. That place is really disgusting - shabby ugly town, the stone jungle in the desert by the Caspian Sea. No way that I will ever want to go there again. Everything is very pricey there too. The food at the restaurants was yucky.

Then we went to my sweetheart's native country of Georgia to meet his family. Georgia and it's capital Tbilisi is a fabulous place indeed. It's a fabulous vacation place as well - apartment rental is cheap, the food at any restaurant is awesome and cheap and the city itself is unique and amazingly beautiful.

Our fourth meeting was in Turkey. I just came back from it a week ago. We did have a fabulous trip - we have spend a day in Istanbul and the rest of the vacation in Antalya. But honestly, Turkey is a lousy vacation place, we will never go there again - the service is terrible, the food is disgusting, the prices are high. Only clothes shopping is good and Medditerrainean sea is perfect. And of course, being together wherever we are is unbeatable

I've rented a car there, since my cousin was on vacation in Turkey as well, and my fiance and me traveled to my cousin's resort hotel for a "family visit". So, I have to warn you guys - GPS in Turkey is untrustworthy. It took us to totally wrong places, and i am not sure what we would do if my fiance' didn't speak Turkish. We would just stop at all the intersections and ask people how to get to a certain place.

Omg we loved Turkey! I can't wait to go back. We stayed in Istanbul for two weeks in this really cute little apartment. I'm very picky and there wasn't any food I didn't like there. I did start getting ready for American food by the second week but we just went and bought some Lays and gummy rings that tastes just like they do here and it helped. I loved the Grand Bazaar and all the history. I thought it was an amazing vacation place. I'm so shocked to hear you say that. And prices seemed to be pretty darn good to us in Istanbul. But we only ate at a restaurant a few times. We frequented one that had amazing pizza and it was like $3 for the whole thing. Was it Antalya that you stayed at most? We were going to go there but decided to just stay in Istanbul.