OK guys I know Im a rookie so I am going to have a lot of questions over the next 3 months
1) The whole time you are there do you have to have a room booked for the whole stay ?
2) If I do not go back to the room one night will I get into trouble (like a check in)
3) Is it true the police are corrupt and do I need to watch for this ?
4) Is there any foods or drinks I need to stay away from
And most of all any thing you can tell me the ROOKIE I will very much need it Im going in July and I cant wait and also anyone going in July the 1st 2 weeks let me know I would like to hook up with a fellow traveler .
1) Must - no, up to you. Get a booking for starters if you're going to be mobile, and an apartment gives you loadsa freedom.
2) No, why? You don't even have to go there, who cares - as long as you've paid for it. A hotel just might notice you've not been there (the cleaners) but then what? Apartment ditto, but with this option you can do what you like in any case.
An apartment you pay cash, a hotel you may pay by card. But the latter will try to prevent you from having guests unless you source them from their own hall, read hookers.
3) Depends where you go, but the inclination probably is that. Carry your passport always, have your visa stamped by the OVIR in time (a hotel will do this for you, an apartment not always), don't pay just because they say so, don't kill anybody and just behave normal. If she'll give you advice (like don't talk English at certain moments) I'd trust her, and if you don't go looking for shit you should have no problem.
If you try to avoid them in an obvious way any lawman will stop and ask you things. I've not have had the slightest of problems, and addressed them on occasion. Quite helpful and friendly, but they don't speak English or German.
4) Also depends where you go. If you want to be careful drink only bottled water (some really excellent stuff there, salty & different!), but I've eaten even silly things from a bit didgy outlets - no prob's.
But Benjamin, just realize you're going to a first-world country, not Southern-Mediterranean or African where the combination of humidity and temperature, combined with different hygenic standards may pose some problems.
Just go, and if you're going somewhere remote ask her for info, if anything she will be helpful. And enjoy!
Thanks Thunderdome
Reason behind the hotel booking is my girl wants me to come stay with her and I was not sure on the booking the whole time thing I would pay for the room but would like to stay with her .
And no I do not look for trouble but I do speak my mind other words I wont take it if I know I am in the right .
Im a southern boy here in the states . But now live in the BIG CITY .
depending on where you got the invite (best 'bought' via the net anyway) you don't even have to book or stay in a hotel or apt. If your accomodation turns sour with her (possible) then move, but if she's invited you why not go direct to her?
Another possibility is she will meet you in a city, and then an apartment is the logical choice. But then also you better get a dual room one, Gentlemen you see, manners and all that. And hey, it just could turn out to give each other some space, one never knows on a first meeting.
Hope not though - good luck.
Oh, about speaking your mind - I always do too, but just adjust the tone when there. Goes down better to officials, it gets you away with small things better than an arrogant display.
Thunderdome
Once more thanks.I dont get all crazy and the thing is My girl is going to come here and stay with me for a week or two then go back to Russia with me when I go .
She has been saving her money to pay her own way .
After Four months of Email and 1 to 2 calls a week (she calls me also) and some video we both feel it is time we meet and the thing is I never thought I would do this . So being new I joined this site and also fiance.com Looks like if everything keeps going good I will use them to help me through everything .
Good, they maybe can help with acommodation also, address them by all means.
Your girl is coming to you - in the US? Exceptional, also the pay-it-herself bit. Tread carefully, it could be (I'm not accusing anybody!) it is a different ploy, and I really hope you'll be spared a last-minute cry for financial help for some reason.
Dunno who she is, but her getting a visa to the US IS exceptional, you should know that.
She is going tomorrow to see what needs to be done . Sorry I should have said we are trying to get her here to yes the US . And also the way it looks she has a 2 year old that she will have to go back to and also a good job . So I think this all fits in to her getting a visa.
Thunderdome
Yes I am still taking caution to this . I have heard so much on the scam thing and spent many hours looking on the Black Lists so now I am close to doing the Detective thing if I feel any thing is up .
I'm not US, never even been there. But let me tell you that unless she has got genuinely substantial assets, funds and an above-average job she will NOT get a visa to come to you.
Hey you US-guys, tell this yankee not to doodle time away - go to her Ben, you've got no other option. It's not for nothing that WM wants to be informed if she manages to get one how she did it, simply because her chances are zero.
I think (unsure) it will cost her also, money that is, and this for her is a lot more than it is to you. Save yourselves these hassles & funds & time, book a flight if she's worth it.
Thunderdome
Yes I am going .I just got my passport the other day . I am now starting to look at all my options to go for 2 weeks in July . And also if this dose fall though I am still talking to other women there and anyway this is still gonna be a vacation for me . and you only learn by doing
one of the not so common ploys is to cry at the last hour for financial aid, after having alledgedly spent all her funds on tickets, visa & all, for having to have cash on her sufficient to sustain herself during her stay.
The fact that she will come to you, AND pay for this herself (a relative fortune!!) is NOT normal or average, it is an exception, nothing else. This fact should have you on your toes, that's all I say.
Don't meet her in another country either, same story basically but also then you will not know a thing about her private sphere, like work, living standards, friends and a million other things you want and need to know.
Keep us informed.
Just read your last post - THAT's the spirit, go on holiday, nothing has to but everything may.
Yes you do only learn by doing it, like most other things in life. I commend you by being one of the few that actually is going. Unfortunatly I dont think she has any chance of getting a visa here first. Go see her surroundingd and experience her part of the world. If you two have the chemistry naturally it will work out. I'd hate to say it but even one trip to see her might not even be enough. I tried to do it all in one trip but there was no way it was happening that way. Its been multiple trips for me, but thats my situation. Take many photos, and thats only the beginning of the process for gtting here here. Good luck
Thunderdome
Thanks. you say you have never been to the states ? I would open my home to you if you ever think of coming here 3rd bedroom. Any place in the Midwest that is or Detroit Michigan or even to Indy to catch the Big race the 500 . As for the women here you should try to date some, Its a joke there like Jackals and Vermin its nothing to go out for the night and drop 1 , 2 hundred a night then they move on to the next kill . Hey im like any man you look for whats wrong befor up jump .
I should be back in a few need to hit the store . Oh and yes Crash Im am looking into going back in December if I like it if not Im gonna go somplace where ? not sure . but it will be over seas
JD,
If you do not want attention then do not dress like an american. leave your uncle sam costume at home. no baggy jeans with your underwear showing . no athletic running shoes, no basketball warm up suit or hip hop from the hood stuff. not even a baseball cap.
If you want to blend in , wear a straight legged pant or jean with no cuff on the ankle no bagginess. a black or brown leather shoe . A good dark winter coat with a wool scarf and a sweater . Or you can dress all business in a suit and tie.
Just my observations . The americans who dress american stand straight on the street.