Hey guys maybe you can help. I'm leaving for Russia in the morning and I'm bringing a pair of diamond earings and a bottle of whisky. Does anyone have any idea if this is a problem with customs??? I really don't have the time to search and check, I'm so busy right now packing and taking care of business it will probably be the middle of the night before I get around to it, if at all. Thanks in advance for any help.
Which ever brand you are taking I bet they have it there (and its less expensive).
No direct experience taking jewelry into Russia. Closet thing I have is being with a friend who took a diamond engagement ring to Odessa. He declared it and had to pay a $100 duty at the border.
You ssilly Boy, I jusst KNOW you're ssmarter than thiss, you naughty bugger, because thiss is ssooo eassy to ssolve!
Just WEAR the darn Earrings, and take a swig out of the bottle just before departing the plane - problem solved!
OK, less gay and stone-sober: unless that bottle is a really special one Jet's right, buy it there - but you're allowed to bring it in anyway as long as the contents are under 1.5 litres (don't ask me for Gallons, Furlongs per Fourthnight or Cubic Angstrom's pls).
The earrings you could treat different. If their value is substantial (for you!) they just might be a problem - then wrap them in a small cloth and carry them on your body, the box in your luggage. You are returning them because they mistakenly ended up in your luggage last time.
If not wrap the lot as a clear gift, don't declare anything and walk through. If at all stopped your IQ drops to 6, and you will get away with it. But say now you won't, then the worst what will happen is you have to pay some duty. Never ever act guilty when 'caught', you'll be amazed what actually can get through!
Jet, her dad always gets me a bottle that you can only get from Russia. I got a bottle of Jack, if you can get it there, who knows. But I figured its something from here... last minute gift. I'm notorious for waiting until the last minute.
TD, as far as the earings, I'm sure they will look so lovely on me,lol. Will go great with the tatoos. I think I'll play it stupid, lol sounds fun...
Just got back from Russia fellas, I can't say that I'm happy to be back. Part of me is still in Russia and I can't believe I'm not with her. Dam it hurts, and you can believe I'm not saying it because I'm a weak person. I never realized from the start how difficult it is to leave eachother. I know I said it in the past, but I can't put into words how hard it is for both of us. She started crying 2 or 3 days before I left. I suppose you can say were both sensitive people and you can definitly say we love eachother more than anything. Shes my princess.. We are getting married the end of February or the beginning of March right about our 1 year anniversary since we met here. Were now just waiting for her interview date and it can be at any time now. I know that Moscow finally has our papers in hand.
Ok enough whining. My time in St Pete was great. Her dad moved in with his girlfriend during my stay so we had the flat all to ourselves. She took great care of me and we basically did everything together. Went food shopping in the Russian supermarkets (interesting experience) rode the metro probaby 2 or 3 times a day, buses, taxis, shopped and dined at Nevsky Prospect all the time. I experienced alot of Russian life this time. Seen a performance at Marinsky Theater, went to many museums again and met a few of her girlfriends. Whenever we got back home it was nice because we walked so much it was great to take my boots off and relax. She really took care of me like no other woman in my past. Shes a wonderful cook and I think I surprised the hell out of her when I wanted to help her in the kitchen or if I wanted to make her something. I guess shes not used to that.
Anyway I don't feel like typing forever, but I will say my second home is in Russia. I'm sure we will be going back at least one or two times a year once she gets here. Shes got a great family and I'm really happy they have accepted me as one of their own. I picked up on alot more Russian while I was there. Kind of had no choice being immersed in the language for the weeks I was there. Oh and by the way, I FROZE MY ASS OFF!! God it was cold, but I did get used to it after a few days. Slept a few nights with my legs draped over the electric radiator, that was a sight to see, lol. If I had my choice I would hop the next flight to Russia and be with her till she has that god forsaken visa in her hands. Its killing us to be apart. I'll be back later, I have alot to catch up on here at home.
Crash you want to take something special, let me know, I know there is no Makers Mark in Russia and it is good Kentucky windage. I will pick up a bottle and send it to you.
Later
Mike
P.S. Crash my only tears lately was hearing that next year is Mark Martins last!
ditto: crash, glad to hear you found the one....my girl was also amazed that I cook dinner and wash up.....mind, I have to say she adapted to it very quickly:-))
ditto: crash, glad to hear you found the one....my girl was also amazed that I cook dinner and wash up.....mind, I have to say she adapted to it very quickly:-))
St Petersburg sounds great. I'm glad everything turned out as it should for you.
I am due to fly out there on 17th Dec for a meeting with a girl. I hope i can feel the same when i return back home.
Any advise on places to visit??
Hey thanks guys, Been very busy at home so I havent been able to check in for a while. Everyone still searching, I wish you all the best. Still waiting for the interview date, dam these are some of the longest days of my life! lol Russian mail seems to move at a snails pace. Waiting for the initial mailing from the embassy seems to be taking forever. Glad, Trad, I cant wait to have her here and I can still only imagine how it must feel to finally have her with me. Its got to be the best feeling in the world. Nas, I hear ya about Marks last year, I really wish he would have taken the title this year. Doesnt seem fair that Busch and Kenseth took it first.
Iperedruk, you will find St. Pete to be a very interesting city, only thing that I really wasnt used to is that at this time of year it dosent get light out till about 9AM and its dark by 4:30PM. As far as places to visit..where do I begin. This was my 3rd trip to St Pete and our 4th meeting. There are many really good restaraunts there, get an official city guide when your there. They have them in English. You have the Hermitage, but you will need a week to see the whole thing, its huge. Peter and Paul Fortress, The Marble Palace, The Peterhof Palace, St Isaacs Cathedral, Our Savior On The Blood, The Palace of Peter the Great, a tour aboard the Aurora. This is only the beginning of things to see while your there. Good Luck!