Thanks for explaining about the mobile phone numbers. I could never have guessed that!

About Belarussian; I am sure it's easy to understand for someone who already speaks Russian... But for me, it's really confusing. It's not used a lot though, so not a big problem. Biggest issue is with street names.

And LOL the metro station names in Minsk!!! There is one name on the map, another in the metro itself, and a third being used in announcements inside the metro.... Kupalinskaya/Lenina station is the worst example I think! I kept thinking I somehow got off at the wrong station.

For my Russian lessons.... I am thinking, perhaps I could find someone who is a Russian teacher for foreigners, who'd give me lessons for 10-15 USD /hour instead. Does that sound like a reasonable price or am I just being stingy? It seems to me it should be a good fee for the teacher, and it is much more affordable for me.

I think the SOL Centre is asking for a price which would be OK in England but is rather inflated for Belarus and I don't care to give money to the owner of that place, I'd much rather my money went to the actual teacher.

But how to find a teacher...? Maybe there is some forum or something... I'll check if there is an expat forum.


And does anyone know precisely how to get to МИНСКОЕ МОРЕ with public transport?
I think there is a train or something, but where can I by tickets, how long does it take to get there etc?