Thread: Travel Blog; CIS/ex-USSR countries (i.e. Russian speaking)

If anyone is interested about hearing about my experience of travelling by train in this area, then just say!

If you tell us all your impression, everyone will be glad.
You can practice your Russian in the EU, in Latvia or eastern Estonia. There are fully Russian cities, like Narva (you will be glad to visit this city because the Swedish defeated big Russian army in 1700 there). I wonder what would be there on the ninth of May.

Originally Posted by Marcus

There are fully Russian cities, like Narva (you will be glad to visit this city because the Swedish defeated big Russian army in 1700 there).

But four years later we've got our revenge for that defeat

I wonder what would be there on the ninth of May.

Probably another Waffen SS march.

Originally Posted by Basil77

Probably another Waffen SS march.

What if they just ignore it this time? I think they can't calmly watch a parade of men in NKVD uniform either... for many reasons. And I can understand them.

The hotel I am staying at has run out of rooms (I wanted to stay 1-2 days more, without moving hotels). Surprising, since it is an absolutely massive hotel. (Hotel Rus - warmly recommended - great value, great breakfast buffe and general clean, nice and friendly - not the most stylish but who needs that?)

For that reason, I am thinking that I might head to Belarus earlier than I had planned. Fingers crossed that they are both writing and speaking in Russian! (Kiev is not actually a great place for a student of Russian, Ukrainian language is the only one used in writing, on town - that's a contrast to Odessa).

I have been very impressed by Kiev though. It's got everything: Interesting architecture, great churches (St Sofia Cathedral and many more). It is probably safer even than Paris, definitely more safe than Madrid and Milan, to name a few cities where I felt a lot more unsafe than here in Kiev.

Today I took it easy because I was feeling a bit unwell - there are more sights left that I would like to see; Museum of the Great Patriotic War, possibly the Chernobyl museum and then there are some parts of town I didn't see. Maybe also do a river cruise on the Dnepr.

The distribution of income here is pretty obscene. There are a fair number of designer clothes shops in central Kiev, and shops selling expensive jewellery, Swiss watches etc. Yet the average income is 400 USD per month, according to Lonely Planet. There are also people being driven around in expensive cars that drive like they owned the road. I strongly dislike such unfairness, particularly in a country that was (at least technically) owned by the people only 20 years ago.

I really want to improve my Russian though and if Belarussian has taken over in Belarus, then I'll check out the country, then head to Russia as fast as I can (depending on how long it takes to get a Russian visa). I would like to take a Russian course in a nice city/town where I can live quite cheaply and see some interesting sights, nature etc, and where people are nice and friendly.

If anyone lives in Belarus and knows of a place that offers Russian courses to foreigners, please could you let me know? I've only found 2 so far and I am not sure that they are right for me - would like to see more options.

Alternatively if some nice place in Russia comes to mind!

Originally Posted by Hanna

The hotel I am staying at has run out of rooms (I wanted to stay 1-2 days more). Surprising, since it is an absolutely massive hotel. (Hotel Rus - warmly recommended - great value, great breakfast buffe and general clean, nice and friendly - not the most stylish but who needs that?)

Have you read my PM?

Yes! I saw it this earlier today, just before I was heading out. Too bad I didn't notice it earlier - it had been sitting there for 2 days without me noticing! Now I've already settled into a hotel.
I am considering all the options - was meaning to respond to you just now.

if Belarussian has taken over in Belarus

IT HAS NOT. Russian is official language of Belorussia. Belorussian has a very limited use.

that was (at least technically) owned by the people only 20 years ago.

What do you mean?

Originally Posted by Marcus

IT HAS NOT. Russian is official language of Belorussia. Belorussian has a very limited use.

What do you mean?

Thanks for the info Marcus!
Well with my comment, I meant that 20 years ago - serious real estate here in Ukraine was owned by the state, right..? And the state is technically speaking just an extension of the people.... But tofay, the state is left with the things that nobody wanted... and a small clique of people own the property and capital that was worth having. While some decent old people in the country can hardly afford to buy food! I think it's sad. Ukraine is not my country, so none of this is my business, but I don't like to see decent people lose out to greedy gangster type business men. It's the regular people who have been nice to me here in Ukraine and those are the people who I sympathise with. Of course, in Kiev lots of people are doing very well as a new "middle class". But I saw some hard-hit areas from the train; where repairs and improvements are sorely needed. The money that some "oligarch" spends on a watch and a new car, could make a huge difference in these villages where many people don't seem to be able to afford even basic repairs to their houses. I don't mean to turn this "blog" into anything political though - that's just my view of the world, and I respect that others may have other points of view.

I'd like a good train story. I'm a bit of a Rail Fan (trainspotter). My Eastern European friends send me railroad photos and it's another part of the reason I'd like to visit.
The only trains near me take the trash off Cape Cod, a nice tourist train and my model trains.

Did you get to the Potemkin Steps in Odessa? My friend Odessa-Olga wants me to see them.

Train stories coming, and they are good. Thumbs up for trains in Ukraine!

I cannot recommend the Rus Hotel in Kiev highly enough. For the price you are paying you have a really nice experience.
The hotel is 3 star, but the breakfast buffee is 5 star! Something to the tastes of all European nationalities and some Asians too! Perfect croissants, etc, etc. And while having breakfast, listening to lovely live piano music (Chopin, Mozart, Russian melodies) by a talented pianist. Rooms do not have the generic boring hotel furnishings or layout, instead they have a clever unusual design. The hotel has done a tasteful renovation and kept the old furniture and designs where possible. Huge deep bathtubs, nice staff. Fast wifi, safe, central and good looking. This hotel was built in 1990. All this for 50 EUR a night, in a major capital city. Booking earlier, you'd probably get it cheaper. Some French people sitting near me at breakfast had the same opinion. Stay here if you visit Kiev!

Hanna, what places do you want to visit in Belarus?

Originally Posted by Dmitry Khomitchuk

Hanna, what places do you want to visit in Belarus?

I wanted to visit Gomel (I am there right now!), Minsk, Vitebsk and some of the nature reserves that Belarus has set up.

I also think Belarus might be a good place to take a course in Russian. Nice, safe environment, good value for money and Russian is the main language. So I am trying to find a suitable place for a course.

Dmitry, if you are in Belarus; perhaps you could recommend some nice places to visit?
I only know about what's in the guide book. I am particularly interested in history, ecological initiatives and things like folk art tradition and culture.

More on my experiences of Belarus later, but so far, big thumbs up. Gomel is very nice.
And my word, what a border check for entering Belarus!

I wanted to visit Gomel

You are quick!

good value for money

You chose the wright time again. Belorussian ruble has been devaluated (is there such a word?) recently.
There is one more advantage there: Belorussians speak slowly.

Originally Posted by Marcus

There is one more advantage there: Belorussians speak slowly.

Really? I mean, do they speak slower than the Russians? I've never really realized that...

Entering BELARUS (as a non-CIS citizen) + bad luck with hotel
I almost thought I wouldn't get into Belarus while waiting for the extremely lengthy border check. I took the train from Kiev to Gomel.

For the border check; first they went through the train compartment with 2 different dogs. Then everyone had to identify their bags, and I had to open my small backpack, containing my laptop and some makeup (thankfully not my larger bag!).

Several officers came and investigated my passport. One officer spent well over 5 minutes, examining my particular passport. Checking every page in the passport (I don't have a lot of stamps, there is nothing to see...) checking all the laser marks, computerized information. At two different ocassions, he actually pulled out a magnifying glass and checked the construction of the passport.

While all this was happening I maintained an uninterested look and said nothing, but I was really quite blown away by the thoroughness and was wondering what was going on. It has NEVER happened to me before; usually they just take a look if it's you in the photo, scan the pass and that's it. I have no idea why my passport was so suspect.

The people sitting next to me on the train were Russian, Belarussian, Ukrainian and Uzbek. (first time I meet an Uzbek person, I think - he was very nice and helped me with my bag). The processing of their passports took about a minute each, still quite thorough though.

I am not happy with my hotel in Gomel (too pretentious, expensive and they messed up my reservation, then gave me a smokers room that smells like an old ashtray). So I am changing tomorrow. This is allegedly the new chic hotel in town. I'll swap to the old "un-chic" hotel.

For hotels and some other things, Belarus has different tarriffs for local people, CIS citizens and everyone else. Rubbish, I think - that particular policy is straight from the USSR, only thing is; Belarus now has market economy (or mixed economy), so how can such policies be justified?

Actually, I am just irritated about this useless, smelly hotel room. I'll write more tomorrow. Gomel is very nice indeed, just not in a mood to write anything right now.

Originally Posted by Hanna

While all this was happening I maintained an uninterested look and said nothing, but I was really quite blown away by the thoroughness and was wondering what was going on. It has NEVER happened to me before; usually they just take a look if it's you in the photo, scan the pass and that's it. I have no idea why my passport was so suspect.

I think they didn't like you were from the UK and spoke English overall.

Originally Posted by Eric C.

I think they didn't like you were from the UK and spoke English overall.

Eric: So there aren't many tourists in Belarus from the west? What would they think of a Chinese-looking person carrying an U.S. passport? What if I try to speak Russian to them? Will that make things better, or worse?

Ann, problems can be because you are citizen of USA, because we have political war with USA, USA embassy is closed, and our embassy is closed in USA, money in USA banks are arrested.

But I think you should try.

Originally Posted by Dmitry Khomitchuk

Ann, problems can be because you are citizen of USA, because we have political war with USA, USA embassy is closed, and our embassy is closed in USA, money in USA banks are arrested.

But I think you should try.

Really? That's a shame, about political war..In fact, that's not strong enough. Instead I'll say: that sucks! (At least for us s-sha citizens)

I think it's disappointing that my country is in so many tiffs with various forces that citizens can't even keep track of them all.

Or maybe they can, but just not me.. .=)