General Info

[Loso69]

Depends who you're renting from...? Or, not?

Went to the office with my landlord, who queued up and took care of business. Down one flight of stairs, the director had to approve my registration. He had one glance at the paperwork, then said tourists had to stay in a hotel. Registration refused!

Unless your landlord has great connections, forget about it!

Loso

[Golfinho]

No you are being conned, no tour is needed. Just ask your hotel to send confirmation.

Sherton is occasinaly girl friendly, hotel uzb is best for that.

Yes, that did out to be be true about the travel agent.

Night boys at ex-Sheraton / Mirkazy run their little shakedown scam on guests bringing girl in. Only upside is girl does not have to register at desk, so if yours has no document or is adversive to having her name on the record, then the Mirkazy is for you. Heard. Secondhand from girl. That something similar occurs at InterContinental. Next time apartment for me.

[Khundak]

To get a visa for U'stan, Tashkent, I'm being told that purchasing a 'tour' is required (US citizen). Whether entirely true or not, unimportant, can/will do.

Anybody know if ex-Sheraton hotel girl-friendly?

No you are being conned, no tour is needed. Just ask your hotel to send confirmation.

Sherton is occasinaly girl friendly, hotel uzb is best for that.

[Golfinho]

If you're thinking about staying in an apartment in Uzbekistan, make sure you obtain a business visa. On a tourist visa, your passport registration will be refused !!!

Loso

Depends who you're renting from...? Or, not?

On my way out of Uzbekistan the other day, had all my hotel 'receipts', stamped and dated ones showing where I stayed and when, but no one asked to see them. Only thing they wanted to know about was the cash. In the little room. Make sure you have it all accounted beforehand on the declaration form.

[Loso69]

If you're thinking about staying in an apartment in Uzbekistan, make sure you obtain a business visa. On a tourist visa, your passport registration will be refused !!!

Loso

[Golfinho]

To get a visa for U'stan, Tashkent, I'm being told that purchasing a 'tour' is required (US citizen). Whether entirely true or not, unimportant, can/will do.

Anybody know if ex-Sheraton hotel girl-friendly?

[Goga Fung]

I effectively also changed around 2300, but I didn't recall the difference was so huge with the official rate. Thanks for the reminding.

Today the exchange rate was 2420som/$ - the maximum what today I've heard of. It was available in certain places.

While USD is falling in many other places, Uzbekistan is getting more attractive for those who has $.

[Prosal]

The difference is very high. The offical rate now is about 1500S/$, unofficial 2300S/$

I effectively also changed around 2300, but I didn't recall the difference was so huge with the official rate. Thanks for the reminding.

[Goga Fung]

black market offers better rates than banks, but i don't recall that the difference is that important. i've very rarely changed in banks though.

anyhow you don't need anyone to help you to change your $$$. during daytime, you can change to the informal changers in front of demir mall. it's very reliable guys who make transaction on transaction with locals all day long (under the eyes of the militzia). however remember that the biggest bill is 1000 sums, so better change $100 by $100. personally i never change more than $150 at one time. it's some 250 bills, enough to fill full jeans front pockets, and to leave almost no place for a mobile phone!

the difference is very high. the offical rate now is about 1500s/$, unofficial 2300s/$

be careful exchanging on black market. it is illegal.

even locals say it is dangerous. for small amounts($100?) generally it should be safe(still no guarantee), but for bigger amounts one can be set up and arrested by the police, followed by confirep001ion of the money and high fine.

when somebody finds out you're a foreigner, it automatically creates a good opportunity for them to make money from you.

it is better to always exchange $ with trusted people and not on the street. or better ask a local friend to do exchange for you.

those who pay money in the range $50-$100 to working girls are crazy and screwing the market for themselves and everybody else.

a good monthly salary here is around $200-$300. girls here would be happy to get $20-$30 and its better to pay local currency, such as 40k($20) soms. also some girls charge 25k, and some only 10k($5). of course many of them do not look too good, it takes time to find good ones.

[NkosiMan]

This forum isnt very active lately.

Neverhteless, I have to go to Tashkent on a business trip for the first time. I would like to know if any of you gentlemen who have visited Uzbekistan in the past know if it is safe for a Negro? If so, would the women be tolerant?

Thanks!

[Prosal]

Uzbek bellydancing.

The singer is rather average but the dancers deserve a closer look. Typical Uzbek assets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey6Bb...eature=related

There's bellydancing floor shows, with generally outrageously hot tall and curvaceous girls, at almost every club in Tashkent.

Persian culture is very strong in Uzbekistan. Truly exotic.

[Prosal]

I mean, if average price is 100$ for all night, maybe it is easier, if they accept, to pay with one banknote of 100$ and leave the soums for beer and food.

Yeah, I paid pros with us$. Bring $50 notes, as some girls (especially the "occasionals" or "weekenders") might be happy with only that.

There's one ATM at the airport. Which could be - or not - out of service. The NBU change counter is closed late at night.

[Eros74]

Thanks Prosal, very helpfull as always.

Allow me two other questions, please :

- Did you pay the pro in $ or soums ? I mean, if average price is 100$ for all night, maybe it is easier, if they accept, to pay with one banknote of 100$ and leave the soums for beer and food.

- However at airport, I guess there is ATM and change office too, right ? I hope open even at night time

[Prosal]

Is it true or just a bullshit ?

Black market offers better rates than banks, but I don't recall that the difference is that important. I've very rarely changed in banks though.

Anyhow you don't need anyone to help you to change your $$$. During daytime, you can change to the informal changers in front of Demir Mall. It's very reliable guys who make transaction on transaction with locals all day long (under the eyes of the militzia). However remember that the biggest bill is 1000 sums, so better change $100 by $100. Personally I never change more than $150 at one time ....it's some 250 bills, enough to fill full jeans front pockets, and to leave almost no place for a mobile phone !

At night, change at bars. I use to change my $$ either at JSmockers during dinner or later at Diplomat or FM Bar, but any place will do it. No need to recount. Uzbeks are genuinely honest. They are excessively proud also. The act of recounting in front of them is IMHO pretty offensive and will immediately target you as a suspicious, direspectful and timorous sucker, which you certainly do not want. Especially in your favorite bar.

Also remember that there's only four or five ATMs (Visa) in the whole city, and that they are frequently out of service or unable to find a connection. They give only us$ BTW.

So take cash (us$, not €). No need to worry at customs. Unlimited import of foreign currencies is allowed :

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/UZ-U...ns-details.htm

[Eros74]

Speaking with a girl, she told me that due to the fact no one can officially buy Usd at national banks, there are two exchange rate about Soums and USD $, the one bad but official change in bank at 1$=1500 soums and the second one non official but at 1$= 1750 soums.

Is it true or just a bullshit ?

She offered to help to change at 1750 soums at non official market, so maybe so far as TSK seems a safe city, I could try to change at this rate little amount of bucks and if it works, then to change always with her.

Any suggests ?