Minsk

[Eros74]

...Corona (I assume you mean the supermarket?) has recalculated prices up to 80 per cent for imported goods. Bars and restaurants keep prices the same for local products...

I believe Prosal meant the price of beer Corona or Heineken and cocktail as mojito in bars and discos and what about the entrance fee to get into the highest level of clubs?

[Sam Suffit]

I stayed at Hotel Planeta as well.

Nice Hotel Friendly staff.

Few hookers in the Bar upstairs next to the Strip Bar.

I was quoted US$100 for one hour. I think you need to pay another US$20 to the security guy.

Didn't try the P4P there. Pulled 2 stunners from Westworld Club. They were students.

Had a great time there.

Thanks so much Jojosun. Without your advice I would not have been able to find the night bar at the Planeta as they tend to hide it a little bit. Threre, I could met a nice brunette named Elena with whom I have a wonderfull ST. I was quioted $150 including the tip for the security guy. I didn't try tio bargain because I have not local curreny and nothing but 3 notes of $50. Anyway, I don't regret. Elena was verry keen to please me.

[Eros74]

BTW the girl freebie I met last Monday here in Kiev went to Minsk 2 weeks ago, she told that prices of food and normal stuff are now twice than in Kiev and that people is trying to not think seriously to all this, they hope it will finish soon, but she told on longer time it can take even a bigger financial crisi overthere.

Maybe it is time they will kick off the "president"

[MinskGuide]

Thanks. To put things in perspective, any idea of the respective costs (BYR) of let's say a Corona or a mojito at Madison or Next, a taxi ride within center, and a diner for two in a mid-priced restaurant?

Prices are on a rise but not, of course, as higher as USD itself. Corona (I assume you mean the supermarket?) has recalculated prices up to 80 per cent for imported goods. Bars and restaurants keep prices the same for local products. Taxi ride is the same but price for benzine will go up definitely so expect a rise though not very big I think.

Everything happened within last two weeks. Have no idea what will happen in the future but I am sure Belarus won't be as expensive as it was just a two month ago.

[Prosal]

Just short brief to anyone who is coming over to Minsk just now. Unofficial exchange rate for USD is 6200-6300 BYR to sell and 6800-7000 to buy. Official rate is still around 4500. 4700 BYR. Do not use cards. Your money will be converted according to official governmental rate which is around 3100 BYR.

Thanks. To put things in perspective, any idea of the respective costs (BYR) of let's say a Corona or a mojito at Madison or Next, a taxi ride within center, and a diner for two in a mid-priced restaurant?

[MinskGuide]

Just arrived in Minsk today. According to friends and listening to radio in taxi the exchange rate at commercial banks is 4000 per dollar, and have been told it's not possible to sell dollars for over 4000 at the moment, which is confirmed by this Bloomberg article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-0...banks-say.html

Just short brief to anyone who is coming over to Minsk just now. Unofficial exchange rate for USD is 6200-6300 BYR to sell and 6800-7000 to buy. Official rate is still around 4500. 4700 BYR. Do not use cards. Your money will be converted according to official governmental rate which is around 3100 BYR.

[Jojosun]

Hi everyone,

I am due to go to Minsk in May for the first time. I will stay at hotel Planeta which seems to be nice for mongering. I need some basic information about local habits, such as average price for ST and any other tips.

Can somebody give me hand?

Sam

I stayed at Hotel Planeta as well.

Nice Hotel Friendly staff.

Few hookers in the Bar upstairs next to the Strip Bar.

I was quoted US$100 for one hour. I think you need to pay another US$20 to the security guy.

Didn't try the P4P there. Pulled 2 stunners from Westworld Club. They were students.

Had a great time there.

Strip bars are a good deal.

Plenty of choice in Westworld Club, due its sheer size.

Few strip clubs in the same complex. You are allowed to touch as well.

Other hookers are in hotel Jubleney in the bar cafeteria upstairs.

This hotel is on the main street just down from Planeta hotel.

There I was quoted $70 for ST.

[Sean EZ]

Just arrived in Minsk today. According to friends and listening to radio in taxi the exchange rate at commercial banks is 4000 per dollar, and have been told it's not possible to sell dollars for over 4000 at the moment, which is confirmed by this Bloomberg article: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-0...banks-say.html

[Prosal]

It is my opinion. I go to Minsk 27 of May and will see how it is.

Spasibo for your answer Felix. It would be nice if you report about this black market exchange rate.

[Felix Nordic]

Hi Felix, what's up?

Thanks for this post of great added-value. I also checked the exchange rates today and the € is about 4 500, which seems great. Don't know the ruble/€ conversion historic though, you remember how as it say two years ago? And you know what is currently the black market rate for the €?

Belarus has always be described as a rather "expensive" country (well, compared to Ukraine). The rouble depreciation surely set up a new deal (cheaper running costs and "dating expenses"). What's your thoughts about it?

Cheers

Hello, Prosal!

All fine here, and how are you? Any new adventures on the agenda?

Of course questions are raised, taken the democratic movements in some arab countries into consideration and how that will affect Belarus. So far nothing has happened after the crackdown during last election. But sanctions are hurting Belarus and now there is a huge currency crisis. The exchange rates has been rather stabile for the last few years.

According to new information the "real" banks withhold the official currency rate at around 3000 Rouble / 1 USD. Since there are no hard currency to get in banks, a black marked has started. In the black market in the streets you will get 5500-6000 for a USD. Probaly one would not want to be caught by police exchanging black though. Who knows how long that will last or if the crisis will deepen.

Yes Belarus is rather expensive, but now there could be an option at least to get many Roubles for everyday expenses like resuarants, night clubs etc. Of course prices are rising for imported items. Still you have to pay for apartments in hard currency and that goes for the sponsor girls or P4P. However that wont hurt me as I go for normal girls, unless I get a stunner to sponsor. The best thing is that girls are more keen to open up when the hard times prevail. It is my opinion. I go to Minsk 27 of May and will see how it is. Better bring along a lot of USD cash.

Cheers and happy hunting.

Felix

[Sam Suffit]

Hi everyone,

I am due to go to Minsk in May for the first time. I will stay at hotel Planeta which seems to be nice for mongering. I need some basic information about local habits, such as average price for ST and any other tips.

Can somebody give me hand?

Sam

[Prosal]

Anyone going to Minsk should be aware of the current currency crisis. It seems like banks are out of USD and Euros. It has been a problem since late March. People can simply not get any hard currency for their Belarus rubles and situation is getting desperate. That means that you have to bring the hard currency with you as you can not trust to get USD or Euros in a bank from your visa card. The exchange rate has risen for the USD and was at one point up to 6000 against the ruble. There has also been established a black market exchange where you can get better deals. People do not trust the government and are desperate to get hard currency to get secured.

The reasons according to the government is that people go abroad to buy cars. The real resons are that the embargo on Belarus after the unfair election has started to affect the country in a severe way. Companys in Belarus can not import the items they want and and stopped their production and hence the cash flow has drained. Up to 600 000 workers has been released form their jobs. Belarus begs Russia for an emergency loan to save the situation and new laws are being passed on. It means that Russia can tighten its grip on Belarus. The love-hate relationship between Russia and Belarus means that Batka has to bend over. Belarus have consumed their 2009 IMF loan and will not get another due to the reverse of the democratic development. Another reason is probably the unrest in some arab countries that has stopped foreign investments. Belarus has good connections with Libya and they do have some problems so to say. Egypt and a few other countries has other problems to focus on as well.

It could also mean harder times to get a visa, or easier. They need the cash. Who knows.

Hard times also means that some girls will drop their panties easier. Not all, but some girls looking for sponsors are searching, and that goes for a few normal girls as well. I have gotten a few offers from girls already that I thought was out of reach. Nothing bad that doesn't bring any good. Still the same pros and cons as mentioned before. Just wanted to give a heads up about the currency situation.

/Felix

Hi Felix, what's up?

Thanks for this post of great added-value. I also checked the exchange rates today and the € is about 4 500, which seems great. Don't know the ruble/€ conversion historic though, you remember how as it say two years ago? And you know what is currently the black market rate for the €?

Belarus has always be described as a rather "expensive" country (well, compared to Ukraine). The rouble depreciation surely set up a new deal (cheaper running costs and "dating expenses"). What's your thoughts about it?

Cheers

[Felix Nordic]

Felix Nordic,

Nice summary. I've been to Belarus a couple times and know Minsk well. What's up with the 6, 000 roubles to 1 dollar rate? I noticed a spike as high as 3, 070 to 1, but it's been hovering around 3, 000 for the past couple years. I haven't seen 6, 000 and all exchange rate sites don't point to this either.

Its reports that I have got. I have also checked the on-line exchange rates and it seems to be around 3000.

However if you check this link you can see:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...73L06U20110422

I do not know what todays rate is. The main thing is to be aware of the currency problems.

Cheers,

Felix

[AZN Monger]

The exchange rate has risen for the USD and was at one point up to 6000 against the ruble./Felix

Felix Nordic,

Nice summary. I've been to Belarus a couple times and know Minsk well. What's up with the 6, 000 roubles to 1 dollar rate? I noticed a spike as high as 3, 070 to 1, but it's been hovering around 3, 000 for the past couple years. I haven't seen 6, 000 and all exchange rate sites don't point to this either.

[Felix Nordic]

Felix nice GF but does her husband approve you?

Well, you have sharp eyes! . Well spotted! I did ask her last time in early March and she showed me the ring. Not a wedding ring, but with religous inscriptions bought in a church because she loves god. I think I can believe that. However one can never be too sure. Anyway, as long as she is open for me thats fine. Marriage plans are not present so to say.

And she does do ass to mouth. Another reason to keep her.

Cheers,

Felix