General Info

[Suka Shalava]

Russian Prostitutes Hike Rates Over Slumping Ruble — Media.

The Moscow TimesDec. 04 2014 20:37 Last edited 20:37.

In the Urals, sex workers have raised prices by between 50 and 100 percent.

Getting laid in Russia just became more expensive.

The crime of buying sexual services is becoming more expensive in Russia as prostitutes increase their rates to offset the free-falling ruble, regional media reported.

An escort agency in the northern port of Murmansk has raised prices by 30 to 40 percent, news website Flashnord.com reported.

The pre-crisis price was 3,000 to 7,000 rubles ($55 to $130 at Thursday's rate) per two hours of "spending time with an agency employee," Flashnord said Tuesday.

The price will likely be pegged to the dollar in the future, the website said. Though prostitution is illegal in Russia, the report gave the name of the alleged brothel, Madlen.

A representative of another "escort salon" named World of Sex in Murmansk was cited as saying that the enterprise "is trying to keep prices as they were, but life's getting more expensive, and girls can't work at a loss. ".

In the Urals, sex workers have raised prices by between 50 and 100 percent, Uralpolit. Ru said Wednesday, citing unnamed clients of prostitutes.

In addition to the falling ruble, the sex tariff inflation may have been boosted by an influx of sex workers fleeing war-torn Ukraine, the website said. The new competition is forcing local sex workers to hike their rates in order to pay their bills, the report said.

The ruble has lost almost 40 percent of its value against the dollar since the start of the year due to an economic downturn.

Sex workers make up about 1 million of Russia's 142 million population, Deputy Interior Minister Igor Zubov said last year.

Prostitution is punishable with a fine of up to 2,000 rubles ($37) in Russia. Pimps face up to a decade behind bars.

[Stravinsky]

It seem that over the weekend, the street on front of her building had been converted into a "no parking zone".

LOL! This seems to be the current joke in Moscow: Ночью знаки, утром деньги (In the night, the signs--in the morning, the money)

Your poor girlfriend, to be out of town all weekend. But this was an unusually egregious action. Typically, they post the "No Parking" signs at night, while everyone is sleeping and then they tow the cars. Of course, to a Russian it probably makes sense, I mean, you can't paint the curb with the cars in the way, can you?

I'm not sure why anyone would want a car in Moscow. Is it still possible to drive to work, and get there on time? Time being a relative concept in Russia, of course. But with Sobyanin announcing new extensions to the Metro almost every month, it seems no place in Moscow is too remote anymore.

[Jake993]

This report is in no way related to mongering so unless you are interested in a funny anecdote that typifies life in VVP's Russia, stop reading now.

I have this girlfriend. She's in her mid 20's. Considering that I am in my mid 50's, I'm not complaining.

She called me yesterday all in a huff. She's well educated and works for a company that furnishes a company car. And on most days, she is lucky enough to get a parking spot on the street in front of the building where she lives. It's a major artery and therefore quite busy.

Last weekend, she flew out of town leaving on Friday evening catching the Aeroexpress train rather than driving to the airport and dealing with parking thus leaving her car parked in front of the building. She returned to Moscow very early Monday morning just in time to get home, take a quick shower and drive to work (ah, to be young again). When she went out on the street to get into her car, she discovered that her car was gone. But it wasn't just her car that was gone, EVERY car was gone. The only hint as to what had happened to the car was a sign pasted to a light post informing readers that all cars on this street had been removed and could be recovered by going to a particular impound lot located in some far off corner of Moscow well outside the MCAD.

It seem that over the weekend, the street on front of her building had been converted into a "no parking zone". According to her neighbor, a whole fleet of "extractors" arrived early Saturday morning and started removing cars. Once the cars were gone, a crew of painters arrived and painted the curb a nice bright white and posted signs announcing the new status. The lucky few who woke up early enough to witness the commotion were able to rush downstairs and move their cars before they were towed away. Everyone else (GF included) had to make the journey to some God awful place on Monday, stand in line for more that 3 hours, pay for 3 days of storage at about 100 Euro per day PLUS a fine for parking in a "No Parking Zone".

Welcome to Moscow. It's not a place for sissies.

[Gentleman Travel]

I am trying to figure out how to use VKontatke to effectively meet dyevs, especially younger ones.

I don't use (or believe in) Facebook, so I am kind of clueless about these social networking sites.

Obviously I can search for girls in a particular city & age group & status, but of the thousands returned how do I I'd those who might be interesting in sponsorship or dating an older Westerner?

I looked for groups / communities using key words, but there are tons of those as well, and didn't find anything useful.

I cannot even tell which profiles are for real girls, vs some kind of promotional / agency profile.

Conversely, what can I do to my profile so that girls looking for a sugar daddy might find it?

Any suggestions for a social networking Luddite?

[Johnny Drama]

That is my experience exactly except I did it at the main Embassy in D. C.

Excellent! That's the spirit! How long will you be there? I return March 3rd for a few days. Yeah, I am addicted. Moscow is a hell of a playground. I just need to find some real work there.

I'm only in town for 3 nights! Decided to make a quick stop before I hit the slopes in Verbier. My main concern, due to lack of time, is how to maximize the sessions! I've pulled a lot of Salon info off the sites posted, but without speaking the language, don't really know the best way to approach it here. I'm not really interested in hitting the strip clubs and paying outrageous rates, so I'm hopeful the Salons will pay off, otherwise maybe grab a driver and grab some girls from a Tochka? Hopefully the Park Hyatt is GF.

-Drama

[Stravinsky]

Suka,

See my response in the Travel to Russia thread.

[YummyPL]

So I will ask my original question again. My question was never whether anyone else had to provide this info. My question was, is there any reason to have concern, providing all this extra personal info?

And this question has been answered by at least two people. The answer is no, there is no reason for concern from the Russian consulate. Whether you have concern about your agency is a different matter.

[Suka Shalava]

I never had to provide ANY of that information for my 3 year tourist visa which was issued on March 14, 2014 through the San Francisco office. I filled out the application, brought the paperwork. No extra anything.

-Drama

Decided to provide some proof to those in doubt. Copied and pasted this directly from Visa Processing Service Website. I don't live near a city with a Consulate, so I use them, and they do a great job.

"Russian Tourist 3 Year Visa Requirements for US Citizens:

Other Forms:

A letter of intent addressed to the Embassy or Consulate, respectfully requesting the visa to be issued including the preferred validity.

The letter must be signed by the applicant.

The letter must include the applicant's name, nationality, passport number, date and place of birth, address in the US and cities to be visited in Russia.

Houston: additional required documents:

- Bank Statement with a minimum balance of $3,000

- Letter of employment from HR department

- Check stub to show proof of payment / employment

- Copy of health insurance card

- Proof of property ownership

- Signed Certificate of the makeup of the applicants family."

So I will ask my original question again. My question was never whether anyone else had to provide this info. My question was, is there any reason to have concern, providing all this extra personal info?

[YummyPL]

I never had to provide ANY of that information for my 3 year tourist visa which was issued on March 14, 2014 through the San Francisco office. I filled out the standard application online, brought the paperwork and cashiers check to my appointment and was out the door in 15 minutes. It was ready 10 days later. No extra questions or hassle and I'm a 30 year old single male. I leave Friday for Moscow, my first trip to Russia. Very much looking forward to it, even with all the political shit going on right now.

-Drama

That is my experience exactly except I did it at the main Embassy in D. C.

Excellent! That's the spirit! How long will you be there? I return March 3rd for a few days. Yeah, I am addicted. Moscow is a hell of a playground. I just need to find some real work there.

[Johnny Drama]

Anybody tried this yet?

Extra requirements include, among other documents, also providing proof to show your bank account statement minimum balance, letter from your employer, and the deed to your house to show that you own your own home.

Not nearly as simple as the 5 year 'business' visa that my travel agent in Kiev got for me back in 2002, so that I wouldn't have to apply for new single entry tourist visas every time I wanted to return to Ukraine (back when visas there were required).

Should there be ANY reason for concern to provide info on items I listed?

I never had to provide ANY of that information for my 3 year tourist visa which was issued on March 14, 2014 through the San Francisco office. I filled out the standard application online, brought the paperwork and cashiers check to my appointment and was out the door in 15 minutes. It was ready 10 days later. No extra questions or hassle and I'm a 30 year old single male. I leave Friday for Moscow, my first trip to Russia. Very much looking forward to it, even with all the political shit going on right now.

-Drama

[Jake993]

According to the Russian Consulate in Houston, the new 3 year multiple entry tourist visa did not exist until September 2013, so it is interesting that you claim to have received one 5 months before that in May?

And also, on their website, it clearly specifies the extra requirements that I listed.

As I previously asked, should there be any reason for concern to provide bank account and home ownership specific info and details, as is required?

As for Jake99, you gave no reason why the consulate would not process it, when they have it listed as available on their website, and the visa service that I used for the last four years confirms that they have had all applications they've submitted approved by the consulate.

Suka, You must have me confused with someone else. I am here on a 3 year WORK visa. I don't know shit about tourist visas. That's why I am asking.

[YummyPL]

Yummy, Did you get the invitation letter through an online service?

I got my invitation from the Hilton in Moscow. It was free if you stayed there and they send it as soon as you make the reservation and tell them you need one. If you cancel the reservation, I think they charge you quite a bit more than a service, so it is only worthwhile if you actually stay there. I stayed there one night using points and spent the rest of my time in an apartment. I suspect any decent hotel will provide a letter.

Once you get the original invitation for your visa, they do not require any further invitations or any other documents on future visits. You just have to show up in Russia with your passport and valid visa.

[YummyPL]

According to the Russian Consulate in Houston, the new 3 year multiple entry tourist visa did not exist until September 2013, so it is interesting that you claim to have received one 5 months before that in May?

And also, on their website, it clearly specifies the extra requirements that I listed.

As I previously asked, should there be any reason for concern to provide bank account and home ownership specific info and details, as is required?

As for Jake99, you gave no reason why the consulate would not process it, when they have it listed as available on their website, and the visa service that I used for the last four years confirms that they have had all applications they've submitted approved by the consulate.

The Russian Consulate in Houston either mis-spoke or made a mistake or you heard them wrong. I got mine in May of 2013 directly at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Washington, D. C. without using any kind of service. They were very friendly and helpful there.

According to the US State Department website:

"A visa agreement between the United States and the Russian government entered into force on September 9, 2012, and is intended to reduce complications for USA citizens who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation." (emphasis mine)

http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...ry/russia.html

I suspect the date on the US State Department website is correct. I have been to Russia 4 times on my current visa since May (Jake can confirm this as we have met each time) and I will be there next week.

I know the website says it may have those requirements. I am just telling you that they did not require it of me. Maybe if you give bad answers on the application they will ask for it. Either way, they are nothing to be concerned about.

Suka, please don't make Yummy grumpy 3 days before he is balls-deep in Russian pussy...

And finally, I think Jake was saying that no, there is nothing to worry about not that they would not process it.

[Suka Shalava]

I got the 3 year visa last May. They didn't ask for anything but the basic application, the invitation letter, and the money. No problems whatsoever.

According to the Russian Consulate in Houston, the new 3 year multiple entry tourist visa did not exist until September 2013, so it is interesting that you claim to have received one 5 months before that in May?

And also, on their website, it clearly specifies the extra requirements that I listed.

As I previously asked, should there be any reason for concern to provide bank account and home ownership specific info and details, as is required?

As for Jake99, you gave no reason why the consulate would not process it, when they have it listed as available on their website, and the visa service that I used for the last four years confirms that they have had all applications they've submitted approved by the consulate.

[Jake993]

I got the 3 year visa last May. They didn't ask for anything but the basic application, the invitation letter, and the money. No problems whatsoever.

Yummy, Did you get the invitation letter through an online service?