Minsk

[QUOTE=Prosal; 1151459]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[/QUOTE]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

[QUOTE=Felix Nordic;1151875]It is my opinion. I go to Minsk 27 of May and will see how it is.[/QUOTE]Spasibo for your answer Felix. It would be nice if you report about this black market exchange rate.

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: [url]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-11/belarus-ruble-drops-23-on-streets-of-minsk-after-limits-lifted-banks-say.html[/url]

[QUOTE=Sam Suffit; 1151639]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[/QUOTE]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.

[QUOTE=Sean EZ; 1154118]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:

[url]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-11/belarus-ruble-drops-23-on-streets-of-minsk-after-limits-lifted-banks-say.html[/url][/QUOTE]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.

[QUOTE=MinskGuide;1157292]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.[/QUOTE]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?

[QUOTE=Prosal;1157305]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?[/QUOTE]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.

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"

[QUOTE=Jojosun; 1155085]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.

[/QUOTE]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.

[QUOTE=MinskGuide;1157323]...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...[/QUOTE]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?

[QUOTE=Prosal;1157305]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?[/QUOTE]About 1. 5 weeks ago we found to sell dollars at 4500 (official was 4K). The problem is you need to know who to sell to and can get in trouble if you don't.

Price wise your best bet get a table at a club. A bottle of vodka is 80000 (so 15-20 dollars at current rates). Taxi ride 8000-10000, ride to airport is 80000 as well (40 minute ride). You get the idea.

Things are real cheap over there right now. Will not comment on girls since we all speak fluent Russian and so it may or may not be an advantage. Club Next is where many hookers are and they are generally attracted to turkish type guys. Don't go to club Africa, they charge extra for every girl who sits at your table. They are out of their mind. In my opinion your best bet is to hang out by McDonalds in the center area, and hit clubs at night.

[QUOTE=Lukasek;1157696]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?[/QUOTE]50K max, I haven't seen more. You might be able to get a flyer and get in for free. Not sure about mojito, we always did bottles.

[QUOTE=Sean EZ;1158725]Club Next is where many hookers are and they are generally attracted to turkish type guys. .[/QUOTE]Are you kiddink me? They're attracted to the cash in the wallets of the turkish type, if anything)

Update of the situation with hard currency. Now official rate is 4930 BYR for 1 USD. Still no dollars and other currency in the banks for buy / sell. Black market trades USD for 5300/6200.

Moreover, there are rumors that the state will introduce monopoly for import of consumer goods. Have no idea how it will influence the exchange rate but, probably, in the nearest future we won't be able to drink Corona or Heineken. Only local brands.

[QUOTE=Sean EZ;1158725]Price wise your best bet get a table at a club. A bottle of vodka is 80000 (so 15-20 dollars at current rates).[/QUOTE]In what kind of clubs, Sean?

Besides clubs, is there good DJ bars in Minsk? (something that lacks to Kiev)