Minsk

[QUOTE=Barba; 1181528]Are you really a Minsk guide, MinskGuide? I always enjoy to meet someone that knows the scene.

B.[/QUOTE]Well, sort of. I don't do it professionally. I am just a local who had been living in the UK for a while and often go there for business (in Germany as well). Normally I enjoy having a pint or more at "U ratushi" (formerly known as "05") pub and chat with an occasional foreigner just for the sake of speaking English. Sometimes we talk about girls and share our views where to go and what to do. It would be great to meet up and have a chat with you, when you in Minsk.

As for accommodation for long term I'd rather advise you to rent an apartment than staying in a hotel. Downside is that you need to register in OVIR if you stay longer than 5 days (not sure, maybe 7 now)

[QUOTE=Fsu123;1181558]Here now and yes it is empty. It's quite strange.[/QUOTE]Yes Lukashenko rounded up all people and sent them to the agricultural fields to collect the grain. Just like in Cambodia.

No you don't know much about the Minsk.

The worst time to visit the city is July-August. Many students who are out of the town left home for summer holiday.

Many employed people take their holiday time from mid July to mid August. Right now many of them are in Crimea.

Late August and city is full again.

"Maybe, it's because foreigners in Minsk are a bit scared, feel uncomfortable and don't want to leave center of the city. Do not know why is that."

Maybe because the western medias portrait Belarus as the last dictatorship in Europe, with crazy president and huge military and police presence at the street.

[QUOTE=Kurenda; 1181822]Yes Lukashenko rounded up all people and sent them to the agricultural fields to collect the grain. Just like in Cambodia.

No you don't know much about the Minsk.

The worst time to visit the city is July-August. Many students who are out of the town left home for summer holiday.

Many employed people take their holiday time from mid July to mid August. Right now many of them are in Crimea.

Late August and city is full again.

"Maybe, it's because foreigners in Minsk are a bit scared, feel uncomfortable and don't want to leave center of the city. Do not know why is that."

Maybe because the western medias portrait Belarus as the last dictatorship in Europe, with crazy president and huge military and police presence at the street.[/QUOTE]Not that Kurenda needs me to back up his point for it to be correct, but what he is saying is right on the mark. I have a couple of friends who live in Minsk and they are all currently in the Crimea. I receive many messages from people I know in Kiev but no one from Minsk right now. They are all on vacation.

I will tell you this: I am seriously considering a trip to Minsk for 6 weeks this September but I am rather nervous about it. That said, if not Minsk I will go to Kiev and my feeling is more excitement than anything being in Ukraine once more. It is quite simply the political situation in Belarus that has me unnerved. However, my friends in Minsk tell me my anxiety is unfounded and I'll enjoy their city.

[QUOTE=MinskGuide; 1181801]It would be great to meet up and have a chat with you, when you in Minsk.

As for accommodation for long term I'd rather advise you to rent an apartment than staying in a hotel. Downside is that you need to register in OVIR if you stay longer than 5 days (not sure, maybe 7 now) [/QUOTE]Would be great. First one is one me!

No idea what OVIR is. Is it a time-consuming process?

B

OVIR = Otdel Visa I Registraciji.

Meaning Department of Visas and Registrations.

For the foreigner who wants to register on his own there it's pain in the ass. You need to take your local hosts (who usually will not do it) with you there and spend hours waiting for registration.

CanadianBoy it will be hard to get 6 week visa. Maximum for the tourist visa is 30 days. In some cases maybe visa will be issued but it will cost time and money.

Better to use that extra money in Kiev for example. Current political situation in Minsk is calm. But opposition plans protest for September. They are on also on vacation right now.

[QUOTE=Kurenda; 1182224]OVIR = Otdel Visa I Registraciji.

Meaning Department of Visas and Registrations.

For the foreigner who wants to register on his own there it's pain in the ass. You need to take your local hosts (who usually will not do it) with you there and spend hours waiting for registration.[/QUOTE]Thank's Kurenda. How many days before this crap is required? Can't I just pay someone to queue up, like in Phil?

/H

Registrations is needed in 3 working days upon arrival. Weekdays are not counted in.

Maybe this period is extended (like in Russia it was 3 working days and now it's 7 working days) don't know about it but official belarus MFA website still says 3 days.

If you're staying in the hotel they do registration for your automatically upon checking in. Any other way of accomodation and you're on your own.

If staying in apartment then agency must do it for you but in most cases agency is not owing the aprtment you will be staying in but it has a private owner.

[QUOTE=Kurenda; 1181822]Yes Lukashenko rounded up all people and sent them to the agricultural fields to collect the grain. Just like in Cambodia.

No you don't know much about the Minsk.

The worst time to visit the city is July-August. Many students who are out of the town left home for summer holiday.

Many employed people take their holiday time from mid July to mid August. Right now many of them are in Crimea.

Late August and city is full again.

"Maybe, it's because foreigners in Minsk are a bit scared, feel uncomfortable and don't want to leave center of the city. Do not know why is that."

Maybe because the western medias portrait Belarus as the last dictatorship in Europe, with crazy president and huge military and police presence at the street.[/QUOTE]Kurenda, but is the western media's portrait of Belarus and its government true? To what extent is it accurate?

[QUOTE=CanadianBoy;1183031]Kurenda, but is the western media's portrait of Belarus and its government true? To what extent is it accurate?[/QUOTE]Try this one:

[url]http://counterpunch.com/brand07082011.html[/url]

A fairly well-reasoned interpretation, though nothing a casual tourist out to have a good enough time as he can ought to trouble himself thinking about too much.

As for expenses, costs will end up getting reckoned in harder currencies.

[QUOTE=Golfinho; 1183037]Try this one:

[url]http://counterpunch.com/brand07082011.html[/url]

A fairly well-reasoned interpretation, though nothing a casual tourist out to have a good enough time as he can ought to trouble himself thinking about too much.

As for expenses, costs will end up getting reckoned in harder currencies.[/QUOTE]I want to thank you, Golfinho, for suggesting that link. I read it quite carefully and enjoyed it immensely. While I am not ready to jump on the 'feel sorry for poor Lukashenko and his government and screw the US and Russia' bandwaggon, I must say the objectivity of the article was both refreshing and illuminating. Maybe I will head to Minsk instead of Kiev this September afterall.

To Canadianboy: I assume that you are Canadian by the name. .

Did you stay in Ukraine / Kiev last year between 8:th and 12:th of September, and was a frequent visitor at the Rio Club?

To all: Hi, am a new member. I really like the forum, a lot of nice posts and information.

[QUOTE=Zzap3000; 1185658]To Canadianboy: I assume that you are Canadian by the name. .

Did you stay in Ukraine / Kiev last year between 8:th and 12:th of September, and was a frequent visitor at the Rio Club?

To all: Hi, am a new member. I really like the forum, a lot of nice posts and information.[/QUOTE]Yes, I am Canadian and I was in Kiev last summer for one month from mid-July to mid-August. I was actually at Riverpalace in Kiev the night before it was forced to close. I have never been to Rio club as it doesn't interest me. Why do you ask?

I am coming to Europe this mid-September to late October and seriously debating between Minsk and Kiev.

It was a long shot. We met a nice Canadian guy there (don't remember the name) and he seemed to be there every night. We are going to Minsk in mid-September.

[QUOTE=Zzap3000;1185937]It was a long shot. We met a nice Canadian guy there (don't remember the name) and he seemed to be there every night. We are going to Minsk in mid-September.[/QUOTE]All Canadian guys are nice. Anyway, send me a PM what dates you'll be in Minsk. Maybe we can meet up for a drink or whatnot. Have you been there before? I am a little apprehensive about going but I know a lovely young woman living there who promised to show me her city.

[QUOTE=Felix Nordic; 1191712]I was in Belarus for 16 days and I will try to post a report later.

It was mentioned that registration must be done within 3 days but it is actually 5 days.

Also I found a bank where you can get USD cash if you have a foreign account with hard currency. It is Prior bank. The one I went to was here:

[url]http://maps.google.se/maps?hl=sv&gs_upl=1401l6456l0l7579l16l16l0l2l2l0l251l2297l1.11.2l14l0&bav=on.2[/url]

, or. R_gc. R_pw. &biw=1366&bih=665&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=prior+bank+Minsk&fb=1&gl=se&hq=prior+bank&hnear=0x46dbcfd35b1e6ad3:0xb61b853ddb570d9, Minsk, +Vitryssland&ei=ieVbTt2QK4-bOsmdwIMM&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CAQQtgM&iwloc=cids:7878493680528873388.

It is a good relief for those who needs more hard currency and did not bring enough. There is no guarantee however they will have USD cash. There is a ATM outside where you can get USD cash. If there are no USD in the ATM go inside the bank and make your withdrawal. Bring your passport! The official exchange rate is now around 5070 to the Belarus rouble. The last black exchange rate I got was 7250 for the USD. There is a quite official rumour the Blr Rouble will default in September to around 7000 to end the black market. Who knows what will happen? Russia has demanded conditions for their loan. Belarus has to build a new Nuclear power plant delivering 80% of the energy to Russia and leaving only 20% to be used in Belarus. Again, who knows what will happen. So, the currency crisis continues continues. It is true what some wrote that visiting Belarus in August will be hard because many girls leave on holiday, abroad or to relatives in Belarus. That also caused me some problems because some girls were just gone. However I had to adjust to my vacation period.

Cheers and happy hunting!

/Felix[/QUOTE]Thanks for the report, Felix! I am coming to Minsk in mid-September for a four week stay. I am looking forward to my first trip to Belarus. Is it better to bring Euro's, US dollars or Canadian dollars or does it even matter? By the way, where can you do a 'Black Market' exchange?

Lastly, any clubs or Casino's you would recommend for out hobby? I appreciate the help!