Moscow

I cannot recommend Rick's apartments at all. Rick has such a big chaos in everything that you have to contact him by email and telephone ten times before getting an apartment. His apartments are mostly older and in bad conditions. The cleaning of the apartments could be as well better. It can happen that you arrive in an uncleaned apartment and the bed is not done. His apartments are quiet expensive compared to several competitors.

Hi guys!

I am going to Moscow in April and thinking about using girls from Sweet dreems website advertised here by Victoria 2000.

I liked pictures of several girls(Oksana,Marina,Nastia) there and according to Victoria prices are reasonable so I wander if you have experience with her girls?

Is prices quoted correctly? Is those girls as pretty as on their website pictures?

I checked russian website sexrtalk.ru where you ca search any posts about certain phone # and there is no information about sweet-dreems girls.

Lover

Hi Lover

I talked to Victoria2000 in Oct + Nov 2005.

She was very helpful to a non-Russian speaker.

Lena and Elaina were very pretty and were a GFE treat.

Prices are fair and girls very friendly.

Say Hi for me!

Marsh908

[QUOTE=Cicciolino]I cannot recommend Rick's apartments at all. Rick has such a big chaos in everything that you have to contact him by email and telephone ten times before getting an apartment. His apartments are mostly older and in bad conditions. The cleaning of the apartments could be as well better. It can happen that you arrive in an uncleaned apartment and the bed is not done. His apartments are quiet expensive compared to several competitors.[/QUOTE]I beg to differ on the comments by Cicciolino. I reserved my apartment with Rick nearly two months in advance knowing that since the demolition of the Rossia Hotel (2000 rooms) being offset only by a Ritz-Carlton, was going to up the demand side of the pricing curve up. Just as I predicted, the hotel rates have all gone up another $100-150 per night. At the same time, I knew that apartments were going to be over booked.

Even with a 2 mos advance notice, Rick had to scramble around to find me one in a location I wanted. But he got me one at $170 per night (for a week's stay). Compare that with $550-650/night at the Marriott, Hyatt or Meridien or no room at all elsewhere.

He seems to have a new crew (drivers, assistants) that seem more dependable and the apartments are always clean and functional, with all minimum items (coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper and cooking utensils) supplied.

I would continue to recommend Rick's Apartments as a alternative in Moscow, understanding that you can't expect US level services in Moscow, its all relative and you can do a lot worse.

I think moscow wolf pretty much nailed it...

Rick is always so busy, as he will tell you himself... about working 20 hour days, as he is on his way to play basketball or partake of a local punch, and how he is doing you a big favor by renting you an apartment... That said, he does have about the largest assortment of apartments in Moscow and he does speak English. He's raised the prices about 50% in the last year, but who can blame him the way it is in Moscow these days.

I recommend that you try [url]www.moscow-comfort.com[/url]. It is owned by Sveta, ex of Moscow Star, who is very efficient and cute. She doesn't have many apartments and I am told they are booked up all of the time but it may be worth a shot. I've never stayed there, but I have confidence in Sveta.

If you have to stay in one of rick's places, I suggest that you tell him that you want one of the old MSP apartments. Then, insist on some major refund if he has to move you for ANY reason.

Blastoff:

"...my only real concern is the Russian Mafia. I do not speak Russian and am thinking of travelling there alone. I... I am hearing is that the Mafia has people reporting the arrival and movements of tourists from the time they arrive at the airport till they leave. I hear that tourists are often kidnapped and tortured and extorted for money, some times for weeks as they are forced to sell their homes and transfer the money to the gangsters account before they are released or killed."

Maybe in Chechnya, but not in Moscow. There are no mafia problems to worry about. The only problems with apartments are:

a) you must get your visa registered
b) you should get a centrally located apt
c) the cleanliness standard of some apartments isnt on par with a hotel
d) many apartments have lousy plumbing/water pressure

If you aren't EE experienced, apartments may not be right for you. Some apts are just great, most are average and a lot suck as well.

Western hotels are fine for pro action. Russian hotels are not. I chose apartments because they are cheaper and are better when have your freebie regular girlfriends over.

Cicciolino:

"I cannot recommend Rick's apartments at all. Rick has such a big chaos in everything that you have to contact him by email and telephone ten times before getting an apartment. His apartments are mostly older and in bad conditions..."

My experience wasnt as bad as yours, but it is true that he is a bit expensive and you should DEFINITELY book off of the [url]www.moscow-star.com[/url] site and not the [url]www.enjoymoscow.com[/url] site. The apartments on the moscow-star site are the better apartments. He operates both sites. All his apartments have internet access though, which I consider a big advantage.

Blastoff... You really have it nailed... MAN, I just barely made it out of Moscow alive. The worst thing is having that mafia thug trying to keep up with me everyday for two years... Sometimes I even had to slow down so he could catch up. The worst thing is when I'd go to a tochka and feel like I "had" to get him a girl too! Man, what a hassle... Then, going to clubs... No wonder everything is so damn expensive in Moscow... You have to pay for your "tail" then you had to try to find something for yourself!

In fact, it got so bad that I actually got a separate ATM card just to give to them... that way I didn't have to mess with calling my broker, what with the time change and all, and getting her out of bed in California to sell off some pork bellies just so I could be released in time to catch Larry King on CNN. What a hassle. The personal ATM worked out quite well though and they really don't abuse it too much and I always make sure that it never runs dry so they don't hassle me like they did a few months ago to the poor guy in line at First! They wouldn't let him in... apparently it had something to do with the fact that his mafia tail wasn't dressed appropriately, but who knows!

Seriously... BO, please re-read your post! Does it sound like a fantasy? Go to the Moscow Times and read a few issues. Do you think they are hiding the fact that there are thousands of tourists and businessmen being kidnapped and tortured for cash? Believe me, the mafia has much better and more profitable ways to make money than to try to shake down some guy coming to Moscow to see the dead guy and get laid! NOW, if you go to Spb, it is a different story, but it's not the mafia it is the militia and gangs. Be careful in Spb every minute of the day.

BUT, if you don't want to screw with the militia, visas, etc, just go to Ukraine. In fact, any multiple week visit to the FSU, should include Ukraine because you'll immediately see the difference in the attitude of people and every thing costs a lot less.

In any case, don't worry about safety, just don't be a stupid jerk and do something dumb... find a wingman if you can and all will be OK. Apartments are fine if you can find one in the center, and never rent one outside the center, all of my comments are not valid very far outside of the brown circle line of the metro.

Many thanks for the info.

I have mongered in many of the poorest 3rd world countries so I think that a lousy apartment in Moscow will be a luxury next to a grass hut in a remote island off the Philippines but thanks for the advice on the mafia. I thought is was a lot more serious than that. Are you suggesting that moving around Moscow will be no more dangerous for a white tourist than say moving around New York? I am very interested to hear your feed back and thanks again.

[QUOTE=Doctor_Skank]Blastoff:

"...my only real concern is the Russian Mafia. I do not speak Russian and am thinking of travelling there alone. I... I am hearing is that the Mafia has people reporting the arrival and movements of tourists from the time they arrive at the airport till they leave. I hear that tourists are often kidnapped and tortured and extorted for money, some times for weeks as they are forced to sell their homes and transfer the money to the gangsters account before they are released or killed."

Maybe in Chechnya, but not in Moscow. There are no mafia problems to worry about. The only problems with apartments are:

a) you must get your visa registered
b) you should get a centrally located apt
c) the cleanliness standard of some apartments isnt on par with a hotel
d) many apartments have lousy plumbing/water pressure

If you aren't EE experienced, apartments may not be right for you. Some apts are just great, most are average and a lot suck as well.

Western hotels are fine for pro action. Russian hotels are not. I chose apartments because they are cheaper and are better when have your freebie regular girlfriends over.

Cicciolino:

"I cannot recommend Rick's apartments at all. Rick has such a big chaos in everything that you have to contact him by email and telephone ten times before getting an apartment. His apartments are mostly older and in bad conditions..."

My experience wasnt as bad as yours, but it is true that he is a bit expensive and you should DEFINITELY book off of the [url]www.moscow-star.com[/url] site and not the [url]www.enjoymoscow.com[/url] site. The apartments on the moscow-star site are the better apartments. He operates both sites. All his apartments have internet access though, which I consider a big advantage.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=CA Traveler]Blastoff... You really have it nailed... MAN, I just barely made it out of Moscow alive. The worst thing is having that mafia thug trying to keep up with me everyday for two years... Sometimes I even had to slow down so he could catch up. The worst thing is when I'd go to a tochka and feel like I "had" to get him a girl too! Man, what a hassle... Then, going to clubs... No wonder everything is so damn expensive in Moscow... You have to pay for your "tail" then you had to try to find something for yourself!

In fact, it got so bad that I actually got a separate ATM card just to give to them... that way I didn't have to mess with calling my broker, what with the time change and all, and getting her out of bed in California to sell off some pork bellies just so I could be released in time to catch Larry King on CNN. What a hassle. The personal ATM worked out quite well though and they really don't abuse it too much and I always make sure that it never runs dry so they don't hassle me like they did a few months ago to the poor guy in line at First! They wouldn't let him in... apparently it had something to do with the fact that his mafia tail wasn't dressed appropriately, but who knows!

Seriously... BO, please re-read your post! Does it sound like a fantasy? Go to the Moscow Times and read a few issues. Do you think they are hiding the fact that there are thousands of tourists and businessmen being kidnapped and tortured for cash? Believe me, the mafia has much better and more profitable ways to make money than to try to shake down some guy coming to Moscow to see the dead guy and get laid! NOW, if you go to Spb, it is a different story, but it's not the mafia it is the militia and gangs. Be careful in Spb every minute of the day.

BUT, if you don't want to screw with the militia, visas, etc, just go to Ukraine. In fact, any multiple week visit to the FSU, should include Ukraine because you'll immediately see the difference in the attitude of people and every thing costs a lot less.

In any case, don't worry about safety, just don't be a stupid jerk and do something dumb... find a wingman if you can and all will be OK. Apartments are fine if you can find one in the center, and never rent one outside the center, all of my comments are not valid very far outside of the brown circle line of the metro.[/QUOTE]

Nice. Thanks for the ribbing and the advice. I asked earlier and I will ask again, can getting around in Moscow safety wise be compared to getting around New York City in your opinion?

Blastoff:

Moscow is as safe as New York, especially if you are white. It's only dangerous if you are in the distant suburbs, drunk or behaving in a stupid fashion.

You should take normal "big city" cautions, such as avoiding be drunk alone, avoiding walking late at night (take a cab) etc. etc.

One monger-related hazard seems to be drugged drinks at CF (Boarhouse), a popular pick up bar. I have been drugged there before, as has a colleague of mine... after talking to the girls they reported that it is fairly common. So if you go there, watch your drink. Same goes if you take a girl home, make sure you keep an eye on your drink.

Of course things can happen in Moscow and occasionally do, but it isnt something to be paranoid about.

BO... Actually I was just going to write to tell you that after consideration, I have been held hostage several times... usually by two girls, in all cases both were pack'n and I noticed they both had a couple of bullets displayed for most of the night! On top of it all, they did demand money the next day. I guess at the time, I didn't realize that they were connected, even though I did every thing I could throughout the night to stay connected with them, they kept submitting me to all kinds of torture throughout the night. I remember screaming a few times, but I've lost most of my memories of exactly what they were doing could have involved my genitals, but I don't think there were any electric cords attached! I guess I'm going to have to be more aware of my situation! :)

Actually it is usually easier to get around Moscow than NYC in many cases. Cheaper and even if you don't speak English it is probably no worse than trying to communicate with some of the cabbies in NYC. I suggest having your destination and return written in Russian. On top of that, I usually try to find the closest metro statiion and ask for that, then I walk to my final destination.

Enjoy your trip...

[QUOTE=Blastoff]Hi Guys,

I am chatting to many girls on line in Moscow and have many web sites for pro action, my only real concern is the Russian Mafia. I do not speak Russian and am thinking of travelling there alone. I would probably (for safety reasons) stay in a hotel as opposed to an apartment.

The horror stories I am hearing is that the Mafia has people reporting the arrival and movements of tourists from the time they arrive at the airport till they leave. I hear that tourists are often kidnapped and tortured and extorted for money, some times for weeks as they are forced to sell their homes and transfer the money to the gangsters account before they are released or killed.

What can you guys on the ground, tell me about this situation and how dangerous is it for a sole tourist to travel there for a few weeks?

Thanks in advance for your help and any contributions on the subject as this is the only area of my trip I need to fully understand before I book it.[/QUOTE]


Dear Blastoff,
all these terrible stopies were true 10-15 years ago. Now mafia guys grew up and more interested in oil, gas and banking instead of poor tourists and working girls. So, relax and have fun! Nobody will touch you if you not ask. And most of girls here (I just don't know about tochkas) are not involved in crime.

[QUOTE=Doctor_Skank]... you should DEFINITELY book off of the [url]www.moscow-star.com[/url] site and not the [url]www.enjoymoscow.com[/url] site.[/QUOTE]
Well, I did tried to book from the moscow-star site last year, after Rick has taken it over from CA_T. Apart from an automatic email saying that they received my booking and will come back to me within 48hrs, I never heard from them again. I sent them reminders after reminders, and lost 10 days. Had to find another site which can rent me an apartment and send me an invitation letter in a hurry.

Needless to say, I fully agree with Cicciolino and certainly won't use Rick's services in the future. Even if his apartments are all booked already and he doesn't need my business, he could have the courtesy to reply to my emails and not leave me sitting there waiting and wasting my time.

GJ,

I had the same problem with writing to Rick at Moscow-Star. It wasn't until I started writing to him at enjoymosow.com that I finally received a reply.

It seems as if Rick doesn't read the emails at Moscow-Star, just at enjoymoscow.

I think what Doc means is that you should select and book your apartment from those listed on Moscow-Star. They are better located and in better condition than those listed on enjoymoscow.com.

But, in order to book those Moscow-Star apartments, you have to write to Rick at enjoymoscow.com.

I think Rick has been in Russia too long, he thinks just like a Russian! LOL

Strav:

Yes, it seems that Rick has been Russified... he always replied to my mails within 24 hours as I WAS a regular customer, so maybe he prioritized. Not really sound business practice from a service-oriented US point of view, but for Russians completely normal.

Ca_T:

As for Sveta, she practices Russian "beezness" as well. I actually had an apartment booked from her and she cancelled at the last second claiming a technical problem. I booked through someone else and then on that trip met another monger who was staying in that same apartment I had originally booked from Sveta... so I had been dumped for him since he was staying longer than I. So Russia is Russia. Its exactly the same in Kiev, where bait and switch is not only a regular practice with internet girls, but with apts as well.