Minsk

[QUOTE=Prosal;1208667]Even a "big" FSU city (Moscow, Piter and Kiev being different playgrounds) can become VERY small when you start serial dating. Most often there is only 2/3 hyp clubs and 4/5 "in" cafes where girls go. It is actually embarrassing to go in a place with your date of the day Natasha, and spot at one table, with her friends, your yesterday's conquest Tatiana, and at the other corner Lena, that you fucked two days ago and promessed to call back soon. (smilie)[/QUOTE]That made me laugh, been in those situations a few times. It can make dates quite stressful what with you constantly thinking "damn, I hope Masha doesn't come in tonight" or if she does walk in with friends you've got to charm your new girl whilst knowing that Masha and her friends and watching you're every move and talking about you. Of course the answer would be to head to some small out of the way cafes in the suburbs but what Russian girl wants to get herself dressed up only to be told you're going to take her to a stolovaya no. 17 in the micro regions? Not many.

That's something I've noticed about FSU women: it's not the quality of the meal you take them for but the setting it's in. A few times I've discovered a great little gem of a restaurant in the suburbs, you know the type, crap outdated decor but cheap prices and awesome food. And I've thought it would be great to take a date to. But when you get there the Mashas and the Dashas are turning their nose up before they have sat down, whining about why I have taken them here instead of the new super dooper cafe in the centre (read: expensive and a place to be seen in but with average over priced food ). Snobs. I use this as my test. If the dev is cool with the cheapo place and just goes with it then I consider adding them to my 'cool devs to hang out with sometimes' list and I'll call them up sometimes to invite them out to do something like bowling or whatever. However If they whine I secretly despise their pretensions inside and go for broke on that evening knowing that I'll never bother calling them again. Snobbery and ungratefulness is a nasty quality and I don't have women like that in my life here in my home country so why would I put up with it in the FSU even if the girl is a hot young Russian dev? Too many foreign men put these devs up on a pedestal because of their undeniable beauty, and let them take the [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] out of them. A Russian man would NEVER EVER take that shit off of a woman over there. And that is why most Russian women will end up with a Russian man, because they know where they stand with them. They might date a foreigner, even marry him, but most will end up with a Russian in the long run despite them constantly saying that Russian men are crap.

Glad to see all the activity here. Great info on the marriage agencies Kurenda, always interesting to hear how those things are clamped down on in Belarus.

I've been to Minsk twice and didn't see any prostitution. I wasn't looking for it either but in Russia / Ukraine it's often in your face (late night phone calls at hotels, expat bars have working girls).

I'm also interested how the recent devaluation might be affecting prices (of goods and entertainment, not pros). I was in Minsk last in 2008 but it struck me as more expensive than Kiev. Any thoughts on this? I will be in the FSU in January and was planning on doing New Year's in Kiev, but I might change plans to be in Minsk instead if the devaluation really has made things cheaper. Sadly I'm on a tight budget, and I'm not looking for pros, but a good time out in clubs and meeting up with freebies found online.

That said, I really do love the smaller towns. I'd consider visiting Gomel or Vitebsk. One thing I hate about Belarus though is the hotels all charge triple the base rate for foreigners. Ukraine is much easier with regards to all these issues; I stayed in an okay hotel in March of this year (2011) in a small city in Ukraine for $12 a night.

[QUOTE=Latexian2;1208934]That said, I really do love the smaller towns. I'd consider visiting Gomel or Vitebsk. One thing I hate about Belarus though is the hotels all charge triple the base rate for foreigners. Ukraine is much easier with regards to all these issues; I stayed in an okay hotel in March of this year (2011) in a small city in Ukraine for $12 a night.[/QUOTE]Yes the three tier pricing in hotels is a total [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] take. It's one thing to let locals stay cheaply, I can kind of go with that since they earn sod all, but having CIS citizens pay a fraction of what we pay too let's us know where we stand in the eyes of the government. Museums have the same three tier pricing. Gomel and Vitebsk are cool towns to spend a few days in but the hotels are not cheap.

[QUOTE=Latexian2; 1208934]Glad to see all the activity here. Great info on the marriage agencies Kurenda, always interesting to hear how those things are clamped down on in Belarus.

I've been to Minsk twice and didn't see any prostitution. I wasn't looking for it either but in Russia / Ukraine it's often in your face (late night phone calls at hotels, expat bars have working girls).

I'm also interested how the recent devaluation might be affecting prices (of goods and entertainment, not pros). I was in Minsk last in 2008 but it struck me as more expensive than Kiev. Any thoughts on this? I will be in the FSU in January and was planning on doing New Year's in Kiev, but I might change plans to be in Minsk instead if the devaluation really has made things cheaper. Sadly I'm on a tight budget, and I'm not looking for pros, but a good time out in clubs and meeting up with freebies found online.

That said, I really do love the smaller towns. I'd consider visiting Gomel or Vitebsk. One thing I hate about Belarus though is the hotels all charge triple the base rate for foreigners. Ukraine is much easier with regards to all these issues; I stayed in an okay hotel in March of this year (2011) in a small city in Ukraine for $12 a night.[/QUOTE]Latexian,

I was in Kiev last summer and in Minsk for one month recently and now I think the prices are the same between the cities. I know taxi's are very cheap in Minsk and there are many restaurants that are the same price as in Kiev (although the quality of food in Minsk restaurants is much higher, in my opinion).

I wasn't looking for prostitutes in Minsk but I saw them often. I saw a few of them walking around the front of the new circus building near Hotel Europe and every night there is a congregation of prostitutes after 22:00 on Pobediteley Ave. Directly acrossed from the Sports Palace and in front of Yubileinaya Hotel. You can't miss them. Also, I frequented the casino at Hotel Victoria on Pobediteley and I saw what I was sure to be prostitutes hanging around the cafe near the front desk. It makes sense as it is an international. 4-star hotel. However, as I was not interested in these girls I have no idea what they charge. So, they are out there. However, you are right. It is not as in your face as in Ukraine.

[QUOTE=Borderland;1208956]Yes the three tier pricing in hotels is a total [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] take. It's one thing to let locals stay cheaply, I can kind of go with that since they earn sod all, but having CIS citizens pay a fraction of what we pay too let's us know where we stand in the eyes of the government. Museums have the same three tier pricing. Gomel and Vitebsk are cool towns to spend a few days in but the hotels are not cheap.[/QUOTE]Yes that is what I was afraid of. I stayed in Mogilev for a few days once and the hotel rate was something like $60 / night, which considering how utterly shite the hotel was I found mind boggling.

For the budget traveler Ukraine is much better in comparison, hotels (outside of Kiev) can be had for very cheap, and transportation is insanely cheap (you can cross the country for $10 on trains).

A Belarus trip overall is usually more expensive then Ukraine due to:

No budget airlines serving Minsk.

The cost of the visa.

Hotels being vastly overpriced.

However transport costs and restaurants are similar in price. Pro action can be very cheap in Minsk so if you intended to do a lot of girls then it would be worth considering the city. However IMHO Minsk is just not as much fun as Kiev. I like Minsk, but when I'm out in Kiev I usually meet more interesting people and return home with a bigger smile on my face, women there are more forward too unlike Minsk women. I'm more into freebie action and have had more success in Kiev then Minsk although I think if you spent a month or more in Minsk you would have great success if you know how to talk to women. Belarus IMHO is not a place to fly solely half way around the world for. Better go to Kiev where things are easier, but if you're already in Europe and have been to Kiev then Minsk is worth a look.

[QUOTE=CanadianBoy;1208977]It is not as in your face as in Ukraine.[/QUOTE]I guess Latexian refered more about 'semi pros" (whatever that means) or "occasionals" chicks.

[quote=borderland;1208766]that made me laugh, been in those situations a few times. it can make dates quite stressful what with you constantly thinking "damn, i hope masha doesn't come in tonight" or if she does walk in with friends you've got to charm your new girl whilst knowing that masha and her friends and watching you're every move and talking about you.[/quote]what can leads to unwanted embarrassing situations is to date girls from the same target group, available at the same time slots, who have the same interests and who frequent the same places. my usual strategy is to try to choose girls from different social / peer groups. last time i was in tashkent (which is very much a fishbowl, and where serial dating can be a problem) , i managed to juggle with four regular gfs (plus occasional new girls) , without any problems. it was:

- dasha. 18 yo student. her parents wanted her to be home before 8pm on weekdays. she was happy with a cocktail or two in a cheap place from 5pm and then sex in my apartment, and always leaved before 7. 30pm. nice.

- lena. 27 yo single mom. available only from 10 pm till about midnight, when her daughter slept and was watched by the babushka. she used to come directly in my place for sex, no time nor wish for having a drink outside. which was a great deal.

- ksenia. 26 yo glam party girl. i used to rejoin her from about 1am (pretexting a "meeting with friends" before) in a hyp club or café to party a bit and then to fuck her. she rarely slept in my place as she had to wake up early and prepare for her job (she owned a trendy hairdressing salon).

- mila. 22 yo stripper. she would get off of work each day at 5 or 6am, smsed to see if i was available, and if i was, would go to my apartment, drink one beer or two, talk a bit, have sex, sleep till noon, and then leave. no questions asked and no materialistic expectations, save sometimes a light lunch. talk about a nice situation.

i rarely did them all within the 5pm / 6am time slot, but it happened a few times though, thanks to cialis. but that was admittedly exhausting days! (smilie)

anyhow this is a strategy i try to apply pretty much everywhere. various types of girls with different schedules and availabilities. makes life easier.

[QUOTE=Borderland;1209109]No budget airlines serving Minsk.[/QUOTE]Lufthansa has great deals within Europe by the way (book before 31/12/2011, travel between Oct 2011 and Dec 2012) , including 170€ two-ways tickets to Minsk. This is from Paris, but I guess it's the same fares from any European capital.

[QUOTE=Prosal;1210636]Lufthansa has great deals within Europe by the way (book before 31/12/2011, travel between Oct 2011 and Dec 2012) , including 170€ two-ways tickets to Minsk. This is from Paris, but I guess it's the same fares from any European capital.[/QUOTE]Wow! Did something change in terms of tickets to Minsk or regulations or something? There is also Air Baltic via Riga which is cheap and flies to Minsk, but when I last went in summer 2008 I remember intra-Europe flights to Minsk were insane, like $800 are / t to Frankfurt.

[quote=prosal; 1210571]what can leads to unwanted embarrassing situations is to date girls from the same target group, available at the same time slots, who have the same interests and who frequent the same places. my usual strategy is to try to choose girls from different social / peer groups. last time i was in tashkent (which is very much a fishbowl, and where serial dating can be a problem) , i managed to juggle with four regular gfs (plus occasional new girls) , without any problems. it was:

- dasha. 18 yo student. her parents wanted her to be home before 8pm on weekdays. she was happy with a cocktail or two in a cheap place from 5pm and then sex in my apartment, and always leaved before 7. 30pm. nice.

- lena. 27 yo single mom. available only from 10 pm till about midnight, when her daughter slept and was watched by the babushka. she used to come directly in my place for sex, no time nor wish for having a drink outside. which was a great deal.

- ksenia. 26 yo glam party girl. i used to rejoin her from about 1am (pretexting a "meeting with friends" before) in a hyp club or café to party a bit and then to fuck her. she rarely slept in my place as she had to wake up early and prepare for her job (she owned a trendy hairdressing salon).

- mila. 22 yo stripper. she would get off of work each day at 5 or 6am, smsed to see if i was available, and if i was, would go to my apartment, drink one beer or two, talk a bit, have sex, sleep till noon, and then leave. no questions asked and no materialistic expectations, save sometimes a light lunch. talk about a nice situation.

i rarely did them all within the 5pm / 6am time slot, but it happened a few times though, thanks to cialis. but that was admittedly exhausting days! (smilie)

anyhow this is a strategy i try to apply pretty much everywhere. various types of girls with different schedules and availabilities. makes life easier.[/quote]yes, it would be easier if they were just coming over to my flat for a good fuck. unfortunately, as it was my first experience in minsk and i do not speak russian, life was a bit more of a challenge for me. i recall walking along svisloch river (or whatever it is) with a very sexy woman i met off travelgirls named alexandra when i thought for sure i saw ekaterina (see my previous posts on who this is) was coming in the opposite direction towards us. i was quite relieved when i finally discovered it was not her and told myself i couldn't live like this. so, i stopped going around in public with other chicks.

i met one 19-year old studentka off of another site and after a few dinner dates and one night at dozari she agreed to come to my flat for a few hours once a week. she was a sweet, sexy studentka but she insisted on singing for me all the time (she fancied herself a singer and a model) and in truth i didn't think she had much of a voice. but her situation was the same as many there: her parents gave her enough money for school and food but nothing else. she tried to convince me to buy her an iphone 4g but i refused and when i did she told me she would never sleep with me again. however, that last for four days. i would tell her, politely, that i could find another hottie her age no problem in minsk. she would buy it and soon be sending me lovely sms's. i would promise to take her to mango on nemiga after sex and it was a great motivator for her. i did take her, of course, and made sure she had plenty of spending money. really, she was a handful as she thought she was the next super model from belarus but in truth she was far from it. a real cutie with a nice body but no super model. i am not sure if i will see her again in april when i return to minsk. now i forget why i was telling you this.

[QUOTE=Latexian2;1210815]Wow! Did something change in terms of tickets to Minsk or regulations or something? There is also Air Baltic via Riga which is cheap and flies to Minsk, but when I last went in summer 2008 I remember intra-Europe flights to Minsk were insane, like $800 are / t to Frankfurt.[/QUOTE]Air Baltic is a low-cost. Fares are admittedly attractive, but beside all the inconveniences attached to low-cost flights, the problem is that you usually have to stay overnight in Riga. Same day connections are rare. I guess this is intentional, to boost Lettonia's tourism industry.

Anyway Lufthansa has the greatest deals currently. I paid 140€ for a Paris / Kiev round-trip in September. Unbeatable.

[QUOTE=CanadianBoy;1210840]Now I forget why I was telling you this.[/QUOTE]No problems. I understand and share your enthousiasm for Slavic women. (smilie)

Once you go Slavic you never come back.

[QUOTE=Latexian2;1210815]Wow! Did something change in terms of tickets to Minsk or regulations or something? There is also Air Baltic via Riga which is cheap and flies to Minsk, but when I last went in summer 2008 I remember intra-Europe flights to Minsk were insane, like $800 are / t to Frankfurt.[/QUOTE]Yes it's better now. You can get Heathrow-Minsk flights for £160 if you don't mind going indirect. The connection times are usually under 90 minutes too. Alternatively fly to Vilnius / Kaunus on Ryanair for £40 return and take the train from there. Check out Skyscanner. Com.

Dated a Belarus girl yesterday (successfully, the rest belongs to Hustler forum) , thanks to mamba. She is vacationing in Paris this week.

She told me that the € was 11, 800 BYR now (official rate). Time to go Belarus I guess.