Way to Russia Talk Lounge

dynamotor · Just Starting Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 1

Hi,

We'd like to visit the Elbrus region this summer, does anyone know if it's very unsafe to go there considering it's rather close to Chechenya, Dagestan and Norh Ossetia?

e · VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654

Anywhere near the Caucasus has been declared a no-go zone for foreigners by the Russian government. Even if you were to put it on your Visa, it'll swiftly get rejected, and/or you'll face a barrage of questions.

Only the press, and aid agencies are allowed in that area, you'd better have a very good reason for them to explain why you are going there along with mountains of evidence explaining who you are and why you are there. That might not even guarantee a yes. Not to mention, a government yes may not guarantee your saftety there.

Russian government warnings are not unfounded either. That area is crawling with bandits, insurgents, and terrorists that love to kidnap foreigners and hold/kill them for ransom. Not to mention instant arrest from the Georgian army which is positioned directly across the border.

bidnessboi@yahoo.com · Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:04 pm Post subject: Safety

Interesting.... I was considering going to Stavropol in August.

It is also close to Chechnya.... Safe?

dc

init6 · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:25 am Post subject:

Stavropol is in Ukraine, isn't it? Anyhow, to my knowledge none of the fighting has spilled into Ukraine, period, nor into Georgia (unless you go hang out in the Pankisi Gorge). Anything outside of the Russian Caucasus is, to my knowledge, free from the sort of problems you would face inside Russia.

bidnessboi@yahoo.com · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:01 am Post subject: Stavropol, Russia

Nope, the Stavropol region is towards the very South West of Russia in Russia.

It borders the Kalmykia region to its East, Volograd and Rostov Regions to its north, Krasnodar to its east and Chechenia, Daghestan and Ingushia to its South....

This regional map kind of shows u....

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ru(w.html

d

init6 · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:00 am Post subject:

Well, if it's too dangerous you won't be allowed to travel there at all. The Caucasus is apparently in a bit of a "lock down," and with the recent terror attacks in Dagestan I hope the security only gets tighter.

But look at it this way - the vast majority of people who travel there, especially foreigners, don't have any problems at all. I won't have been to Russia for another six weeks when I move to Moscow, so I'm sure there are those with far more experience who'd be willing to give a "definitive" on this issue.

e · VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654

bidnessboi@yahoo.com · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:43 pm Post subject: Stavropol

I guess I will just apply for the visa and see what happens.

Don't you apply for the visa for all of Russia, not for regions.... Right?

I am initially in Moscow and my visa will be for 1 month, tourist.

Couldn;t I just jump on a plane and head down there?

dc

bidnessboi@yahoo.com · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:43 pm Post subject: Oh and thanks

Your guys' knowledge is much appreciated.

e · VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654

init6 · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:11 pm Post subject:

If you don't mind my asking, DC, why do you want to go to the Caucasus anyway? I'm utterly convinced that I need to stay the hell away from the place, "excitement" or not (I'm just not into IEDs and beheadings).

E, stop giving him advice on how to get arrested! Laughing

I do intend to visit every former Soviet republic, however, including Azerbaijan (I want to go see that Zoroastrian temple outside Baku), Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. But things are just plain bat-shit crazy in the Caucasus, man.

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1599

e, what's this with you keep on thinking that marrying a Russian citizen is going to make any difference in the bureaucratic processes (although in 'theory' that's supposed to work)?

Why not go down to Sochi and check out the excursions to some of the Caucasus regions? Oh, but then you need a visa for them too... Rolling Eyes

e · VIP Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 654

bidnessboi@yahoo.com · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:47 pm Post subject: haha

No intention to get arrested.

Here's the deal.

My ex is Russian from Moscow. I met her in Spain 2 years ago.

I also met a very beautiful Russian girl when I was in Romania who is really quite awesome.

She wanted me to come in January when she is on vacation, but I decided I would go in August and she would get as much time off as she could.

So.... I can ask her if she will hang out in Moscow. I am sure she would, but I thought it would be cool to meet her family and what not. She says it is safe, but hey.... I am also not into being beheaded particularly....

If the witch who rags on American guys for meeting Russian women happens to read this, For me, I am 28, successful, tall, not bad looking. It's not a matter of meeting women, it's the quality. I like this girl in particular and she likes me. She lives down in Stavropol.

dc

bidnessboi@yahoo.com · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:51 pm Post subject: Eh

Ali G, Just noticed you were in Cali also. How's San Fran treating you?

I spent a lot of time up there last year hanging out with some Bulgarian friends of mine who were doing the student abroad program.

I live in Orange County, So Cal.

dc