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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6996
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 Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:00 am Post subject: |
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| jo jo 7 wrote: | | surfguy wrote: | | jo jo 7 wrote: | | MrSpice wrote: | Not too many people stay on their dachas in September, most probably come on weekends in the first 2-3 weeks of September. So if you stay for a few weeks, you will alone and bored most of the time. It can get pretty cold, especially at night (can drop below freezing mark). I would suggest going to dacha only if you go Russia in the summer. And for you, since you don't speak Russian fluently, I would first try to go to dacha for a few days. Tying yourself to some remote place away from the city for a few weeks may not be a good idea.
And to find a dacha you should probably come to Russia first and establish some contacts, as I mention. You don't have a car and don't know your way around russian buses and trains, unlike most Russians. So plan this once you're there. |
renting a car...dachas...jojo...come now...lot running through your head...sounds like sugar plums and candy canes
Thanks spicey, good advice. I thought about renting a car for a few weeks. I don't get too bored. I always find things to do or read. This would be time to study and write some papers. |
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Why not? |
I have the contacts...don't worry |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3205
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:03 am Post subject: |
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| surfguy wrote: | | jo jo 7 wrote: | | surfguy wrote: | | jo jo 7 wrote: | | MrSpice wrote: | Not too many people stay on their dachas in September, most probably come on weekends in the first 2-3 weeks of September. So if you stay for a few weeks, you will alone and bored most of the time. It can get pretty cold, especially at night (can drop below freezing mark). I would suggest going to dacha only if you go Russia in the summer. And for you, since you don't speak Russian fluently, I would first try to go to dacha for a few days. Tying yourself to some remote place away from the city for a few weeks may not be a good idea.
And to find a dacha you should probably come to Russia first and establish some contacts, as I mention. You don't have a car and don't know your way around russian buses and trains, unlike most Russians. So plan this once you're there. |
renting a car...dachas...jojo...come now...lot running through your head...sounds like sugar plums and candy canes
Thanks spicey, good advice. I thought about renting a car for a few weeks. I don't get too bored. I always find things to do or read. This would be time to study and write some papers. |
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Why not? |
I have the contacts...don't worry |
Let me see them...  |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6996
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:10 am Post subject: |
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| I will call you don't worry |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3205
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:10 am Post subject: |
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| Fire_Goddess wrote: |
I say do it, just as long as the people are reputable. |
I probably will. I think keeping in contact with Surfguys ex-girlfriend will be a big help. |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3436
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:18 am Post subject: |
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jo jo - renting a car is a bad idea. Remember, Russia is not the US. Once you get there and see how people drive, and see the road, and see the local police officers that like to stop people and give them fines you will understand that driving - especially outside of the city - is not for you.
You approach everything from American standpoint. Remember, you are thinking of going to a country with different life on many levels. Instead of making extensive plans, get there first, get comfortable and then see if you want to do all those things.
Don't forget that oficially you're supposed to register your visa when you arrive (within 3 days). That means that you will probably stay at a hotel for the period of your stay. You can go to a dacha. But you need to register your visa at a hotel. |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3205
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:24 am Post subject: |
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| MrSpice wrote: | jo jo - renting a car is a bad idea. Remember, Russia is not the US. Once you get there and see how people drive, and see the road, and see the local police officers that like to stop people and give them fines you will understand that driving - especially outside of the city - is not for you.
You approach everything from American standpoint. Remember, you are thinking of going to a country with different life on many levels. Instead of making extensive plans, get there first, get comfortable and then see if you want to do all those things.
Don't forget that oficially you're supposed to register your visa when you arrive (within 3 days). That means that you will probably stay at a hotel for the period of your stay. You can go to a dacha. But you need to register your visa at a hotel. |
Yeah, I realized it will be difficult for me to drive in Russia. I let that idea go after talking to someone. I keep thinking American. |
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nikir
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 1390
Location: Coffs Harbour Australia
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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| jo jo 7 wrote: |
Yeah, I realized it will be difficult for me to drive in Russia. I let that idea go after talking to someone. I keep thinking American. |
Forget it, you'll be lucky to make it out of the rental car agencies driveway without a mishap.
Use the transport like everybody else and take the opportunity to get to know people and acquire a feel for the place.
You will doubtless be horrified at first but if you have been serious in your enquiries since you started posting here you should enjoy your Russian experience overall. |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3205
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| nikir wrote: | | jo jo 7 wrote: |
Yeah, I realized it will be difficult for me to drive in Russia. I let that idea go after talking to someone. I keep thinking American. |
Forget it, you'll be lucky to make it out of the rental car agencies driveway without a mishap.
Use the transport like everybody else and take the opportunity to get to know people and acquire a feel for the place.
You will doubtless be horrified at first but if you have been serious in your enquiries since you started posting here you should enjoy your Russian experience overall. |
I hope I can ask without you criticising me, but does transportation take me out to a Dashas if they are aways away from St. Pete or are there Dachas close enough to St. Pete to walk to, if I wanted?
Are there phone services in some Dachas, if I should have to call transport?
My plan is to get to know people there and I am sure that I will be surprised, but not horrified. |
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nikir
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 1390
Location: Coffs Harbour Australia
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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| jo jo 7 wrote: |
I hope I can ask without you criticising me, but does transportation take me out to a Dashas if they are aways away from St. Pete or are there Dachas close enough to St. Pete to walk to, if I wanted?
Are there phone services in some Dachas, if I should have to call transport?
My plan is to get to know people there and I am sure that I will be surprised, but not horrified. |
I will never critisise anyone who is not being absolutely ridiculous.
Transport is great, metro (underground trains), electrichki, (above ground trains) buses and trams. All cheap as chips and great places to interact with fellow travellers. Sometimes you may have to wait for your transport (except for the metro) but everyone will be just as pissed of as you are so it's OK.
For a phone just buy a sim card and use it to your hearts content. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the rates.
Don't be amazed if your water or electricity goes off from time to time. It just happens and you should be happy when it comes back and you don't have to walk down to the pump with your bucket. |
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nikir
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Dec 2005
Posts: 1390
Location: Coffs Harbour Australia
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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| And sorry, dachas are always accessible by public transport. |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3205
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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| nikir wrote: | | jo jo 7 wrote: |
I hope I can ask without you criticising me, but does transportation take me out to a Dashas if they are aways away from St. Pete or are there Dachas close enough to St. Pete to walk to, if I wanted?
Are there phone services in some Dachas, if I should have to call transport?
My plan is to get to know people there and I am sure that I will be surprised, but not horrified. |
I will never critisise anyone who is not being absolutely ridiculous.
Transport is great, metro (underground trains), electrichki, (above ground trains) buses and trams. All cheap as chips and great places to interact with fellow travellers. Sometimes you may have to wait for your transport (except for the metro) but everyone will be just as pissed of as you are so it's OK.
For a phone just buy a sim card and use it to your hearts content. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the rates.
Don't be amazed if your water or electricity goes off from time to time. It just happens and you should be happy when it comes back and you don't have to walk down to the pump with your bucket. |
Thank you, Nikir. |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3436
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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jo jo: Dachas are analogous to summer homes. They are usually outside of the city. St Petersburg is huge - 5 million people. Walking to dachas is not an option 
There are many options besides a car. In the dacha community that we had, there was a bus stop 2.5 miles away. I would often meet up with my friends at the bus stop in the city and we would take a bus there and walk together that 2.5 miles chatting and walking, breathing fresh air. That was fun. There were some dachas that were just a short walk from the bus stop. My high school friend's dacha was a short walk from the train station. So, in many cases you don't need a car. There are plenty of dachas close to the bus or the train station. As you probably know, America is where people usually drive everywhere unlike Europe where people rely much more on public transportation (metro/subway, trains, buses, etc.) Lots of people drive in Russia. Actually, it is not that scary. It's just something you need to get used to, and your first short trip to the country is probably not a good time to try it for the first time.
I know plenty of people from the suburbs that are terrified of driving in New York City. I would say that the experience is similar to that of driving in St Petersburg. Also driving in Moscow is even crazier. I drove in St Petersburg and drive in Manhattan every weekend... So, can be done. |
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jo jo 7
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3205
Location: Louisville,Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| MrSpice wrote: | jo jo: Dachas are analogous to summer homes. They are usually outside of the city. St Petersburg is huge - 5 million people. Walking to dachas is not an option
There are many options besides a car. In the dacha community that we had, there was a bus stop 2.5 miles away. I would often meet up with my friends at the bus stop in the city and we would take a bus there and walk together that 2.5 miles chatting and walking, breathing fresh air. That was fun. There were some dachas that were just a short walk from the bus stop. My high school friend's dacha was a short walk from the train station. So, in many cases you don't need a car. There are plenty of dachas close to the bus or the train station. As you probably know, America is where people usually drive everywhere unlike Europe where people rely much more on public transportation (metro/subway, trains, buses, etc.) Lots of people drive in Russia. Actually, it is not that scary. It's just something you need to get used to, and your first short trip to the country is probably not a good time to try it for the first time.
I know plenty of people from the suburbs that are terrified of driving in New York City. I would say that the experience is similar to that of driving in St Petersburg. Also driving in Moscow is even crazier. I drove in St Petersburg and drive in Manhattan every weekend... So, can be done. |
I have driven in New York City several times and the worse is the car dodgeball at the toll booths when everybody steps on the gas and crosses over in front of you through 6 lanes to get on the far side. I felt like I was in space dodging meteors. I have to admit I done that too. I do drive well, but I see your point and I do not know the signs in St. Pete so it is best for me not to even try it on my first visit.
I will probably rent a Dachas this September, one that has heat and electricity. Actually, Surfguy knows someone who owns one there and I am going to look into it.
Thanks for helping me. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6996
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| Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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| all good advice jojo...take heed. All times of the year are good for the Dacha...wish I still had the photos...I'd show you |
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