Quote: (12-27-2012 01:18 AM)Volk Wrote:  

Quote: (12-26-2012 03:51 PM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

Vorkuta, just went to the embassy today and found out that with my passport from here, I dont need a visa.......since November 22, you can travel in Russia as a tourist visa free for 3 months.

So to all the guys who are still deciding if they can go, I am in 100 percent. Will start studying Russian next week. The only thing is that I will probably arrive in mid July and stay until Mid October; so we will have to coordinate things and pick a city later.

My younger brother, who is a forum member, will probably go as well.

So you are not from the States? Had I known you were from any country in the north of south america, I'd had told you that without the stress long ago.

I have dual nationality and was born and raised in New York City and went to University in Boston.

This visa free thing, from my parent´s country, just started a month ago. So if I had gone to Russia in 2012, I still would have had to get a visa, with all its hassles.

Quote: (12-27-2012 06:18 AM)Vorkuta Wrote:  

Quote: (12-27-2012 05:33 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  

Camarade Vorkuta, I presume you're confirmed as well, if not fully, at least partially?

Yes I'm in VP,I just don't know yet what dates I can get out there. I think I'm going to be free in the Autumn only but I'd obviously like to be out there when others hit it. I'll know my definite dates at the start of the Summer. I'm trying to get out there on a reconesance mission in March,get some logistics sorted for us.

Good work Choche,look forward to meeting up with you out there at some point next year.

I have June free as well, but since I want to meet up with you guys I will wait until July to go to Russia.

I am considering going to Ukraine in mid June, but from all the info gathered here, it doesnt interest me that much. Better to go the real source.

Croatia is a possibliity, but at the same time one month practicing Russian in Ukraine would benefit my stay in Russia.

According to Wikipedia:

"The school year in Russia traditionally starts on 1 September (The Knowledge Day) and lasts until 25 May, which is also known as The Last School-Bell day for the graduates. The school year is divided into four terms, or 'quarters´, separated by one- or two-week holidays (the first week in November, the first two weeks in January, and the last week of March). The school summer holiday lasts three months: June, July, and August."

Tomsk, so far, is my first choice..... but if we go there, it would have to be in late August or early September, when the university students start arriving.

If I or others go earlier ( I plan to in mid july) we would have to pick a bigger city for a month, since the university girls wont be around then.

Quote: (11-28-2012 05:31 AM)Vorkuta Wrote:  

Novosibirsk is a big modern city,it will no doubt have numerous McDonalds branches

Well, maybe not, at least not yet. It was mentioned in a thread about Brazil that even Russia has an obesity problem now. I can say that it wasn't very prevalent last time I was in Siberia not too long ago. Of course there was the occasional chick with a few extra pounds and maybe even more than that, but nowhere near European or Brazilian standards. Also they were notably slimmer than in say the FSU states in the Baltics, in my opinion.

That caught me thinking, I could not remember seeing a single McDonald's there. So I made a search for "mcdonalds siberia".

The disastrous news is that they have rather recently set their eyes on destroying one of the last McDonald's-free paradises on earth.

Citing from http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_08_27/McDona...expansion/, August 29, 2012:

"So far, the company’s presence in Russia has been confined to the European part of the country. Now, however, things are beginning to change."

"one of the chain’s Russian franchise holders is to open at least 10 McDonald’s restaurants in Siberia. It is eying sites in the West Siberian cities of Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Tomsk and Novokuznetsk and is about to break ground on a McDonald’s project in the biggest city in Central Siberia, Krasnoyarsk."

"In Siberia, only two global fast food chains currently operate outlets, Subway and KFC. The latter has been present in Siberia since 2002. It is the area’s biggest and fastest growing fast food chain."

Quote: (12-27-2012 10:10 AM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

Tomsk, so far, is my first choice..... but if we go there, it would have to be in late August or early September, when the university students start arriving.

Sounds like Naughty Nomad had a good time in Tomsk when he visited: http://naughtynomad.com/2010/06/10/troub...n-siberia/

A good resource site I just came accross, filled with insight about living in Russia and Russian women:

http://russianwomentruth.com/

This is looking even more and more exciting!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/RealRussiaBlog

Hey guys,

Just found this site by accident while browsing twitter, seems to have some quality videos with all to do with Russian Life.

Update: I am close to finishing Level 1 in Pimsleur and I have learned the cyrillic alphabet. Will buy the Penguin book and will also start slowly increasing my vocabulary this month.

For pronunciation I have relied on my Spanish and Portuguese as a guide. Also, I have tried to block English in my mind as much as possible, when doing hearing or speaking exercises. Not sure if I am right, but it seems a bit easier learning Russian if I think in Spanish or Portuguese.

I am planning on being in Russia in Mid August until Mid November.
I would prefer to do 3 cities for one month each, but we have plenty of time to think about that.

How are most of you who are planning to go, doing with your Russian?

Quote: (01-07-2013 01:01 PM)PROD3GY Wrote:  

http://www.youtube.com/RealRussiaBlog

Hey guys,

Just found this site by accident while browsing twitter, seems to have some quality videos with all to do with Russian Life.

This guy is funny! Going to watch some of these.

Quote: (01-11-2013 08:40 AM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

Update: I am close to finishing Level 1 in Pimsleur and I have learned the cyrillic alphabet. Will buy the Penguin book and will also start slowly increasing my vocabulary this month.

For pronunciation I have relied on my Spanish and Portuguese as a guide. Also, I have tried to block English in my mind as much as possible, when doing hearing or speaking exercises. Not sure if I am right, but it seems a bit easier learning Russian if I think in Spanish or Portuguese.

I am planning on being in Russia in Mid August until Mid November.
I would prefer to do 3 cities for one month each, but we have plenty of time to think about that.

How are most of you who are planning to go, doing with your Russian?

As everyone probably knows, I have to opt out this year unfortunately. HOWEVER! I'll still be studying Russian hardcore this year (panacea for not going actually) and my class starts tomorrow. I'm about where you are choche, learned Cyrillic and about 8 tracks through Pimsleur. I'll tell you guys what my homework is every week for the class.

Out of curiosity does anyone have the written material for pimsleur?I never been able to find it.

As in, the reading component? Or do you want a transcript of the lessons?

Quote: (01-11-2013 02:08 PM)Architekt Wrote:  

As in, the reading component? Or do you want a transcript of the lessons?

The version people buy comes with a transcript i believe.Makes it easier if you can se the Russian spelling of the words.

Quote: (01-11-2013 08:40 AM)chochemonger1 Wrote:  

Update: I am close to finishing Level 1 in Pimsleur and I have learned the cyrillic alphabet. Will buy the Penguin book and will also start slowly increasing my vocabulary this month.

For pronunciation I have relied on my Spanish and Portuguese as a guide. Also, I have tried to block English in my mind as much as possible, when doing hearing or speaking exercises. Not sure if I am right, but it seems a bit easier learning Russian if I think in Spanish or Portuguese.

I am planning on being in Russia in Mid August until Mid November.
I would prefer to do 3 cities for one month each, but we have plenty of time to think about that.

How are most of you who are planning to go, doing with your Russian?

I know the alphabet and maybe 100 words. I will start studying hardcore when I get back to USA.

Quote: (01-11-2013 04:16 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  

Quote: (01-11-2013 02:08 PM)Architekt Wrote:  

As in, the reading component? Or do you want a transcript of the lessons?

The version people buy comes with a transcript i believe.Makes it easier if you can se the Russian spelling of the words.

None of the Pimsleur courses come with transcripts. It seems that they are against having written copies of the courses. I know of at least one guy that received a letter from their attorney for transcribing their lessons and posting them online. Luckily they are still on Master Russian.

Here you go:

http://masterrussian.net/f21/

Quote: (01-12-2013 11:57 AM)IVth_Element Wrote:  

Quote: (01-11-2013 04:16 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  

Quote: (01-11-2013 02:08 PM)Architekt Wrote:  

As in, the reading component? Or do you want a transcript of the lessons?

The version people buy comes with a transcript i believe.Makes it easier if you can se the Russian spelling of the words.

None of the Pimsleur courses come with transcripts. It seems that they are against having written copies of the courses. I know of at least one guy that received a letter from their attorney for transcribing their lessons and posting them online. Luckily they are still on Master Russian.

Here you go:

http://masterrussian.net/f21/

I think either my Spanish or Portuguese Pimsleur came with printed material...

Quote: (01-15-2013 01:52 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:  

Quote: (01-12-2013 11:57 AM)IVth_Element Wrote:  

Quote: (01-11-2013 04:16 PM)jimukr104 Wrote:  

Quote: (01-11-2013 02:08 PM)Architekt Wrote:  

As in, the reading component? Or do you want a transcript of the lessons?

The version people buy comes with a transcript i believe.Makes it easier if you can se the Russian spelling of the words.

None of the Pimsleur courses come with transcripts. It seems that they are against having written copies of the courses. I know of at least one guy that received a letter from their attorney for transcribing their lessons and posting them online. Luckily they are still on Master Russian.

Here you go:

http://masterrussian.net/f21/

I think either my Spanish or Portuguese Pimsleur came with printed supplemental material...but the transcriptions on that site are way more useful anyway.

Quote: (11-27-2012 09:22 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

Quote: (11-26-2012 10:51 PM)GameTheory Wrote:  

Quote: (11-17-2012 09:44 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

It was the only time I had my own apartment (15 bucks a night, haha cheap cheap for a 3 room apartment) Talk about bad luck!

can you reveal the city ?

Chita.

if you don't mind me asking, how as the talent like in Chita ?

I was in Thailand and I thought that most of Russian women were NOT good looking. What it shows is that once women get some money they get lazy an d fat. The Russian girls I met the year before in India were nice looking an thin. I'm sure in Siberia they be nice and thin. Especially the ones that can't afford to get away to warmer climates for vacations.

Quote: (03-02-2013 07:20 PM)brianmark Wrote:  

I was in Thailand and I thought that most of Russian women were NOT good looking. What it shows is that once women get some money they get lazy an d fat. The Russian girls I met the year before in India were nice looking an thin. I'm sure in Siberia they be nice and thin. Especially the ones that can't afford to get away to warmer climates for vacations.

Seconded. Pattaya is overran with them. Not what I expected in looks.

Collage pic of some fave ladies from Novosibirsk and Omsk - as for language arts - affordable NSU Summer programs language school and you can turn the students (female) who want to practice with native English speakers into your wing women - plan for me is to go back to Moscow, StP and Novo and perhaps Barnaul for a trade show run now that PNTR signed by BHO. Novo has a new Siberian regions exhibition center for biz - periodic table of elements in the ground in Siberia and word is many Korean manufacturers setting up shop for cheap energy, cheap land and close access to resources... Novo to Vladivostok may become the new Industrial Park for Korean and Japanese quality manufacturers - Koreans have a long history of economic cooperation with Russia whereas Russia China and Korea still have long memories of Japan - yet when I was in Moscow the young oligarchs loved Japanese vehicles over German - go figure. Most Japanese vehicles come through Vlad and Nahodtka nearby Vladivostok - like the wild wild east of Russia...

NSU is at Akademgorodok or Academic Village 20 clicks out of NOVO

http://ciep.nsu.ru/

http://ciep.nsu.ru/index.html/wher-is-ciep.html

http://ciep.nsu.ru/index.html/what-is-the...or-me.html

http://ciep.nsu.ru/index.html/price-list.html

Costs much less than Moscow MGU Russian schools but more major biz networking opps in Moscow as every major Russian and Western company there or opening new offices with PNTR according to my on the ground resident Muscovites.

http://www.mgu-russian.com/

As you will notice in the pics below I do not discriminate between Blondes, Brunettes or Redheads - Siberian Tic Tac Toe anyone?

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Novosibisrk yeah they spelled wrong -

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Omsk

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Barnaul

Based in Novosibirsk - Airbnb booming across Russia and NSU has housing even home stays for language students including summer Russian for Businessmen classes so if older will not stick out like a sex tourist in Kiev or Odessa - to be frugal get a home stay and then weekend love shack Airbnb rentals near nightlife - you can recon Barnaul, Omsk, Tomsk and Kemerovo - all booming due to massive oil and gas profits and massive natural resources in the Siberian region - Barnaul (former copper and silver mining and new factories) in particular looks newly rebuilt whereas a lot of HIV and heroin use in Irkutsk and even Novo due to transsib and Kazahk heroin smugglers - so beware raw dawgging with out HIV tests - unless clear she is a low risk girl dedicated student etc - but many roadside whores and that is where you will get sick - many Western church groups trying to fight HIV - so testing not too hard to come by - not trying to throw any water on the fire just forewarned is forearmed. We expect to see some decent Siberian city recon data sheets!

Quote: (01-07-2013 01:01 PM)PROD3GY Wrote:  

http://www.youtube.com/RealRussiaBlog

Hey guys,

Just found this site by accident while browsing twitter, seems to have some quality videos with all to do with Russian Life.

Its in response to this site with over 515 Million views:

http://www.youtube.com/user/FPSRussia?feature=watch

Talk about location independent "Real Russian" gun porn income - who knew?

Quote: (03-03-2013 09:46 PM)Deepdiver Wrote:  

Quote: (01-07-2013 01:01 PM)PROD3GY Wrote:  

http://www.youtube.com/RealRussiaBlog

Hey guys,

Just found this site by accident while browsing twitter, seems to have some quality videos with all to do with Russian Life.

Its in response to this site with over 515 Million views:

http://www.youtube.com/user/FPSRussia?feature=watch

Talk about location independent "Real Russian" gun porn income - who knew?

His name is Kyle Myers, he's as american as baseball and the only Russian thing in him is an AK47 he owns.

Quote: (03-03-2013 09:54 PM)Volk Wrote:  

Quote: (03-03-2013 09:46 PM)Deepdiver Wrote:  

Quote: (01-07-2013 01:01 PM)PROD3GY Wrote:  

http://www.youtube.com/RealRussiaBlog

Hey guys,

Just found this site by accident while browsing twitter, seems to have some quality videos with all to do with Russian Life.

Its in response to this site with over 515 Million views:

http://www.youtube.com/user/FPSRussia?feature=watch

Talk about location independent "Real Russian" gun porn income - who knew?

His name is Kyle Myers, he's as american as baseball and the only Russian thing in him is an AK47 he owns.

And he's dead - found tied to a chair in his own house, shot dead, with none of his firearms stolen....

Quote: (03-03-2013 10:44 PM)RebelLibertarian Wrote:  

And he's dead - found tied to a chair in his own house, shot dead, with none of his firearms stolen....

Nope. It was a friend of his who died.

Quote: (03-03-2013 06:17 PM)Deepdiver Wrote:  

Collage pic of some fave ladies from Novosibirsk and Omsk - as for language arts - affordable NSU Summer programs language school and you can turn the students (female) who want to practice with native English speakers into your wing women...

Interesting post that strikes a chord with me. I'm currently looking for a year's Russian tuition at a Russian university. I've found three or four but none seem ideal. Have you done this and have any recommendations for a university? I like the MGU one,I could do it for a month just so I can put on my cv that I studied Russian at Moscow State,will sound better then the shit hole I will end up studying at.