Windows to Russia

I am writing this from the cell phone. It is snowing like crazy here in Moscow. The last two days have been wonderful and taking the dog for a walk or going to the store is like a winter wonder land every step. I have been getting better at this mobile blogging and even though it is hard with big thumbs and fingers, it is fun…

The snow has buried everything under a beautiful blanket of white. Nothing is dirty or nasty looking from all the old snow full of grime. Everything is just white and more white. The world is about three feet under all the snow…

The kids have been out of school because of the flu and since very few kids are really sick, they are all (millions it seems) out playing in the incredible snow…

It also looks like the temperature is going to drop drastically in the next day or so. We are looking at days of negative 20 to 30 below zero. It may last a week or so of those temperatures. Now that is what I call good weather…

I find that the super cold brings a freshness to the air. It seems to super charge the air and give it energy. By the temperature dropping we will also get a break from more snow and maybe we will see some sunshine…

Sveta says, “Now this is a Russian Winter!”

Windows to Russia!

{Published From Mobile}

• Indian Coffee and Russian Ramblings… (windowstorussia.com)
• Snowing and Coffee and Nitroglycerin… (windowstorussia.com)
• Coffee and Teaching in Russia… (windowstorussia.com)
• Coffee and the 5th Christmas… (windowstorussia.com)
• Coffee and Our Volga… (windowstorussia.com)

Russian President Medvedev has announced the ending of daylight saving time starting in the autumn of 2011. Medvedev has argued that switching clocks twice a year is harmful for people’s health and triggers stress…

“Every fall and every spring we are swearing at this system,” Medvedev said. “Our biorhythms are damaged. We are all angry. We either oversleep and turn up late for work or wake up too early and don’t know what to do with this free time. Let alone poor cows and other animals that can’t understand why they should have their meals or be milked earlier or later.”

That is really a smart move and I am amazed by this. I have always been against “Day Light Savings Time” and nothing will change my mind that it is anything but a stupid idea…

That is why I love Russia..

Now my clocks will be the correct time year around. Instead of being an hour off, half a year… 🙂

Windows to Russia!

• Time stops: Russia abolishes daylight saving time (rt.com)
• No more daylight: Russia to quit changing clocks (rt.com)
• Palestinian State: Russia Unchanged Opinion From Soviet Era… (windowstorussia.com)
• Feburary 1st – Boris Yeltsin’s Birthday… (windowstorussia.com)
• Third State of the Nation Address by Medvedev… (windowstorussia.com)
• Is Russia One of the last Islands of Freedom in the World? (windowstorussia.com)
• Seems to be a Possible Snag in the START Treaty Resolution from America (windowstorussia.com)
• Russian News From Russia… (02-07-2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• Yup Says Russia – Medvedev is Back… (windowstorussia.com)
• Medvedev Firing Some More… (windowstorussia.com)
• education (windowstorussia.com)
• Will Terminated Mayor Yuri Luzhkov be back to Russia? (windowstorussia.com)

I smiled to myself yesterday when I heard the whining and crying over the refusal by the border patrol of Russia to allow one of the trash talking Gunge of the Western press to cross back into Russia. One of the many, that write many false and fake allegations about Russia. Then even when they have a semblance of truth in their article, they have to spin it into a hate device and mar the real truth into a crusade of some type. I have always had issues with the Western press dirt bags that they allow to live in Moscow and report under the pretense that they are Journalists…

Luke Harding, a journalist working for the Moscow branch of the British newspaper Guardian, has been denied entry to Russia. (Link)

Now the reason is actually unknown as of this writing as to why they refused him entrance. But the press has made up their minds and “that is that”.  I will not even speculate as to why…

I myself have requested several times to have a communication with Luke Harding. For that matter I have requested communication with many many other so called Journalists in Moscow. I am trying to see who are these people that have no love for Russia, yet they live here as Journalist’s and post falsities on Russia. Seems that if you have an craving desire to hate Russia, you could get a job with the Western press as a Journalist and live in Moscow…

Yet, I never get any form of response to my desire to meet and have a talk. Seems that their emails and contacts are just a black hole to steer you in the wrong direction. Or maybe they are skittish of meeting an American that cares about Russia…

I am sincere in my endeavors. But it looks like I will have to scratch Luke off my request list…

He may not be back and he will not be missed…

Update:

The Guardian correspondent Luke Harding was expelled from Russia for violating regulations governing the work of foreign correspondents in the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Harding, 42, was refused reentry to Russia at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport on Saturday after a two-month absence from the country.

“This is explained by the fact that he violated a number of rules governing the work of foreign correspondents, which were approved by the Russian government in 1994 and which all journalists are familiar with,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said Harding was refused entry because he failed to obtain a new accreditation card before leaving Russia in November.

“If Harding obeys these rules, common for all foreign correspondents, he will have no problems entering the Russian Federation,” the statement said.

MOSCOW, February 8 (RIA Novosti)

Poor Luke he cut his own throat. So he is the cause of all his issues. Something that a proper Journalist would know…

So I guess he will be back in the future. I will put him back on my list. But he is still a Gunge… 🙂

Windows to Russia!

• Interview of an American Living in Russia… (Paul Eng) (windowstorussia.com)
• Russia and the Upcoming Wikileaks Leaks… (windowstorussia.com)
• Get a Visa to Russia… (Update – 2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• Will Terminated Mayor Yuri Luzhkov be back to Russia? (windowstorussia.com)
• START in Question if US Expands Anti Ballistic Missiles… (windowstorussia.com)
• Iron Maiden Rocking in Moscow… (Feb. 11th, 2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• Wal-Mart Closing Moscow Office… (windowstorussia.com)
• Russia and WikiLeaks… (windowstorussia.com)
• Guardian reporter expelled from Russia (cnn.com)
• UK paper says its reporter expelled from Russia (sfgate.com)
• Guardian journalist ‘expelled’ from Russia (independent.co.uk)
• British journalists frozen out of Russia (guardian.co.uk)
• Coffee and Pondering in Russia… (windowstorussia.com)

United States, Russian Federation, Germany, France, South Korea, Great Britain, Netherlands, Canada, Slovenia, European country, Romania, Spain, Australia, Czech Republic, India, Belgium, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland and Japan…

This is the top twenty countries that visit Windows to Russia since the first of the year…

Germany and France have knocked South Korea out of the number 3 spot which it held at the end of 2010 and China has fallen off the list to the 100th spot. Looks like Windows to Russia is being blocked by China. Because China use to be in the top 5, all the time…

That is so cool…

Windows to Russia!

• South Korea Will Talk to North Korea… (windowstorussia.com)
• United States, Japan and South Korea Rattle Their swords and Beat Their Drums… (windowstorussia.com)
• North Korea Responds To South Korea’s Provocation… (windowstorussia.com)
• Since South Korea Started This in the First Place… (windowstorussia.com)
• We Got a Big Problem and it is Getting Much Worse… (windowstorussia.com)
• Get a Visa to Russia… (Update – 2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• Windows To Russia Mobile… (windowstorussia.com)
• Coffee and North/South Korea and “Stupid is as Stupid Does”… (windowstorussia.com)

Mayor Leonid Chernovetskyy is back on the job after a 6 month or more absence. Other words they lost him and did not know where he was for at least 6 months…

Read More here of that absence on Windows to Russia >>>> (Link)

Well it seems that he came back. No worse for the wear…

Mayor of the Ukrainian capital Leonid Chernovitsky who vanished into thin air many months ago, has appeared at his workplace, the townhall spokesman told reporters on Tuesday. The mayor’s press secretary Marta Grimskaya said that Chernovitsky would make a statement on this point on Tuesday. Secretary of the Kiev Council Oles Dovgy, the mayor’s deputy, also said that Chernovitsky returned to Kiev. At the same time, he refuted information of Chernovitsky’s resignation, which appeared after an appropriate statement by vice-speaker of the Ukrainian parliament Nikolai Tomenko. “These rumours are spread by those who want to destabilise the situation in Kiev,” the secretary emphasised. Read more >>>

Glad he is back, now Kiev can worry about other things… 🙂

Windows to Russia!

• Where Oh Where Has The Kiev Mayor Gone… (windowstorussia.com)
• The Kiev, Ukraine Train Station… (windowstorussia.com)
• Ukraine’s capital troubled as its mayor goes missing (rt.com)
• Windows to Russia will be in Kiev, Ukraine… (windowstorussia.com)
• Get a Visa to Russia… (Update – 2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• Going To Ukraine and get a Visa to Russia… (windowstorussia.com)
• Ukraine Was Beautiful and Fun… (windowstorussia.com)
• From Russia: Ukraine Has Changed! (windowstorussia.com)
• Ukraine’s president sacks eccentric Kiev mayor (rt.com)

Russian Visa...

As promised an update on getting a visa for Russia from Ukraine. As the status is right now for me in Russia, I get a new visa to Russia every 3 months. The total process changes like the wind but the basics are stable. But many times, my last update has become obsolete by the time 3 months come around again. So lets do a post on getting a visa for Russia from Kiev, Ukraine… (as of January 2011)

Remember I am an American and this applies to Americans. All other countries have to deal with the rules and regulations associated with your country. The rules at times change as fast as the train trip from Moscow to Kiev. This is also only for a 3 month double entry business visa for Russia and only from Kiev, Ukraine…

So lets start with what items you need:
1. Two Russian style (size) passport photos… (3.5cms X 4.5cms and No Smile on your passport photos. Only Americans smile for a passport photo…)
2. Two completed (filled out) visa applications… (Link to download)
3. Letter of Invitation… (in Telex format preferred by the Kiev consulate)
4. Copy of Migration paper the you received at border for Ukraine…
5. Your American (USA) passport and a copy of that passport… (Color or black and white, does not matter.)
6. $335.00 American dollars! (Not pesos, pounds, hryvnia, euro and or anything else) Make sure that the money is crisp and clean. Torn, wrinkled and trashy looking dollars will be frowned upon and most likely rejected. Did I say dollars… (There is a nice bank nearby that has wonderful hundred dollar bills. The consulate loves those bills…)

Next prepare data before entering consulate in Kiev:
1. Make sure applications are filled out in full… (hand written in blue or black ink or typed and signed by you!)
2. Make sure photos are pasted to appropriate spot on back of applications…
3. Make sure you have the migration card copied before you enter the consulate…
4. Letter of Invitation in telex form should be at the consulate, (verify before going to Kiev) but bring your confirmation letter in case they have to hunt it down. The process of speed is involved with telex…
5. Make sure that you have two copies of your passport. Yes two copies, one for the consulate and one for you to carry until you get your passport back with a new visa…
6. Have everything in a file folder to be able to easily keep track of all papers…
7. Other words, dot all I’s and cross all T’s, before even thinking about crossing the threshold of the consulate doorway…

Process to enter the consulate and get visa:
Be patient and polite and do not express your desire at the fact that you are an American and deserve special treatment. I have watched to the detriment of several fellow Americans get in a rough situation when they try to push their way ahead of the rest of the crowd. I stand in line like the rest of the Russians do and allow what happens to happen…

Since the bombing of the Airport in Moscow certain carry bags are not allowed inside. They will simply not care that all your life is in that bag and it will stay out side off the premises, to be possibly stolen… (mine was, so call ahead of time and verify what you can carry in or not carry in)

Once given the go ahead to enter the consulate by the guard. You must proceed straight to the desk on the right in the lobby and show your passport to the man in charge. So do not put away your passport after the guard at the main door looks at it because you still need it and they seem to be in a big hurry to get you signed in…

Now is where having all your paperwork done pays off. Once signed in they will take you literally straight to have your visa done. If you blink at this point and say, “I need an application! Please…” They frown and you most likely have been set aside and could spend an extra hour getting everything done…

Then with paperwork in hand you get to proceed to the office where the nice lady who never smiles (she is Russian) takes your paperwork and processes it. Please remember to have your paperwork in order because this nice lady controls your life at this point and please make sure that the office door is closed after you enter…

Then after the nice lady is done, she tells you to go to the cashier and pay. She also asks you when you want the visa (I tell next day) and makes sure that you know how much and if it is different from the last time you were there. Don’t ask questions. (Shut up and have your money ready. Do not, I repeat do not say, “Oh I have to go to the bank…”) Also make sure the door to the office is closed as you leave…

Knock on the door of the cashier (right across the hall) first and try to open the door. If someone is in there paying, you will know by the remark of what kind of idiot you are to barge in. Please do not sit on the chair next to the door. It is to block the exit door farther down the hall way. If you sit on this chair someone will tell you to get your butt up. They have cameras and they will see you sitting there. So just stand there and stare at a nice chair while you wait 20 minutes sometimes…

When it is your turn to pay. Make sure that the door is closed behind you and stay quiet and pay what ever sum was told to you in the other office. The cashier will give you two very important pieces of paper. Do not loose them. They are a receipt for what you pay and a paper stating when you can pick up your passport. Anyone with that paper of passport pickup can get your passport no questions asked. So do not loose them! It is appropriate after paying, to comment on the picture behind the cashier of her and Jean-Claude Van Damme. She is proud of it and you will get one of those rare Russian smiles when you do…

When you are done with all the above. Leave the building quickly and quietly with your receipts for your passport and visa. Then go back the next day at the appropriate time frame and wait in line again to get your passport back with your new visa. Much of the above information is appropriate for the second day entry into the consulate. Other words get in and get out quickly and quietly… 🙂

Some notes:
I am in Kiev 4 times a year just to get a visa, so I know what I am doing. Even if you don’t think I do. The list of items to gather is always the same. With the exception of the amount you pay. It was $450 for years, then became $250 and now has become $335. I see no rhyme or reason in the price. What I do know is that prices vary from where your home country is… (I have seen people pay over a thousand dollars at times…)

Remember Telex. Remember politeness. Remember cold hard American dollars. Remember to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. Remember to be flexible…

What has very much changed is the process to enter the building to obtain your visa. That is why I went into detail. The staff of the Kiev Russian consulate has had a huge change over in the last year. Looks like a new boss. So of course things change, just as when terrorists attacks happen in Moscow, they affect the rules at all the embassies and consulates associated with Russia…

Number to call for information at the consulate –

Some of the few links, Windows to Russia has on getting a visa and stories associated with getting a visa… 🙂

http://windowstorussia.com/going-to-ukraine-and-get-a-visa-to-russia.html
http://windowstorussia.com/pickpocket-we-all-think-that-it-will_2958.html
http://windowstorussia.com/from-russia-ukraine-trip-will-last_20.html
http://windowstorussia.com/the-next-visa-to-russia.html
http://windowstorussia.com/making-a-visa-run-to-ukraine.html
http://windowstorussia.com/part-2-ukraine-visa-trip-january-2010.html
http://windowstorussia.com/visa-trip-to-ukraine-for-russian-visa.html
http://windowstorussia.com/get-russian-visa-from-ukraine-part-1.html
http://windowstorussia.com/pickpocket-we-all-think-that-it-will_1437.html
http://windowstorussia.com/pickpocket-we-all-think-that-it-will_04.html
http://windowstorussia.com/pickpocket-we-all-think-that-it-will_8063.html
http://windowstorussia.com/pickpocket-we-all-think-that-it-will_28.html
http://windowstorussia.com/windows-to-russia-kiev-visa-trip-4-20.html
http://windowstorussia.com/getting-visa-to-russia-here-is-how-we.html
http://windowstorussia.com/russia-visa-time-soon-onward-to-israel_29.html
http://windowstorussia.com/russia-visa-registration-update-july_16.html
http://windowstorussia.com/russia-visa-part-4-homestay-visas_11.html
http://windowstorussia.com/russia-visa-part-3-transit-visa_10.html
http://windowstorussia.com/russia-visa-part-2-tourist-visa_09.html
http://windowstorussia.com/russia-visa-part-1-business-visa_08.html
http://windowstorussia.com/russia-visa-information_27.html
http://windowstorussia.com/russia-time-to-get-new-visa_20.html

Read some articles on getting a visa. I have given you a world of information for free…

Windows to Russia!

Unbelievable: This is an interview with an American (Paul Eng) that came to Russia and has now lived here 5 years. I can associate with 90% of what he says, “to a tee”…

Paul Eng grew up in Chinatown, New York, where his parents – both Chinese immigrants – ran a store. He wanted to be a photographer but had been told there was no money in it. He did his degree in architecture, worked in office design, music, and then creative visual design before turning to photography full time. He has lived in Moscow for 5 years and is a successful photographer here… Read More >>> Source: Voice of Russia.

Of course you already know that I think Moscow and Russia is a fantastic place. But after I listened to his interview and found so much real honest information that it was amazing. I realized that Paul has the same feelings about Russia that I do. The interviewer did a great job and of course Paul is a typical American from the look to the accent…

Take a break and listen to the interview. You will hear what Russia is really about…

From: Russia is like America in the 50’s, to My Russian’s really bad, to my Russian wife has no fear of speaking English and touching on why people in America live in a dream state…

The clincher in the whole interview was the end when he said, “Don’t come here (to Russia)!”  because well, “You will muck it up…” 🙂

I have grown to understand that statement very well…

Windows to Russia!

• Russian Video From Russia: Check this out on the bombing at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport… (windowstorussia.com)
• Iron Maiden Rocking in Moscow… (Feb. 11th, 2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• Will Terminated Mayor Yuri Luzhkov be back to Russia? (windowstorussia.com)
• education (windowstorussia.com)
• Moscow Police Chief and Stopping Corruption – Can he do it? (windowstorussia.com)
• A Russian Adoption Abuse in America – Again… (windowstorussia.com)
• In Russia We Will Be Civilized! (windowstorussia.com)
• What is a Doctor Paid in Russia… (windowstorussia.com)
• Going To Ukraine and get a Visa to Russia… (windowstorussia.com)
• Do You Wonder Why Russia is Buying Gold? (windowstorussia.com)
• Putin Answers Questions! (windowstorussia.com)

Two suspected terrorists behind Moscow airport blast named:
A police source has identified two men who have been put on the wanted list for alleged links to the terror attack at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport…

Moscow calls on Tokyo to take reasonable approach over Kuril Islands:
Japanese are marking another Northern Territory Day with protests, while Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov advised them to take current realities into account…

2 Russian icebreakers rescue oil tankers:
Once the Krasin and Admiral Makarov icebreakers rescued five icebound ships from captivity late last month, they have been engaged since Sunday in piloting oil tankers to the freezing De-Kastri terminal and back, in the Khabarovsk Region, in the Russian Far East…

Flu quarantine extended at Moscow schools:
Moscow’s health authorities have extended flu quarantine for another two days in kindergartens as well as primary and middle schools, media reports said on Monday. Right now, flu epidemic shows no signs of abating in about 60 Russian regions, medics said…

Japanese radicals desecrate Russian flag:
Japanese radicals have desecrated the Russian flag outside the Russian embassy in Tokyo. The incident occurred earlier today when the Japanese ultra right organizations marked the “day of northern territories”, – that is the Russian islands of the South Kuril Range that Japan lays claims to…

Fearful Russian lawmaker flees to U.S.:
WASHINGTON (AP) — A wealthy Russian lawmaker has fled with his family to the United States, saying he fears assassination over accusations that some of Russia’s richest and most influential people swindled him in a real estate deal. Back home, he’s been charged with financial crimes…

Russia to present Sochi Olympics mascot candidates:
On Monday, Russia’s broadcaster Channel One will present 13 candidates for the official mascot of the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. A brief TV show, in which animated characters would call on Russians to support them in the nationwide SMS-vote, is due to begin later in the day…

Windows to Russia!

• Russian Video From Russia: Check this out on the bombing at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport… (windowstorussia.com)
• WikiLeaks: AL-QADHAFI: TO RUSSIA, WITH LOVE? (windowstorussia.com)
• Iron Maiden Rocking in Moscow… (Feb. 11th, 2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• Will Terminated Mayor Yuri Luzhkov be back to Russia? (windowstorussia.com)
• Information on the Status of Russian / American Adoption Proceedings… (windowstorussia.com)
• Russia Orders Halt to Tu-154B Flights After Fire (windowstorussia.com)
• Russian News From Russia – (01/25/2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• A Russian Adoption Abuse in America – Again… (windowstorussia.com)
• Russian News on 11/12/2010… (windowstorussia.com)
• In Russia We Will Be Civilized! (windowstorussia.com)

Russia will consider the sense of observing of the strategic arms reduction treaty (START) if the US or NATO change the scale of their missile defense systems, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Ryabkov said Monday.He said if the US continues to build up its missile defense system, Moscow will have to take measures of a “military technical” nature… Read More >>> Source: Voice of Russia.

Funny how we do not want to hear what Russia is saying about all this…

Ryabkov stressed that the link between offensive and defensive weapons is binding under START.

But I realize that the mainstream press in America is praising the wonderful achievement that Obama pulled off, as if it was a miracle in international security and vision for the future…

Kinda like this miracle and vision: WikiLeaks cables: US agrees to tell Russia Britain’s nuclear secrets… in return for START…

Hummm…

Windows to Russia!

• START Treaty is now a FART Treaty… (windowstorussia.com)
• US Senate’s Amendments to START: Essentially Strike Out the Document… (windowstorussia.com)
• Letter About START! (windowstorussia.com)
• So You Really Think That America Ratified The START Treaty? (windowstorussia.com)
• The START Treaty that has Become the Amended Treaty… (windowstorussia.com)
• Putin and Medvedev and Coffee and by the way – Sobyanin… (windowstorussia.com)
• Ouch – We Saw This Coming A Mile Away – START… (windowstorussia.com)

Iron Maiden’s – Final Frontier World Tour will see the band play 29 total shows and visit 26 cities all in 13 countries. The performance in Moscow is on February 11, 2011…

It is said that Iron Maiden is one of the  premier heavy metal bands in the world and has affected more rockers around the world than any other heavy metal band. With their hits like Run to the Hills, The Trooper, Fear of the Dark and Aces High you never have to worry about staying in touch with the darker side of life…

Friday 11 February 2011
Iron Maiden
Olimpiisky Arena Moscow, Russian Federation…

OK – well I care…

Windows to Russia!

• Russian Video From Russia: Check this out on the bombing at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport… (windowstorussia.com)
• 1994 to 2011 – Terror Attacks Against Russia… (windowstorussia.com)
• Will Terminated Mayor Yuri Luzhkov be back to Russia? (windowstorussia.com)
• Russian News From Russia – (01/25/2011) (windowstorussia.com)
• Russia: Day Of Moscow! (windowstorussia.com)
• Suicide Bomber Strikes Moscow – 35 dead – 130+ Injured… (windowstorussia.com)
• “Bunker 42” Museum in Moscow… (windowstorussia.com)
• Corruption, not nationalism behind latest Moscow riots… (windowstorussia.com)
• Moscow police force says it is holding 1207 people on suspicion of planning to take part in ethnic clashes… (windowstorussia.com)
• Moscow Police Chief and Stopping Corruption – Can he do it? (windowstorussia.com)