[rivelino]

so i am an american living in spain now, and i will have about 10-14 days at the end of december to go somewhere, basically for the christmas holidays.

i could go back to the states to see my family, but fuck that, i want to explore europe. i am going to paris next month, so i could do that again, but for some reason, moscow seems very interesting to me. not just for the russian girls, but just in general. but is it crazy to go to moscow in late december? am i gonna freeze my ass off??

again, i am not just going to check out the girls and try to get laid, i also want to take pictures of the city, and if it is very snowy and shit, that could be cool too.

anyway, any thoughts are appreciated.

thanks guys,
R

[The Fantasist]

Hey,

No it's not crazy at all. I prefer Russia in the winter and the weather despite being cold is fine if you dress right. Moscow winter days usually means clear blue skies. I think Moscow is at it's most beautiful at that time so for your photos it will be great. Winter also brings out the women in their beautiful furs,it's quite a sight.

You'll have a great time.

[rivelino]

thanks vorkuta! i appreciate it

wikipedia says that the average high is about 26F and average low about 17F during that time, so that sounds cold but doable. i lived in new york for ten years, so i should be fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Moscow

hmm, now i am checking nyc weather, and it is significantly warmer. average high of 40F and average low of 27F.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City

fuck it, i'm going!

[The Fantasist]

I have no idea what those temps are in centigrade which is what we use in the UK but look, our winters here in London go down to about -3 or -4 centigrade max,yet I had no problems walking around Moscow when it was -25 c so you'll be fine. Moscow is far from the ocean unlike NYC or London etc. and it's winter days are absolutely still,no blustery wind to get in your face. It's not at all unpleasant trust me.

Let me know if you need hotel or hostel recommendations. Just remember you might need to send your passport to NYC for your visa unless you have residency here in Europe.

[rivelino]

dude, you are the man.

1. yeah i was just thinking of that, apparently i do need a visa if i am an american. hmm. well i just got my work visa to work in spain for a year, so maybe not? i'm gonna have to do research. maybe that's why roosh hasn't been to russia yet, the additional paperwork.

2. good point on the wind chill factor, it can make a huge difference. no wind makes it much more bearable.

3. i was going to just use airbnb for housing, but if you have better recommendations, i would really appreciate it. i am thinking of spending what i need to to make sure that my logistics are good. well, not an outrageous amount, but i am spending $600 to stay at a nice place in paris for a week (a nice room in the marais district), so anywhere between $800-$1000 for 8-10 days in moscow is doable, if it is worth it. i am 37 and make good money, and frankly can't take as many vacations as i would like, so i am willing to spend my money on what matters to me: experiencing new cities, meeting girls, and taking pictures.

4. my trip is gonna be from dec 22 to 30. i am seeing flights for $500 from madrid to moscow, so i gotta think that's pretty good.

thanks again for all your help, any and all additional thoughts are really appreciated!

best,
R

[rivelino]

FYI

moscow in late dec
26F high and 17F low
-3C high and -8C low

nyc in late dec
40F high and 27F low
4C high and -3C low

[Virtus]

I am Russian and I think you're nuts. freezing cold. snow flying sideways. have to have wind proof temperature proof clothing. Women are covered head to toe. and when they are not covered they are at home spending time with their families as NYE is the most important of Russian holidays. stay where it's warm

[The Fantasist]

(09-28-2012 02:42 PM)calihunter Wrote:  

I am Russian and I think you're nuts. freezing cold. snow flying sideways. have to have wind proof temperature proof clothing. Women are covered head to toe. and when they are not covered they are at home spending time with their families as NYE is the most important of Russian holidays. stay where it's warm

Haha,funny how two people can have completely different opinions on the same thing! I have been in Moscow in early January three times and just worn my UK winter jacket ( not wind proof ) with a couple of layers underneath,I honestly think it's the nicest time to visit. Moscow takes on a special atmosphere at that time,walking around the garden ring in the evening with a light snow falling,it's very atmospheric. Yes like Calihunter says,the girls are wrapped up but you'd expect no different in winter.

$500 US return,that's about £350. I think you can do better. The most I pay from London is £250 and I've paid as little as £150 with Swiss Airlines. Have you looked on Skyscanner? Maybe there is not so much choice from Spain?

Accommodation: I've stayed at a few hotels and hostels and apartments in my time. I always liked the Hotel Izmailovsky best. It is about 50 Euros a night including a very good bufet breakfast. It is also only a couple of stops from Red Square ( no change required ) on the metro. Napoleon Hostel nearer the centre is good too,lots of little bars and eateries around there. If renting an apartment think about what metro line it is on,better to not need to change to get to the centre.

[rivelino]

thank you calihunter and vorkuta. i can see my trip to moscow being kinda cool and fascinating -- or miserable. clearly, the other choice is just go somewhere warm like cyprus or the canary islands (http://traveltips.usatoday.com/warm-dece...16386.html) but i have always been a city person myself, and i really want to go to russia.

also, i am a photographer, and am planning on setting up some photo shoots with models for a personal project i am working on, so at the very least, that could give me some solid interaction with chicks.

[iknowexactly]

Make sure you bring long underwear, windproof outer layer, and seal around your neck-- underwear because one layer of clothing in freezing cold doesn't make it.

[Vicious]

Not even the Wehrmacht or Napoleon would hold Moscow in the winter.

[K-man]

It's not just the cold but also the depressing lack of sunshine as Moscow is pretty far up North.
In the morning when you leave for work it's dark; in the evening when you leave for home it's also dark - gets dark around 4pm.

The reverse of that is in May-June when the sun rises at 4am and sets at 11pm. I found Moscow really pretty and nice to visit during that time.

[BigAlexBoss]

I would never do it Rivelino and don't recommend it.

Winter in Spain as i'm doing and then return to FSU for spring plunder as I plan to do.

BTW PM me as I used to read your blog, enjoyed it and would love to meet you for some Francis Drake style antics on the Spanish coast.

[rivelino]

@K-man

"It's not just the cold but also the depressing lack of sunshine as Moscow is pretty far up North."

actually that's a good point. i get depressed easily without sunshine. fuck.

but taking portraits of russian beauties, that would definitely cheer me up.

@BigAlexBoss

"BTW PM me as I used to read your blog, enjoyed it and would love to meet you for some Francis Drake style antics on the Spanish coast. "

hey thanks man, always good to hear some positive feedback, i think you may have just inspired me to write a post that has been in my head for weeks now. i am back to blogging btw.

i will PM you, cool that you are in spain.

[BigAlexBoss]

"actually that's a good point. i get depressed easily without sunshine. fuck."

Me too - dude DO NOT go to Moscow in the Winter - or if you do, bring large quantities of any suitable SSRI or a very good sunlamp.

[The Fantasist]

Man up dudes! I've never heard such defeatist attitudes regarding the weather. Not only should you go in winter,you should do so wearing nothing but a tight pair of Lycra shorts and a vest. Windproof gear is beta.

Winter is not for everyone. But the question was not when is the best time to go,it's am I crazy to go in winter. The answer is no! Dark days? Not when I've been. Dark mornings and evenings yes but the days are blue and crisp. It's down to the individual but I like it in Moscow in winter,in fact it's my favorite time to go.

Rivelino,it depends on you. If you can't handle the cold then wait til Summer. If on the other hand it's December or never then book that ticket. Believe me you will not regret it.

[rivelino]

@Vorkuta

"Man up dudes! I've never heard such defeatist attitudes regarding the weather."

haha good shit man!!! good point.

"If on the other hand it's December or never then book that ticket."

another great point. i want to live in europe long term, but who knows. and i have been to beijing, and aside from that, moscow seems to me the most "exotic" place i can think of. maybe not for others, but for me, when i think of exotic, i think of china and russia.

i am going to look into that visa stuff. really, where else would i go? states? NO. canary islands? BORING. cyprus? interesting, but in the winter, who will be there, old people?

i am thinking of manning up and living life.

the only real alternative is paris. i love paris. but i am going there in a few weeks.

[rover]

December is a fun time for being in Moscow, there'll be lots of wild parties and the clubs will be full of hotties consuming crazy amounts of alcohol. Its a bit colder than NYC but also dryer so much more bearable, I wouldn't worry about it.

[rivelino]

thanks rover! i am fucking going.