Post: #326

...

Post: #327

(02-04-2015 04:27 AM)Akula Wrote:  

(02-02-2015 05:37 PM)whoishe Wrote:  

(02-02-2015 05:28 PM)micha Wrote:  Not that I care a whole lot, but out of curiosity: What was Man Utd banned for?

My guess is this post (it's really difficult to choose out of all 4) - /thread-11951-...#pid946352

My sarcasm detector was beeping there, but I guess I have to fix it.

To somehow stay on topic - one week after agreeing price for renting apartment for March 6-9 trip, owner of that place (my #1 to stay in Lviv) contacted me and wants to renegotiate price. Which is still IMO quite low for place at Rynok Square, but I was wondering if you guys would make a stand here just to show that terms of original deal should be honoured. Even if it would mean to stay somewhere else during that time.

I would stand your ground. Maybe search for a couple alternative options first and have them nailed down but what he's doing is bs and a common EE landlord ploy.

Is the price in USDs? They must really all be wanting dollars now for sure, so if you can pay them in dollars (or rapidly declining Euros ) you are giving them real value.

On top of it all the war is intensifying and the currency is under pressure and they want more? Wow just wow

Price is in hrivnas, I try to stay away from paying in USD as long as possible.

It's solved for now, I proposed a counter offer and it was accepted. Plus we agreed on exchanging some zlotys for hrivnas when I will arrive, so everything should be ok.

If it would be my 1st stay at that place I would't bother with negotiating after something like this, but it's 4th or 5th trip when I will be staying there, place is great and owner was very helpful so far. And it was 1st time it happened.

Post: #328

Ukraine currency just dropped 30%

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-05...ative-rate

Post: #329

(02-05-2015 09:10 AM)MichaelCorleone Wrote:  Ukraine currency just dropped 30%

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-05...ative-rate

MC thanks for the share. Wow. That hurts. Looks like I should visit Ukraine this summer, hopefully it still is functioning. Not trying to be a dick but shit can fall apart fast.

Post: #330

It would take a lot to deter me from Ukraine, especially this summer, but this currency drop could start making people a bit desperate. I'm on facebook as we speak, asking locals and foreigners, who are there now, how they're viewing not only the war, but most importantly for my safety (I feel), the financial crisis. You don't want to be in an area where people have to start robbing and killing for survival.

I don't know, I hope everything stays okay.. I have many friends in UA, but the thought of just giving it up and heading to Romania instead is starting to sound a bit less of a gamble with my life. I was there when the locals were upset about the UAH being at 13, now look at it. My dollar is gold to them right now, and I've been robbed at an ATM there before, it's not fun.

Post: #331

I'm curious how much prices are appreciating given the drop.

If food stuffs, and locally-produced goods stay roughly the same...it may not be too bad. In any case, I wouldn't worry about safety unless you're obviously foreign looking (ie..not white).

Post: #332

Ukraine here I come.

Post: #333

I've spotted yesterday that hrivna went down, here is how it looked today in Lviv regarding main foreign currencies (just received a picture which was taken earlier today):

Post: #334

^^so they'll let you unload your dollars for 19.50 UAH a pop. But for sure, they will not let you buy them for 19.90.

This is a great site for getting currency info in Ukraine: http://kurs.com.ua

The "black market" rates are usually in line with what I negotiate with the babushkas on the street corner.

Post: #335

(02-05-2015 02:11 PM)The Llort Wrote:  I'm curious how much prices are appreciating given the drop.

If food stuffs, and locally-produced goods stay roughly the same...it may not be too bad. In any case, I wouldn't worry about safety unless you're obviously foreign looking (ie..not white).

Wrong.

Inflation is going to be a monster. The currency just depreciated 35% in one day. Ukraine grows a lot of food but a lot of it is exported as well, meaning food producers are going to raise domestic prices as well.

As for other items, Ukraine doesn't really produce much, and the goods which it does produce tend to get exported to Russia.

Thus, inflation is going to get really bad.

Post: #336

(02-05-2015 04:09 PM)William Windsor Wrote:  ^^so they'll let you unload your dollars for 19.50 UAH a pop. But for sure, they will not let you buy them for 19.90.

This is a great site for getting currency info in Ukraine: http://kurs.com.ua

The "black market" rates are usually in line with what I negotiate with the babushkas on the street corner.

This would be interesting to ask, as usually prices visible on windows are what you are getting when exchanging. But maybe they just didn't change windows numbers of one of USD prices before photo was taken.

During my last trip in December difference between both prices in USD was very wide, quite surprised to see it so narrow today, especially when looking at Euro and GBP for comparison.

(02-05-2015 04:12 PM)Tex Pro Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 02:11 PM)The Llort Wrote:  I'm curious how much prices are appreciating given the drop.

If food stuffs, and locally-produced goods stay roughly the same...it may not be too bad. In any case, I wouldn't worry about safety unless you're obviously foreign looking (ie..not white).

Wrong.

Inflation is going to be a monster. The currency just depreciated 35% in one day. Ukraine grows a lot of food but a lot of it is exported as well, meaning food producers are going to raise domestic prices as well.

As for other items, Ukraine doesn't really produce much, and the goods which it does produce tend to get exported to Russia.

Thus, inflation is going to get really bad.

Inflation already should be rampaging from that perspective, as between October 2013 (my 1st trip) and December 2014 (my most recent trip) Hrivna to Polish Zloty changed from 2.65/1 to 5.20/1... and yet as a tourist I didn't see significant changes regarding local prices (it was discussed a few times at RVF in the past).

Post: #337

(02-05-2015 04:18 PM)whoishe Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 04:09 PM)William Windsor Wrote:  ^^so they'll let you unload your dollars for 19.50 UAH a pop. But for sure, they will not let you buy them for 19.90.

This is a great site for getting currency info in Ukraine: http://kurs.com.ua

The "black market" rates are usually in line with what I negotiate with the babushkas on the street corner.

This would be interesting to ask, as usually prices visible on windows are what you are getting when exchanging. But maybe they just didn't change windows numbers of one of USD prices before photo was taken.

During my last trip in December difference between both prices in USD was very wide, quite surprised to see it so narrow today, especially when looking at Euro and GBP for comparison.

(02-05-2015 04:12 PM)Tex Pro Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 02:11 PM)The Llort Wrote:  I'm curious how much prices are appreciating given the drop.

If food stuffs, and locally-produced goods stay roughly the same...it may not be too bad. In any case, I wouldn't worry about safety unless you're obviously foreign looking (ie..not white).

Wrong.

Inflation is going to be a monster. The currency just depreciated 35% in one day. Ukraine grows a lot of food but a lot of it is exported as well, meaning food producers are going to raise domestic prices as well.

As for other items, Ukraine doesn't really produce much, and the goods which it does produce tend to get exported to Russia.

Thus, inflation is going to get really bad.

Inflation already should be rampaging from that perspective, as between October 2013 (my 1st trip) and December 2014 (my most recent trip) Hrivna to Polish Zloty changed from 2.65/1 to 5.20/1... and yet as a tourist I didn't see significant changes regarding local prices (it was discussed a few times at RVF in the past).

LOL!

Ukraine's inflation rate ran 25% in 2014:

http://www.bdlive.co.za/world/europe/201...n-14-years

Furthermore, the prices for electronics, TVs, cars, and other manufactured goods that are being imported is going up. Way up.

Post: #338

(02-05-2015 04:18 PM)whoishe Wrote:  This would be interesting to ask, as usually prices visible on windows are what you are getting when exchanging.

Ask them if they have dollars, they will say no. I promise.

(02-05-2015 04:18 PM)whoishe Wrote:  Inflation already should be rampaging from that perspective, as between October 2013 (my 1st trip) and December 2014 (my most recent trip) Hrivna to Polish Zloty changed from 2.65/1 to 5.20/1... and yet as a tourist I didn't see significant changes regarding local prices (it was discussed a few times at RVF in the past).

I agree with your sentiment. I read somewhere inflation was something like 22% during 2014. That sounds bad but compared to the change in currency rates, it's a drop in the bucket. In little over one year's time, the dollar has gained 300+% over the grivna. As a foreigner, Ukraine feels ridiculously cheap.

If this continues, I wonder if Ukraine will experience an economic collapse, like what happened to Serbia in the 90s.

Post: #339

(02-05-2015 04:47 PM)William Windsor Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 04:18 PM)whoishe Wrote:  This would be interesting to ask, as usually prices visible on windows are what you are getting when exchanging.

Ask them if they have dollars, they will say no. I promise.

(02-05-2015 04:18 PM)whoishe Wrote:  Inflation already should be rampaging from that perspective, as between October 2013 (my 1st trip) and December 2014 (my most recent trip) Hrivna to Polish Zloty changed from 2.65/1 to 5.20/1... and yet as a tourist I didn't see significant changes regarding local prices (it was discussed a few times at RVF in the past).

I agree with your sentiment. I read somewhere inflation was something like 22% during 2014. That sounds bad but compared to the change in currency rates, it's a drop in the bucket. In little over one year's time, the dollar has gained 300+% over the grivna. As a foreigner, Ukraine feels ridiculously cheap.

If this continues, I wonder if Ukraine will experience an economic collapse, like what happened to Serbia in the 90s.

Ukraine needs an immediate bailout of at least $15 billion or it is going to default this year.

Once it defaults, yes, it would experience an economic collapse.

Post: #340

Well, this seems like the most appropriate thread to ask this question.

Has anyone noticed an increase in people speaking Ukrainian instead of Russian since the outbreak of the conflict in the east of the country? My Russian is very basic and I haven't been to Ukraine (or any other Eastern European country) since December 2013 but it would be awful to improve my Russian only to find it's frowned-upon to speak that language. Of course, I could still use it in Russia and Belarus so it wouldn't be a very big problem.

Post: #341

@Porfirio Rubirosa

I made this post earlier in the thread:

Quote:Has anybody been to Kiev lately or has reliable information on topic of language that is being used?

I keep reading about how the language will change to Ukrainian, but I just don't see it coming. At least not in the short term.

Language is such an intricate part of your personality that you don't just change it because of a current political situation. These people grew up speaking Russian, and some of them even find Ukrainian brutish/primitive sounding.

Maybe a small amount who have used both languages in the past will make a conscious effort to use Ukrainian more often. However, someone who has spoken Russian all his life (with its local slang and peculiarities) will not suddenly start using a decidedly different language.

All in all, I can't see anybody having trouble using Russian in Kiev. Though as always, that's just my opinion and I'd be glad if anybody were to share his insights on the topic.

...and after some talking to locals (from Kiev) via Skype my view on this topic seems accurate enough.

Language doesn't change just like that.

In the short term you'll be fine, however, what Kiev will be like in 10 years - I have no idea.


Personal note: When I began learning Russian I thought I could never speak/learn Ukrainian as well. After all I'm a foreigner and keeping two so similar languages stored in your head seemed like an impossible feat.

However, it turns out that it will be a lot easier than I thought. Once you are truly fluent in Russian (I'm talking 3 years of intensive study) you will FLY through an Ukrainian textbook and basically start speaking it right away. Not to mention you will be able to understand them 70% - 90% already anyway.

= learn Russian, it's good for the soul.

Post: #342

One caveat though: That post was written as if the question was about Kiev only. The language situation in the rest of Ukraine is rather simple and has been like this since before the conflict: The west speaks Ukrainian (Russian will get you understood, but you won't make friends) and the east speaks Russian and is pro-Russian in general.

Odessa is an exception being located in the south-west but is almost exclusively Russian speaking. Here the same principle applies in my opinion - in the short term nothing will happen, in the long term no one knows.

Post: #343

Has anyone tried using their US-based debit or credit cards in Ukraine recently? I had no difficulty last summer, but when I asked my bank to confirm that there would be no problems during my upcoming trip, they told me my account would be locked if accessed from Ukraine and no ATM transactions would be permitted because of OFAC restrictions. I think I may just have spoken to clueless employees.

Post: #344

(02-06-2015 10:08 AM)Lemmo Wrote:  Has anyone tried using their US-based debit or credit cards in Ukraine recently? I had no difficulty last summer, but when I asked my bank to confirm that there would be no problems during my upcoming trip, they told me my account would be locked if accessed from Ukraine and no ATM transactions would be permitted because of OFAC restrictions. I think I may just have spoken to clueless employees.

I wish I had the answer but I think it speaks highly of your strategic thinking skills to think of asking.

Post: #345

So what's it like there now? I mean it sounds like there's a full on war going on pretty much. Or is that mostly in the East, and Western Ukraine is fine?

Post: #346

(02-06-2015 11:59 AM)Menace Wrote:  So what's it like there now? I mean it sounds like there's a full on war going on pretty much. Or is that mostly in the East, and Western Ukraine is fine?

Yes.

Not "mostly", but exclusively.

The only thing to worry about in Kiev & Western Ukraine right now are increased crime rates (still a whole lot safer than Chicago though).

Then again, with all that is happening right now I wouldn't book a flight two months in advance. Things can change quickly and I wouldn't put too much trust into any one prediction about the situation of the country.

Post: #347

Any chance this could impact the costs of air travel? I'm looking to book a flight for later this spring on Ukraine International and wondering whether to wait or buy now. Thanks!

Post: #348

(02-06-2015 10:43 AM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 10:08 AM)Lemmo Wrote:  Has anyone tried using their US-based debit or credit cards in Ukraine recently? I had no difficulty last summer, but when I asked my bank to confirm that there would be no problems during my upcoming trip, they told me my account would be locked if accessed from Ukraine and no ATM transactions would be permitted because of OFAC restrictions. I think I may just have spoken to clueless employees.

I wish I had the answer but I think it speaks highly of your strategic thinking skills to think of asking.

I learned the hard way. My bank tends to freeze my ATM card immediately in response to any transaction outside the US unless I've informed them that I'll be traveling.

I've spoken to a few people at my bank. They all say Ukraine is an "OFAC-listed country" and that online access to my account will be blocked if I try to access it from Ukraine and that I won't be allowed to wire money to Ukraine or use my ATM card while in Ukraine. I'm skeptical of this information since I had no problems last summer but am interested to hear from any Americans with first hand info. It seems odd the US Treasury Dept would financially isolate a supposed ally but this is the info I am getting.

Post: #349

(02-06-2015 03:39 AM)micha Wrote:  @Porfirio Rubirosa

I made this post earlier in the thread:

Quote:Has anybody been to Kiev lately or has reliable information on topic of language that is being used?

I keep reading about how the language will change to Ukrainian, but I just don't see it coming. At least not in the short term.

Language is such an intricate part of your personality that you don't just change it because of a current political situation. These people grew up speaking Russian, and some of them even find Ukrainian brutish/primitive sounding.

Maybe a small amount who have used both languages in the past will make a conscious effort to use Ukrainian more often. However, someone who has spoken Russian all his life (with its local slang and peculiarities) will not suddenly start using a decidedly different language.

All in all, I can't see anybody having trouble using Russian in Kiev. Though as always, that's just my opinion and I'd be glad if anybody were to share his insights on the topic.

...and after some talking to locals (from Kiev) via Skype my view on this topic seems accurate enough.

Language doesn't change just like that.

In the short term you'll be fine, however, what Kiev will be like in 10 years - I have no idea.


Personal note: When I began learning Russian I thought I could never speak/learn Ukrainian as well. After all I'm a foreigner and keeping two so similar languages stored in your head seemed like an impossible feat.

However, it turns out that it will be a lot easier than I thought. Once you are truly fluent in Russian (I'm talking 3 years of intensive study) you will FLY through an Ukrainian textbook and basically start speaking it right away. Not to mention you will be able to understand them 70% - 90% already anyway.

= learn Russian, it's good for the soul.

Thank you. Yes, Russian is definitely on my priority list along with German but the latter due more to literature and professional reasons than game; Russian is arguably the most important language for any student of game to learn. Well, I better start learning now in order to also speak Ukrainian in ten years' time.

Oh yes, I'm so privileged you literally can't even.
Interested in joining the FFL? I tried (and failed).

Post: #350

(02-06-2015 12:40 PM)micha Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 11:59 AM)Menace Wrote:  So what's it like there now? I mean it sounds like there's a full on war going on pretty much. Or is that mostly in the East, and Western Ukraine is fine?

Yes.

Not "mostly", but exclusively.

The only thing to worry about in Kiev & Western Ukraine right now are increased crime rates (still a whole lot safer than Chicago though).

Then again, with all that is happening right now I wouldn't book a flight two months in advance. Things can change quickly and I wouldn't put too much trust into any one prediction about the situation of the country.

Micha, are you in Kiev now? How do like the city?