tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post8057616453590205845..comments2008-06-12T18:58:25.071-07:00Andrew!http://www.blogger.com/profile/02170615547522584268noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post-16219168081700056092008-06-12T18:58:00.000-07:002008-06-12T18:58:00.000-07:00Once you get in, stay as long as you want. They might fine you when you leave, but that'd be the same as paying for express service or whatever. Who cares if they say you can only stay for 14 days? They're not going to come looking for you on the 15th day.Barrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post-42714938737165022592008-06-12T10:54:00.000-07:002008-06-12T10:54:00.000-07:00Andy, the first time you went to Russia, did you apply at the Russian embassy here in Bulgaria? I imagine it wasn't as complicated. I want to go to Russia and not sleep, too!Lyrpahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11021897724015525216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post-14471936268946882452008-06-12T01:33:00.000-07:002008-06-12T01:33:00.000-07:00Howdy NJR!<BR/><BR/>Not sure about the Finland/Brazil connection. But I was told that this samba festival was one of Helsinki's biggest summer events! And that was easy to see - they were intense! Pale skin and all!<BR/><BR/>I didn't go back for the 14 day visa because in the two final embassies that turned me away, they both informed me that it's a two week process for an American to acquire a visa. And no express service is available. In addition, June 12th is Russia's independence day and embassies are closed. Those two things, combined with traveling back to Ukraine for a visa spelled out 'hassle' and I thought I should just take what I can get. <BR/><BR/>If Russia had normal travel regulations, I could spare a few extra days in transit to at least get 14 days. But... Because it's Russia, it means I would need to get a new invitation (a process that is not plesant) and I already have my ticket home purchased from Mongolia. There just isn't enough time to jump through all the hoops. <BR/><BR/>In the end, I'm happy that I'll even be able to get to Mongolia. I had started considering the possibility of eating my ticket home from there and figuring out a way home from Europe. So my 9 days are a huge disappointment, but it is better than nothing.Andrew!http://www.blogger.com/profile/02170615547522584268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post-88563933266177649542008-06-11T15:41:00.000-07:002008-06-11T15:41:00.000-07:00That is a lot of very pale exposed skin. Was there any explanation of why Finland was holding a festival for Brazilian dance?<BR/><BR/>So I'm a little confused. Why didn't you just go back to the place that would have given you a 15-day visa? At least that would be an improvement over 9.NJRhttp://www.tiesenga.comnoreply@blogger.com