When I was about 17, I started saving money in what I called “The Let’s Get Out of Here Fund.” I still have the yellow post-it note that I put in my money bag that reads “Deposit money when you really want to be somewhere else!” Well, there have been many times were I’ve wanted to be somewhere else. And by the time I finished high school I had saved about $2,000 in small bills and coins. I figured that was enough to get me by in Russia for a couple of weeks including airfare. Man alive, was I ever wrong!
Now at 22, I’m finally going and here’s what it costs to go to Russia today:
(listed prices are in Canadian dollars unless specified and include all applicable taxes)
Flight from Seattle to Vladivostok on Korean Air: $1125.44
Flight from St. Petersburg to Vancouver on Lufthansa: $1157.53
Travel Cuts Processing Fee: $53.00
Travel Insurance: $98.00
Passport with a rush processing fee: $117.00
Passport Photos: $10.16
Russian Letter of Invitation (required for processing a travel visa to Russia): $30 US
Russian Visa Processing through Visa Connections with rush order fee: $338.90
Total: $2,930.03
And that’s just for the bare basics of getting there and back…
I’d just like to say that I’m a big fan of Anny Chih. A BIG fan.
It will be lonelier without Anny Brownie, cause I’m such a big fan. It’s hard to stalk people all the way to Russia! Not that I’m a stalker…I read that if I follow her home less than three times a month, it doesn’t count as stalking.
Sounds like there are other people in the world who are more than willing to stalk Anny Brownie. I’m also really glad that she trecked around Korea to find magnets for this mysterious friend – I’m sure Anny will be able to squeak out some MAJOR bonus points with those. I’m finding her blog to be quite entertaining – I actually laughed out loud in some parts:) Finally, I think that $150 is not bad for a women’s fur hat.
All I gotta say about the picture taking in public places is – I think one of your lovely, sexy friends “told you so!” Unfortunately, Paolo did not seem to have such lovely friends. Hurrah for you almost being in Moscow and surviving the Siberian cold:)!
And by the time I finished high school I had saved about $2,000 in small bills and coins. I figured that was enough to get me by in Russia for a couple of weeks including airfare. Man alive, was I ever wrong!