Russian Travel Restrictions

[Kristin Anne Peterson]

In response to Professor Birnbaum's posting, I would like to add my recent
travel experience through Russia.

I was invited to give a conference paper on Chekhov's Black Monk in Yalta
(April 5-12).  I traveled with Aeroflot, from NY through Moscow to
Simferopol.  My flight from New York to Moscow was four hours late leaving
and I did not have a Russian visa (the Russian Consulate in NY told me that
I would not need one since I was only going to be in the Moscow airport for
two hours, in transit).  I had a valid Ukrainian visa.  While I was at the
airport in NY I realized that I would miss my plane to Simferopol.  Vladimir
Doroshev, Aeroflot's "Station Manager" in NY assured me that the people in
Moscow would assist me with getting on another flight to Simferopol, or if
need be, a hotel in Moscow.

When I arrived in Moscow I was informed that 1) the next flight to
Simferopol was in two days 2) I would be staying in a hotel near the airport
3) I would not be able to pick up my luggage 4) I would be locked in the
room at the hotel, food would be brought to me, but I was not to leave the
room for two days 5) I had to give up my passport and money (I received them
back when I was leaving the hotel) and I was not given access to a phone.

Two days later I was on a plane to Simferopol and made it for the final day
of the conference.  I was never given the option in Moscow to buy a visa (in
fact, I asked if I could purchase one and the answer was, "we'll put you up
in hotel and pay for your meals".  (At this point, I thought that I would be
free to walk around the hotel, at least.)

Needless to say, this should have never happened.  I am extremely upset at
the way I was treated.  I guess I learned the hard way that if one plans to
travel through Russia to another part of the former Soviet Union, it is
necessary to PURCHASE A VISA, no matter what.

Kristin Peterson






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Kristin A. Peterson
peterson.118 at osu.edu
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