Russia trip advice

Quote: Evenbob

Why do they drink so much? When
you visit you'll find out. For the same
reason the exchange students don't
want to go back.

Once getting my car worked on the write-up guy was telling me about his visit to adopt a baby. He said:

1. All the men work in factories
2. All the white collar professionals are women
3. Every many is a total drunk

A vacation isn't staying there. I visited CA before and would not want to live there either.

You might consider getting one of those on-the-fly translating app or dedicated device. You speak, it speaks Russian. And the reverse.

If you’re going to go all the way there why not make it a longer trip and see a few other places?

Quote: Aussie

If you’re going to go all the way there why not make it a longer trip and see a few other places?

Because I still have to make a living.

Quote: AZDuffman

Because I still have to make a living.

Haha I realise that. You don’t get paid time off?
I probably wouldn’t bother going that sort of distance for less than 2 weeks absolute minimum. Preferably 4. So many great places to see in Europe.

Quote: Aussie

Haha I realise that. You don’t get paid time off?

Don't get me started. People hear my day rate and think I am raking it in. They do not understand being self-employed. Every federal holiday cost a day's pay. Half the years we are not allowed to work that dead week between Christmas and New Year, no pay. If I want a vacation I have to add in the cost of time off work.

Don't get me wrong, the freedom is worth it. But it changes your mentality to where every last thing is a hustle.

Quote: AZDuffman

Don't get me started. People hear my day rate and think I am raking it in. They do not understand being self-employed. Every federal holiday cost a day's pay. Half the years we are not allowed to work that dead week between Christmas and New Year, no pay. If I want a vacation I have to add in the cost of time off work.

Don't get me wrong, the freedom is worth it. But it changes your mentality to where every last thing is a hustle.

Ahhh ok was not aware you contract. Yes, the loss of pay is a consideration then. Personally I still probably wouldn’t want to go that far for anything less than the timeframe mentioned. It’s just so far to go and particularly if you haven’t travelled like that before it’s possibly your one opportunity. Any way you could go without any time off for the whole year or two until the trip? Might enable a longer period of time off?

Quote: AZDuffman

D They do not understand being self-employed..

I haven't had a paid holiday since the
mid 70's. Or a paid vacay.

Quote: AZDuffman

They do not understand being self-employed.

Figure out how to write part or all off as a business expense.

Quote: rxwine

Figure out how to write part or all off as a business expense.

If I tried my next hotel the guy might tell me "Henry Hill slept here!"