Russian Visa & Mastercard stopped working abroad on March 10, but you’ve probably heard that
Russian Visa & Mastercard haven't worked abroad since March 10, but you've probably heard that. I went to five banks where, according to locals, tourists can get local cards to withdraw money — no luck. Seems like they recently canceled that, everywhere requires residence.
I got a local Alba card — it's not exactly a bank, but it does have a card number, account number, ID, and CVV on the back. As a bonus, I even got 50 pesos, which I used yesterday to buy myself water at the supermarket. It was hot ☀
I work online, money comes to an e-wallet in dollars. In Russia, I'd be feeling pretty good right now, because I know how to withdraw dollars through crypto with minimal losses. I'd even profit from it. But not here. In reality, my salary has now shrunk by 1.5-2 times amid the conflict between Russia and Western countries.
Right now, all my hope is that I can withdraw my salary to the Alba card, which I plan to first transfer to my crypto wallet, then to this card. We'll see if it works. If it doesn't — I'll figure something else out. Maybe I'll find a way to earn money here, on the ground.
I have no desire to apply for refugee status, if only because after that I won't be able to come to Russia. And the word "refugee" itself repels me. I don't like that word. There's no freedom in it. Victims of circumstance run away, and I don't feel like one. In any situation, you yourself define your place, who you are — hunter or prey. And in especially tough conditions, the truth about yourself becomes clearer than ever. I personally am not ready to live knowing I'm a victim. I won't accept that. Now I'm just learning to live in a new way, and life goes on.
Today in a Telegram chat I saw news — the Mexican government is providing shelter for Russian tourists stranded in Mexico. They gave contacts, an address. The dormitory is between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. I'm saying this to show that help is being offered. Mexico isn't even fining our tourists now if we overstay our time here.
Also, on the GosUslugi website, you can leave a statement about your situation — you need to fill out a form and check the box next to "I commit to flying out of Mexico on the next available flight." You can only fill out this form once. Whether they pay for the ticket is unknown.
On your own, you can still fly out now, but not with Russian airlines — through another country. I've seen tickets via Minsk, Turkey, Kazakhstan. The price is roughly the same — a week ago it was twice as expensive as usual. So around 130-140 thousand rubles to get from Cancun to Moscow. That's the cheapest ticket.
I've decided to continue my path and not stop. What's the worst that could happen? The worst is probably ending up here without money, work, food, or a roof over my head in some city where I don't know anyone who could help with anything.
What could I theoretically do in that situation? Begging, hunting snakes in the jungle or caimans, sleeping in a tent — those are surface-level solutions. There are probably other ways, more elegant ones. So everything is solvable. And, overall, surmountable.
I continue my journey and in every situation I try to find the good. I can't use the bad, so why carry it with me? A round-the-world trip has always been my dream. And right now is exactly that opportunity to make it happen. Now or maybe never. We don't know what will happen next, right? No one knows. I won't give up on my dream, and I believe I can achieve it. And return home.
Don't lose faith, my friends,
Arthur O'Harra.
#DontLoseFaith #WhatWouldYouDoForADream