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klaz
Just Starting
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:05 pm Post subject: Week in Moscow |
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Hi all,
I'm going to be in Moscow for the 1st week in November, and I must admit i know very little of what to do there. Tourist itinery is ok, i can figure that out myself, but I'm going to be on my own most of the time. I don't speak a word of Russian (will spend some time learning some basics first), nor do I know anyone there.
I'm likely to be staying near the City centre, at the Novotel.
I'm not the sort to stay in just the Hotel, so I'd like to meet a few people, and generally have a fun time. I'd like to hit a few bars, and nightclubs also. I've looked at the nightclub reviews and found a few that appeal to me, but I was wondering if you had any recommendations for friendly factor. Oh, I'm a 28 white male if that helps any. |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 1:24 am Post subject: |
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As a 28 year old white male, finding "fun" in Moscow shouldn't be a problem. 
You don't speak a word of Russian? Not good, but do-able. Try to study the Cyrillic alphabet before you come. Recognizing the alphabet will make a world of difference to you. You will be able to match up names on the Metro. You might be able to decipher a bit of menu. It might take a week or two, but farmilliarizing yourself with the alphabet will be a huge leap. Do it.
Outside of that? Keep a tight grip on your passport, wallet, and cell phone. From the tone of your *fun* you could get into trouble around here. |
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mr-barley
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 04 Dec 2004
Posts: 159
Location: somewhere in minnesota
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:22 am Post subject: |
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| I'm sure there a lot of people in bars and clubs that would like to meet you also, but not necessarily to be your buddy and learn about your culture. They would probably like to get better aquainted with your wallet and passport and what ever else you may have. A young foreign man alone is just asking for it in the clubs. Why will you going to Moscow for a week by yourself anyway? I suggest hitting the tourist spots about town during the day and limiting your partying to your hotel bar. It would be much safer. |
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klaz
Just Starting
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:53 am Post subject: |
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I'm going over there with a male friend, who's meeting a Russian Girl he met thru "elenasmodels". Lol. So I'm there as backup if things go wrong with that. But he's made it clear that most of his time will be spent with her, so i'm pretty much left to my own devices.
As for fun, I'm pretty laid back, so its not really that I would go wild. In fact, I've moved away from that sort of thing nowadays, and I rarely drink much anymore. So I was more interested in meeting a few people, and relaxing.
But yes, my fun does include women if I meet someone. Is that usually a problem with foreigners that come to Moscow?
Thanks for the info btw. |
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snoof777
Frequent Guest
Joined: 22 Sep 2005
Posts: 58
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| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:44 pm Post subject: c'mon |
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| these guys make it sound all scary. dont listen to them. moscow is a great place, and when you go to the bars or clubs, you will run into alot of expats there too. and at most of the higher end clubs, especially the ones you are probaly reading the reviews about, alot of people there will speak english, so no worries. |
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init6
WayToRussified
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Location: Москва, Россия
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| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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On the one hand, I agree with Snoof. On the other, what's wrong with "better safe than sorry?" I'll say this - don't try to go exploring too much by yourself, especially if you're going to be alone. I've had only one run-in with the cops, and it was an obvious setup.
My friend and I, both Americans, left Doug & Marty's Boarhouse (a big expat hangout - I recommend you check it out, but be careful) in a private taxi. I stopped at an ATM to withdraw money and when I turned around, two cops were beckoning me. It cost me 500 roubles (~$18 ), but it was a good lesson. I tend to learn more when it costs me money. 
There's plenty to do and if your interests are cultural you'll be quite busy. If you just want to get laid, it can be done as well (of course) but there's many caveats to that. And, on these forums, people who are coming to Moscow simply to get laid are generally looked down upon (and rightly so, in my opinion).
I've been here about 3.5 weeks so far and I love it, but you have to be careful. Don't get all shitfaced drunk and go wandering around, especially since you don't speak any Russian. I like to drink and I make no bones about my love for women, but I'm no whoremonger, either. You can meet some generally quality people here but you won't find many in tourist hangouts or expat bars. You'll find mostly "working girls" and scam artists.
Don't dick around about getting your visa registered, either. It is imperative. I just got my passport back on Monday after three weeks, but I had university-issued identification that was legal (you won't need to worry about all this).
I've not had any problems except the one time, and that was my own fault, getting into a car with an unfamiliar driver (I have "my own" driver at Boarhouse, who is simply a guy we've used before and who I know is trustworthy) and then made the bigger mistake of asking said fellow to stop at a bankomat so I could get money! That, coupled with my forgetting the basics when I was faced with the cops because I was 1) half-drunk and 2) shit scared. But as far as personal safety, I do feel safe here. Try not to dress like a tourist (i.e., no white tennis shoes, no loud/bright clothing), always look like you know where you're going, even if you don't, and people will plain leave you alone. This is a great city, but keep your head about you.
Don't think you can bribe your way around, either. It can be done, sure, but it's damned sure not a solution and if you have to bribe someone you're probably doing something you shouldn't be doing anyway.
Anyhow, I hope you have a good time and if you remember a few ground rules you will - plain and simple. |
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snoof777
Frequent Guest
Joined: 22 Sep 2005
Posts: 58
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| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject: i see |
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| see, the thing is, the cops hang out at places like you just described. this club is one of the ones i was talking about for expats. sure, there are lots of easy girls and its really friendly, but there are also the scam artists mentioned above. there are tons of really cool clubs in moscow, and if you really want to go to the elite clubs, do it, but it will cost money. and the cops wont mess with you there, but figure on spending at least 100$ a night. if you want a girl, just take one from the net, shiat, for $50 an hour or $200 a night, you cant go wrong. drink something, surf the net, find the girl you want, call her, do you thing, pay her. bada bing bada boom. if you want to have fun and club, then do that. moscow is a great city, but its a different mentality here, so just be aware. i guess its like any big city anywhere, really, so just dont come with big bright eyes, and expect something for nothing. |
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snoof777
Frequent Guest
Joined: 22 Sep 2005
Posts: 58
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:22 am Post subject: btw |
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boarhouse to the locals is called whorehouse for a reason.
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init6
WayToRussified
Joined: 01 Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Location: Москва, Россия
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| Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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It seems like everyone in my dorms (mostly Americans and British, besides all the Asians) has this huge thing for the Boarhouse. It's not dangerous, not by any stretch of the imagination, but if you get all stupid it will cost you a lot of money and any other valuables - maybe your passport. I've never had a problem there. After cleaning them out one night at Blackjack, they suckered me in twice more to the tune of 500 - 1000 roubles each time.
I went there Friday again with eight Britons and my American roommate and everyone got really weirdly drunk. Two Germans started smashing their glasses on the floor and the British were being, well, kids...it made me more anti-Western than I thought was possible for me to be. So I've decided I'm not going back to the Boarhouse to "party," maybe only to eat something and use their free Wi-Fi, and only early in the day (and I hate to drag my laptop from Shabolovskaya all the way to Kurskaya).
Anyhow, Moscow is a great place, just keep your head about you. I like to drink...a lot...and I do. But I don't get retarded drunk in an unfamiliar place to the point I can't take care of myself. |
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pigant
Just Starting
Joined: 02 Oct 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Moscow, Russia
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| Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 12:27 am Post subject: Re: Week in Moscow |
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snoof777
Frequent Guest
Joined: 22 Sep 2005
Posts: 58
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| Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 12:30 pm Post subject: el casey- |
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| have you tried the real mcoy? its a great place to meet real russians and expats who are normal people, as well as get some lovin ! |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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Yes indeedy, if you're an expat and need some lovin' in Moscow and you're wanting to support the local Mafia, the Boarhouse and real McCoys are two fine choices. But there are others, perhaps a little pricey for the student budget....but you pay for what you get, right?
A browse through the Exile should point those looking for hookers in the right direction! By golly, those guys have got a handle of the sex industry and they speak English. And remember, every dalliance with a paid-for girl is a contribution to organized crime. Wouln't want those thugs in the bulletproof Landcruisers to go hungry, now would we? |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| P.S. The sex industry here is so open minded they don't bother to worry about protection from STD's. Hey, it don't get no better than that! |
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Boz
Just Starting
Joined: 14 Feb 2006
Posts: 6
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| init6 wrote: | I'll say this - don't try to go exploring too much by yourself, especially if you're going to be alone. I've had only one run-in with the cops, and it was an obvious setup.
There's plenty to do and if your interests are cultural you'll be quite busy.
But as far as personal safety, Try not to dress like a tourist (i.e., no white tennis shoes, no loud/bright clothing), always look like you know where you're going, even if you don't, and people will plain leave you alone. |
when u say dont go exploring on your own do u just mean at night or are you refering to walking aimlessly round the city at night?
im planning on going and really want to see museums, architecture, statues etc but not looking like a tourist, going on my own and wanting to take photos to remember it by seems like a tough combination. is it really all that bad, i didnt think it would be much worse than other other capital cities (prague/havana for example). am i going to attract trouble all the time. |
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Uzhok
Just Starting
Joined: 21 Feb 2006
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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No, you're not going to get into trouble all the time. There's much made of Russia's crime/violence/prostitution by many of us who live, work or travel there - people like to have a good story to tell, or want their experiences to seem somehow more authentic by giving them an edge of danger. But Moscow is no worse than Havana, certainly far better than Johannesburg where I grew up. There are parts of Paris that are more frightening than Moscow. You have to treat it like you would as a foreigner in any large city - try not to stand out, keep your eyes open, stay in well-lit areas, watch who you're drinking with, be initially wary of (But never rude towards) people who seem friendly with little introduction. You should do that anywhere you don't know.
Taking pictures through the day is unlikely to land you in trouble, going to bars and clubs at night is also fine provided you choose a decent place, don't get too pissed, and don't draw attention to yourself. Avoid prostitutes and policemen(unless you need their help), both bring you closer to Moscow's less healthy elements.
Hell, even this has a tone of paranoia...really it's not that bad at all - go out and have a great time, hope you meet a fine,friendly & genuine lady or a good Russian friend - you certainly won't meet either in your hotel bar. |
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