| Author |
Message |
balletera
Frequent Guest
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Posts: 11
Location: mexico
|
 Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject: safety on kuzminki area |
 |
|
| my daugther is going with a large group to Kuzminki hotel. They will be travelling daily by metro to the theatre area for their studies. By locating this hotel (thanks to your help) on a map I find it unwise if not plain stupid staying so far away and wonder about the safety of that area and of the metro line they will be taking. My husband is about to not let her go cause they will certainly be attending ballet performances and returning late (there is sunlight I know but closed bussinneses) Maybe some of you can tell us about what they could possibly encounter and how much would a taxi cost or better a bus for the whole troop, thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Does she speak Russian? that would certainly be to her benefit.
The Moscow Metro moves 9 million people a day. It's the biggest subway system in the world, totally eclipsing the New York subway and London Tube.
Although I'm not an innocent young woman, I've been riding the Metro since a couple of days after I got here nearly 3 years ago. No problems. There are those who may disagree, but I find the Metro to be well run and less dangerous than doing 70 MPH on a crowded urban American highway.
The Metro closes at 1 AM and allows passengers to enter till 12:30. If she were to leave an event later than 12:30 she'd have to find other transportation, hence the question about her language abilities.
My own daughter has visited here twice from college. After a couple of days of teaching her the ropes about buying tickets and making out Metro maps I cut her loose. No problems.
Busses also stop after midnight. Finding an English speaking taxi is possible but not easy. She needs some Russian. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
balletera
Frequent Guest
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Posts: 11
Location: mexico
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| It is going to be a group of about 50 persons, of those there is teacher who is russian, so language might not be a problem but these girls are 12 to 17 years old. I have travelled Europe and love moving on subways but such a large group handle by 4or 5 adults keeps me wondering, I wouldn't mind in a smaller city, then a hotel so far away or my perception is not accurate? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I don't know where the hotel is or which color Metro line you're talking about.
As long as they stick together and are with responsible Russian speaking adults it should be ok.
Not to add fuel to your fire and squash this girl's trip, but that's a vulnerable age group here. She will need to be very cautious. I mean it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| They will be fine and have a great experience...I'd be more concearned with going to other places |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The area around Kuzminki (if I'm correct to say that it is located in the area of the same name--purple line) is not the safest of places. I suggest they stick in groups whenever possible, and try not be outside in this area after public transportation stops. It's also advisable they have some Russian friends with them. There are also a couple of English-speaking taxi dispatches she could use. I wouldn't use private cars in that area if I can avoid it.
I lived not too far from Kuzminki, when I was 19. And I never walk home alone after 11pm. This is a poor working-class area and can be pretty quiet at night. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you for that Mediashark.
baletera, Mediashark is a moderator on this website and a knowledgeable source. Her word is good. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
balletera
Frequent Guest
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Posts: 11
Location: mexico
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
OH OH!!! that what I was afraid of!!!
overseas_expat: What do you exactly will be afraid of? My husband is already way on FIRE!!! cause after Moscow the group is taking night trains back and forth St Petersburg. He is now thinking of sending me with her to a Marriot near the theatres and no night trains!!! That is ok with me but, big but, I dont think we can afford spending more $ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| balletera, I sent you a PM. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vitalsigns
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
Posts: 2784
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
| surfguy wrote: | | They will be fine and have a great experience...I'd be more concearned with going to other places |
Surfguy, I agree with you. It'll be safe and ok. I mean it.
That woman talk is getting out of hand, all these unnecessary worries. If she sticks to the group and doesn't roam alone after 7-8 pm, she should be fine virtually anywhere. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
camarks
Moderator
Joined: 30 Sep 2005
Posts: 333
Location: Richmond, VA USA
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
| The metro and the night trains are fine. The girls should travel in groups to be safe, as in any city, but there is little to worry about unless they are really looking for trouble. The night trains are very safe and economical (save a night in the hotel). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
balletera
Frequent Guest
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Posts: 11
Location: mexico
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
well. just for peace of mind I'd love to suggest a Bus rental for their daily transfers . Does anyone has a link to such a company? Guess they can afford it since they are 50 + persons paying daily subway and taxis, maybe a bus for half a day, they could commute by metro early morning then have a bus pick them up at school site.
I dont want to cancel her trip, my husband was about to last night, it has been planned for months and she's been saving a lot for the trip even by not going out with friends. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
camarks
Moderator
Joined: 30 Sep 2005
Posts: 333
Location: Richmond, VA USA
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Peace of mind is nice, but often illusory. You are trying to project your way of doing things at home onto a foreign environment. The train will be far better than a bus for many reasons: no traffic, travel easily and safely at night, save hotel costs, safer in my opinion (Russian roads and drivers can be an adventure), etc. The best thing you can do for your daughter is to educate her about not venturing out by herself or in too small a group. Also, ensure that there are enough adults accompanying her group. Other than that, it is best to do as Russians do, learn, and enjoy. Nothing could be worse than traveling such a distance only to do things and see people just like home. Taxi drivers don't speak English or Spanish, affordable buses are not that reliable or easy to navigate in the city. The metro and trains are by far the best and safest ways to get around in small groups. If you trust the people your daughter is traveling with then there will be no problems with the metro and train. If you don't trust them to exercise appropriate care and caution, then I wouldn't send her even if they insisted on charter buses and cars for all travel. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
balletera
Frequent Guest
Joined: 07 Jan 2006
Posts: 11
Location: mexico
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
Actually the persons who are organizing the whole trip are in another city from where I live.I've met them but The school dirctor where my daugther goes is the one responsible of the group from our city, well this morning not being comfortable with the answers I was getting from her I called the true organizers and to my surprise and relief we were given mistaken facts one after another!! They are at walkable distance from their school , they are charting buses for goings late in the afternoon or exiting theatres late at night, the night trains are still being considered, not much metro planned just some every now and then.they'd have a translator full time with them.
We are all so happy, really, I couldn't believe the director here and cant wait to see her face tomorrow , she knows nothing, she misinformed us so much in the details, there is a mother who is accompanying her girl and she told me she'll adopt mine, so she'd just has to follow her and the russian couple organizing everything , the school director, well, someone gonna have to take her hand so she wont get lost...not my daugther!!
Thanks Camarks, it is true, I am well travelled but guess this time I was projecting my way of doing things here, or should I say in the States cause sometimes Mexico ...that's another message board! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 9:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Glad things are getting worked out. I guess if someone plans to organize such a big-group travel, he/she must have some idea how to do the logistics.
Even with all the transport planned, even she shouldn't worry too much about travelling alone in the metro. Even at 11pm plenty of people ride the metro. I still travel home alone at around 10pm on the metro every day (no choice you see). Some of the older stations are very interesting. But most likely she will feel more comfortable (and safer) if she has the translator/guide/local friend with her when they go out. (I would, too.)
To enjoy Moscow, you just need to be street-smart, alert, have some common sense, and some local knowledge (read guides like this website, talk to Russian friends living there etc.). I'm sure your daughter will have a very memorable and delightful experience. There's so much Moscow has to offer. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
