Way to Russia Talk Lounge

jackmarlaw · Just Starting Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

Hello. We're going on a business trip to Moscow and then St. Petersberg in early February. I have no idea why they scheduled the convention in February, since it's likely to be quite cold. But that being the case, we hope to do our best to prepare for this trip.

1. What do we wear? What are Mascow and St. Petersberg's weather like in early-to-mid February?

2. How do we find a reliable translator? There'll be me, an American, and my colleague, a Chinese who'll be going, so either a Russian to English or Russian to Chinese translator would do. Preferably, this person will be able to accompany us the whole day so there'll be less chance of us getting lost / getting into trouble. Also, how much would a translator cost?

3. How do we get from Moscow to St. Petersberg? Is train the best way, or should we fly?

4. How do we get on the internet? Do hotels have high speed internet access in the rooms? Are they expensive/cheap? Is it easy to find an Internet cafe? This is quite important since we pretty much can't run our business without being able to connect to our office back home.

As you can tell, this is our first time going to Russia. I have traveled to Europe before, but this is actually the first time I feel like going to a "foreign country". From what I heard, unlike in western Europe, it is difficult to find someone on the street who is able to speak English, and it is somewhat confirmed by my expereince making calls to business partners' offices in Russia (is this true? I may be quite wrong in this due to my limited experience). Therefore, I am are quite afraid of ending up in a situation where we can't communicate with the people around us, and getting utterly lost or worse.

Any other advice that you can give would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your answers!

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

jackmarlaw · Just Starting Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks vitalsigns! So I guess it was right of me to buy that long down jacket. Regarding translators, where should we go to find them? Are there agencies in the city that specialize in them? And how do we keep from getting ripped off and making sure that we find a high-quality translator? Sorry if these seem like very basic questions for all you old-timers here Wink

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 620 Location: Moscow

St. Petersburg is guaranteed to be butt-kicking cold in February. Count on it. But be aware, Russians overheat their buildings (one of the bonuses of being a petroleum rich country) so that it's sweltering inside. This makes dressing problematic. If you dress for outside temperatures you will keel over and die in any given restaurant in about an hour. Layering cloting is a mistake here. You wear summer clothes under the heaviest coat money can buy. You'll need a warm hat, lined boots and gloves. St Pete is a great place to buy all this stuff.

Fortunately for you, there is more English spoken per square meter in St. Petersburg than anywhere else in Russia. You should be able to squeak by without much Russian. Don't try it anywhere else in this country.

Hotels in St. Petersburg are extremely expensive. To get internet in a hotel room would be a near miracle. There are internet cafes around. Go there.

The train is the best way to go from St. Pete to Moscow. Depending on the train and the acommodations, tickets should run $80 to $100 each way. And you avoid all the insanity and hassles of the airports on both ends. Take the train. When buying the train tickets ask for a 4 berth coupe. Comfy and cheap. Be sure you get the lower bunks in the same cabin.

Bring warm socks. For some unknown reason decent socks are not to be had in Russia. It's one of the great mysteries of this country. You'd think as cold as it is you could get good socks here--but no. Russian socks suck. We get our folks in the US to send us socks a couple of times a year. Cold feet are bad news.

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

jackmarlaw · Just Starting Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks for your answers! I'm so glad that this such an active board! Very Happy

I thing I'll go and buy that fur hat I've been hesitating about...

Regarding socks, I'll try my best to find decent, warm ones. Although shopping is a pain also in China, where I am right now. Any advice as to what types of socks to look for? Wool / cottong / length? Thanks!

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 620 Location: Moscow

Warm socks!

camarks · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 5:17 am Post subject:

I'll be making my fourth February trip to Russia next month (also been twice in March and once in April). Conferences are held at these times to cut costs. I've enjoyed all of my trips, but do want to go back in the summer sometime. It will be cold (10-20 F), but you won't need to be outside too much and all the buildings are warm. I was more uncomfortable in St. Petersburg, because it is wetter, even though it may have been warmer.

Take the overnight train to St. Petersburg. You might consider getting a first class compartment with only two berths. It's $20-30 more expensive as I recall, but you and your colleague won't have to worry about who you'll be sharing with. My wife and I did this two years ago on the "Krasnaya Strella (Red Arrow)" and were very comfortable.

You won't get lost if you get good guide books (I like the Rough Guides for each city) AND you familiarize yourself with the Russian alphabet and a few phrases. Russian is a very difficult language to master, but after the alphabet (which isn't that hard to learn) it's not too difficult to make yourself understood when you need to. The street and metro signs are easy to read with a little practice, but some of the restaurant signs and other script is more challenging.

If you want to find restaurants with menus in English and English speaking staff see

http://www.rosinter.com/

It can be tiring deciphering the cyrillic all day, so being able to get a decent meal without a struggle has been very welcome to me. I've never been dissapointed at any of the Rosinter Restaurants I've eaten at in Moscow or St. Petersburg. We particullarly enjoy the many 'Il Patio' locations.

Have Fun.

cdnexpat · Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 3:19 pm Post subject:

I have not taken the train yet between these two cities, but frequently fly. Avoid flying! Taxis to and from the airports are expensive, and you need more than one hour at each end for baggage checks, food is a little expensive at the airport(like any airport). Overnight train should be a good experience, and you will save a hotel room. Bring some food and drinks with you on the train, and you will have some fun... Laughing

MrSpice · Lounge Wizard Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 3436

Buy thick wool/cashmere socks. You can certainly buy wool socks in Russia - I don't know where expat was looking... I am sure you can buy wool socks in China.