Way to Russia Talk Lounge

stefnicol · Just Starting Joined: 24 Jul 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Italy

I like travelling alone and I would love to visit Russian big cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg. What would you suggest about tht? I hear about troubles tourists can have with policemen and microcriminality. is there anything I should be worried about?

tuller · Talk Show Host Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 238

I've never been to Russia alone because my girls always met me at the airport in Moscow. But, I do have friends that have been alone and never had any problems.
I never saw a drunk on the streets in Moscow and their city, I never saw any form of crime, I have never been stopped by the police, nor have any of my friends. Just keep your nose clean and out of trouble, and be sure to keep your paperwork in proper order and have several copies of everything.
I actually felt safer there than going to Atlanta shopping.
The only thing that has ever bothered me when I was traveling abroad is not knowing the language. If you don't understand Russian, then you might want to have a translator and driver meet you at the airport to save yourself some grief and help you get a little organized as how the good people of Russia do things.
Anytime I was in a store and opened my mouth, southern English, it usually got questions from people on how did I like Russia and the people.
My answers were always...Russia is a great and awsome country and I love visiting, the people are some of the finest people I've ever met...and then I would put my arms around my three girls and say...and I love my three Russian ladies Very Happy

This always brought pretty smiles from everyone.
Always presnt yourself as a good person....

Tuller

Octavius · Just Starting Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 3

Obviously, if you travel to Russia alone and dont know any reasonable amount of the Russian language, you will undoubtedly do better with an interpreter or someone who can guide you and help you out with this. About Russian people, to say that they are friendly is a bit of an exageration. They are polite if you are polite, though ussually cold nonetheless. Also, Moscow is not THAT safe. USA cities are still safer from every single point of view. Drunkards and other similar people are occasionally seen, so Tuller again went blind. And the fact that he is with three Russian girls (I may doubt it, but well, not impossible) does NOT necessarily inspire smiles from everyone. Oh yeah, and you don't need to over-act the "present yourself as a good person" part. Just make sure you dont try to smartass Russians and you will be fine. (Apologies for bad word, but no other way of saying this)

-Octavius

tuller · Talk Show Host Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 238

To each his own and how he see things with his own eyes.
I've never had any problems in Russia and I've never seen the drunkards, etc that you talk about...but...maybe I was in a "different location" than you were and was in contact with a" different class" of people that you seem to know.
Sure, they seem unfriendly...I've been told that is their "mind-set".
Maybe you don't know how to approach and talk to people though..
Sorry to bust your bubble ole boy...but the three girls I was with are now my wife and two adopted twin daughters. Very Happy

Tuller

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1012

First, I never had a problem in Russia and felt quite safe. I travelled from Kazan to SPB on a flight and by bus to Veliky Novgorod then train to Moscow.
Besides looking like a fool(accidentally taking the wrong seat), never had a problem.
If you are looking for someone to show you around, go to Masterrussian.com and ask to be penpal. I am sure you meet a nice person that will show you around in turn you will have to help them with some English. There are lots of students who want to learn English.

Yes, there are drunks and druggies in the streets(like every city with freedom), but they are usually harmless and not as much as stereotype states. I felt safer in Moscow than Washington DC, but I felt safer in Orlando than Moscow.

tuller · Talk Show Host Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 238

You go ole boy ! lol

Tuller

Kesha · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:37 am Post subject:

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

I think it all depends on where you travel alone. Some may disagree, but I would not recommend to travel in the big cities in Tatarstan alone. It's not safe for a foreigner.

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

I love it. The guy asks about Moscow and St. Petersburg and Vitalsigns warns him against travelling alone in cities in Tartarstan.....welcome to the WTR, the Website To Randomness.....

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

Octavius · Just Starting Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 3

Well Tuller, I have never been to Russia. However, I talk from the experiences of some friends of mine. My friend Hassan-Al-Atrawi says Moscow is a very dangerous city, and since he was there, I, well, just believe him.

Odd, you being an American (I assume), you are basically making an entire Russian family. In my young ages I would have never though it possible, ever. But wathever... Maybe one day all of South America and Western Europe will be enemies of the USA, and by today I am not believing this possible either.

Well, people would do wise to avoid visiting regions near Chechnya. After all, Chechnya is in a war with Russia, as Chechnya is seeking its freedom from an oppressive nation such as Russia. Of course, I am talking about Russia in general, and not about anyone in particular. I suppose there might actually exist a Russian who is a nice person. I suppose...

I suppose if stefnicol keeps himself out of trouble he will have an enjoyable trip to Russia.

Xela · VIP Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 781 Location: Shanghai

JadoreBaikonur · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:05 pm Post subject:

camarks · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 7:31 pm Post subject:

Traveling alone in Moscow and St. Petersburg (and many other places) is no problem. Learn a few basic phrases so you can ask where to find certain landmarks and metro stations, and familiarize yourself with the alphabet so you'll know when you get there. This can be done in a few weeks of just an hour or so a day. Of course the more you know the better. There are many hotels and restraunts with English speaking staff in the major cities (http://www.rosinter.com/). Be smart about when and where you go alone, like you would alone in any major city. Don't pay too much attention to the scare mongers who have never been there. I've been six times in the past three years and am on my way to Moscow, Samara, and perhaps other cities in February.

Chris

camarks · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:50 am Post subject:

Four times for conferences
http://rcs.chph.ras.ru/wsc.htm

and twice for an adoption (Murmansk Region).