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mikaels
Guest
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 Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 2:18 am Post subject: inhospitable?!! |
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Ive never visited Russia but was planning to do so...I noticed all the tourist advice on several sites, recommending that one try to disguise onesself to look like a native! (clothing etc) This sort of advice is not seen in tourist info anyehere else in the world! Are russians really so xenophobic? I can understand that getting ripped off by a cab driver from the airport...but this is different. By and large much of the advice portrays a country not overtly keen on tourists and tourism...and were it not for helpful sites like this one, a tourist would experience hell...from the visa presentation to the time he tried to leave the country.
Please correct me !! |
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kahumano
Frequent Guest
Joined: 05 Aug 2003
Posts: 11
Location: Florida,USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2003 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| Hey there! Even though I haven't been to Russia it's pretty much the same everywhere you go. Alot of people like to fit in when they travel just so they aren't mistaken for rich American tourists and become a target. I really don't go out of my way to blend in when I travel but since my usual clothing is umm.... extremely casual and bland I don't shout "MONEY" But wear what ya want, they'll know your American anyways. hahaha |
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 5:15 am Post subject: |
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I have lived in St.Petersburg on and off for several years, since 1992, and have been very fortunate to of made many good friends. One of the many things I have learned from them is that they are much the same as us, and just as hospitible, if not more. I have been invited into many homes, and everyone who I had the pleasure of visiting went out of their way to ensure my comfort, and probably spent their last rouble on food just for me. They all made me feel right at home.
I once visited the Veteran's Hospital in St.Pete, and met an old retired military Major. I entered his private room and introduced myself. His first question was " Are you an American?". I replied yes, he said without hesitation, and quite bluntly, " I do not like American's". I wasn't offended, more courious as to why he felt so strongly about not liking us, so I sat down and kept the conversation going. Before ending our conversation, a little over two hours later, he had invited me to his home to meet his family, and to share an evening of food and music. Here were two strangers, from different cultures, and different generations, meeting for the first time, and he gives me such a warm invitation. How much more hospitible can a person be?
As for all the trouble of attaining the nessary documents to visit Russia, it is no trouble. It just requires time, patience, and early preparation. I have never had any trouble, and I have even left the US within a week after deciding to go. Thanks to the computer, and FedEx overnight delivery. St.Petersburg is like my second home, and every visit is more cherrished memories. My next trip can't come soon enough......Randy |
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David-M-Rowell
Frequent Guest
Joined: 19 Jul 2003
Posts: 29
Location: Seattle, WA USA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 5:59 am Post subject: |
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At the risk of being impolite, you really haven't read much travel advice about many other destinations in the world if this is the first time you've seen this suggestion, and to then damn all of Russia and all Russians based on your ignorance is substantially less than fair.
Additionally, you talk about experiencing hell and refer to getting a visa to visit Russia. Do you realise that getting a visa to go to Russia is simple and straightforward and a million times easier than it is for a Russian to get a visa to visit the US?
If you have such negative perceptions about Russia, I wonder why you're thinking of visiting Russia instead of any one of the other 200+ countries in the world. Seriously!
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