Russia... what can he expect... what can you tell us?

Question

Hubby is going to Russia, possibly as early as Thursday. (For work.)

What can he expect during his travels? (Any airline restrictions into Russia or back out??)

Anything he should be sure to take with him? (Besides water purification tablets. He has them already!!)

Are there any Russian words he should learn?
What is the money conversion rate?

Any true help will be greatly appreciated!

Please keep in mind I want to share this with hubby... so he will want answers to have your source named or linked.

Thanks :)

Answer 1

We were there two years ago and learned a few things the hard way, and also had some very pleasant surprises.

First, tell him don't bring anything of value that he doesn't absolutely need to bring. Wear a cheap watch, leave any ostentatious jewelry at home. Anything that is valuable that he has to bring, like a camera or laptop, he'll have to keep with him at all times because most hotels tell you up front that they're not responsible for items stolen from your room. (My bassist had a CD player stolen from his room).

He probably won't need the water purification tablets unless he's going to rural areas...bottled water is easy to get and not expensive unless he buys it in the hotel. There are kiosks all over most cities, as well as stores, that sell water and anything else he might need.

Depending on where he will be and how he will be traveling, he should bring hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes as the bathroom facilities in some places equate to a hole in the floor. (On the Trans-Siberian railroad they don't let you use the bathroom for the first 5 miles in or out of town because you're literally going to the bathroom in a hole in the floor that goes out to the train tracks.)

As a tourist, in many instances he can expect to be charged more for things than a local. Taxi cab drivers habitually try to charge tourists more. One museum we went to had a sign that stated blatantly (in Russian) that tourists pay double to get in.

I hope he's not a vegetarian. Vegetarianism is a fairly new concept in Russia and although we did meet a few there, they told us it's not easy for them because most restaurants don't have many vegetarian items on their menus...my drummer and bassist are vegetarians and lived basically on bread and potatoes for the whole two weeks were we there. We did find a TGI Fridays in Novosibirsk and Moscow though and many of the same items they serve in America were served there so they ate there a lot when we were in those cities.

We didn't get a lot of fruit or vegetables either but that may just have been the arrangements that were made for us. We saw more vegetables at breakfast than we did at any other meal.

Depending on the hotel he'll be staying in, he should be prepared to get at least 1 phone call from local pimps every night. All the phones in the rooms are independent phone numbers, not extensions and the hotel staff often sell the phone lists to pimps who then call every room every night looking for men who want company. (This was one of the things we found out the hard way..my guitarist answered the phone and the person on the other end was asking him questions in russian which the guitarist didn't speak, The only word he knew was "da" which means "yes" and he used that word liberally. Next thing we know, there's a prostitute knocking on his door!

The local Russian women also had a tendency to throw themselves at the guys in my band whether they were married or not. It seems they prefer foreign men to their own, but that may just be my take on it. They followed the guys everywhere and frankly it got a little nauseating after a while.

If he takes public transportation, he should know that often in the subway stations, there are teams of people who look for tourists' pockets to pick, so he would be wise to keep his money concealed at all times and remain as aware of his surroundings as he can.

Now before you start thinking there is nothing good about Russia, I can tell you that we met some of the most friendly, warm people I can recall there although it did take them a while to warm up to us. (Vodka really helped with that!).

The countryside is gorgeous all year long and covered with the national tree, the birch. We were there towards the end of winter and although we all brought thermal underwear, few of us actually used it. A good down coat, hat, scarf and gloves was more than sufficient. If he's leaving this week, it's unlikely that it will be very cold if at all.

Most Russian food is very, very good (I loved pelmeni, little dumplings and ate tone of them while there as well as borscht which is VERY different from what you get stateside) and depending on where he is, if he gets a little homesick, he can probably find an American franchise somewhere to help with that...I found a McDonalds near Red Square during a french fry craving (and I never eat at McDonald's when I'm home, but I was grateful for it there).

There is so much history and stunning architecture all over the country that it's overwhelming.

As far as phrases, it's going to be difficult to pick up pronunciations if I post them. I got the Rosetta Stone CDs to help me with my Russian. Pimsleur is also good and you can get it from Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

The rate of exchange when we were there was insane...we found ourselves having 3 course meals for about 5 dollars in Siberia. Moscow however is priced more like most cities in the US. For a current rate of exchange, check the converter at the link below.

Have him get Russian currency here in the US and exchange it back to US currency before he returns. Most of the cashiers in the shops in the airports will be happy to exchange it for you...of course you get less than you should and they pocket it, but we're not talking huge amounts of money here and you can't exchange coins if you have any once you get back to the US, only paper money. I wound up spending all my remaining currency on good vodka to bring home. Most airports only allow two bottles, Russia will let you bring back all you can carry.

The only restriction we ran into was getting on the plane from Moscow to Novosibirsk. The planes are small and they only allow two bags per person. You can get past this by offering the clerk a pack or two of cigarrettes...Marlboros can get you just about anywhere you want to go in many countries. Oh yes and I found most Russians smoke like chimneys. They have no smoking bans of any kind there and in most places, the smoke was so thick, it was choking.

All in all, I had a great time in Russia (they treated us like rockstars after our shows) and wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world...I might however, rethink going back.

Answer 2

Russia is not more dangerous than NYC. You should observe general safety rules: don't talk to strangers, don't walk on empty dark streets. Don't buy food from the outside small kiosks. True, that we don't drink tap water, but it depends. Some places have very good water, it depends on the source: either it is river water or underground water (the latter is good).
Weather is changeable, September may be pretty chilly. About +10-15C.
I live in Russia and a French works for my company, he feels safe in Russia.
But watch out for traffic!There are assholes who don't give a damn about pedestrians.

Answer 3

My friend got married to a Russian girl 7 years ago. he met her on line. It is a love at first sight thing and the marriage is now thriving here in New York.

Anyway to get to the point. My freind said that when he made his trip to Russia his future wife met him in Moscow. Then after a few days in Moscow they went to her home town.

He told me that when a person goes to Russia rom America they must bring with them "new" "fresh" dollarbills from the bank. You know "new" bank issued dollars (tens) (twenties) (fifities) (hundreds). You will need them to change money in the banks there or to give to local stores to buy things and they will give you change in russian rubles.

If you bring older used bills from here theyn no one will change your American dollars into russian rubles. I mean no one not even in the exchange banks. By old I mean the bills that have been in circulation wht you get back as change from a supermarket purchase or a store purchase etc.

They will not accept older and tattered or worn looking dollar bills there. That is what my friend told me who had personally gone to russia. His wife told me the same thing as two years ago she took a trip back there to see her parennts and two sisters who are still living there. Ialso remember once reading that on a website about travel to russia and I remembered what my friend had told me.

I am not sure of the conversion rate but you can click onto any conversion checker websites and enter the dollar amount and the Ruble conversion will come up.

Lately the US dollar has been doing poorly all over the world so you will not get as much bang for the buck as they say as you would ,have say 5 years ago.
for example 10 years ago the Canadian dollar to the Us dollar rate was much better.
You could get for 1.00 us dollar you would get 1.42 Canadian dollars.
Now the exchange rate is very dismal between Usa and Canada. It is now about $1.00 us dollar to 1.03 canadian.

anyway he should also drink bottled water whenever possible

Answer 4

So, airlines restriction are as everywhere, as far as I know.
Tell him to take some warm clothes, umbrella, of course. Weather can change harshly. They promise a drop in temperature by weekend (Moscow, Saint-Petersburg region) then it will be hotter. Yes, better drink bottled or boiled water. Avoid eating in small cheep caffes. If he's going to cook himself, tell him to buy food in large supermarkets, not small shops. In any case check the expiry date on packs and smell the food before eating it.
Most convenient transport is underground and mini-busses (they go along a certain route and stop where you need to; the phrase to stop the mini-bus is "Ostanovite zdes, pozhalusta" - "Stop here, please"). Tell him not to forget a map of the city he's going to.
One Euro is about 35 Russian roubles.
Some Russian words:
Spasibo - Thank you
Izvinite - Excuse me, sorry

Answer 5

Many beautiful girls r there. Who dont like local men, and like foregns, that is what u have to expect, honestly. Dont mean to offend you. I just know how foreign men act when they r alone in Russia.

Answer 6

on no account heard of you, do not care approximately your delusions of grandeur - we hear approximately headcases each and all the time, many of the time that is schizophrenic ramblings - why could desire to absolutely everyone concern you and whoever else you're speaking approximately?

Answer 7

http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/russia/tp/healthandsafetyrussia.htm

Important Health and Safety Tips for Russia Travel

These Tips Will Help You Stay Safe and Healthy During Your Travel to Russia
For the most part, Russia travel is safe. However, as a visitor, you may encounter some situations that are decidedly unsafe. The following tips should be taken to heart when traveling through Russia so that you can worry less about your health and safety and enjoy your experience in this wonderful country.
1. Russia Travel Health Tip: Don't Drink the Tap Water
Even locals don't drink the tap water in Russia. Tap water may be even more dangerous for foreigners. Not only will it contain elements that a traveler's body may be unused to, it also may also cause diseases due to being improperly sanitized.
If you get some water in your mouth while showering, this isn't a reason to rush to the hospital. But for drinking water and brushing teeth, use bottled water. The water can be especially bad in St. Petersburg, where the pipes are, in places, as old as the city itself.

2. Russia Travel Health Tip: Don't Drink Unlabeled Vodka
Vodka drinking may be a Russian's favorite pastime. While you're in Russia, it might be yours, too. However, bootleg vodka has long been responsible for killing people, and modern times are no exception. If you're going to drink vodka in Russia, make sure the vodka has been purchased at a store and is labeled properly. Otherwise, you could unknowingly be drinking shoe polish, sawdust, or even medicinal disinfectant.
More Info
3. Russia Travel Safety Tip: Pedestrians Do NOT Have the Right-of-Way
In Russia, cars have traditionally meant money, and money meant power. Today, this power gives people with cars the ability to drive whereever they want. On the street, on the curb, on the sidewalk . . . over you. This is no joke. If you get hit by a car in Russia, you may be blamed for walking in front of a moving vehicle. Even if you are where you are supposed to be (walking on the sidewalk), cars may drive right up next to you if they are being inconvenienced by stopped traffic.
4. Russia Travel Safety Tip: Watch Yourself On Trains
Train Travel in Russia is one of the exciting parts of visiting this vast country. However, other travelers on Russia's trains might see you as an easy target. If asked to drink and dine with strangers on board a train, make sure you stay aware . . . and sober. Otherwise, you might find yourself the victim of pickpockets or worse.
More Info
5. Russia Travel Safety Tip: Discrimination is Rampant throughout Russia
It's unfortunate, but true - discrimination is an integral part of Russian society. Foreigners, Jews, Blacks and Asians (and members of other ethnic groups), individuals with disabilities, homosexuals, and women, are all regularly discriminated against in Russia. This discrimination can reach dangerous levels.
What to do? You can't change who you are. Large cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg have large, mixed populations, so under most circumstances, discrimination will happen less often. Whereever you happen to be in Russia, be polite and do not be baited into physically defending yourself if taunted. Stay within a group or be escorted by trusted local individual. Mentalities are changing in Russia, but at a ponderous pace.

6. Russia Travel Health Tip: Avoid 'Romantic' Encounters
The one-night stand might seem like a fun addition to your trip. After all, Russians are gorgeous! But a one-night stand can turn into the nightmare of a lifetime if you contract one of the STDs or STIs increasing in frequency among members of Russia's sexually undereducated population. AIDS and other sexually contracted disease are huge problems in Russia, and there is no sign of their decline.
7. Russia Travel Safety Tip: Be Smart about Your Money
Don't flash money around while traveling in Russia. Keep some spending money in a readily accessible pocket or wallet, and keep the rest hidden either on your person or locked away at your hotel. Thieves are just waiting for foreigners to show them how much they have and where they keep it. Don't give pickpockets any help.
More Info
8. Russia Travel Safety Tip: Keep Your Passport On You
It may be inconvenient to keep your passport with you at all times. You may also worry about losing it or getting it stolen. But keep it with you in a secure, hidden location within your clothes - special wallets or money belts are ideal for this. If you get in a sticky situation with the police, not having your passport on you is a good excuse for them to harrass, fine, or arrest you, whether or not you've done anything wrong.
9. Russian Travel Safety Tip: Be Familiar with Dangerous Areas
All cities and towns have their unsavory areas. Whereever you go in Russia, confirm with friends or hotel personnel where the bad areas of the city are and avoid them. If necessary, have these areas circled on a map. Most locals will know what places foreigners should best avoid and will be able to describe them for you easily.
10. Russia Travel Health Tip: Avoid the Hospital
You do not want to go to the hospital in Russia. You may have to, but do try to avoid putting yourself in situations that may land you there. Russia's hospitals sometimes do not meet basic standards for cleanliness, may not have modern equipment, and, in some cases, may not even have consistent electrical power.
To avoid going to the hospital in Russia, get your shots updated before you go, avoid fights, watch your step, don't drink the water, bring your medications with you, and generally stay aware of your environment.

Answer 8

last answer full of lie,Russia not dangere then NY,USA is at second place for crime,Russia at 8 place,i meant modern countres of Europe and North America