Travelling in Russia, including customs, lodging, eating out, etc

Planning your first trip to Russia? Your mind must be swelling with questions then.

After all, there always has been a lot of controversy and stereotypes about Russia. The very word Russia summons up quite equivocal (and rather stereotypical) images that tend to baffle, if not scare a foreign person. While with most Western European countries everything is more or less clear, Russia leaves most foreigners completely clueless as to what to expect of it. It is truly hard to find any adequate answers and not to drown in this vast ocean of stereotypes, obsolete facts, and contradictory information that surrounds Russia. Even now that its borders have been open to foreign citizens for over a decade, Russia is still shrouded in mystery. It keeps foreigners wondering… What is Russian life like? Is it safe to be in Russia? Is it difficult to travel to and around it? Is life in Russia expensive? What exactly do I need to bring with me?.. and so on, and so forth. Who can possibly answer such questions about a country better than a native who has been living in it most of their life and knows it inside out? So, let me become your Russian guide to Russian everyday reality to help you form the most realistic impression of what Russia really is like. I would like to begin with something that concerns people most these days – safety issues.

Safety in Russia

One of the most common and least accurate stereotypes about Russia is the one that makes it look like one of the most turbulent places on Earth with the most rampant crime. The recent terrorist attacks in Moscow, regrettably, have only helped to perpetuate the negative stereotype. It is apparent, however, that virtually all of our world, including Europe and the USA have become targets of international terrorism, not just Russia. In this particular sense, one’s personal safety is no longer a matter of geographical location. Rather, it is largely dependent on one’s own behavior.

According to American sources, the crime rate is actually substantially higher in the US than in Russia, although it has increased in Russia since the demise of the Soviet Union. That means that the precautions an individual should take traveling in Russia are identical to the ones recommended elsewhere in the world, including the USA. It is understood that people are most vulnerable to crime in a foreign country. In this manner, in Russia foreigners become easy prey for those who do not exactly mean well. Therefore, I suggest you keep in mind that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and follow some simple, yet arbitrary rules on a day-to-day basis. First of all, avoid flaunting valuables or large sums of cash and flashing your wallet. Secondly, you are strongly advised against walking alone at night or through deserted and secluded places at daytime. Third, be careful striking up acquaintances with strangers. Try to not too attract too much attention to yourself either, especially in crowded public places (unless you want to be eased of your wallet or even worse).

Do not be paranoid, though. Just be wary. Be friendly and open-minded, but do not forget to use your common sense. Hospitability is, beyond all doubt, a Russian national trait, but remember that there are black sheep in every family. So, watch your step as you go and you will be safe and sound.

You might also want to memorize the Russian police and Medical Emergency phone numbers – 02 and 03 respectively. You can dial them toll-free from any public phone. Just in case. Hope you will never have to dial them, though.

I have seen many people in my life that were having very good relationships and they ended up breaking up. Why can something like that happen to those couples?

If you have been recently dumped, probably you are in deep pain and you think that every thing on this world is up side down. I understand, I've been there too that's why I decided to help those who have ended their bad relationships to forget their ex in just 24hrs.

Well GL I’m going call you out .. just a bit .. on this one. I would guess about 10 maybe 20% of the women are cute in N. America. It’s just that they have horrendous attitudes, just awful. The rest “think” that they are 8 – 10 ’s when they most certainly are not even close.

Do you remember “Jenny” from the movie Forest Gump?

I thought she was one of the most complex but tortured characters I’ve ever seen on screen. And every time I watch this movie I’m reminded of some of women I’ve known who are equally tortured.

Jenny if you remember came from the small backwater town of Greenbow Alabama where she was sexually abused as a child by her impoverished alcoholic share cropper father. Jenny’s only goal in her young life was shown to us on her little knees in a cornfield as she desperately prayed..

So nice of Spring, at last, begun.

The part where there are no dirt or mud on the ground to worry about.

This is one of those few times a year, where the weather is right .. not a lot of mosquitoes and flies swirling around and only occasional clouds of dust that blows in the wind with you.

But in general, the conditions are good enough for you to go with any short-sleeved shirt and light jacket.

And it is because of this that I would like to officially call it the beginning ..

Ok I'm slowly working my way back to spend more time with you people.

I've been busy getting Mr. Newexpat to Russia groove, so to speak.

He finally located in a beautiful place and there is enough time to get a good inventory of their new surroundings.

I could go on about the adventures of the little we had in this regard ... But the bottom line is this ..

I think he's happy .. 

I was totally grinning when I read this article today.

I hope you too ..

    To Russia for love

    War and alcoholism took their toll on the male population of Russia, and the women turning their sights on eligible bachelors UK, says Richard Spillett

    Tuesday April 8, 2008

    There are British men on the run from a pint-downing, liberated women of Great Britain?

    While in the field of political rhetoric, Britain and Russia seem to update old rivalries, relations on the ground has never been better. The world market, finally, to come to Moscow, but when it comes to men, Russian women began to buy British.

I have a very positive view of men building a relationship with a Russian woman with children.

I know quite a lot of fantastic and beautiful Russian women with children who were excellent candidates to start a serious relationship.

During my many travels I have to say that I have never seen a more loving, calm, patient and devoted mother in my life. I know it's a pretty big statement to make, but I think there are more than some of you readers out there who may disagree with what I have witnessed here on a regular basis.

Now because of this, I can honestly tell you that he sees a woman who cares for his children to such a degree is nothing more than dry and emotional turn for me.

Did you know that sexy Russian girlsare very interesting? Russian women do not like women in other Western countries and cultures. Their only dream just naturally beautiful, long blonde hair and well structured in the heart of the body plus the class and keep the attention of the situation, they like to make love to their partners.

Ukrainai Russian and girls have special ways of thinking in a foreign guy, finding them a good choice for a serious relationship, dating, and even families. Beautiful Girls from Russia arrived in other cities, looking for opportunities and having the best guys in the west. When registering for the various dating sites single women from the former Soviet Union and the second halves of consciously. Many foreign guys fall on their sexy Russian girls, saving them attractive look good and marriage with Russian women to give them a home. They take the most beautiful view of their own to represent yourself the most attractive things and make an impression on the best western guys.

But if you have any confidence in women, looking at the photo is not fake, you should ask for more photos of a Russian woman in her everyday life, such as the home of friends or in the park. Sexy Russian girls are traditionally many of their albums with photos taken with a professional environment or in other places, taken by unknown persons.

Olga new friend of ours who also happens to be a fitness nut.

(Should not we all be so ..)

She recently completed her university, where she studied English language and it is ready to see what the real world is like. In addition to the 4-day week routine of fitness, you can also see that she is a real rag to a cat .. (not all of us ..)

Mary introduced her to me, and I thought it was a very sweet girl, so I asked her to share some of her photos for us all to enjoy.