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.

A lot of people are starting to wonder why dating in the big city has suddenly become such a perplexing and complicated experience. And when, exactly, did this happen? The dating scene has always been a little troublesome for some people and could even feel like more of a chore than what should be a fun time. But lately the single jungle of Houston and other large cities are changing and evolving into more complex designs of mass confusion. We seem to be moving faster and faster into complete chaos rather than assimilating into the well preserved roles that our mothers and fathers laid out for us.

More often than not, the first kiss is the clincher for couples; it is the one that helps them make up their mind on whether they wish to kiss the opposite person again. Here are seven great kissing tips to help young men make their first kiss a memorable one and then build upon that success. 

Unfortunately PETA ..

But I'm very fond of referring Russian lady in a fur coat.

If you live in a place like Siberia, there is simply nothing more incredible to watch especially during the long winters here.

And you know that the greatest thing?

Russian ladies who wear these coats completely without guilt, when they walk in them. In fact they are damn proud of their coats and rightly so.

So, it's a little late you want, but at least I remembered it correctly?

In any case, ladies and gentlemen, we have officially passed 1 year mark for this blog. Do not know what to expect when we all started in this adventure, but it was a hell of ride so far and a lot of fun sharing experiences I had with this incredible Russian women.

Again I want to deeply thank you all for your support and participation.

Although I am happy in the midst of beginning a new life and family, I want to tell you that there are some really great events coming up on the horizon.

OK let's be totally honest here.

We men are physically attracted to Younger Ladies ..

Have always been and always will be ..

And that is that none of us need to do the slightest justification or excuse for the very simple reason.

This attraction is completely Hard Wired into our brains.

Read this article and you will see that the Russian women in this particular village are very courageous, given the scale of alcoholism, which affected their men.

Alcoholics in Russia have virtually no support in the form of peer support or organizations, such as AA, which can help them recover and become functional again. So, to see grass-roots effort on the part of women, regardless of how small is good. \

    Siberian Women Battle Against Alcoholics

On the day the Soviet Union of Education in Russia, once free, and almost everyone who tried to enter some university, institute or college graduation, right. Then there was a popular joke. Russian abbreviation for "High School", which is in Russian, "High School" (higher education), women need to understand, "Finding the right man" (Exit successfully married). Marriages between Russian women and foreigners are relatively rare, and that Russian women will be looking for a good wife in Russian men.


Of course, then there are some women in Russia, who sailed the sea, the hair of large enterprises or gave themselves to science. However, it was pretty much the exception than the rule. The most important thing for Russian women have always been their family, children and spouses, and that's why they chose to do the jobs that do not require too much time and effort, and not distract This form of their duties at home. Career has been quite the prerogative of men and will always be associated with men, although Soviet ideology pretended that men and women are equal in their rights.

Since I'm always advocating that you, gentlemen, do everything possible to actually experience in the Russian culture and extraordinary beauty ..

I thought it would be reasonable to give a possible way to do it.

Volunteer worthy cause.

As it turns out there is called a cross-cultural solutions outfit that specializes in combining volunteers with various programs, not only in Russia but also at international level as well.

Our new friend Olga decided to send us some nice candid photos of her recently on the city.

It is clear that this Russian girl who has a pretty healthy body image, and it is certainly proud to show that not only dedicated to fitness routine will do.

And this is one of the greatest things about the former Soviet Soyuze.Zhenschiny as a spiritual understanding of how they present themselves .. and their appearance.