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.

The loss of trust is a very painful experience. It often involves a lot of hurt, confusion, anger, and sadness.

Dealing with these emotions is critical when trying to rebuild trust. When upset, we want our partners to understand our point of view - to understand our feelings and emotions.

Understanding how we feel is important because it helps us deal with our negative feelings and move beyond them.

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.

IDEA # 81

Research your partner's favorite hobby and identify a gift that is really useful for her. The more specialized the gift the more impact it will have. Talk to her friends and family and use the Net to find the information you need.

IDEA # 82

Go to a masquerade ball. Send an invitation to your partner telling her to meet you at a specific spot at the stroke of eight. Wear a mask and when you meet her, don't say a word. Just take her hand and lead her on to the dance floor.

Brad was just completing his divorce after having been married for over 25 years. He had not dated in what seemed like forever to him, and had no idea how to start. “How do you start a new relationship?” he asked me in our counseling session.

“What are you most concerned about?” I asked.

“Sex,” he answered.

“What about sex?” I asked.

Pause…. “Well…performance. What if I can’t perform? What if I’m too nervous to perform?”

“Okay. Let’s start with sex.”

Our lovely Siberian beauty Lena has a new video and its in high definition no less.

Nothing fancy here.

Just a simple walk in the park that I hope all of you will enjoy and appreciate.

I am constantly amazed at how our society has come to a point of repression to where we are not supposed to be free to use the words “Ugly” or “Fat”.

The road to HELL is always paved with “good” Feminist intentions. So in their zeal to further control our behavior by controlling our language they decide to invent new terms like “alternative appearance” or “appetite challenged”.

Communism was such a great experiment to see if these ideas for promoting “equality” were right. According to it.. if we could just make “everyone equal” we would all have a more harmonious and prosperous existence.

Well I won’t be having any turkey for Thanksgiving since it’s next to impossible to find here and unfortunately it isn’t so popular in Russia.

So all of you Guys will just have to make sure that you help yourself to an extra serving of delicious food for me! Oh an don’t forget the gravy too..

Now if you can believe it..

I’ve NEVER met a local Russian Person who has ever had a chance to eat Turkey.. (and yes I know this is a Serious Bummer as far as they’re concerned)

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 ..