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.

Anna Chapman, the young Russian woman at the centre of "deep cover" spy ring allegations has been romantically involved with a rich businessman more than twice her age, it has been claimed.

By Tom Leonard in New York 7:51PM BST 01 Jul 2010

Miss Chapman, 28, told friends she had been seeing Michael Bittan, 60, a New Jersey millionaire, after they met more than a year ago in a Manhattan nightclub popular with Russians.

"He was older but he clearly loves surrounding himself with beautiful women, mostly Russian, and since the spring Anna was in his inner circle," a member of the same party set told the New York Daily News.

Miss Chapman, who moved to New York in February after living for in London for four years, could be jailed for five years if convicted of conspiracy to act as the agent of a foreign government.

Described by a prosecutor as a "practised deceiver", she has already been denied bail as a potential flight risk.

Have you ever noticed the difference between the inhabitants of province and the city? Does your province girl differ from metropolitan? In what aspects?

Let’s have a look at the definition of the word “province”. The Shorter Oxford Dictionary defines “province” as referring to “parts of a country outside the capital”. Dr Johnson's dictionary describes “provincial” as “rude; unpolished”. Who’s right?

In Russia, there is a great difference between capital, city, town and country inhabitants. There is a great abyss between provincial and metropolitan girls. But here, we define metropolitan girls – as inhabitants of capitals and big cities, like Moscow, St. Petersburg. Provincial – as all the others.

As you know, the main difference between small towns and big cities is society, and the relationships inside it. The benefit of a small town is the sense of community, more communal attitude. Everybody knows each other, knows the living, habits. The best theme to talk about is gossips: who is pregnant, who drinks a lot or plays cards.

That is why people care what the neighbors can say or think about their daughters and bred them in strict morals or even restrictions.

That’s why provincial girls are more old fashioned, traditionalists, religious, family-oriented. The main goal for women here – is to get married, give birth to children, to keep house. She needs to be modest, to be faithful to husband, to be good cooker.

They haven’t seen life, as it is, and that’s why they are stays emotionally “clean”, so called “tabula rasa”: native, trustful, persons of ready sympathy, loyal and understanding. Such women are true, real in their emotions, in love and hate.

Mens diamond rings are becoming more and more popular with the modern man. As more men celebrate their marriage by the wearing of a wedding ring, mens diamond rings are fast becoming the new mens fashion.

The wearing of a wedding ring by a man is a reasonably new phenomenon. It is only really since the second world war that the wearing of a wedding ring by a man became common. However it is taking off now, as are diamond mens rings .

And there are different considerations for a man’s wedding jewelry than for a woman.

First off..

I’d like to wish a very special Happy Valentines Day to all the Lovely Ladies I know who read and enjoy this blog.

You know who you are and you certainly deserve all the Romance, Love and Joy in the world.  :)

I just read a great post from Mr. Rule 62 and he said the following,

“We are so beat up and bashed by feminist nonsense. I feel like an alien every time I go back to the States now. “

Well Mr. Rule 62.. I know EXACTLY how you feel about feeling like an Alien in your own country! Nothing like Feminist Political Correctness to ruin a Man’s day with.. or life..

Feminism is a POTENT Adversary in many ways. And in some key areas I would even consider them a “Worthy Adversary”.

Our lovely Maria will be back soon.

I thought it might be a good opportunity for you to present her with any questions you might have about her or her background as a Russian girl on the comments below.

I'm sure she is looking forward to this ..

So let's see what kind of interactive adventures we can have here.