Getting ready for 1st trip to Moscow. Advice?

[JLA]

I'm getting ready to make my first trip to Russia (Moscow) for the 1st weekend of December.  I was wondering if anyone has experiences they would like to share or advice to give.  

I'm interested in every topic from culture to saftey to must-see sites.  

Thanks in advance.  I appreciate any help.

[Bobby Orr]

... in response to Getting ready for 1st trip to Moscow. Ad..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

Go to:

Red Square
Lennin's Tomb (In red square)
St. Basil's Cathedral (red square)
Kremlin (red square)
Bolshoi (preferably balet but opera is ok as well)

Dress Warm, wear dark colors, dress up - especially with your girl.

Eat: Borsht, Mushroom soup, Pellmeni, Bellini

Drink:  Gzhelka Vodka, Try other Russian Vodkas and beers

Money:  Hide it - one place with a bit, the true place hidden; bring extra in case of the worst, you can always bring it back.

Plan trip with back up plans; contingencies.

Within 5 minutes you will know if there is chemistry or not - and you better have something to do if there is not.

Learn:  As much of their language as you can.

Confidence:  carry it at all times

Hockey:  If you happen to be talking with Russian men, hockey is the easiest way to get them speaking English and interested in helping you out.

Women:  There are many fish in the sea.

Good luck,

[Rags]

... in response to Getting ready for 1st trip to Moscow. Ad..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

[wsbill]

... in response to Getting ready for 1st trip to Moscow. Ad..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

Don't forget your camera and thermal underwear.

[chuck12]

... in response to Getting ready for 1st trip to Moscow. Ad..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

Hi JLA -

I made my 1st trip in September and can give you a number of suggestions . First, don't carry a lot of cash with you (have a money belt of some type). They have plenty of ATM machines and you can draw funds on a daily basis. No problems going through customs, but I think the declaration has changed since I've been there, (I took with two suit cases of gifts), didn't declare anything since I didn't have anything such as alcohol which was required to be declared, but you should declare how much cash you are bringing as they may confiscate any additional cash when you leave.

Bring with you some throw away disinfectent hand wipes. If your traveling in Moscow, make sure you leave plenty of time as traffic is extremely busy. If your gal doesn't have a good level in english, bring along an electronic translator. Also, bring a few gifts for your lady, some type of gold jewelry will go over big as body or face lotion, makeup kits etc.  Red Square and Kremlin are very close together and obvious sites to check out. As far as eating out, there are a number of Petka's (excuse the spelling), these are like a chain of restaurants, very nice eating establishments and prices are extremely reasonable. Food is as good as any restaraunt chain I've had here in the U.S, and prices cheaper. Wear dark clothes, this is typical russian attire, you don't want to advertise that you are a foreigner, you will stick out no matter what but don't make it too obvious by wearing bright colors. Remember to have your Visa registered at the hotel or russian registrar within 48 hrs, usually this will only cost you a few dollars. [Make additional copies of your passport and Visa, keep these in your luggage locked up or on your person], always carry your papers with you as you can get fined if you don't have correct identification papers with you!!!

Wear sun-glasses when coming off the plane, your gal is likely to look much more stunning in real life, and if she sees your eyes get as big as saucers, she will think you will be disappointed. This happened to me and it took me two months to assure her I was not disappointed! I'm serious though, it will save you a lot of grief.

Nothing wrong with just meeting one gal, I did this, but had written a number of gals before narrowing it down to one. You are taking a bigger risk obviously, because both of you, (regardless of how many emails and phone calls) already have certain expectations of each other, mental images and already forming what her personality will be like, but until you meet in person, you just don't know what the chemistry will be like. Her personality will likely be much different when you first meet her then what you may expect, so keep your expectations low and tell her to do the same.

***NOTE, don't be disappointed at first if you find she is a little shy and apprehensive. This is normal and she needs time to adjust to you in person, she will also be checking your every movement and will hang on to every word you say, these gals are very analytical and will be sizing you up, likewise you should be doing the same with her. Lastly, and most important, it is very easy to have a misunderstanding without knowing you have a misunderstanding, if something is bothering her, she may not say anything, except her behavior may be different. Make sure you talk and communicate to her about any things which may crop up.
Hope this helps, good luck.
chuck

[thesearch]

... in response to Getting ready for 1st trip to Moscow. Ad..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

So far what have you arranged?

[JLA]

... in response to Re: Getting ready for 1st trip to Moscow..., posted by thesearch on Nov 21, 2001

I'm meeting with a lady who I've been talking to, both on the phone and by email, for the last several months.  This will be a short trip (long weekend).  

I know some will say going over to meet just one is a bad idea but I've never heard why.

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Re: Re: Getting ready for 1st trip to Mo..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

I think you're safer meeting one girl if it's a short trip and you've been writing her for a while.  Some guys have had problems with just not hitting it off at all with the girl and realizing it within a few hours.  What do you do with a whole week then?  Some girls take beautiful pictures but are just plain b!tchy or weird when you meet them.  

Definitely go to the ballet and dress nicely unlike some Americans oveseas that go in jeans and tennis shoes to the ballet. Americans stand out a lot if they wear jeans and tennis shoes.  Russians like to dress in black and you don't see many people in blue jeans but they wear black jeans a lot.

Your girl should be able to flag down people in cars to drive you around cheaper than a taxi.  Guard your money, especially around gypsies.  I actually asked my interpreter if it was ok to hit gypsies if they bothered you.  She said that was not a good idea.  Keep your money in a front inside coat pocket and pull it closed around gypsies.  

It's going to be very cold, but maybe that's better than a hot summer with no air conditioning.  I haven't been to Moscow yet, only St Petersburg in Russia.  

Oh, take money that is in perfect condition, or else you cannot get it exchanged.  I was up a creek because the exchange place refused some of my money for small marks, then my credit card broke in half while charging something and then nobody would accept that either.  

If you go through Gatwick airport, you can do a lot of gift shopping there.

[Rags]

... in response to Re: Re: Getting ready for 1st trip to Mo..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

Red Square/GUM (say HI to the good folks at TGI Fridays for me)-the Bolshoi or any ballet-the Kremlin tour (armory)-the Metro-and my #1 favorite the Circus.

[Rags]

... in response to Re: Re: Getting ready for 1st trip to Mo..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

Never carry anything in your back pockets. "Pick pockets" will slice them with a razor and you won't feel a thing (unless they are clumsy/drunk and then you will be faced with somebody armed with a blade while blood trickles down your leg). I'm not trying to freak you, just informing you of the M.O. around Red Square. Lead them not into temptation.

Don't flash a lot of cash around. If someone suddenly bends down and "finds" a wallet full of cash (including greenbacks) and wants to share his good fortune with you, just keep on walking.

Don't get wasted and go out walking around. Too easy a target.

Always carry your passport and REGISTERED visa (not photocopies). If (a good possibility around Red Square) you get stopped and checked by the police without these you will get a ride to the pokie unless you start pealing off 500 ruble notes real quickly and even then...

If things don't work out with this lady, IMHO enjoy the sights and next time try Kyiv.

BTW, most important: Have the time of your life. Moscow is one incredible city.

[Rags]

... in response to Re: Re: Getting ready for 1st trip to Mo..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

I would recomend a little longer visit but if that's all you can do GO FOR IT! It doesn't really matter because you will be going back (soon).

My main recomendation since you will have only a short time to spend is use an anti jet lag medicine like melatonin. Otherwise you will be lagged out for two to three days and not at your best. I had travelled a lot and never really expirienced jet lag but after several trips to Moscow (and wasted days) I decided to give it a try. What a difference! I will never fly without it again.

You can buy melatonin at any health food store for about $4 a bottle compared to $30 for the same thing at the airport. Take one tablet every two hours on the flight (two if you are going to nap). It will reset your body clock and I have never had any side effects. Do not drink or take sleeping pills instead as I have found this only makes jet lag worse.

Of course take some imodium AD with you, just in case, and a small flashlight.

Bubble bath and some candles can come in handy too

[Oatmeal]

... in response to Re: Re: Getting ready for 1st trip to Mo..., posted by JLA on Nov 21, 2001

Well,

I would not say it is a bad idea to want to meet only one lady if you only plan to stay a few days.  I think meeting many ladies is better if you plan to stay longer and really concentrate on finding "The One".  

It sounds to me like you just plan to go there to see some sites and just have some fun and meet this one lady you were corresponding with and that is perfectly fine.  

What happens if you really end up hitting it off with this lady.  You may end up kicking yourself for not spending more time in Moscow.

I can't really say what to specifically go to see there in Moscow as I have been there only once and just did the tourist thing, but I did have a unbelievably amazing time there.  I am sure you will be too overwhelmed with all to see and experience there.  

One word of advice.  Moscow tends to be an expensive city for foreigners so plan to pay big prices there unless you let your lady do most of the talking for you.  It is typically best to let the lady do things like get a cab or ride for you both and negotiate other prices.  Just don't open your mouth and let everyone know your American or you pay much more.

I am sure you will have a great time.  I must go back to visit again someday.