Travelling to Russia

[Vishniac]

Hello all!

A friend and me shall go to Russia for one week of vacation on March 20 to 27.
2 days in Moscow and 6 in St-petersburg.
Highlights of the week (and the original reason for the journey): 2 concerts of MANOWAR in Moscow (21) and St-Petersburg (23) 

So, folks, any Russian in these cities? JarlWolf? Others?
Want to drink with us? To show us things? To show us decadent things?
We speak French, Italian, English, German and some Czech.

[Geo]

You only go for the concerts? Nothing cultural like the Hermitage in St. Petersburg?

[JarlWolf]

That's a fair bit of a drive for me: given I live more into the country. I live farther east then that, past Volgograd.

But if you drive down my way we could possibly arrange something... if not I can easily suggest some nice spots to hit and see.

I'm a tad too old to be really going out drinking and partying though; but if you do head out this way a visit or something is possible, maybe a few free nights sleep or something.

But I don't know if you'd feel like going out to where I live.. im pretty far from either of your destinations.

[JarlWolf]

Want to drink with us? To show us things? To show us decadent things?

Tell me exactly where you are going in either city(What hotel you have booked, etc), and I'll give you some directions for nearby "points of interest"... 

We speak French, Italian, English, German and some Czech.

You should really invest in either finding a guy who speaks Russian, or stick to the more metropolitan areas then. English and French is spoken by the odd few, but in all honesty Russian is the norm, and while people are helpful, don't go off the "beaten path" so to speak. I'd offer to help you folks but im not exactly fit to gad about Moscow and St.Petersburg anymore. As fun as that sounds... and MANOWAR would be awesome to see... But I don't have tickets sadly, nor do I know exactly where they are playing. 
(Brothers everywhere, raise your hands into the air! Were warriors, warriors of the world!)

[Vishniac]

You only go for the concerts? Nothing cultural like the Hermitage in St. Petersburg?

Of course!
My friend has bought a guide, we'll see what must be seen

I'll come here with the hotels'names as soon as I know them.
Now we have mandated the travel agency to get our visas; russian bureaucracy, even for tourists, seems like the nightmare we thought it was...

Otherwise, having worked with a few Russians and people from the Soviet space, I already warned my friend:
- not to talk about politics!
- not to stroll at night!
- not to get too drunk!
- not to choose an hotel too cheap!

[JarlWolf]

You only go for the concerts? Nothing cultural like the Hermitage in St. Petersburg?

Of course!
My friend has bought a guide, we'll see what must be seen

I'll come here with the hotels'names as soon as I know them.
Now we have mandated the travel agency to get our visas; russian bureaucracy, even for tourists, seems like the nightmare we thought it was...

Otherwise, having worked with a few Russians and people from the Soviet space, I already warned my friend:
- not to talk about politics!
- not to stroll at night!
- not to get too drunk!
- not to choose an hotel too cheap!

Also, don't spend lots of money at once at bars or shops, especially in more public places. If people know your a foreigner with lots of money, good chance you'll get robbed. Spend your money conservatively, for both your wallet's sake and avoiding trouble. And do NOT spend too much time in the metros and trains, especially big cities St. Petersburg and Moscow, there is a fair bit of rowdy youth and 20 year olds who tend to clique on those spots and if they think they can get away with stirring up trouble they'll spot it out like a pack of wolves.

[Vishniac]

And what should we ask for in restaurants? What are russian specialties?

[Kirov]

And don't forget to grab some screenshots and post an AAR here. St. Petersburg is definitely on my bucket list and I hear Moscow is cool as well.

Have fun!  I'm sure you will.

[JarlWolf]

And what should we ask for in restaurants? What are russian specialties?

Depends on the restaurant really, soups are all very good, and in St.Petersburg I suggest meats and kebabs, or the more traditional shashlyk's, which is marinated meat, like a kebab but more flavourful. Generally in St.Petersburg in particular any seafood/fish and meat should be fairly good. There is also different pastries like pirozhki, which is something akin to a Ukranian perogi if you've ever had those: Pastries/bread based pack filled/stuffed with meat, rice and some onions. It can vary, sometimes it has veggies too; depends on the restaurant.

And of course booze, but be conservative of how much you drink.

[Vishniac]

3 days till Moscow!

Television says there were patriotic demonstrations at every corner today. We are not afraid. 

[Geo]

We are not afraid. 

You're into patriotic demonstrations?

[Vishniac]

No. Not even for my own country.
I prefer greatly writing inflammatory nationalistic comments on social networks. 

I already told my friend: in Russia, if we see a demonstration, don't try to know which side of what it is, just go the other way as fast as possible before the OMON arrive! 

[Geo]

Heh, sounds like you're your friend's guardian angel.

[Buster's Uncle]

He's a Swiss Death Machine...

[JarlWolf]

He's a Swiss Death Machine...

Whats the difference?