Russia - GO or not?

Old Jun 1st, 2015, 07:22 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Russia - GO or not?

We have tickets to fly to Moscow. We've been there once before and loved it and so are going again in September.

However a Russian woman in my husband's office is telling us not to go. She's says it's different from even 5 years ago. "They hate Americans and Obama." She said she wouldn't send her worst enemy there right now! Her Russian friends still living in Russia don't speak with her any longer because she now lives in the U.S.

Thus, husband is hearing tough stuff from this woman and was hesitant to go in the first place because of problems with Ukraine, politician being killed near Kremlin, etc. This is really making him (and me too now) a bit nervous.

So - Any experiences from anyone who has been in Russia - specifically Moscow - in the past 6 or so months? Are you American, European, etc.?
Dianedancer is offline  
Old Jun 1st, 2015, 09:34 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You only live once.
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 12:52 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just go. It's a fascinating place, and perfectly safe. You'll find someone who'll talk down ANYWHERE for one reason or another.
Man_in_seat_61 is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 02:23 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,422
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
I guess I sit on three hands
1) Go, because despite everything the people are worth meeting and apart from the obvious the place is relatively safe
2) Don't go because the government has bloody hands and doesn't care
3) Go because once you've seen how their press is made to distort the truth will help you ensure that you never allow it to happen in your own country. (take that, Fox news)
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 04:42 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just some food for thought - I am American, and have never visited Russia. I have high interest in St Petersburg, and simply being American wouldn't stop me from visiting... After living in Jordan and visiting Syria during the height of the Iraq War, I was even more convinced most people are able to see past nationality and interact with you as an individual. (Many Syrians would say "welcome to Syria! Hate Bush, but you are welcome!")

So nationality would not personally give me pause to travel somewhere with a modicum of safety.

On the flip side, I am multi racial and usually pretty tan to dark in terms of skin tone. Russia is not vastly different from some other countries in Eastern Europe, but they do have more documented incidents of prejudice and harassment of African immigrants and some other minorities. That's what keeps me from pursuing a visit to Russia, so I can understand your concerns about a place's security. (And I'm not saying that the U.S. is super safe for a brown black person at the moment, I'm always cognizant of where I am and my behavior and who's around me, especially around law enforcement in NYC, but that's getting off topic)

Ultimately, I would say in most cases to go for it: things can happen anywhere, anytime and the likelihood that something will happen to you while traveling is slim to none. Russia sounds like a fascinating country with a wealth of cultural and historical offerings. But it's also important to know yourself: if you think you'll be nervous or fearful during your trip, then I would consider changing your final destination. It would not be fun to travel under a cloud of anxiety or fear.

Safe travels to you in any case!
inspiredexplorer is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 04:52 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Most Russians realize that Americans are not their government and vice versa. That being said, if you encounter the right ones expect to be out all night drinking vodka and explaining American and World politics.
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 05:16 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Russian government does not seem too fond of Canadians either ,but
it would not stop me from going to Russia in July for a moment.
I was given a visa without any problems, learned a bit of the language,
and don't intend to wave our flag in front of the Kremlin.

The woman in your husbands office seems to have some issues of her own.
danon is online now  
Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 06:21 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
danon- No, the woman definitely has issues with the Russian government. She is living here for a reason!

man-in-set - Yes, there are always people who say don't go for this or that reason. But this is a Russian woman so I take her opinion with more than a grain of salt. Don't want me or my husband to feel like we are wondering if we will be treated badly, especially at Customs. It's not the way to go on a vacation.

I learned the Cyrillic alphabet before we last went and it helped to sound out certain metro stations, restaurants, etc.

danon - I don't think Canada is thought of as big and hateful as "America" (i.e., the U.S.).

inspired - There area so many multi-racial people here in NYC I really don't think you even have to think twice.

We are Jewish and so wonder about certain places in Europe recently. I know we won't be going to France again any time soon. That being said, it's a lot easier to be noticed as multiracial than as a Jew! But I did wonder if there would be a different attitude when we were in Vienna once (which we loved) when we made a reservation in person at a restaurant. My husband's last name is Schwartz. The person taking the reservation said "Oh Schwarz. In the U.S. and here. See just like in Vienna". We didn't let him know it wasn't German.

So ANYWAY, has anyone been in Moscow recently?
Dianedancer is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 07:50 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 49,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Diane, I would check out recent trip reports here on fodors. I personally haven't checked but I would think there will be some current ones.
nanabee is offline  
Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 02:38 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
nanabee - Unfortunately, I have tried that and I don't see anything that gives me this information.
Dianedancer is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 12:23 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Russian woman might indeed have issues with her own government which is why she is in the US, but those reasons will likely have nothing to do with an American going to Moscow as a tourist. The average Russian in the street doesn't care about American tourists or Obama. They certainly don't hate Americans, that's a silly comment and not a nice one to make to an American planning to visit for a vacation, making you worried for no real reason. No country is without problems and yes there are problems in Moscow & some shocking things happen but as a tourist I doubt you will be exposed to any of it. Of course Russia is not the same as 5 years ago, it's a dynamic place!

I haven't been for a couple of years although have spent significant amount of time in Moscow/St Petersburg in the past 30 years. I could tell you horror stories too, but why frighten you with those details when it will never happen to you? I fully intend to visit again in the near future. I speak with Russians regularly as part of my work and they keep asking me when I will visit, as Moscow is looking really beautiful at the moment, in the spring. I'm sure you will go and then look back on this thread and wonder why you were worried in the first place.
Odin is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 05:17 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Odin - Thanks so much for those words of support. I think my husband is more nervous than I am. When we first were planning to go, in 2011, he was very hesitant as he just knew what he knew from Communist times and feared what it would be like. But I had always wanted to go (grandparents are from Russia and came over in 1912 - parts that are now Ukraine and Belarus). When we were there, however, he loved it and that's why we made plans to go back this September.
Dianedancer is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 05:29 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 19,736
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have no firsthand experience. Friends of ours went two years ago on a riverboat tour to the major cities. They said they had a good time and experienced no hostility. Of course, their environment was somewhat controlled by the tour agenda -- visiting mostly tourist sites. Still, they said they wouldn't hesitate to go back.
vincenzo32951 is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 05:40 AM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
vincenzo - We went on a Viking river cruise, probably like your friends. However, we went by ourselves through Moscow for a day and a half to see sights away from Kremlin, etc. Found our own restaurants and went to All Russian Exhibition Center (vvc) and synagogue via metro. Had no trouble at that time.
Dianedancer is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 12:47 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Visited Moscow in April and had a very good time. So good that I will return in July. Met many nice, helpful people absolutely no hostility to Americans at all.

BTW on OP's profile:

Best travel tip
Just go!
mendota98 is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 05:29 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mendota - Aha! You got me there! And glad to know you had a good time.
Dianedancer is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2015, 06:38 AM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Apropos if my thread, we went to City Center here in NYC last night to see a play by the Russian theater Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre called "Smile at Us, Oh Lord". Had supertitles in English.
Everyone in the audience seemed to be Russian .
We heard not one English word spoken during intermission or before or after. Probably would have been a good place to ask my question!
Dianedancer is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2015, 09:41 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My wife and I just returned from Moscow on June 1. For context, we are blond-haired Americans in our mid-30's. We spent 5 days in St. Petersburg and 4 days in Moscow.

Despite not knowing any Russian language everyone was very patient and welcoming to us. We had minor apprehensions before going due to the political situation, however once we were there realized there was nothing to be alarmed about.

After returning and looking at the news online it once again made me apprehensive about Russia until I realized that it is truly much more scary to be here in the USA reading the news about it rather than actually being in Moscow in person! There is a lot of sensationalism in the world media right now that does not affect daily life of a tourist in Moscow.

We felt comfortable enough to walk around the city on our own to visit various museums and attractions, rode the metro system about 8 times, etc. I honestly felt more accosted from scams and suspicious of petty crime a few years ago while we toured Italy and France.

Tourism is way down (except from China) and the economy is bad in Russia right now so we enjoyed having many of the museums and attractions of Moscow sparsely populated compared to similar attractions in Italy or other parts of Europe. There are also very few people trying to aggressively sell things to tourists on the street which makes for a more relaxing visit when you don't have to avoid touts at every turn.

There seem to be very few American tourists in Moscow right now. We encountered a few other Western tourists from Canada, Australia, etc. but did not stumble upon any other Americans traveling independently while in Moscow. Small group tours we took only had 4-6 people total on them when I had expected there to be 10-12 in a group.

Our various tour guides confirmed tourism is way down due to the political situation right now but emphasized many times that people view this as a political problem between governments and it does not affect most people's feelings towards American tourists.

Things are also very affordable for Americans right now due to the dollar's strength vs the ruble.

As with any travel use caution against petty theft, pickpockets, use the hotel safe, etc. but it was our feeling that Moscow is currently just as safe or safer than other major European cities such as Rome and Paris.

Enjoy your trip!
BlazerJH is offline  
Old Jun 7th, 2015, 11:52 AM
  #19  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Blazer - Thanks again. I will tell my husband to look at your post.
Dianedancer is offline  
Old Jun 14th, 2015, 10:43 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Blazer-Thanks for your take on the situation in Russia for American tourists. We are heading to St. Petersburg and Moscow in Sept. I never really worried about the safety, or anti American aspect of the trip (more the language problem), but it's nice to know that you were in Russia recently and didn't have any problems. Any chance you might post a short trip report?
shelleyk is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -