Is Russia that bad?

[edward_ce]

Hello Corrine!

It's been quite sometime since I visited this web site. Just too busy with work and re-joining terrestial social life (Internet socializing had taken the back seat lately). Again, I apologize for my late response.

Go, go, go! That's the least I could tell you. Don't fail to see St. Petersburg. You will fall in love with this great city, I assure you that. It is a fabulous city with a very strong character. Moscow has also a great charm of its own. Get a feel of Moscow by losing yourself in its extensive subway. Imbibe some fine culture by watching the Bolshoi Ballet or Kirov Ballet. I think it's a sin not to see a ballet performance be it at the Bolshoi Theater or Kremlin Theater in Moscow, or Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.

Declare every penny that you are taking into Russia. Upon departure make sure that you have less money in your possession. The Customs people are very strict on this. They searched my wallet and bag for any extra cash and national treasure that I might had tried to slip out of Russia.

If you are not sure whether to declare an item or not simply follow a simple rule: DECLARE IT! Pass on the burden to the Customs Officer. When I arrived I was wearing an expensive watch and a diamond ring. I decided to declare these items afraid that I might get into trouble if I didn't. When I handed the Customs Declaration Form to the Officer I explained by making gestures (I don't speak Russian) that the items were for personal use while pointing at my watch and diamond ring. The Officer simply crossed out those items.

Just in case you decide to take with you one of those Faberge eggs, make sure that you have the proper legal documents that would allow you to take them out of Russia. I've heard some stories about paintings that were confiscated from tourists – and these were not even old paintings.

Don't lose your stamped Customs Declaration because you have to submit it upon your departure. You might get into big trouble if you lose it.

I had a little argument with the Customs Officer during my departure. I bought a great-looking necklace (I won't buy it if it wasn't) for 100 ruobles. It's one of those fancy necklaces that were sold in the streets and I thought that everybody in the whole world including any Customs Officer would readily recognize that it was made of very cheap metal – and it was not even gold-plated. But the Customs Officer interrogated me about this item. She kept on saying "Metal, metal!". I wondered what she's gonna do if I ever wore a gold tooth! Luckily, a gold tooth is not my idea of having that Close-Up smile.

Ask for two copies of the Customs Declaration Form from your flight attendant – use one upon arrival and the other one during departure. I didn't find any English Forms at Sheremetevo Airport. I was lucky enough to have read somewhere about this advice.

Don't expect to find people who understand English. Very few Russians do. Even in hotels only one or two staffs may be able to carry an English conversation. If you go on your own better hone your gesturing skills – it may help. But be aware that some gestures are not universal. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, a circled thumb and index finger has nothing to do with money. It means something else (-- you get the money later).

Most of the signs are in Russian so make sure that you are familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet. You will be surprised that some signs are familiar like: stop, lift, restaurant, metro, toilet (tualet), bank, Internet, souvenir, buffet, cafe, hotdog, canal, theater, taxi, bar, club, casino, vodka, and a lot more.

Try to befriend a Russian if possible. They are the friendliest, warmest and protective people you will ever find on earth. That's not an exaggeration! One thing quite disturbing at first is their sense of private space or the lack of it. They tend to huddle very close when talking with another person. So don't get excited and naughty once your friend starts pressing his shoulder close to you. Take note, I said "SHOULDER".

Always bring your passport and visa with you. I was stopped quite a number of times in St. Petersburg by uniformed officers (Police, Army, Navy, Marine.... whatever – that doesn't matter if you are in a foreign country). I think it was sheer luck that I was never apprehended while in Moscow.

The first time I got apprehended was at the Baltiskaya Metro Station in St. Petersburg. The Officer spoke in Russian (very fluently, I think) and the only word that I understood was "document" or something that sounded close to it. I just don't know what they're gonna do if you fail to present these documents. It's useless explaining in English, I guess. And speaking in Russian is a little troublesome especially if the only Russian you know is "Kak vas zavut?" and "Skolka stoit?".

Be careful with those "Portrait Painters" in front of the St. Catherine Church along Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. If one of them tries to convince you to have an oil or charcoal portrait, make sure that nobody is behind you. I lost my Olympus camera there. So just like anywhere else in the world, be street-smart.

If you have any specific questions please don't hesitate to ask. And if you are in trouble, don't forget the Internet. It's not difficult to find an Internet Cafe in Moscow or St. Petersburg. One hour after the robbing incident, I was at an Internet Cafe announcing it to everyone I know throughout the world.

You will have a grand time in Russia. Don't worry.


Edward C. Evangelista


P.S.

Corrine, I couldn't seem to find your original post so I decided to post my reply here. I sent a reply to your email address too.

[glock_girl]

Though your post was meant for Corrine, I read it too.
Thanks a lot! It's a lot of good information I was curious about in customs what a hassle!! Did you bring cash in or traveller's cheques??
I really appreciate the input on this one!!

Amy

[ILay]

Edward,

thanks a lot for your posting!

A couple of remarks:

police

after all the terrorist acts, you can be stopped literally everywhere - street, metro, hotel...

Russian laws allow them to hold you 72 hours to clerify who you are, so better take your pass with you.

If they will take your pass in the hotel (there are a lot of hotels there you have to leave the pass), make a photocopy of it (1st 3 pages and a visa page).

painters

First and last -- follow the 'big city rules'. Most of the painters (on Nevsky in St.Pete or Arbat in Moscow) are charlatans. If you would like to take a portrait - drop me a note and I'll arrange it

If you buy anything antique or any products of art - ask the seller to arrange the permission of exporting it. Most big antique or arts shops do it.

so far about it,
cheers.

[edward_ce]

Glock_girl, hi!

My money was all in cash. After my last trip (Morocco and Hong Kong) I decided not to carry with me any traveller's cheques. It's quite a hassle finding shops where to encash it.

And besides, the exchange rate is always lower than the prevailing rate.

That's a double kill, really! When you buy a traveller's cheque, you have to pay at a higher exchange rate.

I don't think there are not many establishments in Moscow or St. Petersburg that accept traveller's cheque. Dr. W, any comment on this?

Edward C. Evangelista

[berlioz]

>> I don't think there are not many establishments in Moscow or St. Petersburg that accept traveller's cheque. Dr. W, any comment on this? <<

I don't have direct experience, as I never carry Traveller's Cheques myself. However, I have never heard of anyone (and over 2000 people per year go to Russia through our company, and I read ALL the feedback questionnaires personally) who reported big success with using Traveller's Cheques to buy goods. Even changing them for cash is hard! Amex will encash their own, but this is hardly national coverage!

mb (aka Dr_W)

[glock_girl]

Wow guys, thanks!

Really, eh? Hmm...
Dima seemed to think it was a good idea because apparently there is a maximum limit of $1500 USD to bring into the country. I can't live for 5 months on that alone. He said his bosses from NY took the $1500 cash and brought the remainder in traveller's cheques. I didn't ask him what problems they experienced.

Crappy! I don't know what to do. I think I'd rather bring cash, but Edward, didn't you say they checked you pretty good? Maybe I can mail my cash somehow to me. Hmmm...I don't know that's probably a crappy idea also.

Any ideas further guys? I appreciate this input!! Only 8 days to go!!!!

Amy

[edward_ce]

Glock_girl,

I am not aware of the maximum dollars you may take into Russia. I brought with me USD 3,000 without any trouble. When I left Russia I had more than USD 1,000 left with me which I had to indicate in the Customs Declaration.

I remember exchanging Dollars to Roubles at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in one of the shopping centers in Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. In this ATM you can withdraw dollars from your Dollar Savings Account in an overseas bank that is a member of either Maestro or Cirrus.


Edward C. Evangelista