Has anybody been to Russia before?

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/russia/ is a good site to find about places of the world a little more.
I never been to Russia but I heard it’s beautiful [of course not everywhere because there are poor areas and rich areas like all countries]

It has been almost 20 years since I was there :(

A few things spring to mind….

Get a Russian phrase book. I got this as an afterthought. It was on clearance for $1 and it was a lifesaver. I would point to the phrase and then they would either gesture or find the correct translation in my book. HUGE help.

I don’t know if it is still the same, but when I was there, the US dollar or British pound were king. Take small bills.

I am a non-smoker, but was accurately advised that “Marlboro red label” cigs were like gold. You could barter for anything w/ a pack of cigarettes (e.g. a taxi ride across Moscow). And before anyone gets uptight, I actually gave people packs of cigs who were just nice. Almost universally they tried to refuse them….but accepted them. Sadly, they too could barter for alot w/ them….

I haven’t, but my brother is part of a sister city program and went year before last. He has terrific stories. He came back so enthused and appreciative that he sponsored his host families trip here last year. They stayed with him for a couple weeks and he took them all over Oregon including a couple of nights here in our home. What great people! Here is a link to information about the program. I am sure there are people you could contact that would love to share their experience there. http://www.grantspass-sistercity.com/

I’ve never been but I can see it from my backyard.

Nope, but “I can see Russia from my house.”

I hear an echo

I was there in 1972. Things have changed a lot. Where are you going in Russia. It’s a big place. Leningrad is beautiful for most people and has the Hermitage, perhaps the greatest collection in the world. When I was there, the canals smelled all oily, and that didn’t do it for me.

I hear the nightlife is crazy these days. The Russian women are extraordinarily beautiful, and many are inclined to be friendly to westerners—for a price. So hold onto your wallet.

Organized crime is rampant, but it may not affect tourists. Russians will probably be very warm, however, if you meet them at home.

Have fun, and let us know what your experience was like.

I am so jealous, Russia is on my list of 100 things to do before I die.

I was born in St. Petersburg. And I appreciate the comment about Russian women, daloon! Russians generally have positive associations with Americans, particularly if they are polite and friendly. Also there’s nothing more endearing than a foreigner trying to speak Russian…

I was born in Russia and I spent most of my life there. I moved to the United States at the age of 14. Where I am from, it is actually very beautiful. :)