Any tips on going to St. Petersberg, Russia?

[-usmd-180sx]

Hey guys, to some it up, I might be sent off to St. Petersberg, Russia on a business trip for maybe 2 months tops. And the thing that got my curiosity is about all the hate crimes and things happeneing over there and whats beening continuing since a long time ago. Recently, a foreign student was brutally beaten and stabbed to death by skinheads. Its gotten so bad that a lot of students and other organizations have rallied up a group and a lot of people outkasted their disgust for the crimes that have been occuring.

My question is, does anyone have any helpful light to shed upon my situation? Just specifically in St. Petersberg and around that town. Also, tips about nightlife, places to stay away from, and things that can make my stay a little bit more safe and enjoyable would be helpful. I also heard that the police overthere suck.. Literally take advantage of foreigners.. But which country doesnt do that.. it happenes everywhere..

Oh, and I'm Korean if that clears up what ethnicity I am. And a lot of the hate crimes havent really been directed towards a single ethnicity. Chinese, Vietnamese, but mostly Africans have been the victims of these hidious hate crimes..

Thanks for lending me your ears and thanks in advance for your 02.

-Jason

[citizen]

drink....

[SilviaNinja240]

I haven't been to Russia in a looooooong time, but my advice would just be use common sence. Don't go to shady places, don't carry too much money on you, if you are out late at night its better to be with a group of people, etc, etc..
Trust me, there are much more dangerous places out there than St. Petersburg, don't worry too much and have fun :)

and most importantly,
dress warm :)

[-usmd-180sx]

I haven't been to Russia in a looooooong time, but my advice would just be use common sence. Don't go to shady places, don't carry too much money on you, if you are out late at night its better to be with a group of people, etc, etc..
Trust me, there are much more dangerous places out there than St. Petersburg, don't worry too much and have fun :)

and most importantly,
dress warm :)

thank you for your comments :bigok: makes me feel alittle better about taking this trip

[psychoblue23]

Not to mention the probobility of that happening is like 1,234,556:1 since thats the only incident reported... I agree with SilviaNinja do the same thing oyu would at any rough place here. Trust your instincts and use common sense. Make sure to take lots of pictures and have a safe trip!

[-usmd-180sx]

Not to mention the probobility of that happening is like 1,234,556:1 since thats the only incident reported... I agree with SilviaNinja do the same thing oyu would at any rough place here. Trust your instincts and use common sense. Make sure to take lots of pictures and have a safe trip!

I hella wanted to go snowboarding out there, but using my common sense. and good intuition, I think i'll just go siteseeing and enjoy the culture.. Cause reported, most of all skinheads reside on the outskirts of town. And the closest resort is about 10 miles out of town!

LoL.. thanks again for all your comments.. I shall return with many pictures to share :hsdance:

[Andrew Bohan]

watch out for this guy
http://www.shockdrifting.com/images/motherland.jpg


AHHHH MOTHERLAND!!

[unwed_transient]

omg, robot Stalin!!!!!!


stay in a group, stay in populated areas, stay visible, stay in well-lit areas (during nighttime obviously). enjoy yourself, I doubt you'll have any trouble.


Have a good time.

[sr240mike]

In russia you don't drive car, it drives you

[-usmd-180sx]

ROFL.. nice picture andrew

[RacerTrue]

yo dont forget to keep in touch with your comrades ova hea
be safe

[xeros]

My adice being a russian.....Don't.....Nothing good will come of it....its such a fucked up country right now. But if you have to, drink, party, dont be shady liek that guy said and ummm learn soem basic shit before you go.

[Andrew Bohan]

learn how to read the cyrillic alphabet so you can at make an attempt at reading or pronouncing signs you see. it's pretty intuitive if you know the latin alphabet already (i assume you do since you were typing with it). kinda similar to the greek alphabet but easier to learn IMO.

http://www.travelto.spb.ru/images/alphabet.gif

[the head]

US currency does well over there take small bills to barter with the street vendors, as for hotels I really liked Kempinski Hotel Moika 22 it's right in the middle of Nevskey Prospect (russian rodeo drive) unfortunately I was too drunk to get the names of any of the clubs my guide took me to...keep a close eye on your wallet pickpockets there are very good...as for vodkas keep an eye out for russian standard and gezelka (pronounced that way cant remember russian spelling) both are very good and extremely reasonable in country (russian standard is about 7 or 10 US in russia, but in Harrods in the UK it goes for about 30 pounds sterling)

[-usmd-180sx]

Very good info! Keep it coming!!