Kseniya registering me.
Click picture expanded view
RUSSIA
A LITTLE HISTORY
The sixth century AD saw the migration of the Slav people from old Poland. The Slavs expanded westwards to the river Elbe and southwards to the Adriatic sea where they gradually occupied much of the Balkans . By the tenth century, three Slavonic language groups had emerged: Western, Southern and Eastern. Eastern Slavonic gave rise to the modern languages known as Ukrainian, Belorussian and Russian. The Slavonic languages retained many features in common especially in grammatical structure, therefore the separate groups were able to use one common written language. This language was known as Old Slavonic or Old Church Slavonic (the language was used in its written form only). In the ninth century, two missionaries - Constantine (who on his deathbed took the monastic name Cyril) and Methodius - were required to write down the scriptures in Old Church Slavonic and to preach Christianity to the people of Moravia. Before they set out for Moravia, Constantine invented a Slavonic, now known as the Cyrillic alphabet. The Cyrillic alphabet is closely based on the Greek alphabet, with about a dozen additional letters invented to represent Slavic sounds not found in Greek.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Russia stretches east from the Baltic Sea in Europe across North Asia to the Pacific Ocean. The climate varies from region to region in Russia. Northern Russia has harsh weather, and January temperatures average -30ºF (-34ºC). Southeastern Russia experiences a much milder climate, with an average temperature in July of 45ºF (7ºC). The temperature may reach 68ºF (20ºC) in the western region near Moscow.
Russia is a developing nation in the lower half of the world's economies. While tourist facilities exist in Moscow and some other large cities, they are not developed in most of Russia and many goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Medical care is substandard throughout the country including in Moscow. Adequate evacuation coverage for all travelers is a high priority. In the event of serious medical conditions every effort should be made to go to Western Europe. Adequate medical care is available in Moscow at one or more internationally staffed out-patient clinics. Hospital accommodations are inadequate throughout the country and advanced technology is lacking. Shortages of routine medications and supplies may be encountered.
Visa applicants may need to meet specific requirements. Review the application and contact Russia's embassy if you have questions. According to the U.S. Department of State, HIV testing is required for all foreign visitors staying longer than 3 months. Foreign test results are accepted under certain conditions. Contact Russia's embassy for details. Persons discovered to be carrying antiretroviral may be detained at customs. Certain drugs such as narcotics and psychotropic are restricted from importation even for personal use.
VACCINES and MALARIA
Vaccines: Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, or influenza. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
Malaria: Malaria does not present risk in this country.
OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Insect-borne diseases: Diseases
transmitted by insects are not generally a problem in this country, although
mosquitoes and ticks do transmit Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis,
and Lyme disease. Personal protective measures are important when insect
exposure is anticipated.
Food- and water-borne diseases: Quite a few diseases, including hepatitis A and
typhoid fever, are transmitted by unsanitary food handling procedures and
contaminated water. Food and beverage precautions are essential in order to
reduce chance of illness. Anti-diarrhea drugs may be prescribed by your
provider.
Tuberculosis is common in all developing countries. However, this country has a
prevalence of over 100 cases per 100,000 population, the highest WHO risk
category. Travelers planning to stay more than 3 months should have
pre-departure PPD skin test status documented. Travelers should avoid crowded
public places and public transportation whenever possible. Domestic help should
be screened for TB.
TRAVEL ADVISORY
(It is worthy of note that I did not experience any of the difficulties described below with my Russia Guide)The material below has been compiled or quoted verbatim from the consular Web sites of the United States (travel.state.gov), United Kingdom (www.fco.gov.uk/travel), Canada (voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca), and Australia (www.dfat.gov.au/geo). Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel are not included in this advisory. Please refer to the "Safety and Security" handout for standard precautions.
Warning against Travel
Crime
Acts of terrorism, including bombings, continue in large Russian cities. These bombings have occurred at Russian government buildings, hotels, tourist sites, markets, residential complexes, and on public transportation. While foreigners have not been singled out in these attacks, travelers should be alert for unusual behavior, unattended luggage in public areas, and other indicators that something out of the ordinary is in progress.
There has been an increase in the harassment of and attacks on foreigners, particularly those of Asian and African descent by racist groups, individuals, and, in a few cases, by local militia in some urban centers. Travelers, particularly those of Asian and African descent, are urged to exercise caution in crowded and places frequented by such groups, including the various "rynoks" or open markets in all cities. Older tourists have been targeted as well. Incidents of violent crime directed against homosexual men have also been reported.
Travelers should be wary of persons representing themselves as police or other local officials. It is not uncommon for visitors to become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by law enforcement and other officials. Authorities are concerned about these incidents and have cooperated in investigating such cases. Try to obtain the officer's name, badge number, and patrol car number, and note where it happened, as this information assists local officials in identifying the perpetrators.
Travel
Driving at night is hazardous due to banditry, poorly marked construction sites, stranded vehicles, wandering livestock, and poorly lit roads, bicycles, or vehicles. Be prepared for sudden stops at any time. Do not, under any circumstances, pick up hitchhikers.
Use officially marked taxis and do not share them with strangers.
Law enforcement checkpoints aimed at detecting narcotics, alien smuggling and firearms traffic are located at various places throughout the country. Many checkpoints are operated by uniformed officials; however, others will not be marked and are manned by police or military officers not in uniform.
Due to continued civil and political unrest throughout most of the Caucasus region of Russia, travel to the areas of Chechnya, all areas bordering Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya is not advised. Throughout the region, local criminal gangs routinely kidnap foreigners for ransom. Close contacts with the local population do not guarantee safety. Cross-border traffic with Georgia and Azerbaijan is subject to restrictions.
Air travel within Russia can at times be unreliable. Flight schedules are sometimes subject to last minute changes. Russian-based airlines are striving to improve the quality of service, although they generally fall short of western standards.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has assessed this country's civil aviation authority and determined that it licenses and oversees air carriers in accordance with aviation safety standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Other
Travelers should obtain receipts for all high-value items (including caviar) purchased in Russia. Any article that could appear old to the customs service, including icons, samovars, rugs, and other antiques, must have a certificate indicating that it has no historical value. It is illegal to remove such items from Russia without this certificate. These certificates may be obtained either from the vendor of the item or from the Russian ministry of culture.
The importation and use of global positioning system (GPS) devices are subject to special rules and regulations. In recent incidents foreigners using such devices were detained by Russian authorities and faced various charges, including espionage. No traveler should seek to import or use GPS equipment in any manner unless it has been properly and fully documented before arrival and is declared in full on a customs declaration at the point of entry to the Russian Federation.
Permission for radio electronic devices, including cellular phones, may be required from the state customs committee of the Russian Federation. The committee has stated that there are no restrictions on bringing laptop computers into the country for personal use. The software, however, may be inspected upon departure. Some equipment and software have been confiscated because of the data contained or due to software encryption, which is standard in many programs.
Russia also has very strict rules on the importation of large quantities of medication.
The ruble is the only legal tender. It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars except at authorized retail establishments. Old or very worn dollar bills are often not accepted at banks and exchange offices, even though this constitutes a violation of currency laws. Travelers' checks and credit cards are not generally accepted outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Aeroflot and Transaero are Russia's most respected carriers. Both fly Western planes on many routes and are building alliances with Western airlines. Smaller baby flights are generally less reliable. Regardless of whom you fly with, Russian airlines tend to have habits (
canceling your ticket if you don't confirm, for example when we were leaving Khabarovsk for Kamchatka we were slightly late and our ticket was sold to a standby passenger. They charged us a 30% penalty and put us on standby for the next flight. We were actually standing in line when they sold the ticket to someone else.) that Western carriers couldn't get away with.All foreigners (except citizens of some former Soviet republics) visiting Russia need a visa. In order to get one, travelers need an invitation from a Russian citizen or a company, which is then taken to a Russian embassy or consulate, where the actual visa is issued.
Within three working days of arrival in Russia, the visa needs to be registered by the person/organization that issued the invitation. If you don't make it through this bureaucratic loop, you may have problems leaving the country.
Kseniya registering me.
Click picture expanded view
Arriving in Moscow
The vast majority of foreign travelers arrive in
Arriving at Sheremetyevo 2. Click picture for
expanded view
When you get off your plane at Sheremetyevo you will be herded into a dingy basement to stand in the passport control line. After your passport is stamped, you will collect your baggage and go through customs. Passport control takes a minimum of 20 minutes for foreigners. Customs ranges from no time to all day. (See the back/front of a customs declaration form.)
When you leave customs you will emerge in a crowd of taxi drivers tripping over themselves trying to offer you a ride into town. If you don't want to haggle, there's a taxi desk in the center of the arrivals hall, but of course, for a higher price. If you do try to bargain and don't speak any Russian, count on paying upward of $35. Native Russian speakers can get the price down to at least $15.
Sheremetyevo Terminal 1
Is located on the opposite site of the runway it shares with Sheremetevyo-2.
Vans and buses running from the Rechnoi Vokzal metro station to Sheremetyevo
Terminal 2 usually continue on to Terminal 1. Taxi and bus rides to
The State Customs Committee has stated that there are no restrictions on bringing laptop computers into the country for personal use. The software, however, can be inspected upon departure; and some equipment and software have been confiscated because of the data contained or due to software encryption, which is standard in many programs.
As of October 2001, travelers must declare all foreign currency they are bringing into Russia. Non-residents of Russia are prohibited from taking any cash money in currency other than the Russian ruble out of the country unless it has been declared upon arrival or wired, and supported by an appropriate document. Those with stamped declaration forms may exit Russia with a sum of foreign currency no greater than the sum declared upon entry. Lost or stolen customs forms should be reported to the Russian police, and a police report (spravka) should be obtained to present to customs officials upon departure. Often, however, the traveler will find that the lost customs declaration cannot be replaced. Travelers attempting to depart Russia with more money than was on their original customs form face possible detention, arrest, fines and confiscation of currency.