Whatever you do, watch your valuables!! (Moscow)

Member Name: Skillphil

Product:	Moscow
Date:	25/08/00 (98 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: beautiful, fun, a wonderful experience.

Disadvantages: High crime, poor food standard, tap water undrinkable

Moscow is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited (on a par with Niagara falls). People make unfair opinions about Russia without any knowledge of the place so I will set them right. Although it looks run down outside and you can be hassled by street sellers, the buildings are covered in gold and look magnificent. You have to see them to believe it. The Kremlin is also amazing with many beautiful buildings and also if you are at all interested, has got the heaviest bell in the world there. Wow it’s big! If you go it has to be in the winter months as the snowfall makes it perfect, ice-skating in Gorky Park was especially fun. It is a must visit place, as is St Petersburg, but the food I must add is not very good but is cheap (watch out for what looks like mashed potato, its really a dollop of horseradish sauce). The water is undrinkable; my mate drank some while drunk and didn’t stop vomiting for the rest of the next day! Bottled water is next to nothing to buy and so is Vodka! Please note that it is essential to go with a daily guide who can show you around in an organised manner, don’t even think about doing it alone!!!!!!!! Nightlife is non-existent because frankly if you go out at night in the winter, you will catch Pneumonia and be very ill, that’s why!! (The price I have said it was is for three days stay in St Petersburg and four days in Moscow)
Nighlife is not non-existent, however it is difficult to find and transport is not as common as it is in Britain. On one of my evenings i visited a beautiful concert hall in which a local Russian Folk group performed. From this it is possible to see a clear difference in society, and it was a great night. I also recommend the Ballet at the Kremlin, which is performed at a certain time every year (usually in the winter). I am not a great fan of ballet being a male however i found it most enjoyable and is something else worth seeing if you can.
As many will know, Lenin's b
ody was restored after his death and has been kept in a Tomb next to the Kremlin. The Tomb is open for the public to go and see him, which unfortunately we failed to be able to do. The day we were meant to go, the entire area was closed off due to the predicted arrival of General Putin.I must say we were all very disappointed. Unfortunately the body will soon be buried, if it hasnt already, which means that you wont be able to see him after all. There are many more attractions to go to, such as the Metro railway. This was one of my favourite experiences in which we travelled the underground admiring the tremendous architecture which still remains from the World War period. This is also definitely worth seeing.One last thing i must mention if you are a male is to be aware of Prostitutes, as myself and my friends were confronted a number of times by them, it was rather funny in some ways.
Added info!!
Another thing which tourists should be aware of is the number of police who march the streets. It is important that you hold some form of indentification which you can show to police if they ask you,describing that you are not an illegal immigrant or something like that. Whilst in Moscow my friends were confronted by police who suspected them to be illegal immigrants. Unfortunately we gave our passports to the hotel to look after and therefore had no identification. This resulted in them being taken down to the local police station, where my teachers spent a couple of hours persuading the police that my friends were not unwanted guests. This was an unfortunate occurrence however does make you more aware of what could happen. Just be careful if you go. Please dont let this put you off, it is a beautiful place.

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