Russia, a Cultural Exchange

Advice: don't miss it!! I did a cultural exchange and spent 13 days in St Petersburg with a family and 2 days in Moscow in a hotel. Russia is beautiful not only for its monuments, but also for the diversity of culture there is and for the friendliness of its citizens; Russians are very fond of us and of Italy! What strikes you first is that it feels like you've gone back in time, to the Italy of the '50s or '60s! The cars are often old and all white, the huge blocks of flats poorly maintained (for example there's no building manager or the idea that the landing should be cleaned now and then etc.

on all the staircases and common areas there's the dust from when they built the tenement!!), the per capita income of most of the population is far lower than ours but the new rich immediately stand out, driving around in big cars sometimes followed by bodyguards! Places not to miss: besides the historic centre of St Petersburg and Moscow, Novgorod (I don't know if that's how you spell it) where there are the country's oldest icons, and Pushkin where the Tsars' summer residence was built! Advice and useful info: 1. be careful crossing streets on foot because Russians have the habit of not stopping for pedestrians, who are often run over without even receiving help; 2.

in nightclubs they search anyone entering, confiscating not only medicines (like novalgina, aspirin etc.) but also chewing gum; if you see seductive girls dancing alone on the dance floor, be careful, they're prostitutes, and I advise you to always behave politely because the bouncers don't mess around, they beat you; 3. if you go into a pet shop don't be surprised if you see big rats for sale, in Russia "our hamsters" are represented by enormous rats to keep in a cage; 4. Russians mostly get around in illegal taxis but it's always advisable to take the licensed ones even if they cost a bit more as they're safer (I was forced to get into an illegal one at 5 in the morning by my companion who couldn't afford the licensed one and didn't want me to pay, they're people with a heart but I was scared stiff!!! because in the end it's like getting into a car with a stranger); 5.

if you have to take the train and travel long distances, maybe at night, please lock yourselves inside the berth with a padlock because thefts happen often and frequently. Curiosity: on the floor, in the train corridors, there are carpets and every compartment has white "lace" curtains at the windows and a little vase with a flower; To conclude, if you're doubtful....set them aside and go, it's worth it!!