I don't actually have anything to post about today (school and all that), but I thought it might be helpful to point out a few things that make traveling in St. Petersburg a lot easier.
1) The water really won't kill you. One of the first things that I heard about Russia was that the water was so bad that if you were a foreigner, you'd have SOME kind of stomach illness until your stomach acclimates to it. However, as of now, when I asked my traveling companions if they had experienced any issues, their response was the same as mine: unequivocally, no. It might possibly be that all three of us have stronger stomachs than the average person (which I highly doubt), or something might have changed recently in the quality of the water; but either way, none of us got sick, so that's one thing to check off of your list of concerns.
2) Never leave your student ID. Now, I know that this only applies to those who are students, but still, it's something to keep in mind. Student IDs in Russia come with all kinds of fantastic benefits in the form of massive discounts. For example, when Princess and I went to the Russian Museum, we got in for free because we had student ID cards, no questions asked. Or when we went to the Fountains at Peterhoff, I got a discount while Princess didn't, as she had accidentally forgotten her ID. I can write about this in a rather painless fashion, as I only had to pay the discounted 100-ruble ticket cost while she had to pay for normal admission, 450 rubles. Way to take one for the team! Appreciate your sacrifice ^^ Now, it used to be that the student ID would also get you discounts on transportation, but they did away with that here. Even so, the museum discounts are still quite worth it.
3) Never bring your passport. A common misconception (or, at least, I think it's a common misconception; I had this one at first) is that, because you need to have your papers on you at all times, you need to bring your passport with you at all times. Do not do this. This is leaving yourself open for all kinds of trouble. All you actually need is a page with your passport, visa, student information, and entry card photocopied. That should work for your official documentation. And unlike your official documentation, it won't sell well on the black market, and is not that difficult to replace.
4) If you're going to Russia, try to learn a little Russian. Obviously, if you're going to Russia for a week, you're not going to want to try to speak perfectly fluent Russian. That's just unreasonable. But at least go in speaking a little, or knowing someone who does. This will make your life so much easier, your stay that much less scary, and everything that much more manageable. While there are Russians who speak English (or whatever language you may need), you can't rely upon there being at least one in every place you are, and most of the time, if it's really important, you're relying on the help of strangers and dumb luck to get major issues sorted out. (For a good example, refer to Two Days of Traveling and 12+ Hours of Sleep Later, when I had to try to help an American couple who had lost their baggage. The communication issues between the couple and the lady at Customs that the couple almost didn't make it out of the airport without getting arrested. Seriously.) Additionally, even if there IS a Russian who speaks English, there have been times when words in English don't mean what they mean in English. What I'm trying to say is, even if they were to speak perfect, fluent English, there's a high probability that you and whoever you are talking to won't entirely understand each other. Sometimes, that isn't so important; other times, it's crucial.
5) Things are going to be a bit different; just try to roll with it. There's no point in getting frustrated at how Russian toilets are different than American ones (which they are), or how the toilet and the sink are in two different rooms (which they are), or how your gas-burning water heater is actually in the shower (mine is), or how your landlady lets her cat use the shower as a litter box (which my friend's landlady does). Things are going to be different in Russia, but that's part of the fun of it; if you aren't willing to try eating sour cream with everything, or to learn the system of laundry in Russia (which is surprisingly complex), or learn how to ride the metro, you're missing out on so much of the Russian experience. However, at the same time...
6) If you're going to be in Russia for long periods of time, make sure you're comfortable with your living situation. For example, it might be part of the Russian experience, but if it makes you extremely uncomfortable to have an hour-long commute to class every time you have a 9:00 class (like I do), do try to get a little bit more comfortable. If there are rules where you live that you just can't stand and slowly eat away at your sanity, try to change. All in all, the most important thing is that you're in an environment where you're the most able to take in Russian culture and grow as a person; and that is DEFINITELY not happening when you keep missing your classes due to horrific miscommunications and a long commute, or when you're going out of your mind with stress. This does not mean that you have to put ketchup on all of your delicious Russian food in order to feel like you're at home; but if you're in a situation that genuinely makes you uncomfortable, do tell whoever it is that is in charge, if there is anyone.
Also, finally, one last thing that no one ever thinks about until it's too late:
7) Russia is not on daylight savings time. This means that, if you're in the US, or one of the countries that DO follow daylight savings time, adjust accordingly. Your time zone difference is going to shift. For example, between Russia and California is currently an 11 hour time zone difference; however, come daylight savings time, that shift will change from 11 to 12. Or between St. Petersburg and Texas will go from 9 hours to 10. Just remember that if you're ever trying to talk to someone, or puzzling over when you could possibly expect to receive an email back from someone in the states. Everything will be shifted over one hour.
Anyways, now that I've sounded like one of those stupid inspirational travel blogs that I personally hate reading, I deem that this is enough for one night, and thus end this blog post.
1) The water really won't kill you. One of the first things that I heard about Russia was that the water was so bad that if you were a foreigner, you'd have SOME kind of stomach illness until your stomach acclimates to it. However, as of now, when I asked my traveling companions if they had experienced any issues, their response was the same as mine: unequivocally, no. It might possibly be that all three of us have stronger stomachs than the average person (which I highly doubt), or something might have changed recently in the quality of the water; but either way, none of us got sick, so that's one thing to check off of your list of concerns.
2) Never leave your student ID. Now, I know that this only applies to those who are students, but still, it's something to keep in mind. Student IDs in Russia come with all kinds of fantastic benefits in the form of massive discounts. For example, when Princess and I went to the Russian Museum, we got in for free because we had student ID cards, no questions asked. Or when we went to the Fountains at Peterhoff, I got a discount while Princess didn't, as she had accidentally forgotten her ID. I can write about this in a rather painless fashion, as I only had to pay the discounted 100-ruble ticket cost while she had to pay for normal admission, 450 rubles. Way to take one for the team! Appreciate your sacrifice ^^ Now, it used to be that the student ID would also get you discounts on transportation, but they did away with that here. Even so, the museum discounts are still quite worth it.
3) Never bring your passport. A common misconception (or, at least, I think it's a common misconception; I had this one at first) is that, because you need to have your papers on you at all times, you need to bring your passport with you at all times. Do not do this. This is leaving yourself open for all kinds of trouble. All you actually need is a page with your passport, visa, student information, and entry card photocopied. That should work for your official documentation. And unlike your official documentation, it won't sell well on the black market, and is not that difficult to replace.
4) If you're going to Russia, try to learn a little Russian. Obviously, if you're going to Russia for a week, you're not going to want to try to speak perfectly fluent Russian. That's just unreasonable. But at least go in speaking a little, or knowing someone who does. This will make your life so much easier, your stay that much less scary, and everything that much more manageable. While there are Russians who speak English (or whatever language you may need), you can't rely upon there being at least one in every place you are, and most of the time, if it's really important, you're relying on the help of strangers and dumb luck to get major issues sorted out. (For a good example, refer to Two Days of Traveling and 12+ Hours of Sleep Later, when I had to try to help an American couple who had lost their baggage. The communication issues between the couple and the lady at Customs that the couple almost didn't make it out of the airport without getting arrested. Seriously.) Additionally, even if there IS a Russian who speaks English, there have been times when words in English don't mean what they mean in English. What I'm trying to say is, even if they were to speak perfect, fluent English, there's a high probability that you and whoever you are talking to won't entirely understand each other. Sometimes, that isn't so important; other times, it's crucial.
5) Things are going to be a bit different; just try to roll with it. There's no point in getting frustrated at how Russian toilets are different than American ones (which they are), or how the toilet and the sink are in two different rooms (which they are), or how your gas-burning water heater is actually in the shower (mine is), or how your landlady lets her cat use the shower as a litter box (which my friend's landlady does). Things are going to be different in Russia, but that's part of the fun of it; if you aren't willing to try eating sour cream with everything, or to learn the system of laundry in Russia (which is surprisingly complex), or learn how to ride the metro, you're missing out on so much of the Russian experience. However, at the same time...
6) If you're going to be in Russia for long periods of time, make sure you're comfortable with your living situation. For example, it might be part of the Russian experience, but if it makes you extremely uncomfortable to have an hour-long commute to class every time you have a 9:00 class (like I do), do try to get a little bit more comfortable. If there are rules where you live that you just can't stand and slowly eat away at your sanity, try to change. All in all, the most important thing is that you're in an environment where you're the most able to take in Russian culture and grow as a person; and that is DEFINITELY not happening when you keep missing your classes due to horrific miscommunications and a long commute, or when you're going out of your mind with stress. This does not mean that you have to put ketchup on all of your delicious Russian food in order to feel like you're at home; but if you're in a situation that genuinely makes you uncomfortable, do tell whoever it is that is in charge, if there is anyone.
Also, finally, one last thing that no one ever thinks about until it's too late:
7) Russia is not on daylight savings time. This means that, if you're in the US, or one of the countries that DO follow daylight savings time, adjust accordingly. Your time zone difference is going to shift. For example, between Russia and California is currently an 11 hour time zone difference; however, come daylight savings time, that shift will change from 11 to 12. Or between St. Petersburg and Texas will go from 9 hours to 10. Just remember that if you're ever trying to talk to someone, or puzzling over when you could possibly expect to receive an email back from someone in the states. Everything will be shifted over one hour.
Anyways, now that I've sounded like one of those stupid inspirational travel blogs that I personally hate reading, I deem that this is enough for one night, and thus end this blog post.
There are certain things about living abroad that suck!!! And, btw, there's a 9 hour difference between St. Petersburg and Texas. 10 during DST.
ReplyDeleteGood to know. Thank you ^^
ReplyDelete