So seriously, would you go to Russia right now?

[ttt]

Because it's really cheap. Airfares and hotels. Part of that is winter, I'm sure, but still. Would you go? 

[Deleted]

No. I've been there before and really wouldn't want to be there right now with all the economy issues.

[Deleted]

Go to Georgia instead while it still exists!

[ttt]

Dec 17, 2014 23:44:15 GMT -5 @bettyhomewrecker33 said:

Go to Georgia instead while it still exists!

It's not cheap, though Airfares are almost $500 more each. 

[summer]

Hell no. Not even in summer with an economy flush with cash.

[PandaPear]

No. But mostly because it's too cold, and too long of a flight.

[mrsukyankee]

No. My professor from last year lived in Russia for years and she said she wouldn't go back to visit (and that was before all hell broke loose).

[NewOrleans]

I would go to St. Petersburg, far away from the mischief that is Moscow and close to Europe and Finland if I want to make an easy exit. Fly FinnAir.

eta: I get if the current political climate skeers folks, but St. Petersburg (Moscow too) is an elegant, important, rich, historical, cultural city.  The place isn't a 3rd world country.  I compare it to me visiting... Texas.  I would go there, have some BBQ, wear cowboy boots, be glad I'm not a pregnant woman there, throw some shade at the stuff I profoundly disagree with, ride a bull, and come back fulfilled with my trip and happy to be in a blue state once more.

[lg28]

No. We cancelled a trip to Moscow about a year ago.

DH's work still offers St.Petersburg trips tho.

[Vespasia]

I don't want to go right now because of all the human rights abuses and anti-LGBT shit coming down from the government. I'm not worried for my safety but I don't want to give them my money.

It's too bad because I have always wanted to go and have studied a fair amount of Russian history. And I love a cheap trip!

[Velar Fricative]

Yeah, I probably would if I could.

[Cicero]

Sure. Especially if it is St. Petersburg. Cheap ruble and all that.

[ttt]

Dec 18, 2014 4:43:59 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

I would go to St. Petersburg, far away from the mischief that is Moscow and close to Europe and Finland if I want to make an easy exit. Fly FinnAir.

eta: I get if the current political climate skeers folks, but St. Petersburg (Moscow too) is an elegant, important, rich, historical, cultural city.  The place isn't a 3rd world country.  I compare it to me visiting... Texas.  I would go there, have some BBQ, wear cowboy boots, be glad I'm not a pregnant woman there, throw some shade at the stuff I profoundly disagree with, ride a bull, and come back fulfilled with my trip and happy to be in a blue state once more.

St. Petersburg is just what I was thinking. I've always wanted to go and now Flights on airFrance from Atlanta are like $600 and you can stay at the W in the middle of the city for $100 a night.

But I honestly don't know if it's actually dangerous or stupid to be there right now or if you just need to avoid the border areas.

[ttt]

Dec 18, 2014 7:17:06 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Dec 18, 2014 7:15:40 GMT -5 ttt said:

St. Petersburg is just what I was thinking. I've always wanted to go and now Flights on airFrance from Atlanta are like $600 and you can stay at the W in the middle of the city for $100 a night.

But I honestly don't know if it's actually dangerous or stupid to be there right now or if you just need to avoid the border areas.

Is there like an embassy website or something that could tell you whether it's safe?

Well even the State Department, whose warnings and info sheets make Italy and Canada sound like a place you MIGHT GET KILLED!!!!! doesn't say "don't go to Russia" although they do say not to go to the border regions.

Eta I just don't want to be there if we suddenly decide to go to war or something.

[downtoearth]

I would go there if I had time off and the means. Maybe I'm naïve, but I don't see them on the edge of a civil war, more like the edge of a depression that they can't stop.

Like you, I'd stay in St. Petersburg, do touristy things and enjoy the cultural aspects. It would also be an interesting time to actually talk to random people - I'm guessing that the tour guides and hotel owners have choice words about the political issues. We were in Europe during the October Bush/Gore elections and without meaning to, we had a lot of really interesting political discussions with everyone we met - even Scottish diplomats that we hung out with in Italy for an evening. I think Europe was more shocked by Gore losing than most Americans who campaigned for Gore.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Yes. I've always wanted to go to St. Petersburg.

[downtoearth]

Dec 18, 2014 7:36:15 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Dec 18, 2014 7:31:01 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I would go there if I had time off and the means. Maybe I'm naïve, but I don't see them on the edge of a civil war, more like the edge of a depression that they can't stop.

Like you, I'd stay in St. Petersburg, do touristy things and enjoy the cultural aspects. It would also be an interesting time to actually talk to random people - I'm guessing that the tour guides and hotel owners have choice words about the political issues. We were in Europe during the October Bush/Gore elections and without meaning to, we had a lot of really interesting political discussions with everyone we met - even Scottish diplomats that we hung out with in Italy for an evening. I think Europe was more shocked by Gore losing than most Americans who campaigned for Gore.

I would be cautious about having political discussions with Russians right now. That seems like not a good idea.

They might just seek you out, who knows?  We didn't intend to talk about Bush/Gore for 33 days, but somebody wanted to tell us their opinion almost everyday. Granted, western Europe is different.

[origami]

I would go to St Petersburg but not now. Walking around anywhere in the 20deg range sounds miserable.

[origami]

Yah I highly doubt the average Russian citizen would want to be seen right now having an open/honest political discussion with an American. But if someone did I agree with SBP not to do that.

[Velar Fricative]

Dec 18, 2014 7:15:40 GMT -5 ttt said:

Dec 18, 2014 4:43:59 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

I would go to St. Petersburg, far away from the mischief that is Moscow and close to Europe and Finland if I want to make an easy exit. Fly FinnAir.

eta: I get if the current political climate skeers folks, but St. Petersburg (Moscow too) is an elegant, important, rich, historical, cultural city.  The place isn't a 3rd world country.  I compare it to me visiting... Texas.  I would go there, have some BBQ, wear cowboy boots, be glad I'm not a pregnant woman there, throw some shade at the stuff I profoundly disagree with, ride a bull, and come back fulfilled with my trip and happy to be in a blue state once more.

St. Petersburg is just what I was thinking. I've always wanted to go and now Flights on airFrance from Atlanta are like $600 and you can stay at the W in the middle of the city for $100 a night.

But I honestly don't know if it's actually dangerous or stupid to be there right now or if you just need to avoid the border areas.

At those prices, drop everything right now and GOOOOOOOOOO.

I personally love winter travel in cold places. Fewer fellow tourists and cheaper! And I have no doubt St. Petersburg this time of year is especially beautiful.

[scout8]

Maybe. I would read the state department website to see what they said first. Sounds like you have done that already. Then, I would go on the trip advisor message boards for the areas where I planned to go and see what people are saying. If all looked good, I would go.

[iammalcolmx]

ttt do you plan to take your H? You know it's not safe for brown people there, correct?

[josieposy]

If you go, you have to get a dash cam and bring us fun videos.

[ttt]

Dec 18, 2014 8:14:26 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Dec 18, 2014 7:15:40 GMT -5 ttt said:

St. Petersburg is just what I was thinking. I've always wanted to go and now Flights on airFrance from Atlanta are like $600 and you can stay at the W in the middle of the city for $100 a night.

But I honestly don't know if it's actually dangerous or stupid to be there right now or if you just need to avoid the border areas.

At those prices, drop everything right now and GOOOOOOOOOO.

I personally love winter travel in cold places. Fewer fellow tourists and cheaper! And I have no doubt St. Petersburg this time of year is especially beautiful.

I do too! I did Prague in late November/early December one year and it was cold, no question (I don't think it got warmer than the 20s the whole week). But I wore tons of layers so I stayed warm, and it was amazing. I would definitely do it again. 

[origami]

You can buy these in St Petersburg


They're perfect for teaching your children the most popular Russian dictators. My kids like Gorbachev the best.

[ttt]

Dec 18, 2014 8:26:47 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

ttt do you plan to take your H? You know it's not safe for brown people there, correct?

I don't think he would let me go without him - he was about two seconds away from booking tickets last night. 

[ttt]

Dec 18, 2014 8:42:22 GMT -5 origami said:

You can buy these in St Petersburg


They're perfect for teaching your children the most popular Russian dictators. My kids like Gorbachev the best.

I was just thinking that my kids are falling behind in their knowledge of Russian dictators! 

[origami]

Dec 18, 2014 8:43:47 GMT -5 ttt said:

Dec 18, 2014 8:42:22 GMT -5 origami said:

You can buy these in St Petersburg


They're perfect for teaching your children the most popular Russian dictators. My kids like Gorbachev the best.

I was just thinking that my kids are falling behind in their knowledge of Russian dictators! 

well comrade, you need to go. For the sake of your children.

[iammalcolmx]

Dec 18, 2014 8:43:10 GMT -5 ttt said:

Dec 18, 2014 8:26:47 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

ttt do you plan to take your H? You know it's not safe for brown people there, correct?

I don't think he would let me go without him - he was about two seconds away from booking tickets last night. 

NO.

[charminglife]

A friend of mine went to Moscow in February 2 years ago since the tickets were around $300. Even though it was freezing (she had fur coats, hats, a muff and was still a little chilly) she said the city was amazing and the people were much more helpful and friendly than she anticipated. Even with the current unrest I'd go - I probably wouldn't drape myself in an american flag, but that's about it.