Pickpockets part 1- be smart and safe and other Saint Petersburg, Russia Warning Or Danger Tips

In every big city in the world it is possible to get targeted by a pickpocket.
It happens in St. Petersburg too.
It has been practiced by professionals, homeless boys and gypsies for hundreds of years.
Better be prepared and not worry about it happening to you.

Never leave your wallet inyour back pocket, those belong to everyone else.
Wear tight pants and put inyour front pockets. Better yet in a zippered pocket inside your jacket. Or better yet wear a necklace pouch and keep your self buttoned and zippered up.

The professionals use simple tricks and sometimes a partner.
Never let someone touch you on the street.
The oldest trick is to bump you seemingly innocently in one place while their hand reaches to another and you never feel it.

Sometimes two people will pose as street sellers, come up on both sides of you and try to show you some trinket to buy. One guy bumps against you on one side, the other reaches into your pockets and the other side, then he bumps you and lets the partner reach into your pockets on his side.

They need to get close to you. On the metro, waiting for buses, standing with other tourists near attractions, all are common places to be hit. Stay aware of who is around you!

See part 2 for more and what to do!

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Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickpocket

People in Russia are generally friendly and will stop and give you directions.
Be careful when approached. Foreigners are approached more often for another reason.

A sneaky trick is to be in a car. Two guys crusie around looking for a victim. As they approach one rolls down the windo as if to ask directions of someone, then gets out of the car and approaches the mark.

He will point down the street and ask something, then touch your shoulder as if to get your attention to look that way. DO NOT LET ANYONE TOUCH YOU. They touch in one place and feel in another. They are very light fingered and you won't know what happened until they have driven away.

One guy approached seeming unable to talk, muttering nonesense sounds, pointing, to get your sympathy and put down your guard. He tries to write words onhis hands to show you and get you to lean close to him. Then he grabs his coat shoulders and points, then grabs your shoulder and points, or looks away. Meanwhile his hand is looking in your pockets!

He is not handicapped, he is just fooling you.
Yell No or Nyet. Get away, push him away. Just get out of his reach.

If you do get ripped off you do not have many options.

You call the police. As a foreigner you can call a special number for foreigners where you can speak in English. The police will probably not come to you. You can go to the police office and file a report. Maybe it takes an hour. Maybe it is possible that they fidn your wallet on him someday. But probably not. As always in Russia, be prepared for the attitude that it is your fault that you let someone streal from you.

If you have any credit cards do not waste time in the police office. Immediately find a phone and cancel your cards. Then go to the polcie office. The professional crimial will try your cards within the hour.

Usually you can feel safe in Russia, just be careful and don't worry.
We recommend the necklace pouch under the shirt for passport or money.
Be prepared and enjoy a hassle free trip!

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Website: http://dublin.usembassy.gov/ireland/crime_safety.html

The first time you enter a drug store and find a jar of medical leeches on the counter don't be too scared. They are seen increasingly.
The golden day of the leech as a cure all ended at the end of the 19th century, but they are making a comeback.

http://www.planetark.com/avantgo/dailynewsstory.cfm?newsid=25756
Some leeches are used in modern surgery to carefully drain some congested blood.
A leech feeds for 15 minutes and drinks between 2-5 grams of blood.

I don't understand it, but hirudotherapy is explained here.
http://www.leeches.biz/leech-hirudotherapy.htm

The saliva of the leech is said to be highly beneficial ...
I think after one application I would be cured of anything, I would say anything to avoid a 2nd application!

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Website: http://www.leeches.biz/medicine-leech.htm

Besides the risk from a pickpocket you could just lose -- or have stolen -- your credit cards.
As with pickpockets, fast discovery and reporting of the crime can prevent more loss and headaches.

The link to the US Consulate of Petersburg has the phone numbers to report cards lost.

American Express
800-992-3404. Outside the U.S. call collect 336-393-1111

Visa
800-847-2911. Outside the U.S. call collect 410-581-9994 Russia, St. Petersburg only325-5042, wait for automated AT&T response then dial 866-654-0164..
Russia, Moscow only 755-5042, wait for automated AT&T response then dial 866-654-0164 Russia, outside Moscow/St. Petersburg800-110-1011-866-654-0164

Mastercard
800 622 7747 Outside the U.S. call collect 636-722-7111TDD/TYY 636-722-3725

Diners Club
800-234-6377. Outside the U.S. call collect 303- 799-1504 Russia +7 495 912 009 Russia +7 495 745 8407

Discover
800-347-2683. International toll 801- 902-3100

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Website: http://stpetersburg.usconsulate.gov/citizen_crime.htm

It is disappointing to see many english words, hip-hop nicknames and negative slogans popping up in many locations in St. Petersburg. It is always disappointing to see graffiti on historical buildings and art anywhere.

This is one part of American culture we wish had not appearred in Russia. The music and dancing is great but the graffiti ... There is a group trying to organize hip-hop culture in Russia in their own way, you can see on their website and write to them about what you think. So far I just see a copycat of the American hip-hop 25 years ago.

Hip-hop culture, music, break dancing and prolific graffiti, has fertile ground in Russia because it was not allowed in 1970 when hip-hop culture started in America.
The grafitti branding is found in arches, courtyards, buildings and fences and as happened in America, the local government is playing catchup to stop the vandalism part of the activity.

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Website: http://www.ideal-stuff.ru

Russia does not use 911 calling, but the emergency numbers are fairly simple.

For fire or accidents - 01
For Police call - 02
Ambulance - 03
Police hotline for foreigners 278-30-18
Central police switchboard 340-10-20

From a mobile phone, megafone, call 112 for emergencies.

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Water for St. Petersburg comes from Lake Ladoga and may contain some germs.

Boil water to drink in a tea kettle or buy bottled water.
If you are sensitive to water problems, use bottled water to brush your teeth and wash your food.
Most locals boil their drinking water, but use the tap water for cooking and washing.

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Well, when any VIPs visit there is a danger that you cannot get to where you want to go. Roads may be closed, restaurants may be closed and even palaces may close.
The Constantine Palace is open for tours except when holding meetings.
It was closed during the G8 conference in 2006 when the Bushes and other leaders were here.

The same goes for Russian VIPs, Red Square was closed for an Edinaya Russia party event after the 2007 elections:
Here is a short clip of the pro-putin rally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yqGSR0Kvog

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Website: http://en.g8russia.ru/

It can be exciting to see helicopters landing at the Pweter and Paul Fortress. But just as they get near the ground a huge cloud of dust, rocks and plant debri comes towards you like a tornado!

Video of landing fun!

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Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sMFK7mRgzY

Maybe it is no threat, but bear drinking bears seem more threatening than human drunkards.

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