Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
69
If you suffer from a chronic illness,
consult your doctor before your departure.
For conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, or
heart problems, wear a
MedicAlert iden-
tification tag
(
&
888/633-4298;
www.
medicalert.org), which will immediately
alert doctors to your condition and give
them access to your records through Med-
icAlert's 24-hour hot line.
Pack
prescription medications
in your
carry-on luggage, and carry prescription
medications in their original containers, with
pharmacy labels—otherwise they won't
make it through airport security. Also bring
along copies of your prescriptions in case you
lose your pills or run out. Don't forget an
extra pair of contact lenses or prescription
glasses. Carry the generic name of prescrip-
tion medicines, in case a local pharmacist is
unfamiliar with the brand name.
We list additional
emergency numbers
in the “Fast Facts” chapter, p. 305.
7
SAFETY
WHAT ABOUT
TERRORISM?
This is a sadly pertinent question for travel
almost anywhere in this post-9/11 world.
Russia's experiences with terrorism date
back to the 19th century, when revolu-
tionary bombers assassinated Czar Alexan-
der II. The source of more recent terrorist
attacks has been the war in Chechnya,
where a conflict between Russian troops
and Chechen guerrillas has simmered for
more than a decade. Two major terrorist
attacks outside Chechnya in recent years—
the Moscow theater siege in 2002 and the
Beslan school massacre in 2004—terrified
the world and hardened Russian opposi-
tion to the Chechen cause. With no end to
the conflict in sight, the Chechen problem
will continue to cast a shadow over Russia's
post-Soviet progress.
The provinces in the Northern Cauca-
sus Mountains neighboring Chechnya are
at the most risk of spillover violence that
could affect tourists. Moscow, 1,000km
(621 miles) to the north, is sheltered from
everyday Chechnya-related violence, but
as the seat of Russia's government, it is at
risk of rare attacks like the theater siege.
Like terrorist acts in other European cities,
these are nearly impossible to predict and
avoid. Most experts judge the terrorism
risk in Moscow as no higher than in other
major capitals, though if an attack occurs,
Russian security services are likely to han-
dle it more ruthlessly than their European
counterparts would. St. Petersburg is con-
sidered at low risk for terrorism.
See the U.S. State Department's Advi-
sory website (www.travel.state.gov) for
recent warnings, though be aware that they
tend to be more alarmist than the travel
advisories posted by other governments. If
you notice a suspicious abandoned bag on
the metro or in a public place, report it to
the nearest metro official or police officer.
STAYING SAFE
The notorious Russian “mafia” made for
good movie villains in the 1990s, but its
reputation is rather exaggerated and it is
not a serious threat to foreign visitors. The
victims of most organized crime are Rus-
sian millionaires and powerful tycoons
who have much more to lose than the
average American tourist. Pickpockets and
over-friendly drunks are the main annoy-
ances to today's traveler; you can avoid
both by being alert, traveling in groups,
and sticking to well-lit areas after dark.
Prostitution and drug use are illegal but
widespread, and not worth a run-in with
the Russian police. Drunk-driving laws are
strict, forbidding drivers from having even
one drink, but traffic police (unfortu-
nately) readily accept payoffs for overlook-
ing minor infractions.
3
