Russia - Lessons & Notes from a trip there

Highlights

A. The people

B. Portion Caution

C. Flight cancellation due to strike

D. First thing to check when arriving in an airport

A. The people

Russians are very friendly! I've made friends before arriving. And quite a number of them reached out to me on Couchsurfing.org offering me their entire rooms for my stay or to bring me around while there!

Now imagine, while I was there, I made so many friends practically on the streets, at the Metro station, in the restaurant, on the plane, and even ACROSS THE WINDOWS of our hotels!! Really, for me this is unbeaten record!

B. Portion Caution

At some places (of attractions especially), you could end up with stunning portions of food ...

Main Course Salmon 150g @ 330 roubles (~S$7)

C. Flight cancellation due to strike

When your flight is cancelled prior to the time when you should be going to the airport, airlines typically would try to make alternative arrangements for you. But if they were not contactable, like in the case of our cabin crew strike in Frankfurt, and you need to get the earliest flight out (in our case staying more days would mean overstaying our visa), what are the best things you could do about it?

At the soonest available opportunity, go to the airline’s ticketing or any type of offices at the airport(s) which you pass through, to obtain a letter of proof of the cancellation. This is most important as proof for insurance claims.
Of course keep all receipts of expenses incurred from making new transport arrangements, making phone calls etc due to the cancellation, any additional expenses incurred due to such cancellation.

D. First thing to check when arriving in the airport

TIME! Confirm the correct time for the location you are in or else you might base your planning on the wrong times and could miss your next flight etc!

If you have questions about other aspects of travelling to & in Russia, especially Moscow & St. Petersburg, share your comments below!