CLOTHES

What should I take with me to be prepared for any weather?
Whatever the season, it is wise to bring your umbrella and a windproof raincoat or jacket. You will do a lot of walking in St.Petersburg, so think carefully about footwear. Depending on the time of the year, you will need warm boots with a non-slip sole, waterproof boots/shoes, comfortable sandals. In winter it can get very cold outside, but hotels and homes are reasonably well heated. In spring it might be chilly at times, but in mid-May it gets warmer. You can wear shorts in summer, though these might prevent you from entering churches. Bring a sweater or light jacket for those chilly evenings. It is in autumn that you are most likely to use your umbrella and waterproof boots, though a Russian version of an Indian Summer (around mid-September) can be mild and fairly dry.
Weather information: 063, 234-13-92, 326-9696

WATER

It is not recommended to use water from the water-pipe for meals. It is better to buy a bottle of drinking or mineral water at a shop. The city shops offer a large choice of it.

LANGUAGE

Russian language is the principal state and cultural language of Russia and it is the most commonly spoken in business, government, and education. Russian belongs to the Balto-Slavic branch of Indo-European languages. Altogether more than 100 languages are spoken in Russia. Tatar, Uzbek, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, and other languages are also spoken.

Below are some key words and phrases in Russian that might be helpful

English Russian
Hi -- Privet (sounds quite informal)
Good morning -- Dobroye utro
Good afternoon -- Dobry den
Welcome -- Dobro pozhalovat
How are you? -- Kak dela?
I'm fine, thanks -- Khorosho, spasibo
Excuse me -- Prostite
Do you speak English? -- Vy govorite po angliyski?
Thank you -- Spasibo
You are welcome -- Pozhaluista
Glad to meet you -- Ochen priyatno

TRANSPORTATION

St.Petersburg is a large metropolitan agglomeration spread over a vast territory, that is why the city has a well-developed transportation system, which includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, taxis, automobiles, a subway, and a railway system connecting the city with its suburbs. All forms of public transportation can take our city's guests to any point of interest at any destination in St.Petersburg. If you want to catch a taxi, raise your hand at the curb of the road and then negotiate with the driver about the cost.

TIPPING

Appreciated but not compulsory. Tipping is increasingly expected at restaurants. Tip 10-15% depending on service. Don't tip if the service is unsatisfactory.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity throughout Russia is 220 volt/50 hz. The plug is the two-pin thin European standard. Be sure to bring your own converter as most places in Russia do not carry them.

SHOPPING

In general, stores are open from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. Large department stores and supermarkets are open from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm, without lunch breaks, seven days a week. A number of supermarkets are open around the clock, seven days a week.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Be careful in taking photographs in the official places like railway and underground stations, official buildings and military structures. These places might prohibit photo taking and local police officers might confiscate the film.

TELEPHONE

How to make a long-distance phone call on credit to any city within the territory of Russia and the CIS: dial "8"; upon receiving the dial tone, dial the code of the city and the number required. How to make an international telephone call: dial "8"; upon receiving the dial tone, dial "10", the country code, the telephone area (city) code and the number required. Telephone codes of some foreign countries

United Kingdom	44	USA	1
Finland	358	Germany	49
Sweden	46	France	33
Italy	39	Japan	81

Information 069, 777

Best bet is to use the phone at your hotel. Tokens are required for street pay phones, which can be purchased at newsstands, in some stores, and many kiosks.

TIME

St.Petersburg belongs to the Moscow standard time zone (MST), which differs from the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT):

Summer MST = GMT + 4 hours.

Winter MST = GMT + 3 hours.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Bring in all medicines you need, but be sure that their use is not prohibited in Russia and that you have all necessary documents, including doctor prescription. Note that antibiotics and some other medicines should be taken only under medical supervision, so try to avoid self-diagnosis and treatment. All necessary medicines can be easily bought in the drugstores, except for those requiring a prescription.

Check with your health insurer before you depart to ascertain your coverage in the event of emergency. Many insurance providers offer specialized riders which can cover emergency evacuation

If you urgently need a medical assistance, you are to dial the 03 phone number (24 hours a day). Any medical institution must help you or call for the ambulance with a medical team fit in your case. When delivered to a hospital, you have to show your medical insurance policy.

To obtain further information on urgent medical service, you may phone Public Health Committee at St.Petersburg Administration: tel. 571-0906.

Along with the state medical institutions, there are also private clinics:

American Medical Clinic (78 Moyki Reki nab., tel. 740-2090)

BaltMed (5 Galerny proezd, tel. 953-5134,
              5 Vyborgskoe shosse, tel. 337-2303)

Euromed Clinic (60 Suvorovskiy pr., tel. 327-0301)

MEDEM International Clinic & Hospital (6 Marata ul., tel. 336-3333 - 24 hours)

THE CUSTOMS

For non-residents of Russia, the export of non-Russian currency is limited to the imported amount. Therefore, non-residents of Russia are recommended to fill in the customs declaration mentioning the imported sums of foreign currencies, and use the Red Channel wherever it-s available. When the amount to be imported exceeds the equivalent to USD 10,000, filling in the customs declaration is mandatory and using the Green Channel is not allowed.

The entry customs declaration has also to contain the list of antiques, works of art, and musical instruments imported. The declaration is to be kept until leaving Russia.

On exporting from Russia foreign currency amounts exceeding the equivalent to USD 3,000, filling in the customs declaration is mandatory and using the Green Channel is not allowed.

It is not allowed to export from Russia any items of cultural value, including pieces of art produced more than 100 years ago, and items of special cultural importance, irrelevantly to the date of manufacturing. To export an item of cultural value, including contemporary artworks, the authorized certificate is necessary, issued by the Local Management Body at Russian Federation Ministry of Culture on Preserving Items of Cultural Value in St.Petersburg.

The nowaday souvenirs, as well as cultural items of mass production, need no permission to be taken out of Russia.

St.Petersburg Local Management Body at Russian Federation Ministry of Culture on Preserving Items of Cultural Value:
17 Malaya Morskaya ul. tel./fax 571-0302

SAFETY GUARD

-	Plan your trip in advance, ask the "Anastasia" staff for help or talk with friends who have already been to Russia before.
-	If you are from one of those countries where they drive on the left (Britain, Australia, etc), be aware when crossing the road. We drive on the right here.
-	In Russia narcotic drugs are strictly controlled by law. Do not carry any non-medicinal drugs with you.
-	We suggest you have the identifying documents (or copies from these documents) with you always.
-	Don't carry out currency exchange operations with passers-buy. Hundreds of reliable currency exchange offices are at your service in the streets of the city or at a hotel. s are at your service in the streets of the city or at a hotel. You can choose the most the most advantageous exchange rate.
-	Be careful not to let others see the contents of your purse or wallet. Don't take more money with you than it is necessary for one day.
-	Think before you pay. One and the same thing may be costly in one place and much cheaper in the other.
-	It is a good idea to keep the emergency telephone number of "Anastasia" +7(812)9577284 always with you at all times.
-	Russian people are generally very friendly. Although do not forget about your personal safety - do not walk alone at night, do not talk to strange-looking individuals.
-	You do not have to drink vodka if you do not want to, even when your Russian friends try to convince you must. It's not a matter of politeness it is a matter of personal desire.
-	Russians are not always effusive and may not constantly ask after your health or chat all the time. Please do not be offended they are just in the process of getting to know you.
-	Here are the important phone numbers for foreigners in Saint-Petersburg:

HOT LINE
Fire 01, 24 hours a day
Police 02, 24 hours a day
Ambulance 03, 24 hours a day
Special police service (for foreigners) 764-9787, 24 hours a day

Speaking clock 060, 24 hours a day

Telephone Information service (private numbers excluded) 09 (free of charge) 7.00-22.00, 009 (commercial)
Information line (English & Russian) 326-9696, 24 hours a day

-	THE LAST ADVICE.DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A CAMERA OR A VIDEO WITH GOING FOR A WALK OR A TRIP ROUND THE CITY. AND DON'T SPARE THE STRAP.