Lightweight... ;)


If Moscow has the worst roads you've ever seen, then you really do need to get out of the US more often.

Interesting coincidence... One of my co-workers who is not black but a minority and would definitely stand out in Russia just asked me the same question and was concerned for his safety same if not more then OP, I directed him to this thread to ease his mind.
OP, please update us on your return so more people can benefit... A small trip report, maybe... ;)

So I've been here now for 2weeks. I haven't had any problems at all, but my friends has been with me 24/7. Though, like a week ago, I was on the metro and some kid, probably around 8 or 9 stared at me for a entire 5min ride lol. I also really dont stay at late. If its passed 11pm or so I'll always take a taxi home and I never walk great distances at night. Even still not running into problems, I dont feel completely safe even though there is a lot of security around and that could be because I'm not use to a big city.

Right now roads in Moscow are in a terrible state of disrepair after winter.

All the roads I've been on the past couple of days have been in pretty good shape. Now all the cars broken down in the middle of the roads are something completely different ;)

Yes, they're still better than many roads in the States, but far worse than could be.

I think you found out that big city street smarts is really the only thing one needs in Moscow.
Before I went I heard stories that made my hair stand on end. Once I arrived I realized how exaggerated those stories really were.
During the three weeks I was there I saw many ethnic groups. At GUM (mall at Red Square) a radio station was doing some sort of promotion with two black female dancers and the crowd loved it, they were very well received!

To be honest I had no idea what big city streets smarts was...I've never been to a big city before til I visited Moscow. Anyway, I'm now back home and didnt run into any problems. I even went the country-side, which my friends call it "real russia". I was a little wary of the town, which is named Mozhaysk, dont know if I spelled that right. I even had a local news reporter interview and about my stay in that town, which I thought was pretty cool. The one thing I noticed, was the younger kids were really interested in me. Like everywhere I walked I had few following me and I think that was because that found out I was american. Also keep in mind, I never went anywhere by myself, I'm sure my story would be little different if I was. I did run into some drunk guy who told me If I hurt the russian girl I was with, they'll .... me up........Which I thought that was pretty funny. All in All, I had fun and I'll probably do it again.

Far as the roads.....The highways arent bad, but any other roads are horrible. I wish I would have taken some pics of the amazing potholes I saw :)

Sounds like you had a pretty good trip!^
That's pretty funny about the drunk guy who would probably trip over his own feet and fall flat on his face before he ..... anyone up.

I saw one getting harrassed pretty bad. Went to the police and they shrugged their shoulders and walked away. He got stabbed, no one helped. I called an ambulance. Be very careful. If you are alone, it could be bad if you look or walk the wrong direction.