Considering Russia - I feel safer here than in my native UK.
I walk Moscow at night, both central and local to my home, often very late and tipsy (as some HUBBers know) and never been more threatened than asking for a direction or if I have a light. There are areas of London, where I lived for over 40 years, that I feel decidedly uncomfortable in - even at day time.

But I like to keep myself a fairly low key 'old fart'. I dont wear jewellery, not even a watch or ring. My lack of reasonable Russian language perhaps works against me, but my dress, demeanour and attitude do not shout "Loads of money, foreigner!". I don't walk near shadows, narrow entrances, etc and when in seemingly deserted streets I quicken my pace a little into a self-confident stride, not loking over my shoulder all the time. I don't want to appear a victim waiting to happen.

So much for cities, which never truely represent the people of the nation.
The countryside and smalltowns you will meet truely unbelievable warmth, hospitality, interest and friendship every where. The initial dour facial set needs to be ignored. You will wonder why we (or my age group) were brought up to consider Russians as some form of enemy.

It is governments and religions that create trouble between countries and peoples, not the people themselves.

But the danger is always the unpredictable.

In Russia the greatest unpredictable is the random drunk and his possible responses. Dont engage with them in any way - not even eye contact.

Forget animals. Over 6 years I have ridden more of Russia than most including some remote parts never ridden before. Crossing remoter parts od Siberia 3 times I never saw anything bigger than a rabbit.
I have only seen 2 bears. The first was a miserably sad looking animal, a chained up tourist attraction in St Pete - which disgusted me. I desparately wanted to release the poor animal. The other bear was on the trackside about as far east as you can ride. He had run off by the time my riding buddy came by a minute later.
The only animal danger I have suffered was hitting an elk that ran out of bushes late one night when I was driving not far from the built up EU(Latvia) border area.
Moral of the story - don't drive or ride at night.

Please Patricia - get that stuff out of your head.
Enjoy what is now 'my' country. And if, on your way back, you both want to thank me for the advice and help make me tipsy again.....

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