Useful Tips
This section presents itself a collection of advice which may be of help to you during trips around Russia in general, and Siberia in particular. Many of such tips are based on our foreign friends’ advice. In fact, this collection is a lex non scripta known to every Russian but not necessarily as obvious to foreigners. You can come across some of these tips in other sections, but we have decided to make a complete list of the most important ones and to present them as unity in one place.
- While traveling by train…be careful with all the food sold at railway stations. Do not buy homemade dishes or perishable.
- While in taxi... One can flag a taxi in the streets but calling a taxi by phone is far cheaper and safer. Besides, it is a general practice in Novosibirsk. Read more about it in 'Transport'.
- While crossing a street... Be alert, Russian drivers are not very polite and careful. Read more about it in 'Transport'.
- While at markets…do bargain!
- Caution! Tick-borne encephalitis! Rarely found even in the European part of Russia, tick-borne encephalitis is quite common in Siberia. Ticks are the insects reminding of small bugs, and they can be the means of spreading of this disease. You have three days to address a hospital after being bitten; do not be slow in taking this decision, since the changes may become irreversible, and the outcome may be lethal. Every year, 5-8 people die from tick-borne encephalitis in Novosibirsk, so the following precautionary measures are to be taken:
- Avoid bushes and tick-sets during the period from spring to August.
- If it has happened all the same, search yourself for ticks
- In case of finding a stuck tick address a hospital immediately
Nevertheless, it is not so dangerous as it may seem, since it’s next to impossible to ‘catch’ s tick inside the city area, and a timely visit to a hospital will spare you any negative outcome.
An injection, compulsive for tourists in several regions of Siberia, serves as an additional means of protection. Also, you can take out an insurance policy against biting. Last but not least, consult you doctor in case of any inquiries.
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