ecl@mtgzy.UUCP (e.c.leeper) (02/11/86)
Mark and I are thinking of traveling to Leningrad as part of a Scandinavian vacation. Would we have any particular hassles or problems in the Soviet Union because we're Jewish? (Facts based on actual experience, not opinions, is what I'm looking for.) Evelyn C. Leeper ...ihnp4!mtgzz!ecl (or ihnp4!mtgzy!ecl)
hejira@hound.UUCP (R.PRESTON) (02/13/86)
> Mark and I are thinking of traveling to Leningrad as part of a > Scandinavian vacation. Would we have any particular hassles or > problems in the Soviet Union because we're Jewish? (Facts based > on actual experience, not opinions, is what I'm looking for.) > > Evelyn C. Leeper > ...ihnp4!mtgzz!ecl > (or ihnp4!mtgzy!ecl) Although I am not Jewish myself, I was on a tour of the Russian Republic with a number of Jewish people just last September. None of them had any trouble -- or at least any more trouble than the non-Jewish people in our group. Two years ago, American tourists were reportedly having trouble in Leningrad, but those problems have apparently abated considerably. Leningrad is a beautiful city which is full of architectural marvels that easily compare with those of other great European cities (including Paris). In fact, given a choice of visiting the Louvre or the Hermitage, I would choose the latter any day. Of course, visiting the Soviet Union is not for the typical American tourist. Travel in the USSR takes some patience and resilience. Most Americans are used to service-oriented societies and some balk at the customary rudeness one encounters from waitresses, dezhurnayas, airline stewardesses and the like. Well, enjoy your trip (and don't forget to bring TP .. unless you like using sand-paper) Dacvendanya! - Rob Preston <ihnp4!hound!hejira> P.S. Ti govariesh pa-russki?