St. Petersburg was one of the stops on my Baltic cruise. We had to go through their “customs and security” just to get on our tour bus and then again when we got back. It was the only stop that made us do that. We were warned several times to not lose our passports, as we couldn’t get back on the ship, and there was no American Counsulate in St. Petersburg to get another one. We were also warned at every stop to beware of pickpockets. The buildings were beautiful, but I was so afraid, I barely got off the bus. I will never go back to Russia.
I would like to go to Egypt and see the Pyramids before the Taliban or ISIS decides to destroy them.
But I would likely feel the same way as you did in Russia.
One ‘false move’ from you, and your whole life as you know it could be upturned. I would feel that the natives didn’t want me there in the first place.
I am open for adventure, but I chose them with great care when I have a choice.