Cash, credit

[Francoise Rosset]

>ATM machines are plentiful, and in my opinion this is the easiest and
>cheapest way to get cash.

This summer, living in Moscow, we were told conflicting stories about
whether ATMs are safe -- but they are plentiful in Moscow and StP, and
I had no problem.
The consensus seemed to be: use an ATM machine in a bank, not on the
street, not in a shop or mall. Bank ATMs, especially in larger European
or international branches, are often located in separate ATM glass rooms
which you access only via your card. They allow for an extra measure of
quiet and privacy.
We were told to find one good convenient bank and keep using it.

Most ATM's take most cards, though they don't display all those cute
CIRRUS, NYCE, etc., logos. I'd make sure my card doubles as a Visa
or Mastercard, that seems to do it.
And the keypads usually have numbers only, no letters.
If your access code or pin number is a word, memorize those numbers.

>There are also ATMs from which it is possible
>to get dollars, but they are much scarcer.

And you probably will not need nor want them.
The one time I did, I got one $100 bill -- not a problem in principle,
but this one looked so thin and sickly that I immediately had the teller
next to the ATM change it into rubles, thus defeating my original purpose.
She didn't like the looks of that bill either, but it was her bank's
machine that spit it out ...

For cash, there are currency changing places absolutely everywhere
in Moscow.

>
>I would suggest to take enough $$$ to last for couple of weeks, in
>case the bank card is lost, and open a joint account with the parents
>so that they be able to replace the lost card and FedEx a new one.

GREAT suggestion. For an added psychological advantage, the parents
will feel they CAN help if something goes wrong.
-FR

Francoise Rosset, Russian and Russian Studies
Wheaton College
Norton, Massachusetts 02766
phone:  (508) 286-3696
fax:    (508) 286-3640
e-mail: frosset at wheatonma.edu

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                  http://home.attbi.com/~lists/seelangs/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------