While Moscow is not the safest city in the world it is by no means the most dangerous either. If you exercise caution and don’t mark yourself out as an easy target, then you’ll be unlucky to have anything happen to you.

What I dislike most about Moscow is the police force. In fact, the Russians often refer to them by their slang name - ‘rubbish’. While it is not as vivid as the English term ‘pig’, it somehow describes them more accurately. Perhaps I’m being unfair here. I’m sure the majority of them are honest hard working professionals, but there are a sizeable minority of them who are corrupt, violent and dangerous. While I have not had any real trouble with them myself (apart from having to bribe an obese malodorous border guard), many other teachers have. While nothing really serious happened, I have taken the advice of teachers who have been here a lot longer and now I never speak English out loud when there is a policeman near, and I always look like I know where I’m going. Fortunately, these two procedures will also stop the criminal fraternity from noticing you too.

I suspect that the more cynical readers among you will conclude that the words of a DoS are inherently biased and not to be trusted. However, I feel I have given you an honest ‘warts and all’ description of life here and the school I work for. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: phillipjdonnelly@hotmail.com