As far as destinations for following your team away in Russia go, Rostov is one of the best for an English football fan as can be seen by the news that was reported before the arrival of Manchester United that visiting fans would be presented with red blankets as a gesture of goodwill.
But that's not to say it's all sunshine and rainbows, as those who made their way over to Rostov to follow their team will have been fully aware that they'll need to have their wits about them and use common sense when out and about around the town.
The 238 #MUFC fans that made the trip to Rostov. Fair play - hard to get a visa in time, never mind the costs & other intricacies involved pic.twitter.com/3nqxHVIbx7
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) March 9, 2017
As always, local hotels often offer a little reminder that this should be done, but some are more startling than others.
238 fans made the trip over, and most of them would have received the following words of warning regarding kidnapping, and what to do if a nightmare scenario should occur.
If you're in Barcelona you'll see warnings everywhere about pickpockets, but it seems that when you arrive in Russia, or in Rostov at least, you need to know what to do when you've been kidnapped and held for ransom.
It honestly reads like advice from Liam Neeson in 'Taken'..
My hotel in Rostov offers advice I've never had at any hotel anywhere else in the world pic.twitter.com/EObpre9WAf
— Matt (@MattP260599) March 9, 2017
Fair play to whatever hotel this is for being completely clear on how things should be done in such a predicament, but it's not exactly the most settling thing to read as you arrive in a new place.
But it's a possibility, and it must be covered. That in itself is perhaps alarming, but it's reality.
