Visiting my honey in Sochi

[irish44 0]

Interesting city.. I did put up a small website if anyone cares to look, of my trip.

I put up some pics, sounds, and impressions. http://irish1.startlogic.com

Thanks all for the great board and warm welcome!

Ok, that's a creative website to be sure...

Russian has indeed adopted the word "supermarket", and even in Sochi, you will see such stores occassionally. In downtown Sochi, the biggest supermarket's name is "Paterson".

Sochi needs a lot of work to get ready for the 2014 winter olympics---all the broken traffic lights have to get turned back on to eliminate the traffic congestions this causes daily (such as on the road along the Riveria park), and the Adler International airport definitely needs to build a completely new terminal building. I'm still holding my breath waiting to see a commercial airline to begin offering a regular flight into Sochi from somewhere outside FSU.

Hi Chris:

I agree that they have a lot of work to do there. Not only with the things that you mentioned in the town, but the Olympic Village as well.

As mentioned, there was a large international economic forum happening when I was there. The local shop owners, taxi drivers, and restaurants were happy campers but the traffic was indeed hideous. Still, living near Atlanta I didn't really feel the strain on the infrastructure as much as the natives.

One interesting thing I learned is that many Sochians believe that there is a good chance that due to greed and corruption (As I also mentioned), that the Olympics will be shifted to another city. They also believe that where the Olympic Village is to be built, the Red Valley, will be ruined.

I went shortly after the announcement and they were already swinging the wrecking balls!

We'll see what happens in any case, and I do hope that it all goes right for this beautiful city.

[irish44 0]

I think Sasha would have my nuts if I had so many photos of random Russian girls I captured plenty of Russian ladies walking by while making films, but it was because I was interested in the fashion more than anything. but even then I felt a bit guilty. Also, my Sasha is one of those girls that men would probably try to photograph as she passed.

Hi Jason!

Yes, I did the random girl pics mostly to show my friends here at home that the rumors about the beautiful girls in Russia was true. Tanya knows that she is my girl and is not uncomfortable. I also liked the interesting fashions which can be seen on those pictures. I was amazed by the amount of pride and care that almost all Russian women put in constantly towards their appearance and is something that is not seen here much. I'm 50 and remember when girls here did at one time. Now the style of baggy jeans and shapeless outfits seems to be more prevalent. As amazing to me is the strength of character and the straightforward manner of these women. In other words, I believe that their inner beauty matches their outer!

Good luck to you and Sasha!

[slim 1,530]

I captured plenty of Russian ladies walking by while making films, but it was because I was interested in the fashion more than anything.

Riiiiiiiiggght. You're probably one of those guys that used to read Playboy because the articles were so good.

Fashion? I thought you were from Williamsburg, not Miami!

And irish44, I will send you something for that site.... someday. Still trying to figure out a good way to zip the pics. I'll probably just have to send you a few at a time in an e-mail. Anyway, I only have a couple good ones to go with the stories. Don't hold your breath, but they will be waiting for you one of these days.

[Chris Parker 11]

I agree that they have a lot of work to do there. Not only with the things that you mentioned in the town, but the Olympic Village as well.

As mentioned, there was a large international economic forum happening when I was there. The local shop owners, taxi drivers, and restaurants were happy campers but the traffic was indeed hideous. Still, living near Atlanta I didn't really feel the strain on the infrastructure as much as the natives.

One interesting thing I learned is that many Sochians believe that there is a good chance that due to greed and corruption (As I also mentioned), that the Olympics will be shifted to another city. They also believe that where the Olympic Village is to be built, the Red Valley, will be ruined.

I went shortly after the announcement and they were already swinging the wrecking balls!

We'll see what happens in any case, and I do hope that it all goes right for this beautiful city.

The city's infrastructure has deteriorated considerably in the past 7 years, even while the Russian economy has boomed. So, clearly, priorities are not straight right now. The lights that they put on all the trees along the road through downtown Sochi may be very pretty to welcome the Olympic decision, but it is just cosmetic and not a sufficient substitute for building some real infrastructure.

However, the announcement of the selection of Sochi only happened this past summer and they have several years, but we know how Russians tend to procrastinate on tasks until the last minute... The Russian federal government definitely will need to get involved (as it has promised to do) if any progress is going to be accomplished in time.

Edited February 13, 2008 by Chris Parker