How does it feel when visiting Sochi Russia and its surroundings?
One’s impression of Sochi depends to a large degree on which areas you visit. Sochi stretches over 100 kilometers along the Black Sea coast, so there are many towns included in this general area, and you will get contrasting impressions from visiting them.If you stay on the main highways and visit the newly constructed areas, the impression will be very positive. The new highways, bridges and tunnels constructed ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics are very high quality and look amazing. So do the resort areas in Adler and Krasnaya Polyana that were also built for the Olympics. The beaches are clean, the mountain views are breathtaking, and the city planning is quite nice and feels like a European resort. There are a few maintenance issues here and there, but overall it’s a great place.If you go to Sochi proper or the “old Sochi,” as some people call it, you will get a different impression. There is a few large expensive hotels and nice apartment buildings around, but for the most part it feels like it did in the Soviet Union or the 1990s, and the crowd there is of a rougher kind. The beaches are overcrowded and pretty dirty, the public areas feel somewhat chaotic with all kinds of random street shops and businesses, and the construction lacks any sort of harmony.Below are a few images of the nicer areas of Sochi in Adler and Krasnaya Polyana, which I would highly recommend as tourist destinations.
Will Russia allow real protests at Sochi?
They will allow real protests in Sochi. Actually, they already issued a ruling that after notifying the authorities, and the review process the permission to carry out a protest might be released. It might be released. It might not be released. It all depends on the decision of the local authorities in Sochi, and they may decide whatever they like, literally because there is no and have never been a legislative framework for getting a permission to carry out a protest in Sochi. Even if the potential protesters comply with all the rules of the application process they might not get the permission. Or they might. It all depends on the local authorities in Sochi. This is a problem of power abuse. The article below is about the lift of the ban on protests:Putin lifts ban on protests at Sochi Olympics, orders area specially for ralliesAnother thing to consider is that specific area for rallies. It is 15 kilometers away from the Olympic village and media center, so majority of people won't even know there is a protest going on unless they see it on the news. It is a natural decision to move the protest away from the stadiums because Olympics are not about watching protests that are trashing a country's political environment, although, it is an issue that needs to be addressed. Olympics are about giving the host country and city the benefit of the doubt in hope that a major change for the better is going to take place after the host is exposed to the international community. Thus, I am for protests that raise awareness, but at the same time I understand the authority's decision to move those protest away from the Olympic village.
Why did Russia only get to enter one male figure skater into competition in Sochi?
Qualification to the Olympics is based on the results at previous year's World Championships and a qualifying event for remaining unallocated slots (for the Sochi Olympics, this was the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy).Three entries: If a country has two or three competitors at the World Championships, the sum of the top two best skaters' placements have to be less than or equal to 13. If a country only has one competitor, he/she must place first or second.For example, Yuna Kim was the only skater at the 2013 Olympics and she won, so she was able to bring two other Korean skaters to the Olympics. Two entries: Top two skaters' placements have to be between 14 and 28. If only one skater was entered, they must be in the top 10. One entry: If a country has sent any number of skaters to Worlds and did not earn two or three spots, they will get one spot.If a skater fails to qualify for the free skate, their placement will be 28 regardless of their placement in the short program. There are additional rules, like if a skater pulls out after the short program but was top 10 after the short, that country will count as having one fewer entry. For all other countries that did not have a competitor at Worlds, placements at the qualifying event determine the rest of the spots. Countries can fail to send anyone to worlds if no skater from that country meet the required Technical Elements Score at any ISU-sanctioned event prior to Worlds. In this case, Maxim Kovtun placed 17th and so earned his country one spot.
Why did Russia choose Sochi instead of some other city when making its Olympic bid?
Interesting question, considering that the traditional skiing resorts are located on another side of Caucus: check Dombay, Karachay-Cherkess Republic, which was a skiing resort since 1960s. It is not too cold, or too remote, or too flat.I can think of two reasons:A geo-political decision to develop Sochi and relevant infrastructure, due to proximity to Abkhazia and access to Black Sea. Olympics just a good excuseDifficulty in securing any place in North CaucusHowever there could be some fringe reasons:Putin likes Sochi, already has his dacha thereSome ultra-rich Russians like staying on their yachts. You cannot moor a yacht on North CaucusIf you put so much money into something, you might as well develop a place you can also use in summer.Excuse to get involved in Abkhazia. They built a major resort and sports center within 5 miles (!!!!!) from the border of that breakaway republic. Now, if Georgia decides to muscle Abkhazia back in, Russia will have an excuse to roll in and "restore order".
Why don’t more Russians move to the warmer part of Russia? Like to Sochi?
In fact, Russians increasingly move to warmer parts. Many of us move overseas—almost all of the habitable land mass outside Russia has milder weather than most of Russia—but many more trek to more hospitable places inside Russia.Greater Moscow is a favorite, but St. Petersburg is also popular. Some provinces closer to Europe are popular destinations, too, including the former East Prussia and areas along the Ukrainian border. Also, President Putin’s decision to make the Olympic town of Sochi his winter residence, and a “winter capital of the country” made the Black sea region of Krasnodar Krai a considerable growth area.This process is however hampered by a few powerful factors:Clan mentality, deeply rooted in the Russian civilization. Our highest loyalty is not to Christ or the Motherland, but to a close circle of friends and family who constitute our safety net and help us out of whatever may happen, no matter the cost. Few people dare to abandon this for an uncertain life someplace warmer and richer, but where we know no one who can give us a helping hand.Many brave souls prepared to up stick and plunge into the big hostile world from the deep end, often go straight overseas. Educated brains, visionary talents, dazzling Slav beauties, foxy gold diggers — why should they waste the best years of their lives in some Eurasian backwaters, when the whole world can be their oyster? First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin!Russian civilization is extremely Moscow-centric. Even Putin’s buddy oligarchs, almost all hailing from St Petersburg, all became Moscow residents. As the Russian meme goes, “there’s no life beyond the MKAD”. MKAD is the name of the beltroad around Moscow, circling around 1,000 sq km inside it. In Russia, if you are rich, but don’t have a residence in Moscow, or in some walled-off compound right outside, you must be a fraud.This is reflected in relatively few employment opportunities outside Moscow and a few other centers of civilization. If you don’t want to be a checkout lady in a grocery store, or a security guard, you better have a friend who can find you something cushier, for example in the police or the tax inspection. If not, you better head for Moscow or to the lands of heavenly petroleum bliss. This is where smart newcomers start climbing up the ladder.The migration map below is relatively old, but the trends is shows sustain. Deeper blue color shows population attrition, darker brown population gains:
What are the best activities to do with children when visiting Sochi, Russia?
Sochi is a great place for family vacations. While you enjoy the serenity of the city, the children can opt for so many fun activities the city has to offer! You can get a fully customised tour for your Sochi stay here Sochi Highlights - TourPeer.Here are some places :Olympic Park : The Olympic Park would not only educate the children about sports, but also make their experience fun and memorable. The park has an ice skating rink, ferris wheel, extreme park for skateboarding, ornithological park and so much more. And, do not miss out on the spectacular singing fountain show that happens every evening. Worth a watch!Rosa Khatur : Rosa Khatur is the highest and largest Ski resort in Sochi. You will be happily surprised by the skis and snowboards you see there. From amateurs to professionals, all eying for the breathtaking view from the Rosa peak. Your children can join a kid’s club there and learn how to ski and snowboard. There are professional instructors on a specially designated children’s slope, so safety is ensured.Riviera Park of Culture and Leisure: Your children will love the Riviera Park of Culture and Leisure for sure. The park includes various art galleries, carnival rides, an old-fashioned Ferris wheel, and an aquarium with a live dolphin show. The area is divided into five zones, The Trade Alley, designed to resemble a Russian festival trade fair, The Land of Warriors that has a pavilion of physical games, The Charmed Forest with amusing rides and free falling, The Land of Science and Fantasy with unusual futuristic playgrounds, and The Eco Village with rides for small children, and a water playground.Still confused ? Feel free to message me or visit TourPeer: Unique tours and experiences offered by locals.