Vlada went on a trip to Russia in the fall of 2023. Source: provided by the heroine of the material. Everyone, at least once in their life, has dreamed of leaving their office job, switching to remote work and traveling the world. Sun, sea, comfortable shoes on your feet, a backpack on your back and a laptop – everything you need for an ideal life, similar to the one broadcast by business coaches on social networks. Yaroslavl journalist Vlada Krasotkina made the dream come true. She graduated from university, got a remote job and traveled around Russia, taking the train. Luxury hotels, restaurants with Michelin stars, commercial flights – this is not about our heroine. Vlada chose the path of budget and active recreation. She finds places where guides don’t take tourists. These places are not described in guidebooks. Our Yaroslavl colleagues from 76.RU collect Vlada’s travel notes with life hacks for traveling around Russia in the story “I traveled around Russia.” This column contains her honest story about winter in Sochi. Next – from the first person, Vlada has been traveling around Russia since September 2023. Source: provided by the heroine of the material After the cold Urals, I decided to go to Sochi for the winter. It was a great idea for a man who had only seen winter in his 22 years of winter. To be on a sunny, warm January day when you can go outside in a leather jacket and sneakers without having to layer a sweater and a thick jacket is, of course, something incredible. I went south in November 2023. Adler for life is one of four districts of Sochi, approximately 30 kilometers from the center. The climate became one of the fundamental factors by which I decided on my place of residence during the cold period of Central Russia. When it’s hot outside, there are more opportunities for recreation. After work, I have the strength and motivation to take a walk along the coast, run somewhere in the mountains on the weekends, or go see waterfalls. In general, there are many options. Many routes are accessible all year round. The climate allows you to walk endlessly. This is exactly what I did during the months of living in Sochi. In her travels, Vlada chooses active entertainment. For a walk, she often chose not the most touristy places, but adventures are almost always guaranteed 1 of 3 In her travels, Vlada prefers an active lifestyle. entertainment.Source: provided by the heroine of the material.Uninhabited places almost led me to death. I visited Mount Akhun – this is one of the most famous places in Sochi. There are two ways to get there: by road and through the forest. Of course I chose the second option. I climbed the mountain and walked along the top. I also went back. I thought, “Why should I call a taxi? I can walk seven kilometers through the forest on a path alone. Somehow I climbed in on my own!” My confidence immediately disappeared when I felt someone walking behind me and sniffing. It was probably a bear. I didn’t dare turn around because I was scared. Luckily, a man stopped on the road and took me to the bus stop. When I returned home, my friends told me: “Vlad, think about it, they saw a bear there on Akhun.” “Yes, I think I’ve met him,” I thought. As local residents later told me, bears are frequent guests in the Sochi forests. So we can say that the kind person who gave me a ride to the bus stop saved my life. Since then I have developed a fear – I am afraid to walk alone in the forest. I think it’s worth consulting with foresters on how to effectively protect yourself from animals. Knowledge will help me somehow protect myself if something happens. Advantages and disadvantages of living in Sochi In total, I lived in Adler for four months: from November 2023 to January 2024. The first thing I would like to note is that southern people are very different. from residents of the Central Federal District. They are open, talkative, responsive, loud, laughing – in a good way. The men there take good care of the girls. Contrary to stereotypes about locals who dishonestly make money by deceiving tourists, I was very lucky with people, I found my soul mate. Of the minuses: the service sector is very lame. Despite the fact that there are many beauty salons in Sochi, the quality of procedures there is low. There are difficulties in the health care system; there are few good doctors. I had serious health problems. I searched for a doctor for a long time and consulted with various specialists, including in paid clinics. In the end, none of them could help me. Moreover, everything in Sochi is very expensive, especially in tourist areas. For comparison, I was in the Caucasus in North Ossetia. There, for example, entrance to the National Park costs 100 rubles, in Sochi – 300 rubles, skiing to the top of Tsey – 600 rubles in Ossetia, and on Rosa Khutor climbing to the same height – 2300 meters – costs 2400 rubles. The difference in quantities is noticeable. Landscapes more reminiscent of movie stills are everywhere in Sochi. Hanging clothes outside adds color to residential yards. Is this really Russia? 1 of 3 Landscapes that are more reminiscent of movie stills are everywhere in Sochi Source: provided by the heroine of the material If you are like me, If you plan to live in Sochi for a long time, it is worth considering that traffic jams here are no less than in Moscow during rush hour. Therefore, it is better not to go there by car. It is much more convenient to travel by public transport. This leads to another advantage of living in Sochi. In the summer of 2023, my friends and I were on vacation in Novorossiysk, and the following scheme works with buses there: wherever you wave to the driver, there is a stop, in a word, there are no rules or structure in the operation of buses. But in Sochi there are no problems with this. Transport runs everywhere, on schedule and always on time. There are roads to all attractions. Even if you don’t understand the number of routes, the cars have convenient signs that are easy to navigate. “It is clear that they care about the city and care about the comfortable life of local residents and tourists, the roads are being repaired” Vlada Krasotkina, traveler. As for the service in tourist areas, everything here works as smoothly as clockwork. You don’t have to wait anywhere. Everything is displayed everywhere and runs quickly. In general, the tourist part there is 10 out of 10. Everything is close, open, warm and atmospheric. I lived in a resort town on the seashore. I really enjoyed being able to go outside and find a nearby market with fresh produce. To the right of the house they were selling persimmons, to the left – Abkhazian sauces. Bread was baked here, and every Friday at nine in the morning the women shouted: “Milk!” – a special car arrived, as if from an advertisement. Fresh pastries and natural fruits are what makes it worth going to the south. Source: provided by the heroine of the material. I liked that the city and all amenities are nearby. . , and I was surrounded by such a rural identity. Armenians serve wine and play backgammon on every corner. It’s amazing how local identity blends with modernity. Yes, the quality of medical care is not very high, but the transport is excellent, and the special services respond quickly to emergencies. Basic things that are lame in big cities, on the contrary, are well developed in Sochi. And another note to girls: the sea air is magnificent. During the few months that I lived in Adler, my hair grew back and my skin became smoother. In general, the south is good. Is life by the sea romantic? You quickly get used to the sea. Source: provided by the heroine of the material. The southern climate is very relaxing. You become less productive at work, more in a state of, as they say, “relax, relax.” This is what I needed to get my brain to slow down a little, stop worrying too much and relax. Life at sea is truly romantic. During the first month, every evening after work I walked along the embankment, enjoyed the natural scenery, listened to music – everything was as it should be. Sugar mountain peaks, when they are already dusted with snow, purple burning sunsets, caressing waves, pebbles – it is impossible not to succumb to the sea romance of a person who does not live by the sea. But not everything lasts forever. Over time, a person begins to get used to everything. During the second month of living there, I came to my senses and calmed down. Yes, the sea is magnificent, but that’s all. There was even a moment when I thought: “Lord, the sea. Well, the sea, what then? In fact, this is how the locals live. Everything that surprises and attracts us, visitors from Central Russia – the sea, mountains, sun, palm trees – is ordinary for them. Need a break from travel After six months of traveling around the country, I returned to Yaroslavl. The only thing I want now is to spend time with my family. I need to meet my family, my friends, everyone I haven’t seen since last fall. I don’t know how long I’ll stay at home, but I’ll think about my next travel destination when I no longer have the need to communicate with loved ones. Travel fills you up and gives you the opportunity to rethink your life. The best things in this world, in my opinion, are collected on the road and wanderings. But even from them I need a break. I don’t know exactly where I will go after a short break. I choose between Karelia and the eastern regions of the country – for example, Vladivostok. The first chapter of my journey has been completed, for six months now I have been exploring the corners of our great and vast land, I will repack my suitcase and thoughts and then I will hit the road. Definitely. I dream of avoiding this horror of roads, ice and slush in the winter season; in winter I would not go anywhere. I love this season. And what would New Year be without snow? My job doesn’t allow me to carry out my duties far away, so I dream about wintering in another city. I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it. I’ll write my opinion. in comments.
the traveler spoke about the pros and cons of wintering in the Krasnodar region – March 28, 2024 – Russia today
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