Siberia Russia Part 5 Khabarovsk and a Little Russian
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Destinations.
Siberia, Russia Part 5: Khabarovsk and a Hint of Russian
In this ongoing series detailing my journey from San Diego to Chita, Siberia to become a professor at Chita State Technical University, we next find ourselves outside the airport in Khabarovsk, Russia.
Discovering Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk is a captivating city boasting museums that feature works by Picasso, Rembrandt, and other masters. Its bustling downtown is alive with cafes, vibrant music, and stunning architecture. However, our priorities were elsewhere?"locating a hotel with hot water took precedence for our travel-weary selves.
Upon exiting the airport, we were puzzled by the apparent absence of taxis. It quickly became clear that nearly any Russian with a car doubles as a taxi driver. After some hesitation, Grae arranged a ride, and we were soon on our way. Noticing our tired appearance after three days of travel, our driver recommended the Intourist hotel, and we gladly accepted.
During the Soviet era, Intourist hotels were designed exclusively for foreigners. Ours was quite comfortable and, most importantly, offered showers with abundant hot water?"a luxury we eagerly embraced. After one of the most refreshing showers of my life, I turned my attention to polishing my Russian skills.
A Language Challenge
I'm an avid ice hockey fan and have admired Russian players since the eighties and nineties. Many of them learned English by watching TV, so I thought a similar approach might work for me. It didn’t quite go as planned.
While Grae was showering, I flipped through the eight available TV channels. Sitcoms were out of the question, but a news channel caught my eye. Despite recognizing the images and hearing the reporters' voices, I struggled to match words with scenes. Determined, I focused on common words, but the rapid speech left me bewildered. After 30 minutes, I learned absolutely nothing. My admiration for Russian NHL players soared.
Wrapping Up
Exhausted, I decided to call it a night. Day three of our journey had finally ended. My initial two-day travel prediction was long abandoned. Still, with the vastness of Russia?"a country twice the size of the U.S.?"our adventure continued.
Stay tuned for the next part: When Stairs Attack.
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