Ryazan' and the Frozen Whispers (Seriously, It's Cold)
okay, so ryazan'. it's…a place. i ended up here because, honestly, the flight was cheap and the numbers 555312 and 1643297945 kept popping up in my head. don't ask. i'm a *digital nomad and my brain does weird things when i haven't had enough coffee.
let me tell you, it's cold. like, bone-chillingly, "questioning all life choices" cold. i just checked and it's…actively trying to become ice, apparently. The weather report said -9.31°C, but "feels like" -16.26°C. Which, let's be real, is just a fancy way of saying "you will regret wearing those cute boots." The humidity is 94%, so everything feels damp and miserable, even the vodka (which, admittedly, i haven't tried yet, but i'm considering it). The pressure is 1004, which honestly doesn't tell me anything except maybe my ears are popping.
ryazan' itself is…interesting. it's got this old-world charm, all crumbling buildings and snow-covered churches. i spent a good hour wandering around the Ryazan Kremlin, which is pretty impressive, even if my fingers were numb. Someone told me that the best place for pirozhki is near the train station, but that you have to haggle with the babushka because she thinks everyone is trying to rip her off. Apparently, she's a local legend. I also overheard someone complaining on a local forum (https://ryazan.flamp.ru/) about the potholes - apparently, they’re big enough to swallow a small car.
my apartment is…cozy. which is code for “small and slightly depressing.” the neighbors are mostly quiet, but i did hear someone practicing the accordion at 6 am this morning. it was…an experience. if you get bored, Moscow is just a train ride away, but honestly, i'm not sure i have the energy for another adventure right now.
i tried to find a decent cafe with wifi, and Yelp (https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Cafes&find_loc=Ryazan%2C+Russia) suggested “Coffee Break,” but honestly, it was just…okay. the coffee was weak, and the wifi was spotty. i ended up working from my apartment, bundled up in three sweaters and drinking copious amounts of tea*. TripAdvisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g228287-Ryazan_Ryazan_Oblast_Western_Russia-Vacations.html) says there's a good museum of space exploration, but i haven't braved the cold to check it out yet.
someone warned me about the local taxi drivers. apparently, they have a habit of "forgetting" to turn on the meter. always negotiate the price beforehand, they said, or you'll end up paying double.
honestly, ryazan' isn't exactly a tropical paradise. it's cold, it's gray, and it's a little bit depressing. but it's also…real. it's a glimpse into a different way of life, a reminder that not everything is instagram-perfect. and sometimes, that's exactly what you need. i'm thinking of checking out the local market tomorrow, if i can muster the courage to face the elements. i've also been looking at flights to warmer climates…just in case. https://www.skyscanner.com/ is my friend right now.
i overheard a couple arguing in a shop about the price of potatoes. it was surprisingly intense. apparently, potatoes are serious business here.
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