Syktyvkar, Komi Republic: A Cold Snap, a Strange Vibe, and Too Many Cats
okay so i just landed in Syktyvkar and wow it's cold. like, -19.13°C cold. feels like -26.13°C if you believe the locals, which i do because my nose just froze mid-breath. the humidity's at 92% and the pressure's sitting at 1006 hPa, which apparently means your face hurts before you even step outside. i checked the weather app and it's...well, it's there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
i'm here as a freelance photographer, which means i'm contractually obligated to pretend i love this kind of brutal cold for the 'aesthetic.' honestly, it's mostly just an excuse to buy more thermal socks. the city itself is...interesting. not gonna lie, it's not exactly on the tourist radar, but that's part of the charm. or the challenge. depends on how many layers you're wearing.
*first impressions:
- the river views are legit, even if they're mostly frozen.
- everyone here seems to own at least three cats. i'm not kidding.
- the local food scene is heavy on meat and potatoes, which is perfect if you're trying to hibernate.
i heard from a drunk guy at a bar that the best place to eat is this tiny spot called "Komi Kitchen"-apparently their pelmeni will change your life. i haven't tried it yet, but i'm trusting the drunk wisdom here. you can check it out on Yelp if you're curious.
if you get bored, Ukhta and Vorkuta are just a short drive away, though i'm not sure why you'd want to leave Syktyvkar. it's got this weird, sleepy vibe that grows on you. like a cold, cat-filled fungus.
overheard gossip:
"don't go to the old factory district at night. the cats there are...different."
i have no idea what that means, but i'm not taking any chances. also, someone told me the local museum has a secret basement full of soviet-era arcade games. i'm 90% sure that's a lie, but i'm still going to check it out.
random tip:* bring cash. like, a lot of it. card readers here are as reliable as the weather forecast.
anyway, here's a map so you can see where i am:
and because i'm a photographer, here are some pics i found on unsplash that kinda capture the vibe:
tl;dr: Syktyvkar is cold, weird, and full of cats. bring layers, cash, and a sense of adventure. or just stay home and look at these photos. your call.