Transportation. It is a necessity in any country. The need to get from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time, preferably without dying.
Here in Krasnodar there are roughly 4 modes of transportation. I thought I'd just put my thoughts on the subject up for any of you who may be visiting Krasnodar in the near future.
1. Bus/Trolleybus: These are your standard trolley buses, running regular routes all over the city. These will cost you about 10 rubles to ride, and are pretty reliable, except the engines are probably older than many of its passengers and to ride it means it's so loud you will probably not be able to hear yourself think, between the conversation of other passengers and the knocking of the engine as you tear down the streets.
2. Marchutka. There really is no equivalent translation into English for these things. On the outward appearance most of them are old VW vans or mini-buses that zoom around town on pretty much the same route as the trollies, but they can go faster... However, there is no limit to how many people can be on at the same time, and if you run out of seats, you just have to cram in tighter, with people standing in between the seats and practically sitting in your lap. When you see your stop going by, you have to yell at the driver (past about the dozen bodies between you and him) for him to stop. 9 times out of 10, he will pretend not to hear you, because he'd rather not stop and waste time getting passengers on and off the bus... (don't ask me to explain that logic). If on the odd chance he does stop in time or at all, passengers have to disembark to make room for you to finally get off. Or, more likely, you have to squeeze your way out at the same time others are trying to get in. Maybe there's a reason we don't have these in America....
3. Trams.The trams are about the equivalent to the subway system in other towns, but in Krasnodar it is all above ground and only has a limited number of stations in the city. Like most public transportation in Krasnodar, it is outdated, overworked, under-maintained, and overused. Not to mention unclean. But people still wait in lines to use it, as it is the cheapest way to travel. But there's a reason for that.
If you are thoroughly afraid now of public transportation here in Krasnodar, and you're willing to spend the extra cash, plus have a constitution of iron, I'd reccomend
4. Getting a Taxi. Based on the way that they drive, I've come to the conclusion that these guys are former tank drivers/ ex-Russian army truck drivers who have failed to notice that they are now driving unarmored vehicles. The roads are littered with people who have openly bribed their way into a driver's license, and the taxis are right in the thick of it, picking people up, and dropping them off wherever they need to go.The upside is these guys apparently have GPS built into their heads and can get you just about anywhere in Krasnodar for 150-200 rubles.
Have I mentioned how much I love walking? :D
No really, where in America can you say that stepping out your door to go to the supermarket is a head-to-head Mexican-stand off with Death? It's great and I enjoy the adventure. Thanks everybody.
Do Svidanya, my friends.
Here in Krasnodar there are roughly 4 modes of transportation. I thought I'd just put my thoughts on the subject up for any of you who may be visiting Krasnodar in the near future.
1. Bus/Trolleybus: These are your standard trolley buses, running regular routes all over the city. These will cost you about 10 rubles to ride, and are pretty reliable, except the engines are probably older than many of its passengers and to ride it means it's so loud you will probably not be able to hear yourself think, between the conversation of other passengers and the knocking of the engine as you tear down the streets.
2. Marchutka. There really is no equivalent translation into English for these things. On the outward appearance most of them are old VW vans or mini-buses that zoom around town on pretty much the same route as the trollies, but they can go faster... However, there is no limit to how many people can be on at the same time, and if you run out of seats, you just have to cram in tighter, with people standing in between the seats and practically sitting in your lap. When you see your stop going by, you have to yell at the driver (past about the dozen bodies between you and him) for him to stop. 9 times out of 10, he will pretend not to hear you, because he'd rather not stop and waste time getting passengers on and off the bus... (don't ask me to explain that logic). If on the odd chance he does stop in time or at all, passengers have to disembark to make room for you to finally get off. Or, more likely, you have to squeeze your way out at the same time others are trying to get in. Maybe there's a reason we don't have these in America....
3. Trams.The trams are about the equivalent to the subway system in other towns, but in Krasnodar it is all above ground and only has a limited number of stations in the city. Like most public transportation in Krasnodar, it is outdated, overworked, under-maintained, and overused. Not to mention unclean. But people still wait in lines to use it, as it is the cheapest way to travel. But there's a reason for that.
If you are thoroughly afraid now of public transportation here in Krasnodar, and you're willing to spend the extra cash, plus have a constitution of iron, I'd reccomend
4. Getting a Taxi. Based on the way that they drive, I've come to the conclusion that these guys are former tank drivers/ ex-Russian army truck drivers who have failed to notice that they are now driving unarmored vehicles. The roads are littered with people who have openly bribed their way into a driver's license, and the taxis are right in the thick of it, picking people up, and dropping them off wherever they need to go.The upside is these guys apparently have GPS built into their heads and can get you just about anywhere in Krasnodar for 150-200 rubles.
Have I mentioned how much I love walking? :D
No really, where in America can you say that stepping out your door to go to the supermarket is a head-to-head Mexican-stand off with Death? It's great and I enjoy the adventure. Thanks everybody.
Do Svidanya, my friends.
Sarcasm! :)
ReplyDeleteI like your way of thinking!
I really hope you acquired an international health policy for while you are there, or at least upped your life insurance :P
ReplyDeleteInsurance doesn't work in Russia well... :) Only friends can be your insurance :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I like the new stylw of blog, awesome!