Siberian amputee with diabetes shares wintering tips for Sochi
While Sochi residents criticize their city, Siberians strive here as if to paradise.
A Siberian woman diagnosed with diabetes and with a prosthesis tells how to travel on a single pension and even winter in the south. This is not just a blog about surviving winter in warmth. Her online name is Angry Legless GALA. And in this bold self-irony lies her entire character. Diabetes, a prosthesis instead of a leg, a pension – in the eyes of the system, this is a list of reasons to stay home. For Gala, these are just input data with which one can and should live brightly. She is not a sugary inspirational figure. She is a practitioner. We offer you her story.
Try it once, and then it will roll on its own
— This article is for those who want to but cannot decide to head off for wintering. Because I have read many laments on this topic and recalled how I suffered back then. That was five years ago. The idea to leave Irkutsk came to me because I had a new prosthesis, and I started my journey with ten thousand rubles, but hadn«t achieved my goal yet. And winter was fast approaching! What to do? Only change the region, — so began the woman»s account.
She writes that she began studying the internet. Where in Russia there is no snow in winter. That«s Sochi and Crimea.
— If you want to wake up in a good mood, this is exactly what you need, — writes Galina, but clarified that for her first time, she chose Abkhazia for some reason.
— Ah, because I wanted to gorge on tangerines — the author ironizes.
The dream of eating a tangerine straight from the tree in Sochi for New Year is a reality.
She writes that the first time, it was very scary to decide. She had never tried such a lifestyle. She searched for the cheapest accommodation online and found «living with a family» in the center of Sukhumi, 600 rubles (about $7 at current rates) per day for one person.
The author notes that finding budget accommodation is quite realistic even in Sochi – Adler. There is a huge selection here. Of course, with her diagnosis, traveling needs to be done carefully, and also her prosthetic leg sometimes breaks, so she carries glue with her. But sitting at home is even worse. Gloomy routine kills faster than difficulties.
— Here, someone writes about diabetes and says that with such a diagnosis, it«s scary to be alone. What do I want to say? We are all adults. Responsibility is the main thing needed for wintering.
— The main thing is to try, once, a little bit. And then it will roll on its own, — advises Galina.
Siberians often view Sochi«s gentle winter months as a heavenly escape.
Tips from a seasoned «pro» on organizing things
Accommodation. If you stare at Booking – it will be expensive. I search on Avito. In Sochi/Adler there is a big choice, prices start from 10,000 rubles (about $118 at current rates) per month. The main thing is to call and negotiate! In Yalta, I also didn«t find anything cheap on websites. I called an ad with a price of 700 rubles (about $8 at current rates) per day, and we agreed on 12,000 rubles (about $141 at current rates) per month for an excellent apartment. There are many »winterers« from Siberia who live year-round, and they don»t even raise prices in summer.
Money. Seek and ye shall find.
Clearly decide what you want: the sea every day or just warmth.
Monitor accommodation and tickets in advance. This greatly saves the budget.
Cook for yourself. Eating in cafes versus home-cooked food is heaven and earth in terms of costs.
Without pretension. Wintering on a pension? You can find simple accommodation and cook simple food. Have additional income – more options. For me, for example, asphalt for walks is critical, but I can live in a modest option.
— There are many who live in the south year-round. From our Siberian regions. They don«t even raise prices in summer, I spoke with two such girls, one from Omsk, the other from Irkutsk. In general, you need to take the first step, and then everything will fall into place, — tells the author. You will succeed. Look at me, — summarized the author.
