Hockey Championship and Other Stories

Only approximately 3 weeks left and the Championship starts. Yet again I have to feel like a time traveller. We are moving forward time. Although I do believe that this country has its charm and is underestimated, but change has its advantages (and disadvantages). This is quite a unique chance for Belarus to lay their hands on some foreign capital. I do hope that the tourists that come here will take their time to look around, and then will spread the word, so that other tourists would come as well. The people deserve it. The traditional Belarusian people are lovely.

Change № 1: BELTELECOM, the Wi-Fi service provider I use, made its service available in English, German and French as well. Smart move. Plus, from now on I can use the Wi-Fi in my room as well, since several additional modems have been set up all around the dormitory.

Change № 2: They announce the stations on the metro in English well. I have not been lucky enough yet to hear it, due to the fact that I hardly use any means of public transport here, but I’ll definitely ride once just so that I could listen to it. I wonder which name they announce: the Belarusian or the Russian version.

Another interesting observation here: on our way home from the university we saw a nice sign in front of a policlinic: “Dear tourists and participants of the Hockey World Championship. Here you can take advantage of our high-quality dental service.”

Change № 3: Inflation.

The prices gradually crawl up. You cannot hear many dissatisfactory comments, but the locals are definitely not happy about it. The government wants to use its chance to squeeze as much money out of the visiting hockey fans as possible. Again, smart.

Just some figures:

§  February: 1 USD= 9560 BYR

§  March: 1 USD= 9800 BYR

§  As of 11 April: 1 USD= 9900 BYR

Rumour has it that devaluation will follow. To be precise, it is already a fact, but the exact date is yet unknown.

Miscellaneous…

Surprise № 1: Snow on 10 April

My official record.

Surprise № 2: origin of certain English words

I was searching for something in my Encyclopædia Britannica, when I found the following passage: “...By the late 9th century the Hungarians had entered their present location, subjugating the resident Slavs and Huns there. Until they were checked a half century later, the Hungarians were the scourge of Europe, raiding as far afield as Bremen, Orléans, and Constantinople (the English word OGRE [stress added by me, Roni], a corruption of “Hungar,” attests to their notoriety).”

Did you know?

The building I forgot to introduce: The National Library

I have been there for the first time approximately 2 weeks ago. However I have already seen it on my way from the airport, since it just strikes the eye. The correct term for the shape of the building is rhombicuboctahedron (basically: diamond-shape). One cannot help but notice this enormous site. I have to return once in the night, because it is splendidly illuminated. So far I have only seen it on pictures.

The inside is really pleasant; the designers did a great job: it couldn’t look more modern. The best part of the building though, that it has an observation place on the top, and it is possible to go up there for around 1 EUR. In exchange you get a great view of the city. It is open until 11 PM, so it must be very romantic in the night.