The 2014 Winter Olympics start in two days. So soon, right?! Well, from the looks of it, the people responsible for getting the media accommodations ready feel the same way. As journalists from around the world descended on Russia this past week, they found hotels that were still very much under construction. And, as one might expect in this modern age of media, they took to Twitter to point out the resulting "quirks."
1. Toilets Cannot Handle Toilet Paper
People have asked me what surprised me the most here in Sochi. It's this. Without question ... it's ... THIS. pic.twitter.com/1jj05FNdCP
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 4, 2014
2. The Water May Be Unsafe
My hotel has no water. If restored, the front desk says, "do not use on your face because it contains something very dangerous." #Sochi2014
— Stacy St. Clair (@StacyStClair) February 4, 2014
Water restored, sorta. On the bright side, I now know what very dangerous face water looks like. #Sochi #unfiltered pic.twitter.com/sQWM0vYtyz
— Stacy St. Clair (@StacyStClair) February 4, 2014
3. Open Manholes
Watch your step @Sochi2014 -- I've noticed on walkway and on sidewalks that not all man holes are always covered. pic.twitter.com/a5Nv4wu5iA
— Jo-Ann Barnas (@JoAnnBarnas) February 1, 2014
4. Hotel Employees Entering Guests' Rooms
Some journalists are returning to their rooms to find the doors conspicuously open. Nothing has been stolen, but this seems like the sort of thing that should be dealt with before guests arrive.
Update from #Sochi2014 barracks: Arrived back at my room and found door like this: (Clue: I didn't leave it that way) pic.twitter.com/ey5tacsMqc
— Bonnie D. Ford (@Bonnie_D_Ford) February 4, 2014
5. Lightbulbs Are Scarce
Reports of rooms missing light bulbs are met with one journalist offering up some of his supply ... in exchange for other necessities.
6. and 7. Water Main Breaks and Power Outages
First a water main break now the power has gone lout in our hotel #Sochi pic.twitter.com/AQrVsXcaMU
— Joy Malbon (@JoyCTV) February 4, 2014
8. Room Reservations Missing
Many media folk are arriving in Russia only to find that there isn't a room waiting for them, or if there is, it may have been double-booked and someone else has already claimed it.
CNN booked 11 rooms in one @Sochi2014 media hotel five months ago. We have been here for a day and only one room is available. #cnnsochi
— Harry Reekie (@HarryESPN) February 4, 2014
9. No Hot Water
Miss you, hot water in my hotel. You were great.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) February 4, 2014
10. General Dilapidation
Ok, so my hotel doesn't have a lobby yet.
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) February 4, 2014
Made new pal from La Presse as we struggled to find hotel. When we got to our (temporary) rooms his doorknob came off in hand #roadtosochi
— katiebakes (@katiebakes) February 4, 2014
This is the one hotel room @Sochi2014 have given us so far. Shambles. #cnnsochi pic.twitter.com/RTjEkmyan3
— Harry Reekie (@HarryESPN) February 4, 2014
Hopefully, when the games begin on Friday, the trip will be made more than worthwhile, even if every modern luxury doesn't get worked out in time.