We mean that quite literally: there are still unpaved roads in and around the Olympic Village and Park, according to journalists stationed to cover the upcoming games.
Nicknamed the 'Russian Riveria' for its mild climate and location next to the Black Sea, Sochi has a history as a resort town — but has never hosted an event on such an international scale. That may be why Russia has poured over 51 billion dollars into funding the project, making it the most expensive Olympic games ever, the Washington Post reports.
Russia hasn't exactly had the easiest time setting up, either, with the international backlash it's faced for its laws against the LGBT community, controversial policy on killing stray dogs, and security threats from insurgents in nearby regions.
Construction for the athletes' quarters has long finished, but the hotels set aside for members of the media are a different story. Roughly 97 per cent of the hotel construction is finished, according to Business Insider, but photos posted on Twitter over the last few days suggest that the term "finished" might mean something different in Sochi. Here are some of the highlights:
The bartering system is still alive and well in Sochi.
To anyone in Sochi: I am now in possession of three light bulbs. Will trade for a door handle. This offer is real: pic.twitter.com/7AeesqDi8Y
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) February 4, 2014And we know just the guy...
Ok, doorknob karma. My apologies, Sochi. pic.twitter.com/OBV8cR3uDA
— Barry Petchesky (@barryap1) February 4, 2014...Just don't expect to score any trades with light fixtures.
Late to the party but this light fixture crashed a foot from my bed on second night in #Sochi media hotel. pic.twitter.com/rhuchVmy3i
— Vicki Hall (@vickihallch) February 5, 2014Water is a scare commodity.
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, 2014Well, clean water is a scare commodity.
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, 2014Gin, however, seems to be plentiful.
Went to buy water, realised at last minute was big plastic bottle of gin. Then got accosted by 3-legged dog. #Sochi pic.twitter.com/RbP2GqnXUK
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) February 4, 2014Toilets are a bit complicated...
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...Okay, make that very complicated.
I'm no plumber, but I don't believe these urinals in the hotel lobby have any pipes. #Sochi #peedinitanyway pic.twitter.com/OxoXpDvC5x
— Dave Sheinin (@DaveSheinin) February 5, 2014C'mon, it's like you're not even trying!
Faster, higher, shittier. #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/mtVbYkBmbw
— Nika Starshinova (@NikaKozy) February 4, 2014Maybe they were too busy installing the curtains.
This is the one hotel room @Sochi2014 have given us so far. Shambles. #cnnsochi pic.twitter.com/RTjEkmyan3
— Harry Reekie (@HarryCNN) February 4, 2014But hey, at least they've got their priorities in order, right?
The reception of our hotel in #Sochi has no floor. But it does have this welcoming picture. pic.twitter.com/8isdoBuytl
— Kevin Bishop (@bishopk) February 4, 2014On the bright side, we hear the washrooms are very safe.
Wondered why my #sochi2014 hotel room had a fire hose. Safest #Olympics yet? http://t.co/B16J5MiF4l pic.twitter.com/Pi3pXZ0Xjw
— Kathy Lally (@LallyKathy) February 2, 2014Access to wireless internet has also been an issue, and when it isn't, well:
#sochi good news , I have Internet , bad news, it's dangling from the ceiling in my room... pic.twitter.com/WPp560Nr5c
— Simon Stanleigh (@Stanleigh77) February 2, 2014And that's assuming there's still power in your room.
First a water main break now the power has gone lout in our hotel #Sochi pic.twitter.com/AQrVsXcaMU
— Joy Malbon (@JoyCTV) February 4, 2014But remember, Rome wasn't built in a day — and neither was this hotel gym.
Spa and fitness center at Gorki Grand hotel...you get in shape by putting it together? pic.twitter.com/jqqOCP9Wt5
— Chris Dufresne (@DufresneLATimes) February 5, 2014Or this bedroom, for that matter.
Już wiem co się może dziać z moim pokojem ;) pic.twitter.com/Vx0JZ1O0F1
— Kamil Wolnicki (@KamilWolnicki) February 5, 2014The situation wasn't much better for construction workers like Johnnie Balfour, a snowboard and ski cross course builder. In January, the Vancouver resident railed against the living conditions he faced while working in Sochi before packing up and heading home early.
In his blog, Balfour said his bathroom had no hot water, the toilet flushed muddy water, and the water was brown and undrinkable. Sounds kind of familiar, no?
With Files From Jesse Ferreras