Welcome to Vladivostok!

When we arrived at out hotel I was quite despondent. Our room smelt terribly, I was tired and hungry.
I now however feel great, more upset that I’m running out of time to upload goodies to share than anything else.

Today was very photo intensive, so I’ve actually uploaded them here rather than clog up the arteries of our blog. There are comments below each photo to explain a bit about what was going on:

https://picasaweb.google.com/twomagadan/20120624?authkey=Gv1sRgCMmX2MWo9o6NtwE

I’m certainly not a violent person by any means. Surprisingly however, I have an immediate stream of violent flash-forwards, any of which I would be happy to execute on the person cutting in line. At customs Cassie and I were becoming increasingly separated people cutting in line between us. One rude lady, without hesitation or explanation, cut in front of me at customs, followed by another young man who seemed to work for the airport. Obviously the lady didn’t rouse this violent streak, but the several excruciatingly rude male Asian tourists at the hotel reception certainly did.
It’s difficult to describe these people’s persona, but it fell somewhere between demanding and childish. They were relentless in their disrespect for us, our line position or even the fact the receptionists were talking to other people. They would place their room number voucher down, sometimes not even unfolded, whilst tapping and pointing at the slip of paper. The ladies were either dealing with us, or on the telephone, but that didn’t seem to worry these indecent individuals. The staff’s resentment of these individuals was palpable and their only recourse was a smile.

One alternate way to look at it… perhaps it’s not rude in these cultures to push. We, after all are the outsiders. But when in Rome… must you do what the Romans do? I’d rather not push!

Do I dare draw any distinctions between Incheon and Vladivostok? Here are two:

Music the airport shuttle for slow/disabled people:
Sydney – Annoying buzzer sound.
Incheon – A soft melody of ‘Green Sleeves’
Vladivostok – There is no shuttle. You crawl.

Number of screws and door hinges:
Sydney – three hinges, three screws each
Incheon – three hinges, three screws each
Vladivostok – two hinges, one screw each

Safety crew for road works on multi-lane highway:
Incheon – Long strips of flashing lights, multiple strobes, 40kph speed limits.
Sydney – Huge lead up of signs and speed reductions 80Km/h, 60 then 40. Stop/go man, flashing lights
Vladivostok – A single old road cone outta’ do it. That, or just a 1ft high block of concrete in the middle of the road.

I could go on, but they are too hilarious to mention. Finishing with man-hole covers. Who needs them!? No! a gaping hole in the footpath is plenty safe!

PS. Wait… Cassie just had to re make the bed because the top sheet was just sitting there. In place, but not installed.

PPS. Wait… there is a smoke detector in our room… and two ash trays. Something tells me ‘that ain’t right’.