The Olympic opening ceremonies begin Friday, and we will certainly see the spectacle that is the Olympiad.
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| Not what it's cracked up to be... |
Everything will be glossed over and shiny and look magnificent. But don't judge the book by its cover.
Unfortunately for President Putin and the Sochi Olympic officials, we live in the age of social media. Many have said Putin is using the Sochi Olympics to show the Western world how advanced Russia truly is, but reports via Twitter and other social media outlets tell the opposite story.
Journalists are Tweeting private thoughts and pictures as they work on "official" stories. And what is being revealed behind that glossy Olympic curtain is ugly.
The newest story today is the Olympic Village simply does not have enough pillows for the athletes. Much of the Village does not have hot water, and overall, the plumbing system is abysmal.
I must emphasize that the pictures below are not doctored or Photoshopped. These come from direct Twitter feeds from the Olympic Village in Sochi.
The Russian government spent $51 billion on these Olympic games, which is the most expensive Olympic games in history. But as one journalist said yesterday, "I have three spare light bulbs in my room, but I don't have a door handle. I am open to barter."
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| A hotel toilet. Look closely. |
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| This is the water, straight from the tap. It is also said it has a "foul smell." I'm guessing plenty of vodka will be consumed. |
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| One desk clerk told a journalist, "If you get hot water, do not use it on your face." I think I'd take their word for it. |
The bathroom situation is, perhaps, just a misunderstanding of cultures. Although one journalist said, "There is a theme here. If it's yellow let it mellow. If it's brown, it goes in a bucket."
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| But maybe they will repair it some times, though? |
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| Hotel bathrooms. His and hers, perhaps? The shiny garbage can is where your used toilet paper goes. At least it has a cover to keep the stench in. |
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| Perhaps a new spectator sport at the Olympics? One athlete called it a "team building exercise!" |
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| Toilet rules in Sochi. No fishing and no doing what that dude is doing in the lower right corner. What is he doing? |
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| At least there are urinals. Except there is that running water thing... oh well, just details. |
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| The foyer of a Canadian journalist's apartment complex. In his Tweet, he said, "I think a lot of rooms are missing coat racks. Or you are supposed to pick one up on your way by." |
You would think the Olympic games would have assured slightly better translations... you know, being international and all.
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| I will skip the liver pancakes, but I would love "Language in the test" with a side of bacon, please. |
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| Well, they say it's good for your skin, right? |
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Don't ask me what it means. |
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| This journalist Tweeted, "My hotel doesn't have a lobby yet, but at least they have the room decor spot on." Vladimir Putin isn't a megalomaniac or anything, right? |
So when you watch the opening ceremonies Friday evening, which I am sure will be fantastic, don't forget that things are not what they appear to be.
Not even close.
