From Russia with love

If you know me, than you probably know that I was an exchange student.I've had diverse experiences in both developed and less than developed nations, and it makes me wonder what the big fuss over the Sochi Olympics is? I've seen the twitter feeds of the reporters complaining about not being able to drink the water from the tap, or not being able to flush their toilet papaer - have our reporters never traveled? What have they seen if they've never been somewhere where you'd be better off brushing your teeth with bottled water? If you've never been anywhere that you can't flush your toilet paper, much less somewhere where there isn't a toilet to flush? I mean honestly folks, if these are the people you are entrusting to provide you with a view of the world and this is shocking or newsworthy to them, you're getting your news from someone with a silver spoon in their mouth. 

The second question that comes to mind which may actually be more important than my first is why all the hate on Russia? I don't remember there being nearly as much noise about the Beijing, Vancouver, or London Olympics? And these all occurred during the age of Twitter, Facebook and Social Media as legitimate outlets for our news reporters. Maybe we just think it's funnier to slam Russia because we have memes generated from '90's comedians? Obviously it is going to be a challenge for a largely unheard of Russian city to prepare for the Olympics. Hosting the Olympics anywhere is a unique challenge I'm sure, but what is all the fuss about? I'm sure the reporters aren't being put up in the nicest hotels - I'm sure they could find something to complain about in the 1 & 2 star hotels of any Olympic city - so what's the big deal? 

Anyway, this is turning into more of a rant than I initially intended, but my points would be thus: 1. Go see the world. Don't judge it based on what you know as that is the most foolish way to judge something and the surest way to miss the beauty in a new setting. 2. Quit picking on Russia for stupid things. If you want to write an expose about human rights violations, the environmental impact of Olympic games on a whole, anything with content feel free. But save the snarky comments about how you've never had to use anything less than a western toilet connected to toilet paper safe plumbing for your Facebook page, and I'll continue not following you. 

Lastly - the Sochi mascots are so adorable! *cough* London had the ugliest mascots *cough*