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Thank God, I did not do it because it would have been stupid to have higher summer temperatures on the edge of the Volga than those of the Caribbean.
This was not the only misconception that I, a Reuters reporter – and hordes of fans who had never been there – had a stereotypical host nation for cold and cold people.
To our collective joy, edification and more than slight embarrbadment, the Russia we found was hospitable, organized, modern, leaning back to help us – and ready to party.
My duty was in Nizhny Novgorod, a "closed city" during the Soviet era, I had read in advance. It reminded me of the gray images of towers and food lines that were a staple of English media coverage during the Cold War of my childhood.
Whatever its past, this city of 1.2 million people at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers are now open and tilting.
From the airport to the stadium, pbading through the hotel and the public squares, young volunteers from local language schools were eager to show their English and spare us the phrases for a '# 39. ; & # 39 ;. Spasibo Or "Zdravstvuyte" (hello).
At the beautiful new stadium of Nizhny Novgorod, whose blue and white hues evoke water and wind, the facilities were perfect for journalists: broadband Internet, spacious offices with television In the streets, the locals were singing , danced and took selfies with armies of fans from Panama to South Korea. Often, conversations went off cheerfully via phone translation apps
'FORGET WHAT YOU HAVE FROM RUSSIA & # 39;
When Russia played in another city, the locals paraded through the streets, sang and packed in exuberant scenes the patriotism that beat all that I had seen in previous tournaments in Brazil 2014 and in South Africa 2010.
Even the dreaded English hooligans never materialized
Instead, the Three Lions fans hung their flags and boulevards, while the police quietly returned to the side streets not deployed for the troubles they had been dragged into.
Even food, sometimes ridiculed as furred and bland, was the focus of a boost, especially the ubiquitous Georgian blue cord, smoky Armenian coffees and surprisingly affordable Siberian caviar
"Forget All what you have read or thought about Russia – it's absolutely great! "said Charlie Carline, 33, a fan of England, who drank beer in the area of sunny fans next door from the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin Castle, on a hill overlooking the rivers
., stayed home for fear of a repeat of the violence of Russian-English fans seen in France during the 2016 Euros or hostile hostility in the disastrous state of political relations between London and Moscow.
Lucy Nicholson, photographer based in Los Angeles, had covered seven Olympics for Reuters but never a World Cup and was excited to see Lionel Messi and Cristiano at last Ronaldo.
"One of the most striking aspects of the World Cup in relation to the Olympics," Given this, it was surprising how much debauchery I've witnessed. I have found ordinary Russians, especially women, invariably kind and warm. .. This welcoming behavior could have been nested by pride in a national event or perhaps by the mild weather, but a large part seemed spontaneous and authentic. "
" THE MOST CLEAN CITY THAT I'VE SEEN "
Nicholson's biggest challenge was to travel between several cities – from Kaliningrad to the Baltic coast in Sochi on the Black Sea She took 14 flights in 18 days on Aeroflot and Siberia Airlines, falling asleep once in a stadium due to exhaustion.
"It was fascinating to visit parts of the Russia rarely seen by tourists, "said Nicholson." Restrictions on mbad rallies have been suspended for the World Cup, creating an unusual carnival atmosphere. "
Australian photographer Reuters David Gray was at his fourth consecutive World Cup and Samara.
differs from all the others because of one main factor – my preconceptions of what to expect, "he said, echoing at the conclusion of most Western visitors to the Cold War
. This is a very strong national pride, a pride that I find very admirable, and also the cleanest streets in the city I've ever seen, "said Gray, for whom the sound of water spray machines became as routine as that of cars
. He was also impressed by the UFO stadium in Samara.
"The songs and songs are beautifully reflected on the circular roof, and as in all the World Cups, they resound in your ears for several weeks." Of course, there will be a reality after love with Russia. It is still snowing here in other seasons, no fan fun can hide serious political problems, and critics will say that President Vladimir Putin has exploited the tournament to clean an increasingly pariah image at the same time. foreign.
Yet for the glorious summer 2018 Russia gave its best face to the World Cup – and the world smiled back.
For a photo report, click on: https://reut.rs/2KqNQQS
(Report of Andrew Cawthorne, edited by Hugh Lawson)
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