Yekaterinburg's Frozen Heart: A Botanist's Cold-Weather Wanderings

the air here is so crisp it makes your lungs sing a frosty tune. i just checked and it's... there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the thermometer's having a meltdown, or maybe it's just me. if you get bored, nearby towns are just a stone's throw away. someone told me the local park has a hidden trail, but only if you know the secret handshake. i heard that the coffee here tastes like burnt socks, but maybe that's just the cold talking.

*gear list for surviving this weather:
- thermal underwear (mandatory)
- a hat that looks like a squirrel's nest
- gloves that double as mittens
- a scarf that could strangle a polar bear

pro-tip: if you're feeling adventurous, try the "ice hotel" tour. it's like sleeping in a fridge made of snow.

local gossip: the bakery on lenina street supposedly has the best pirozhki in town, but only if you don't mind the owner's cat judging your life choices.

reviews: yelp says the park is "beautiful but freezing," which is like saying water is wet.

map:

images:

tags*: travel, yekaterinburg, botanist, cold, messy

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