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Ufa

Location TO BE ADDED Population With the population of just over 1 mln people Ufa might seem to be a serious metropolis. However, the lack of a great amount of modern buildings and a number of old traditional Russian houses give the impression of a somnolent town rather than what one would call a City. Climate The climate is the same as in Yekaterinburg (also located in the Urals), that is strong continental with long, cold winters and short hot summers. The harshness of over -20C temperatures is mollified by low humidity. Last winter, it is worth noting, it was very cold with the temperatures coming to -40C at night but apparently it is unusual to get two freezing winters in a row, so winter 2004 (starting actually in November) shouldn't be that scary. Getting to Ufa You arrive in Moscow where you should be met and greeted by an English speaking LL representative holding a letter of accreditation from the LL Head Office. Then you'll be looked after till your plane departures. You'll be probably getting the 1.25 a.m. Aeroflot flight (at the moment of speaking BAL is suffering from a really bad mouthing, thus it is not recommended). Arrival in Ufa Ufa is two hrs ahead of Moscow, the flight lasts also 2 hours so you will be arriving in Ufa at about 5.30 a.m. local time. You should be met by the School's representative and taken to your accommodation. Accommodation You will stay in a one-room or two-room flat, with kitchen, bathroom and toilet. It is possible that you will share a two-room flat with another teacher. Language Link pays all bills with the exception of the telephone (calls are free within the city). All in all, one should expect a humble but by all means livable and WARM abode with a phone. It should be noted that accommodation in town could be accompanied by frequent water cutoffs and noise. Telephone / Internet For lucky laptop owners, life could not be easier. You just buy an Internet card (available everywhere, prices vary but are generally low). There are Internet cafes but this state of affairs changes in a glance (expect something like now-you-see-it, now-you-don't). For national and international calls IP cards are also omnipresent. If you can't imagine your life without your mobile, you can bring it over and get your SIM card changed. You have to be prepared for paying for incoming calls though (unless the situation changes). Useful Numbers TO BE ADDED Electricity Electricity is 220 volt/50 hz. Plugs are of the two-pin variety (continental type) Bare this in mind if you are bringing notebooks, hairdryers, etc. Service is good with only very infrequent power cuts, but just in case, bring a torch (flasklight) or have a few candles for emergencies. Light bulbs do not last very long, probably due to surges in power, so buy a few at a time. Water Tap water is drinkable after boiling, brushing your teeth in it is also safe. You can order a 20-liter container with fresh water (reasonably priced at RUR 60 - 80 with home delivery; ph: 50-95-20, no English spoken but you can always ask your students). The only season when drinking tap water is not recommended is springtime when everything melts. Laundry/ Dry Cleaning TO BE ADDED Getting Around Getting around couldn't be easier with frequent and efficient marshrutkas and the whole network of trams and trolleybuses (not very recommended in winter and summer). Taxi companies are also quite efficient and reliable (the phone number of the most popular one: 900-900). You can also try hailing any vehicle from a street (not very recommended if you're a single foreigner with no Russian). Food & Drink The selection of food available here in Bashkiria will satisfy even most choosy diners. Apart from traditional Russian dishes one should also go for Bashkir, Tatar, Uzbek, Armenian ones. Chinese restaurants are also present. There is a strong Turkish community here, thus the city is dotted with Turk-owned bistros serving excellent coffee. Fortunately Baskin' Robbins with westerns prices is the only trace of western food culture. If one is not particularly fussy about the surroundings of food consumption, why not give it a go with one of the numerous canteens (stolovaya). A two-course dinner with selection of salads and a tea (if you're going for a healthy option, you should shout loudly that you don't want any sugar in your tea and you should also forget about the milk) costs about $1 - $1.50. Another unquestionable advantage of stolovayas is self-service, a life jacket for non-Russian speakers. Grilled chicken is also sold and if you consume it in a company, don't bother with knives and forks. Soft drinks are generally available and especially Irn Brew devotees will feel rewarded. One should also give it ago with kumys (mares milk) and local specialty called kvass. Alcohol can be bought literally everywhere 24/24 and if you fancy something more luxurious, the Matrytsa supermarkets will not disappoint. The situation, however, is changing rapidly and there are also rumors of McDonald's coming to Ufa. Shopping As for clothes, everything is available - from dirt cheap, one-season garments to designer stuff priced accordingly. The nest of the latter is the only decent shopping center called Gostiny Dvor in the very center of the city. There are also ubiquitous Rynoks which are imperfect versions of shopping malls selling cheaper goodies of respectable quality (do avoid Turkish and Chinese stuff though). Jumper lovers will be in seventh heaven - the choice is so huge that it'll satisfy even the most reluctant shoppers. Bargaining is also possible but if you don't speak the lingo, expect to be delicately ripped off. You'll be disappointed if you are a devoted photographer as the availability of photo equipment won't spoil you for choice. Negatives are treated in a barbaric way, the quality of prints is at the very least satisfactory and the highest speed film available is 400. If you're keen on B&W photography, forget it here. Even if you get hold of a desirable film, don't get it processed in Ufa. This said, come prepared. Get your stuff either at Jessops back home or if you have a day or two in Moscow prior to setting off to Ufa, visiting Konica Center on Novy Arbat is highly advisable. English books lovers won't be happy either unless one is a fan of Agatha Christie, Somerset Maugham or 19th century classics. If you come without anything readable, visit the Moskva bookshop on Tverskaya Street (while still in Moscow). Eventually, if you're hoping to procure Lonely Planet or The Rough Guide for Russia somewhere locally, then your hopes are vain too. For souvenirs try Syem devushek shop just off the Lenin Street or Targovy Center Bashkiria. Dress The locals are generally boring as far as their taste goes so you're bound to turn a few heads with your dress-down western style clothes. However, some skaters and goths have been noted. Piercing and tatoos are not common but enthusiastically welcomed by teenagers (to their protoplasts' greatest dismay). Labels and brand names are still dominants of your social position so expect to be taxed regularly. Green Peace supporters and vegetarians will be sneering at the amount of fur coat wearers but once the temperatures hit -25C, their love for animals will get somehow sapped. Dressing up for a night out in the opera / theater is a must so don't even think of visiting the place in your shabby jeans! Health Drugstores are ubiquitous (Lyeko Company), many of them open 24/24. Russian doctors have usually good reputation, just on the contrary to hospitals and A&E Units. Should you need their services, use your students'/ bosses' connections (your insurance policy won't impress anyone here). Air pollution is a problem here and cannot be ignored. There are a lot of industrial 'volcanoes' that make you squirm even when you just look at them. Humidity is very low here, therefore lack of iodine in the air is a big problem. A regular intake of iodine tablets (e.g. yod ak'tiv or yod mar'een) is highly recommended. Hospitality The locals are overhospitable. Do be careful with what you answer to an apparently innocent question about tea or coffee at the start of your visit. You may well expect a full meal so it is recommended to eat moderately the day before. Coming with your stomach empty is also an idea. Do not appear empty-handed. Anything will do and as long as it is consumable, it'll be greatly appreciated. Bringing flowers is also a nice touch, especially if you are a man. Language Link in Ufa TO BE ADDED Aims TO BE ADDED Location TO BE ADDED Staff TO BE ADDED Facilites TO BE ADDED English language courses and examinations TO BE ADDED Who's who and where in Language Link, Yekaterinburg TO BE ADDED Things to do in Ufa Sightseeing There is tourist information in the hotel 'Tourist' just beside the train station, five minutes from the office but they are not very helpful. The best source of information are your students and they will be also keen on showing you around. Being a not very exciting city itself, Ufa's surroundings have a lot to offer, especially if you're heading eastwards to the Urals. Byeloretsk, As'ha and Absakovo are the most talked about ski resorts with the spectacular scenery and its flora and fauna as if from a fairy tale. This is where one learns that the name 'Russian Switzerland' is fully deserved. South from the city the area is flatter but still beautiful with crystal clear air and silver birch forests. There are also two caves in the vicinity and even if you're not a great fan of closed spaces, this place is definitely worth a visit. Entertainment There are 5 cinemas showing only American blockbusters but if you don't speak Russian, forget about this form of entertainment: all films are dubbed. The opera house staging all famous operas and ballets is by all means worth visiting (remember the dress code though). Even if you are not deeply impressed by this form of entertainment, you should give it a go just out of curiosity: watching the locals is a pleasure in itself. There are also Russian, Tatar (currently under construction) and Bashkir drama theaters (watch the language barrier though) and the so-called 'Palaces of culture' hosting western bands and performances as well as Moscow artists e.g. the famous Viktyuk's Theatre Company with his unforgettable version of 'Master and Margarita'. There is also a circus for less demanding fun seekers. The locals love being fashionable. Food and Drink TO BE ADDED Sport Keeping fit is currently on so you'll find a lot of gyms all over the city (attention! strict dress code applies: make sure no one misses labels on your sport attire). You can also go skiing or skating (hiring the equipment is possible) and your studs will be happy to keep your company. Things to do outside the city TO BE ADDED Useful contact information TO BE ADDED Apply Online N.B. Please be sure to place 'Ufa' in the space allotted for 'Preferred Posting (first choice)'.