Markets, Mafia, trolley buses and big statements

I thought fresh markets would represent value. However, the prices were 20 to 40% higher than the supermarket. All I can think of is “maybe fresher”?

The Russian Mafia are everywhere. Young men driving cars that cost the equivalent of ten bedsit apartments here, with their “uniform” ridiculous dress code, tattoos and pimped, blonde, bimbo girlfriends.

The electric trolleybuses are made by Skoda (random factoid). The newest trolley buses run into Old Town and are there for tourists. The outer suburbs use 40 year old rust bucket trolley buses. Poor buggers.

The public transport system is disorganised.  I walked 700m to catch a bus into the old town. The sign clearly said Monday to Friday (check today is Thursday 12 September), and the bus would come at 1108 and 1123. I was there from 1101 until 1130. No bus.

These countries always build and make big statements whilst ignoring the underlying rot and poor position of the people. Large scale, pompous projects everywhere, but the people are living in an economically and personally depressed state.