A giant puddle in Russia's Far East is vying to become the hottest new tourist attraction, boasting that it is the largest and oldest untouched urban feature in the region.
Potholes that turn into large puddles are an inescapable reality for everyday Russians living outside major urban centers. Those unwilling to put up with their neighborhood potholes have at times fallen victim to the concrete cavities themselves.
In the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 9,000 kilometers east of Moscow, residents’ efforts to get the municipal services to repair their pothole-turned-puddle have gone nowhere since the hole first appeared in 1994.
Fast forward a quarter-century and, far from being repaired, the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk puddle is becoming a social media sensation.
“Hello everyone! I’m a puddle near 10 Tikhookeanskaya [Russian for ‘Pacific Ocean’] Street,” says its Instagram profile, which racked up almost 17,000 followers in under two months.
“I’ve already turned 25 and it’s time to master Instagram like an adult.”
The satirical account’s first-person narrative tells the story of the “happiest puddle in the city” fighting for its life as local authorities promise residents that they’ll get rid of it.
City crews took action less than a week after its first Instagram post in early September and covered the puddle with what it described as “dry mud.” It took another seven days and some rain for the puddle to return with fresh selfies, boasting that “the strange blanket couldn’t hold me back.”
After a second bout with city crews, the account turned its attention to “my sister puddles” similarly ignored by local leaders but whose online presences aren’t as developed.
One of these “sister puddles” was used as the backdrop of a standup paddleboarding photoshoot, encouraging travel-starved Russians to visit Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for surfing opportunities.
“Not many countries in the world can offer such a tourist attraction,” the puddle wrote wryly.
Three days later, the puddle was no more after city crews pumped out the water.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
