Due to its "reputation for prestige and luxury," many Russians "have been skeptical about coming to Sochi, a place often thought to be overly priced and lacking in terms of service," according to Ivan Nechepurenko of the MOSCOW TIMES. With the Winter Olympic Games only 25 days away, these fears "have only worsened, as prices have historically soared during Olympics to meet the nearly unlimited demand from visitors." The Moscow Times sent a reporter to Sochi "to calculate an average daily budget," which amounted to about 3,400 rubles ($102). The government price freeze, which came into effect on Jan. 7, "applies to train and air fares." A similar price freeze "was ordered earlier for hotels in the area." Russia's Olympic and soon-to-be summer capital "has been turned into something international." In the run-up to the Games, the city "has gone all out in trying to resemble a typical seashore town in Italy; the mayor even ordered that all roofs be painted dark red." The average kebab with tea and baklava were delivered quickly for a total of 400 rubles ($12) during breakfast at a Turkish restaurant. Belye Nochi restaurant "is famous for its khinkali, large Caucasian dumplings, which can be found in great abundance for a very low price" of 150 rubles ($4.50) for five of them. With a vegetable salad and coffee, the total bill came out to 300 rubles ($9). Up in the mountains, however, at Apsheronsky Dvor cafe, which was recommended as the place where the Olympic Organizing Committee treats its guests, the price tag "is higher than at other places." Lamb shashlik, kharcho soup and tea cost a total of 670 rubles ($21) (MOSCOW TIMES, 1/14).
