You might find Georgian brandy -- chacha -- rather than vodka in your glass at Sochi. Be warned: It's often distilled like moonshine.
Sochi shot put —
You might find Georgian brandy -- chacha -- rather than vodka in your glass at Sochi. Be warned: It's often distilled like moonshine.
VANO SHLAMOV/AFP/Getty Images
The "Man of Steel" -- wax version -- in his Sochi dacha. Stalin established the resort as a summering spot for Russian politicos, including Vladimir Putin.
Stalin's Sochi summer hangout —
The "Man of Steel" -- wax version -- in his Sochi dacha. Stalin established the resort as a summering spot for Russian politicos, including Vladimir Putin.
NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images
Skiing and bobsleighing events are being held in a resort area 50 kilometers from Sochi proper.
Which way to Sochi? —
Skiing and bobsleighing events are being held in a resort area 50 kilometers from Sochi proper.
Adam Pretty/Getty Images
Sochi will be a smoke-free Olympics -- tricky for cigarette-loving Russians. One whipped out a lighter and re-lit the Olympic flame last year.
Got a light? —
Sochi will be a smoke-free Olympics -- tricky for cigarette-loving Russians. One whipped out a lighter and re-lit the Olympic flame last year.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Sochi has no gay people, according to its mayor, but it does have gay bars such as this one. Hm. In fact, the resort has long had a lively gay scene.
'No gay people' -- but gay bars —
Sochi has no gay people, according to its mayor, but it does have gay bars such as this one. Hm. In fact, the resort has long had a lively gay scene.
MIKHAIL MORDASOV/AFP/Getty Images)
Some of the first space monkeys were trained at Sochi. Lucky them.
Monkey business —
Some of the first space monkeys were trained at Sochi. Lucky them.
Keystone/Getty Images
Don't be surprised to see men resembling Tolstoy characters patrolling the Sochi streets. Cossacks are part of the Olympics security force.
Cossack patrol —
Don't be surprised to see men resembling Tolstoy characters patrolling the Sochi streets. Cossacks are part of the Olympics security force.
DANIL SEMYONOV/AFP/Getty Images
Sochi might be technically all-Russian but there's plenty of good Armenian and Georgian food around -- these sweet are an example of the latter.
Georgian sweets —
Sochi might be technically all-Russian but there's plenty of good Armenian and Georgian food around -- these sweet are an example of the latter.
VANO SHLAMOV/AFP/Getty Images
The Persian leopard -- here being alarmed by Putin -- is being reintroduced to the Sochi region. It's also a mascot of the Games.
Leopard mascot —
The Persian leopard -- here being alarmed by Putin -- is being reintroduced to the Sochi region. It's also a mascot of the Games.
ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images