Chapter 1364 There is no bad weather, only bad equipment
Chen Zetao left Murmansk. Xiao Peng and the others stayed there, waiting for those who hadn't yet completed their treatment and were under observation. They couldn't return to Severomorsk. After all, that was the headquarters of the Northern Fleet.
In fact, even in Murmansk, their movements were restricted - they were accompanied by Russian personnel wherever they went.
Murmansk and its surrounding areas are closely connected to the Northern Fleet, including many nuclear industry enterprises. Therefore, they were closed to the public for a long time. Although they are now open, many places are still inaccessible. The areas for foreigners to move around here are very limited, and many places are off-limits to foreigners. Taking a photo on the street here may result in being taken away for investigation by the relevant authorities.
Xiao Peng's tour guide was called Alyosha. Coincidentally, there's a massive statue in Murmansk also called "Alyosha." Erected to commemorate victory in World War II, it's several dozen meters tall and the second tallest statue in Russia.
Murmansk is a pretty amazing place.
Although Murmansk lies over 300 kilometers deep within the Arctic Circle, with temperatures currently dropping to over 20 degrees Celsius below zero, the seawater here remains frozen year-round. It is the only ice-free port in northern Russia, allowing navigation year-round. This makes it Russia's crucial gateway to the Arctic!
This unique phenomenon is caused by the North Atlantic Current. To the north, they are protected by the Svalbard and Franz Josef Land archipelagos, effectively fending off the invasion of Arctic Ocean drift ice. To the east, Novaya Zemlya holds back the Kara Sea ice. Only the North Atlantic Current to the southwest delivers abundant warm water day and night, making Murmansk the only natural harbor in the entire Arctic region that remains ice-free year-round.
It is also because of this that this place has great strategic significance.
But honestly, there aren't many interesting attractions here. The buildings are mostly from the Soviet era. They look really rundown. Aside from a few museums, there's really nothing interesting to do. Especially since it's polar night now, with no sun to be seen, it's really drowsy.
But at this time, Murmansk is the most visited place: every year at this time, many tourists come here to see the aurora. Xiao Peng really has no interest in this - he has seen a lot during this period.
As a competent "tour guide", Alyosha took Xiao Peng to do something that all tour guides are keen to do: take Xiao Peng shopping.
But Xiao Peng wandered around for a long time but found nothing he wanted to buy. Perhaps this was also related to his concern for the health of the crew members.
It wasn't until Alyosha took him to an old building that Xiao Peng became interested.
"Mr. Xiao, this is the largest and best fur market in Murmansk. Basically, you can find the best fur clothing in the whole of Russia." Alyosha introduced.
Xiao Peng whistled, "You fighting people are truly unique! The whole of Europe is against fur, yet you still go your own way!"
There's a saying in Russia: "There's no bad weather, only bad gear." Fur is a common winter garment, especially for women. Without a fur coat or two, it's practically embarrassing to go out in winter. There are special "fur loans" available for buying fur clothing. Sometimes, one has to admire the women of this fighting nation. Even in temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius here, women wearing fur coats with bare legs beneath them are everywhere on the streets.
After hearing this, Alyosha said, "Mr. Xiao, I've long known that you're knowledgeable. So let me ask you a question. Where is the fur market growing the most in the world?"
Xiao Peng thought for a moment and said, "Daxia?"
Alyosha shook his head. "Daxia is the world's largest fur market, and Russia is the second largest, but neither is the fastest-growing market. Europe is currently experiencing the fastest growth in the fur market, with European fur production increasing by 50% annually. Europeans, after all, say one thing and do another. It's their wont!"
Xiao Peng turned around and said to Khedira and Bruch, "Look at what kind of image you Europeans have in people's minds!"
Bruch said, "Boss, isn't this a bit too much? But I have to give you a piece of advice: whether you admit it or not, you are a public figure. If you wear fur, people will definitely give you trouble. You have never had a good relationship with animal protection organizations and those animal protectors!"
"Hmm?" Xiao Peng blinked. "If you hadn't mentioned this, I really wouldn't have bought these things. After all, we don't need them. Now that you've mentioned this, I really have to buy some!"
He casually picked up a coat and put it on. "How is it? Does it look like Zhou Yi in 'The Cliff'?"
Usually, Bruch and his friends learn Korean by watching Daxia TV dramas, so they naturally know "The Cliff".
Bruch picked up a hat and put it on Xiao Peng: "Boss, this is how it looks like!"
Xiao Peng laughed and said, "Isn't this too old-fashioned?"
Khedira said, "Boss, please stop making us jealous. Do you know how much we envy you young Eastern men?"
After hearing this, Xiao Peng said happily, "Well, as the saying goes, 'Birds of a feather flock together.' You and Kasim's flattery skills have all improved!"
In order to improve Khedira and his friends' Chinese language skills, they usually spoke Chinese. At this time, a male waiter said in not very fluent Chinese: "This gentleman is right. You don't look old in it."
Xiao Peng was stunned: "Do you speak Chinese?"
The male waiter nodded and said, "I studied abroad in Daxia. Although I could have found a better job, this is my home after all. Now more and more tourists come here to see the aurora, so I chose to return home."
"A very good choice." Xiao Peng gave a thumbs up.
The waiter smiled bitterly and said, "Actually, I made a wrong choice. Most of the people coming here are European fur traders, and while the number of tourists from Daxia has increased, it's still limited. Knowing Chinese hasn't been very helpful working here. So I have some regrets now. But after all, this is my hometown. I was born and raised here, so I don't know what to do now."
Alyosha coughed dryly on the side. He didn't understand what the two were saying, but the meaning seemed to be that one should not say things that should not be said.
Xiao Peng laughed. "Who says knowing Chinese is useless? You can at least receive me now, right?"
"Yes!" The waiter also laughed. "Sir, you've come at the perfect time. All the clothing we have here, both men's and women's, are this year's new models. This is because we're holding a trade fair for European fur traders next week. The best Russian fur brands all have booths here."
"Oh, one of each then."
"What?"
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