Summary
Highlights
The video introduces Oymyakon, Yakutia, Russia, as the coldest inhabited place on Earth, with average winter temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius. It sets the scene for the extraordinary daily routines, especially the way to school, in this extreme environment.
Alyosha's mother prepares for the day by melting river ice for water, as there's no running water due to freezing temperatures. Alyosha, 8, must attend school unless temperatures drop below -54 degrees Celsius. The stark contrast between the heated home and the -50 degree outside environment is highlighted, along with the outdoor toilet.
Seven kilometers away, Alyosha's classmate Sayana helps with farm chores, tending to cows. Despite her family's reliance on farming, they understand that education is crucial for Sayana's dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Grigory, the only school bus driver in Oymyakon, meticulously prepares his bus to withstand the extreme cold, using blankets for insulation and checking fluids. He acknowledges his significant responsibility for the children's safety, as a breakdown could be fatal.
Children like Sayana and Alyosha wear multiple layers of clothing (up to six) to combat the cold. Sayana's mother bundles her in numerous clothes, making it difficult for her to move. The constant threat of frostbite is a serious concern, and parents impose strict limits on outdoor time.
The treacherous roads pose a constant threat to Grigory's bus. The segment details the dangers of engine failure in extreme cold and the reliance on natural resources like reindeer, which serve as food and transport, contrasting with modern technology's vulnerability.
The video explains Oymyakon's unique geographical position, surrounded by mountains that trap cold air, making winter last from October to April. While known for record lows (-71 degrees Celsius), summer temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius.
Sayana and her siblings walk a considerable distance to a meeting point to catch the school bus, as their remote farm is inaccessible. They encounter wild horses, adapted to endure extreme cold, which are considered a food source rather than working animals.
Grigory's school bus experiences a breakdown, highlighting the dangers of mechanical failures in this environment. Sayana waits anxiously, unaware of the delay, emphasizing the parents' belief in school as the key to their children's future, despite the risks.
The school, as the largest wooden building, is centrally heated to withstand temperature differences. Homes are also wooden and carefully insulated. Alyosha's father constantly heats their house, and the segment reveals unusual practices like drying laundry outdoors, where it freezes instantly, and the dangers of hypothermia for those who are careless.
Sayana's father chops wood, which easily breaks due to the cold, emphasizing the sheer volume of wood needed for heating. The segment underscores the relentless work required for survival and the parents' determination to provide a better future through education, even contemplating moving to escape the harsh conditions. Despite their struggles, Alyosha's parents ensure his daily commute to school.
Grigory successfully repairs his bus and picks up Sayana. Alyosha, taking a lengthy detour across the frozen river (where ice is up to four meters thick), faces freezing conditions. The river Indigirka, even when frozen, provides essential fish for the community, caught by ice fishermen in extreme cold.
Alyosha arrives at school early, as do other children, to thaw out and play. School is a vital hub, with 118 students and 25 teachers. Parents can decide not to send their children if temperatures are too low, but otherwise, attendance is mandatory, given the risks of walking alone.
Lessons begin, often in Yakut and Russian, the latter being a foreign language for many children. Sayana excels, embodying the hope for a future beyond Oymyakon. Alyosha enjoys history and math but mostly comes to play and see friends. Students have a second breakfast of warms noodles and hot tea, and indoor activities include board games and rifle assembly training.
School ends at 2 p.m. Children either walk home or wait for Grigory's bus. Alyosha enjoys walking and playing on his way home, sometimes with detours, and his parents constantly worry but also understand his need for play. Sayana helps her mother with chores and homework, spending most of her time indoors, longing for more interaction and play like her peers in warmer climates.