Kazakhstan shook off Soviet rule 13 years ago but the Soviet style block apartments are very prevalent. The city is definitely experiencing an influx of money from minerals and oil rights but it is still very crowded and a pall of coal smoke hangs in the valley. I was told that there is excellent skiing there but we didn't have time to experience it. Outlying towns were a throwback to a forgotten time with thatched roofs some really beautiful brickwork and beautiful slate burial cairns in the...
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Kazakhstan shook off Soviet rule 13 years ago but the Soviet style block apartments are very prevalent. The city is definitely experiencing an influx of money from minerals and oil rights but it is still very crowded and a pall of coal smoke hangs in the valley. I was told that there is excellent skiing there but we didn't have time to experience it. Outlying towns were a throwback to a forgotten time with thatched roofs some really beautiful brickwork and beautiful slate burial cairns in the countryside since it was hard to bury their dead in the middle of winter.The predominant language is Russian but some speak Kazakh. It got very confusing. It was fun to learn about the language and attempt to communicate with my poor Russian but we made ourselves known. Oftentimes the people were very friendly and willing to do anything to help especially when we locked ourselves out of the apartment and I was threatening to climb the outside of the building to try and break in. Not really advised in a foreign land so I was finally pursuaded to abandon my folly.Almaty is not really a destination vacation. It is still very poor but it is growing. There was good value for the money since the exchange rate was still higher than the Euro. Cheers
Date of Trip to Almaty,Kazakhstan: February2007
Purpose of your trip: Personal
Cost of your stay: $3001-$5000