My Russian is improving. Or is it my kazakhstani? I'm no longer sure what language I'm speaking. It's a bit different everywhere I go. In any event, I'm now able to order a beer AND ask where the toiletna is. Which at the moment is proving essential in at least one case (I won't go into the details).
Had a long walk around the bits that had eluded me so far. I won't bore you with the tiniest details of the Sunday market etc. but it's a pretty normal thriving city and I guess on that basis somewhat different in feel to the rest of the 'Stans' (the bits that I've been to anyway). It also has an evening culture that has been noticeably absent from almost all other places I've been. I've found the odd bar here or there and some restaurants dotted around but broadly, Central Asia is light on nighttime fun in my experience. In fairness, it probably helps to know where to look - which I haven't. Almaty has a definite ,'Russian' feel about it rather that Central Asian. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing of course. Anyway, Almaty has a hatful of bars, clubs, restaurants etc.
Speaking of hats... Shortly after I arrived I bought a hat. A big hat. A big furry hat.
East unexpectedly and unconventionally, meets West
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