Concert Celebrating Independence

This was a concert put on by the students, celebrating 21 years of Independence.  The concert told the story of Kazakhstan its oppression followed by its independence.

Below is a video of Dombra players from my school...... I didn't quite catch the beginning, but you will get the general idea.

Trip to Almaty

View of the Steppes from Astana Airport

The last weekend before Christmas, Ron and Martha and Barry and I decided to go to Almaty.  We had Monday and Tuesday off, therefore could catch a plane and have a mini holiday.  To get to Almaty from Astana is a 1hr 22 minute trip. On Sunday 16th December, Kazakhstan celebrated 21 years of independence.

 

 

 

Almaty is very different from Astana.  It was of course the former capital of Kazakhstan, and is far bigger and more bustling than Astana..... I really want to visit there in the Spring.... It is also considerably warmer..... it was a pleasant  -19o C

To the right is the Cathedral of the Ascension behind a little market.

To the left is a wedding party in the grounds of St. Nicholas's Cathedral.

It is impressive that the bride is in her wedding dress, because believe me it was very cold.









To the right is one of the several Christmas trees all around Almaty.  The whole city looked like the Christmas display in the window of a department store.







We visited the 4 kilometre market.....open stalls and also covered shopping areas.... incredibly the covered areas were even colder than it was outside. 

This was Plov (an Uzbeky dish) cooking outside the cafe we went into for lunch. A very friendly and cozy place, although to be honest it didn't look too inviting from the outside.


Cathedral of the Ascention

We basically spent 4 days, exploring Almaty, eating and drinking.  All the museums and art galleries were closed because of Independence Day, and also because Monday is the day when they are normally closed.

I really wanted to take more photos, but the camera battery froze after a certain amount of time, and I was unable to take pictures.

First Day Skiing

Our first day cross country skiing today.  Our friends Ron and Martha are Canadian and both proficient skiiers... luckily they are both very patient, because this was Barry's and my first time.

As the snow is not likely to melt until the end of March, we have plenty of time to get better.

Ron and Martha skied home from this on the river..... we went home by bus...... ah well, early days. 

Winter Sets in in Astana

Barry Ready for the Cold

Things are getting rather cold here in Astana.  Yesterday it was -25o c on our balcony.  This is one of Barry I couldn't resist taking.  Believe it or not, this is how he wraps his head before he goes out.

Our New Flat

Well, it isn't really new we have been here for over 5 weeks.  However, things are getting really busy.  I just thought I would post the weird and wonderful views from our flat.  The one on the right is the Baiterek Tower as seen from the balcony of our flat.  The tower rumoured to have designed by President Nazarbayev on the back of a knapkin, it is based on the golden egg of an eagle in Kazakh legend.

On the left is another view from the living room of our flat.....it isn't a clear night.. the weather has been getting steadily colder, and has already reached - 22c  on some days.








The scene on the right is the scene from our bedroom window..... again it is not doing the scene any justice.... it looks like a scene from a science fiction film.



It cannot be denied, Astana is a very weird and wonderful city.

First Snow and Teacher's Day

5th October, and our first snowfall.... I think this is early even for Kazakhstan.  I have to admit it was pretty cold...... god only knows what winter will be like..To the left is the cheery sight out of our window on Friday morning.


On October the 6th  (well actually it is on the 7th)  Kazakhstan celebrates teacher's day... on that day the students take the lessons, and they also put on a really good show for us.
This is a truly superb 'dombra' player,  The dombra being the national instrument of Kazakhstan.

Below was more dancing.... the show was a little like a talent show and the Eurovision Song Contest.... it was very professional, and obviously a lot of work had gone into it.

As you went around the school, pupils came up to you and wished you a 'Happy Teacher's Day'.  This day is given great importance here... and you have the feeling that you are really, really appreciated as a teacher here in Kazakhstan.

Below, is Anargul being given a diploma, we were all given diplomas throughout the day.  It really was an unexpected experience.

It might not look the greatest fun, but it was rather good when some of the teachers in the front row got up and started dancing to the singer, including the vice principals. The very jovial (rather blurred)  my photography sorry, lady approaching the camara, is coming over to ask everyone to dance.

Some things from the Soviet Union are good, we could do with Teacher's Day in England.

 



Burabay

We had an absolutely fabulous weekend...'team building' at the Kazakh beauty spot of Burabay (or Buraboi). It was interesting travelling along the steppe to get to this spot, with lakes and hills and forests. It is an area where many school trips go, and many Kazakh families used to go for their annual holidays. It is now however, becoming more common to go to Turkey. Since I have been in Kazakhstan, there have been many firsts..... my first football match.... Ireland vs. Kazakhstan.. This was the match where the Irish players were rubbish, and the Kazakh players deserved an Oscar. Barry was shouting so much at their antics I thought he was going to storm onto the pitch and drag one of their players onto the pitch. As I said on Facebook, the Kazakh fans were impressed by his passion, and one turned around and gave Barry the thumbs up saying 'West Bromwich Albion'.   Anyway I digress.

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 This is a little group I circled the rock behind me 7 times clockwise... for luck. When they told me this, I thought they were winding me up, but when I went past the rock later in the day there were more people walking around the rock clockwise.

The picture above is a shot of a Kazakh squirrel... they are so pretty, they normally have brown fur like the ears, but this one is already getting his winter coat.

Maybe a bit touristy, but great to get my picture taken with an eagle.




On the left is the Samovar being used to brew our tea in the middle of the forest for our picnic lunch.

On that night we were to have a banquet... I didn't manage to get a shot of the huge carp stuffed with rice on our table.

We thought that was the meal, and rather large for us to eat... however, an enormous plate of besbarmac  the Kazakh national dish was put on the table...even if we had eaten nothing and were starving, we could not possibly have even dented the food.  it was delicious, but the Kazakh people pride themselves on their generosity.  That wasn't the end of the meal..... biscuits, cakes, fruit and sweets followed that...... then after a couplwe of hours...... chips and roasted vegetables...... followed by more cakes and biscuits... and more fruit.   This apparently is not unusual... what I find totally baffling is how an overweight Kazakh person is a very rare sight indeed... so how on earth do they do it?

I will sign off now... and leave you with that mystery, and a stunning view from Burabai

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Teaching has started

Suddenly I feel really at home....... students seem to be the same here as they are in England, except I have to remember they are learning in a foreign language.  Those of you who were my colleagues at Richard Hale will remember the 'infamous lunch lessons'..... it would seem I have the equivalent of 'lunch lessons' here in Kazakhstan... and the noisy people stood outside my door.

Having said that... if you don't like teaching these students.... you really won't like teaching anyone.  One of my students has set himself an Economic problem relating to Kazakhstan, and has set himself the taks of researching its resolution......I haven't taught for a few months now... but it is wonderful to be teaching again.

Day of Knowledge

The 1st September is the Day of Knowledge in Kazakhstan a holiday where pupils celebrate coming back to school.   We were invited to turn up to the school at 10.00 to welcome the students and all the parents and staff and pupils were there. 

The new year 7s came down the double staircase waving at the crowds... and the crowds clapped them.

Then was played the Kazakh National Anthem, and everyone joined in placing their right hands on their hearts.

There was also a recital of poetry and students dancing national dances.

 All the people watching are parents and staff.

This singer was very good.... a very pop style....a bit like the X-Factor.

Finally, here I am with my Department..... the most extraordinary collection of subjects.
It is called the Geography Department, but includes Chemistry, Biology, Self Awareness and Esteem, and Economics...... (I am the only Economics teacher)

I am going to sign off for now......

Bernie

I haven't been writing a great deal on my blog..... everyday I intended to write on the blog, but haven't.  Mainly because it has been so busy.   We are getting used to Kazakhstan, but are currently fighting to get a bigger apartment, as the one we are in is only really suitable for one person.

I am in an odd position....... even with my extremely rusty Russian I am finding myself translating into Russian for my English speaking colleagues and into English for my Russian speaking colleagues..... to be honest it all seems a little chaotic.

 Furnished flat?.......mmmmm  not really.

Above is a view out of our window.

Astana is an interesting place, all around you can see building, the wish is to create busy bustling city as soon as possible......  This is me with a few of our friends.... in the distance is the President's Palace, the golden buildings in front of it are known as 'the teapots'  but look at the planted out caterpillar in front of us!

Astana at Night

Walking around Astana town centre at night is truly amazing with brightly lit buildings and artificial brightly lit trees.

Here is a view of the symbol of Astana with the artificial lit up trees in the foreground.

Here is a view of buildings on our way home to our apartment.  The building that looks like a huge Chinese pagoda was donated to Kazakhstan by China and is the nearest of those buildings to where we live, we are about 15 minutes walk from here.

Here are very striking buildings close to Astana town centre.

First Impressions

We are now here.  As we thought Astana is a truly amazing place. 

Our apartment is in a large tower block next to the school, and we managed to get an apartment with views beyond the city to the far reaching countryside beyond the city.

The buildings in Astana are truly amazing, here are some views of Astana at night.....15 minutes walk from our apartment.

Reason For Blog

Hi all, The reason for this blog is so that I can share the experiences and images from our time in Kazakhstan. I really can't imagine what lies ahead, and often memories get distorted, so this will be an ongoing journal of our year there, a record of our thoughts, feelings and impressions.


City Airport.....a tiny little airport in Docklands.  I can't seem to upload photos from my iPad....I will have to wait until I can use my laptop.