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.