Re: Cool places to start looking: Kazakhstan

[mendeleyev]

Kazakhstan is very interesting and obviously more Asian in orientation that European.

[rwd123]

Hopefully I don’t side track your thread, but have you ever been to Kazakhstan?

What do you want to know?

You'll be able to visit visa-free for a month but getting there can be more expensive than Eastern Europe (including from Australia). No registration required but you'll receive a migration card like in Russia. It is a culturally Muslim country like Australia is culturally a Christian country, so nothing like the Middle East. Slavic population is now a clear minority although significant; many have left for Russia. Expect a mix of Soviet, Asian and Western influences. (Note: Kazakh refers to an ethnic group, Kazakhstani refers to nationality)

Almaty is by far the nicest city - very nice. Even though Astana (recently renamed Nursultan  ) has developed rapidly I've been told is a dusty and windy soulless place. Really not a lot to see outside of mountains in the south (Almaty) and north-east towards the Altai. Baikonur would be cool to visit but requires pre-planning. Although it is a generally safe place to visit, there are neighborhoods to avoid and cops are to be avoided at all times (even Russians driving from Siberia to the Black Sea take a longer route to avoid Kazakhstan road police). Salaries are similar to Russia east of the Urals, and like Russia there are some filthy rich people so not uncommon to see Mercedes' on the roads.

I find the vibe to be similar to Siberia, only with a different climate/nature and a majority Asian population (provincial feel rather than "old sophisticated European city-feel"). If you had no issues going to southern Russia then Kazakhstan shouldn't be a problem. I've been there a number of times over the last 15 years, most recently last year. Almaty has developed out of sight!



(I don't really like the Bald and Bankrupt channel that much, but that's just me!)

[mendeleyev]

Thanks to RWD and Davo for the interest in this topic.


It is home to the apple (the fruit, not the computer). It is primarily Asian with a sliver of European influence, specifically from Russia.

The Kazakh neighbors are Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran (Iran via the Caspian Sea). Kazakhstan is the primary power of Central Asia, representing over 60% of the GDP off all nations in the region. 

If you like ladies with Asian features, you will love Kazakhstan. Of course there are some RW there, but they are holdovers from families that did not migrate back to Russia after the breakup of the Soviet Union. There are reasons for this: intermarriage, multi generational roots, jobs, and in some cases the lack of jobs or lack of resources to return.

Part of their history includes being a part of the Mongolian Empire under Genghis Khan. Russia began to annex parts of Kazakh territory in the 18th century and after the Russian Civil war Kazakhstan was increasingly controlled by Russia and was fully folded into the Soviet Union in 1936.

After 1920 parts of the territory were Soviet controlled but Moscow didn't trust the locals and so the government was headquartered in the Russian town of Orenburg for several years.

"Kazakh" is the official language (Turkic family) but Russian shares official status. The government has decreed that the use of Cyrillic must end by 2025 and the Kazakh language will be written and printed in Latin.

Soviet forced collectivization in the late 1920s led to the deadly Kazakhstan Famine from 1932-33 and historians say that 42% of the population died due to the famine and collectivization.

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

The cultural capital is Almaty. This was the long time capital until more recent years and we will cover that later as Almaty is too nice, too beautiful and too important to skip over.


Located in the far southeastern corner of the country, near China, many industries and military hospitals were moved to Almaty during the Great Patriotic War as German troops pushed into the outskirts of Moscow. This brought an influx of European Russians and many of their families have remained in Kazakhstan.


Almaty is the largest city in the country with a population of 2 million. Not only is it the home of the apple tree, Almaty International Airport is the largest in the country.

The name, Almaty, means "father of the apple."  This is part of the ancient Silk Road and Almaty has been part of an important trade tradition for generations.


Given that the melon also came from this region (likely Uzbekistan) which is also part of the Silk Road, you will find hundreds of varieties of melons on display in the summer. Try them....all of them, even if it take you a week or more.

[mendeleyev]

Most of the old electric trolleys have replaced with newer and very modern carriages. The underground Metro is growing, and very modern. City bus service is also modern but it is usually very crowded.


The Baikonur Metro station (named after the Cosmodrome) is one place you should see.


Like the rest of the country, Almaty is majority Muslim but it is a moderate version and with a little common sense you will not be hassled. Girls wear cosmetics and short skirts, but kissing in public might become an issue and in some places is acceptable.

[mendeleyev]

Here is a cool website about what to visit and see in Almaty:


http://visitalmaty.kz/en

[mendeleyev]

Hotels are very expensive, but Airbnb apartments ($40+ per night) are notorious for changing the price upon arrival. That violates the Airbnb terms of service, but it is as if apartment owners don't care. You can be robbed blind at a hostel so while the most expensive, hotels are the safest. All that being said, honest apartment owners do exist but you should research carefully before booking.


The food is good but cafes are expensive when compared to places like Belarus and Ukraine. Coffee (and tea) shoppes are everywhere and the coffee is really good. Strong like Turkish coffee, but good.


Yes, restaurants serve horse meat, just as in Mongolia. I can tell you from first hand experience that it is delicious. It looks like beef but is leaner and sweeter.


The Kok-Tobe cable cars are amazing! The view of the city from the top is breathtaking. It is worth catching in day, at night when city lights are twinkling, and during the white of winter.

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

[mendeleyev]

So, now you have decided to visit. How is that accomplished? What are the visa requirements?


Here is a government approved link: http://www.visakazakhstan.com/


Citizens of Canada, the EU, and USA can visit without a visa for up to 30 days at a time.

[mendeleyev]

Food in the "Stans" is outstanding! I love this blend of unique Asian dishes with Euro influences.

[mendeleyev]

Okay, you can make Kazakh Beshbarmak yourself and while horse meat is traditional, you can substitute Pork, Beef or Lamb. Or, make it a combo!





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[mendeleyev]

While modern, Kazakhs sometimes observe traditional Muslim customs such as men eating separately from women and children. You will see that often in Muslim weddings across the Stans.


Here is a nice guide to Kazakh foods.

[mendeleyev]

[msmob]

Thank you, Mendy

Will you be doing , Uzbekistan and Tadjikistan ?

SC is half Uzbek but was born in Tadjikistan - due to her Ma being a Paraplegic and possible complications