×

We are here!  And so is our luggage. Seven members of our group are still waiting for theirs….it seemed to have missed the plane connections.

Almaty was once the capital of Kazakhstan. 2 million people call it home.It has wide tree lined streets. The buildings are mainly high rise apartments with shops below. Many are the concrete block designs from the Russian period of their history. It has rained all day till late afternoon so now you can see some of the city😀.

 

Judging from the guides , Kazakhstan people are proud of their independence and have represented it in their flag.    The blue is the sky that shows how limitless are your opportunities. The sun represents life. The eagle flies to the sky representing both the past nomadic history and the strength of the people going forward. The pattern at the side represents the art and skill of the people through history.  Today we will spend exploring some of this history first in a park.    

A famous general….
Symbol from Russian period

This park holds a memorial to fallen soldiers and an older past. It was the site of  cemetery but when the Russians occupied the country, they decided to build a church here.

Eternal flame
Representing the different Stan states that joined Russia in World War II.
Russian Revolution War

The Ascension church is built entirely of wood without any nails. The church was then decorated inside and out. The Icons are magnificent on the altars.Every wall is covered with scenes from the bible.

Ceiling

   

Heater tiles
The original heater



Community building

Just beyond the Eternal flame are two buildings. A huge concrete building held the military office during the Russian period and a smaller traditional wooden structure. This was used as an officer’s club and is now a Museum of Musical Instruments. You can find all the music instruments commonly played in Kazakhstan. Mouth organs, drums and the Dombra ( a two string instrument made from wood and fishing line).  Examples of other uncommon instruments from other countries are also displayed.

Museum of Musical Instruments

The Dombra

     

   

I know you have information overload now from reading about all the different instruments so we are going to the Green Markets. Here you can buy clothes, spices, fruit, vegetables, meat, flowers….in fact it is like a supermarket without many packaged goods.

Do you know where I can buy a hat like yours?

Spices
Dried milk products
Seafood
Meat of every type and from every part of the animal

You may find the meat section confronting as almost every part is sold or made into sausages.

Sausages
I don’t think the helmet is for you piggy😞

This includes horse, beef, pork, sheep ,goat and chicken.Because of its borders, Kazakhstan food has been influenced by China ,Turkey and Russia. The smell from the spices is amazing. You will be offered samples but you may be expected to buy. How is your Russian…you may need to bargain. There is a chocolate outlet shop,,,,..coming?

Lunch time……I know maybe not appropriate after seeing piggy. We are off to a local cafe that they call a canteen. Food is inexpensive and it is where locals eat. I had a chicken parcel and a vegetable dish  made up of layers and spices. Mike tried the local paella style dish Plov. A mix of meat, rice, spices dried fruit and vegetables.

National Museum

Now two more stops today. You mustn’t groan  because you know we need to absorb some of the culture ,history and other stuff. We are going to the National Museum and then a Falconry.  In the Museum is a display of ethnic objects to show the nomadic tradition of the people.

The map shows the type of materials and industry in each part of the country.
Inside a yurt for 2 maybe not you and I

Learning to weave blankets happens from an early age.

 

Traditional wedding gift to a parent.
Teaching a child to play….attach a toy to your fingers by a string so it jumps while you play.
Embroidered linens for future home

 


On route a quick stop at the Independence square . The gold man standing on the snow lion represents the original nomadic people. A grave was discovered with gold objects including a statue like the one on the pillar

Father Time
Mother Earth

The Golden man on a snow leopard

 

What a showman is the Falconer! He certainly showed us the different types of hunting birds , their skills and particularly choice of food. Falconry was the original hunting method for nomadic tribes. I thought the show was brilliant, how about you. P.s It snowed.

   

   

   

Rest . Dinner ( Soup, salad,meat and rice,and strudel not falcon, vulture or owl). Bed. Møre adventure tomorrow!

2 comments

  1. I love to travel with you on SixtyExpress!
    The photos of the market are especially interesting to me!
    Fun to see Mike at play on the exercise contraption in the park!
    Have Mike take a photo of you every day. It would be lovely to see you, too.
    Enjoy your travels:)
    Suzanne Callister

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Author

suzannesingletonbrown@hotmail.com

Related posts

Negombo

Last day in Sri Lanka. Are you sad to be leaving? Today we are travelling to Negombo and will spend the day...

Read out all

Anhuradhapura

Today we are travelling 200km to the site of the first main settlement so you are going to see a mountain, some...

Read out all

Jaffna

Today we travel north to the city of Jaffna. This is an area of predominantly Tamil speaking people. It was an area...

Read out all

Trincomalee

Today we are moving into an area that was affected by the civil war between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lanka...

Read out all

Sigiriya and Lion Rock

Now I warned you about climbing to the top of Lion Rock to see the ruins of the city of Sigiriya..It’s six...

Read out all

Pollonaruva

Another early start as it is Sunday and many of the locals visit their historical sites. Children are sent off to their...

Read out all