KAZAKHSTAN SEPT 19 2015

September 19, 2015

There was a freight train running through my room last night...Michael snored so loudly that even through my earplugs I could hear it, He couldn't help it.

I got up around 6:45 and showered. By the time I was finished he was awake so I finished my packing and responded to a few email. The time flew as soon it was almost 8:30am and we were leaving at 9am.

I looked out and it was raining. I opened the window and it was cool and breezy so, jacket and umbrella would be the gear of the day.

A quick breakfast of yoghurt, quiche, pastry, cucumber, tomato, cheese, and juice. It was a good start. There weren’t many days that I would have a breakfast this good.

We loaded on time and were on our way...45 minutes to the boarder with Kazakhstan.

Tess, Michael, and I chatted an along the way. Tess is such a great conversationalist. Very quickly were at the Kyrgyz Boarder.

Azim got out and tried to get us passage through the boarder without exiting the bus...no go!

We all filed out of the bus into the rain, our luggage was offloaded and I grabbed my umbrella from my luggage as I had forgotten to pull it out beforehand.

The group gathered and walked in the rain and across the rough broken pavement. We reached a covered walkway...most covered, sometimes. It was an obstacle course of navigating the water, holes, and broken payment but the immigration center wasn't too far.

Once in, we gathered and one by one handed our passports over to the boarder guard. Only 15 minutes later he returned and our passports to us...one step complete. That wasn’t too terrible.

The neutral zone was a pretty short walk but now the fun would begin :-(. I did stop and take a pic of the Kyrgyz Boarder ( cameras watching me ). The two guys helping with the luggage took a pic with me. They were very helpful but and $1 for each bag was worth it.

We were handed immigration forms ( the tiniest of writing) and while standing in line, filled it out. Now the lines. The room was filled with people pushing, and shoving. So...I started to do the same. I pushed my way past many people...fellow travelers in tow. Michael spotted us and had found the appropriate line for foreigners. I got into that line. While waiting, a girl tried to push past me. I allowed her to stand there but then she was allowing some man to push in, I said "no". They were trying to push two more people in front of me, also. I said "NO!" He started pushing and yelling at me. I got louder with me "NO!" and told him that he could not move bus whole family in front of me, I put my arm out and grabbed then partition and separated them from the woman in front me, As she moved forward. I made sure to block the space so that they couldn't get in front, Now, I was up. My passport got a thorough once-over and then stamped. The pain was over,.

Elena was waiting as I exited the immigration into Kazakhstan, She questioned if I knew where the others were and did they know I had exited, I knew that they would be along shortly but it was taking some time.

We searched for Azim as taxi drivers hounded Elena and me for transport. She kept telling them “no thank you” in Russian.

Michael found Azim and he told us the general direction of the van. We approached it and the luggage guys were there. There was some confusion though about whether or not this was our van. one of the guys seemed to be calling for confirmation or it seemed that way, they began loading the luggage and us as well. I had to grab something out of my suitcase and then they were closing the back of the van.What about my bag...I shouted. The guy points to the front and then puts it by the driver, I got lucky, I guess.

All in, we took off, about an hour of immigration procedures later. For a land crossing, not bad.

About 30 minutes later we slowed for a check point but didn't have to get out, only the driver.

We were so late getting to Almaty that we immediate transferred to our bus and let the hotel take the baggage.

Off we went with our guide, she was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable

Just around the corner was the center of town and we begin with the Musical instrument museum. It was much more fascinating that i had anticipated. The vast array of instruments was shocking. Also, there were many ethnographic exhibits, as well.

In eastern part of the 28 Panfilov Heroes Pak there is the museum of national musical instruments. This wooden building was erected in 1908, simultaneously with Ascension Cathedral. Once the military leadership of the Turkestan governor-generalship met here for ceremonies and state receptions, and then the building was used as the House of Officials, but in 1980 the museum of national musical instruments of Kazakhstan was opened here.

The museum was named after Great Kazakh musician of XIX-XX centuries Ykylas, who promoted the purity of folk culture and preservation of various national instruments. Today there are more than 1000 items of instruments in collection of the museum, which are divided on 60 types of Kazakh national musical instruments. The collection also includes instruments, which were owned by famous singers-improvisers and composers. The most ancient exhibits are dated back to XVII century.

From the outside the building is made of wood and resembles the traditional Russian building. Inside the decoration corresponds to classic Kazakh national patterns. And in front of the building the sculpture of Kazakh bow instrument – narkobyz – is erected.

The museum of musical instruments is the great opportunity to be acquainted with Kazakh culture. Besides the view of all instruments the visitors can listen to the sounding of these instruments in performance of folk ensemble “Sazgen”.

Continuing through the park we reached the World war 1 and 2 memorial.

the Memorial of Glory, on which the images of Panfilov soldiers standing up staunchly for wall of the Kremlin are depicted, as well as the images of soldiers giving the oath of defenders of the motherland and the soldiers, sounding the victory. The Memorial of Glory is ended by Eternal Fire.

In addition, in the park there are monuments to General Panfilov and Kazakh hero Tokash BokinZenkov.

On the backside of the monument was The Accession Cathedral, Zenkov Cathedral.

Completed in 1907, it is the second tallest wooden building in the world.

In the late 19th century the first bishops of the Turkistan eparchy discussed the need for a Russian Orthodox Church in Almaty. On September 26, 1903 the bishop of Turkestan and Tashkent, Paisii (Vinogradov) consecrated the foundation of the church. Construction lasted between 1904 and 1907. The belfry was erected on September 14, 1906. The cathedral survived the 1911 earthquake with minimal damage, even though it was built without any nails, which some bishops attributed to divine intervention.

The inner structure of the cathedral was made in the artistic workshops of Moscow and Kiev. The iconostasis was painted by N. Khludov. After the Russian Revolution the cathedral was used to house the Central State Museum of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. From 1930 to 1940 it was used by important public organizations. The first radio transmitters in Almaty were situated in the cathedral's belfry.

There was a service underway during our visit and it was filled. It was a wonderful thing to witness and enjoy, The colorful interior filled with icons reminded me of eastern Europe. I bought a small icon to go with the rest of my icons of the Christian World.

The grounds surrounding were filled with flowers and lush vegetation making for wonderful pictures. What a nice place.

Continuing on, the bus took us up, up, up to the mountains near Chmbulak Ski Resort. We were at about 7200 feet above sea level. We stopped at a long bridge where we could see the city and up to the snow capped peaks…a winter wonderland. For those of us in shorts, 10 minutes to hyperthermia. We made quick work of seeing the views and getting some amazing mountain shots and…no bus. Where was the bus. It was coming back but i shivered in the freezing altitude. What a change from below.

FInally, the bus. It felt so good to warm up again. Wow!

The last stop before the sun would set on our day in Almaty, Kok-Tobe is a mountain which is the highest point of Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city. There is a popular recreation area on top of the mountain. The mountain's height is 1100 meters above sea level. Kok-tobe is one of the main landmarks in the city, and it is popular among visitors and tourists to Almaty.

The Kok-Tobe recreational area has a variety of amusement park type attractions and restaurants. It is connected to downtown Almaty by a cable car line. The City Terminal is located near Hotel Kazakhstan. Also, there is a 372 meters tall TV Tower at the foot of the mountain. The tower can be seen from most parts of the city. The sunset from here, with a partly cloudy sky, was filled with the color of fall, painted across the sky. What a dramatic Kazakh sunset.

So…back in Almaty, the guide stopped and let everyone else out to get money changed and quick food for them. I, on the other hand had only a bit of currency and a name of a veg restaurant. The guide called and they would be closing in 15 minutes. She asked if they would serve me anyway and let me stay there until she returned. They were very kind to do so.

She left me with the waitress after she and I determined what I would have…the special of the day, the only thing left. I also chose a small chewy square of toffee like dessert. The meal was several (Indian) mezzas and some bread. It was very tasty and quite mild, thankfully. I’m not a spicy fan. This was perfect. Thanks to my guide and the ladies who allowed me to keep them after the restaurant closed. I had just enough money…with only change to spare as I had only $6 and 600 Kyrgyz Soms to convert.

Guide picked me up and returned me to hotel. Everyone else had eaten together from some street vendors…that were recommended. We all were happy with our meal.

Finally at the hotel, I was beat. It had been such a long day. I unpacked and repacked to prepare for the next mornings flight to Tashkent.

I wrote some but mostly notes as there wasn’t much left in the evening. I thought about my day as I posted posts pics for all to see. I had really enjoyed the experience of crossing the border (however crazy) and seeing the amazing sights of Almaty and the surrounding area. It was such a pleasant surprise. Almaty was very clean and modern but with history and beauty. It must be a perfect Kazakh city…so well rounded.

Rest now…morning will come quickly.