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.    

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.

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.

   

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.

     

   

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.

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

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.

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.

 

 

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

 

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!