Hanging out with the Beatles in the City of the Apple

Did you know that Almaty is the home of the apple? A little fact that my husband likes to share with me. We went to this neat park last weekend--they had a roller coaster there--we will try it out sometime, a little zoo, some very expensive restaurants, horse and buggy rides and a tram that goes up and down for about 16.00--but we were dutch and walked up!! Also, these statues of the Beattles--everyone else was having a photo op with them so we did too!

Speaking of facts--finally got up the courage to ask the girls in the office about the movie Borat and if they had seen it. It was banned in Kazakhstan and they had no desire to see it--Katya, one of the girls I work with, said that it did show up on the street in pirated copies but most people didn't want to see it.

The Other Side of Town

As you can see this is not the side of town that we live on. Almaty's down town is quite a change from the area that we live in. Thank goodness that we don't live in these areas--it is very expensive. We just find it amazing that they are building with this much glass--they are know to have an earthquake or two every year. Last year around this time they had a really good quake--they are still talking about it.

Going to the Market

I know--another picture of a Lada--but I just think they are so amazing at how much they put in and on these cars. Leather faced old men drive them--usually have a cigarette hanging out of their mouth and they look like nothing will phase them and by the way--the muffler is usually dragging on the ground, sparking away!!

The Boys in Blue (no women cops here)

The thing with the cops: a few people have e-mailed us about it. I didn't realize that Edna made a post about it. It's kind of fun, really. Nothing to worry about. Except that when I really lose it on one of these guys Edna and the kids are going to be stuck on the side of the road when they take me away, screaming and yelling. The bribery is astonishingly blatant here.

The second time I got pulled over last weekend, the guy wanted $60 because he said I stopped in the wrong lane. Total bullshit. The guy that actually pulled us over took me into their shack with all my paperwork after I refused to speak Russian. It's not so much that I refused--I just played the tourist. He gave up on me after about 5 minutes and called his supervisor over.

The next guy started telling me that I didn't stop. But I did. And I wasn't going to relent on that issue. I dragged him out of the shack and showed him exactly where I brought the car to a complete standstill. The bloody stop sign is even printed in English. He pointed six feet to the left and indicated that I had to stop in 'this' lane and then he wrote (on a slip of paper; not an official ticket with a serial number) 5850T--about $60. Where-upon I lost it on his ass.

I gestured, gesticulated, and mimed to him, combined with some volume, that I would do a U-turn, drive around their shack, come back and stop in the 'correct' lane before I would pay the 5850T. I truly don't understand much Russian yet, but he seemed to say "Calm down Edna Karen, calm down." (Our car is actually owned by the school but it is in my and Edna's name--he thought I was Edna Karen).

I just kept repeating "I don't understand what you are saying. I don't want to understand what you are saying. I think "Thriller" was Michael Jackson's best album, but he really hasn't done anything great lately. Oh yeah, I'm not paying the 6000T!"

Then I looked at his badge number (they don't put their names on their uniforms) and muttered it to myself a few times. He stared at me again like I was going to all of a sudden start speaking flawless Russian through osmosis, or something. Then he burst out laughing, threw my paperwork at me and said "Go away Edna Karen."

See? No problem. We all laugh. (Afterwards.)
Pax, Dave

Bumper Cars & High Heels

I have mentioned to a few people how the women all wear high heels. This was a pretty crazy or decorated pair of shoes but she was playing with her child in this pretty rough area of the park. Most of the moms wear just plain high heels--this was a pretty stable pair considering they are a wedge--I think that is what they call them. Needless to say, I look pretty macho showing up in my athletic pair of sturdy sandals--still complaining of having tired feet. Gotta look good, they even wear high heels with their shorts--not too sure about that look!

Well, the kids had a great time at the bumper cars. Last year we were at the Smithers Fall Fair and they wanted to go on the bumper cars but they were too short or under weight, that is not the case in Kazakhstan--there are no rules here!!! They sure didn't look back to see if it was okay with us--they were in!!

Sunday Afternoon at the Park

Went for a Sunday afternoon excursion. A soviet park--everyone had to pay 35 tenge--about 30 cents to get in and the big bonus of that was, there wasn't much garbage laying around and there was a lot going on in this park. There were lots of rose gardens, this little castle area for the kids, rides--like at the fair and cotton candy. By the time Cody was finished he had a green beard but life is good!!

The kids had lots of fun and I made them pose w/ this little statue and then of course we had to look at the quad. They have these at lots of the parks--poor Cody, it is such a temptation for him but we are scared to let him lose on one of those. Once we start, I am sure we will never get him out of there--but we weren't that cheap--they did go on the bumper cars!!

Medeo in The Mountains

On Sunday, there was a bus trip--organized by the school--to head up to the mountains. We decided to join them but we took our own car and met them up there. It wasn't too hard to find but we had a few distractions on the way. We were pulled over two times by the police. Not a really enjoyable experience. They look over all your documents, get a little excited and mad. Then they kept speaking to Dave like maybe, miraculously he would begin understanding Russian. Either way, it took some patience but Dave just let them go on for a while and they let us go with out any tickets and we are really going to try our best not to use bribe money. People have suggested to just be patient and wait them out and the police will get tired of you and just let you go. The police are pretty questionable here and if they try to get in your vehicle with you that means they would like to see some money change hands--preferably theirs!

Otherwise, we had a great time in the mountains. There was no garbage here--it was truly amazing. I guess the fines are pretty huge if you litter in this area--might help that the rich live on the way to the mountains. They have a set of stairs that go up the big hill--we did them--there were 840 steps. My calf muscles are a little sore today--the kids ran up them like no one's business. The other attraction at Medeo is the huge ice rink or right now it is a roller rink. It was pretty neat but we couldn't get too close--they wanted 2500 tenge to skate there--equivalent to about $22.00. The ski hill is pretty close to this place too but I think it is going to be closed this winter b/c they are getting ready for the 2010 winter games.

Took another picture of the Kazakh grandmas--all decked out in their Sunday best.

Another Cake

Yes, we had another cake--not quite as nice as Cody's but they promised this time it would be chocolate. We went to Dave's buddy at the cell phone place that understands some English and he wrote on a paper that we wanted a chocolate cake. We got home--took out the knife for the big reveal--once again we were taken. It wasn't chocolate--but it was still good. 3rd time lucky--we will let you know.

Just wanted to say "Thanks" to everyone for all the birthday wishes I received. They were appreciated--alot!! Dave went to the market and did some shopping for my b-day--not sure if he bartered but he came home with some nice jewelery and a scarf--and a bottle of Heinz ketchup. I thought I could handle whatever the Kazakhs were eating but we have tried their ketchup now for a month and it isn't tasting any better and the real ketchup isn't too expensive--so it will be our exception. We found some peanut butter too in a German grocery store. The kids are loving it.

Went to the Baraholka and bartered for a Bike

We promised Cody a bike when we got to Almaty--needless to say he didn't forget!! We went to the Baraholka this morning. It is the biggest market/bazaar you can imagine--it is 4 kilometres long by 100 metres on either side. We spent an hour and half there and we saw maybe 5% of it. It was crazy but we found a bike vendor and Cody is now the proud owner of a bike--that he does have to share with his sister--not too sure how that will go. We looked in a couple stores for a helmet but I don't think that will materialize. Kyla is taking dance classes two times a week--ballerina slippers and tutu so that is the trade off for the bike.

The shopping in the market is unbelievable. You have never seen so many pairs of jeans in your life--better know your size before you go in there--I didn't see any change rooms. Last week when we were in a smaller market--I saw this blouse that I liked and so this lady wanted me to try it on so she held up this shower curtain and that was her idea of a change room. People are quite small and thin here so shopping isn't too easy. This morning I bought a jacket/shirt--I know I am not small but this shirt is an XXL. I was glad to find my size.

We went to the park this morning too--not sure what it is all about--fountains and walk ways and there was some trade show going on but when we walked in one area there were only 4 very small kitchens on display and about 6 people loitering around. We just laugh and chalk it up as another Russian experience.

Met this little Russian lady selling some wares this morning--bought a little something from her and then we asked if we could take her picture--she was more than willing and they all thought we were a big joke. Anything for a laugh!

We own a car in Kazakhstan!!!!

We bought a car. It is the black rabbit GTI, 1994--beside the crazy guy standing in the man hole. They steal the covers for money. It has been good for us b/c no one wants to park next to this huge hole so we have parked beside it a few times. Driving in Kazakhstan is just crazy--I am not sure if I will ever be up for the challenge. It is so fast, no lanes, no signals and please do not ever hesitate. No turning right on a red light, slow down when the green light starts flashing--don't even think of going. We have yellow license plates which is the big signal that we are foreigners so we should have some extra cash to share with the police--so to top everything off we are a heat score!!! Supposedly they are trying to crack down on the corruption in the police force but they readily will take cash bribes.

A picture of Cody wearing his glasses--for you Joanne!! He never leaves home without them.

After eating out on Saturday, we kept driving up into the mountains. This was at the end of the road and these apartments looked much worse close up. Not sure what these people do way up there. It was pretty dismal and the garbage that was left on the side of the road was unbelievable. People just pull over and picnic right beside huge piles of garbage and then leave some more--scattered everywhere.

Kazakhy Wedding

While we were enjoying the lunch/dinner on Saturday, they had a wedding right behind us--in the same restaurant. It was pretty interesting. Most people were dressed in western clothing but the dancers and musicians were in traditional clothing. The bride and groom were in western clothing--suitable for a wedding. We couldn't understand anything but one of the girls that was with us was from this group of people--who were traditionally nomads from north Kazakhstan and China. China is trying to eradicate this group of nomads and when she tried to visit China last year to visit they would not give her a visa--in fear that she might try to stay.

The music wasn't that enjoyable to listen to--by western standards but they all seems to enjoy it. Cody and another little guy had a great time doing body slams to the beat of the music. They were standing on the top of the slide--so they had a bird's eye view.