Almaty, Kazakhstan
Chiming of the hour at Ascension Cathedral.
For breakfast I had to try a grandfather apple and fermented horse milk. We are told all apples have their origin here in Almaty. My verdict is the apple tasted entirely normal. Not having grown up on fermented horse milk I found it undrinkable – all sourness with a strong waft of salt.
First thing we did was go up to the Shymbulak Mountain Resort. During Soviet times the mountain was developed into a training center for winter sports (for the Olympics). Apparently it is the longest ski run in Central Asia.
We are told the mountains are growing at a remarkable 1 cm per year. You can see where they are installing a bobsled run, a view of the city of Almaty, a glimpse of glaciers.
Locals taking photos of themselves at the cafe just like us.
Next we went to the National Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan where there was a replica of the Golden Man/Woman, a typical yurt, and some of the weapons and armor that was superior to all else in the world at the time.
From there we went to Ascension Cathedral
It is not everybody’s taste, but personally I adore brutalism. In the first image you can appreciate the profile of the sculpture, in which the Central Asian soldier is holding back the foe, protecting the motherland. Of course these are parts of a larger war memorial.
And from there we went to the musical instruments museum. There was a lot to see, but the groggers and horse hooves made me smile.
Green Bazaar
Last stop of the day was at the huge Green Bazaar where I was quite taken with the butcher section.
