With such a supportive and interested audience I should blog moreβor do more things worth blogging about. Which is such a difference from last summer. Then, did you hear? I also moved to Kazakhstan! Kazakhstan is full of natural beauty to enjoy. The consulate organized a day trip to nearby Lake Issyk not to be confused with the similarly named Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. The current incarnation was remade with human assistance and is a popular weekend getaway spot. Burial mounds still litter the area but alas, the contents within have long since been plundered.
Over the 4th of July I embraced the yoke of British oppression with my phenomenal relatives in London. Although anyone who knows Chris knows we still kept plenty busy. I asked if I could get a family portrait to put on the family and friends picture wall I am building.
Of 11 snaps I took, I had ZERO where everyone was looking at the camera with their eyes open Andrew was the most consistent about looking at the camera.
His parents? Well⦠So I decided to choose this one for my wall. While no one is looking at the camera, I think it captures the fun and friendly banter they enjoy with each other so it makes me happy to look at! I returned to Almaty with four new books plus several more book recommendations courtesy of my cousin Bruce, which perhaps contributed to subsequent weekend decisions to stay holed up in my apartment for at least one whole day.
In I read a book from this shop that made passing reference to Samarkand. I thought. That was the beginning of a journey that landed me in Central Asia! People come and go from the FS all the time. Thus, the tidal wave of goodbye parties. In addition to goodbye events, there have been several welcome events, excursions to restaurants like the all you can eat Brazilian meat festival, and meetings of The Almaty Manhattan Club, organized by a colleague for the purpose of teaching Almaty bartenders what a Manhattan even is.
