On the Road

"The purpose of life lies at the intersection of the heart's deepest desires, the mind's keenest talents, and the world's greatest needs."

Kazakhstan

There are [66] photos in this gallery.

Heidi and I took the 4-day train from Moscow to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and spent one day/night in Almaty before heading home to Dushanbe

1 2 Next >

Home for the next 4 days: the train from Moscow, Russia, to Almaty, Kazakhstan Views[22] Views[33] We stocked up on food for the 4-day trip, including STRAWBERRIES (you can imagine my excitement when we found these in Moscow). In Tajikistan, we have potatoes, carrots, onions, apples, mandarins, and the odd banana from Ecuador. Not much in the way of berries, which I pretty much lived on in Guelph... Views[28] One of my favourite cabin-mates, one of three brothers traveling to Almaty from Volgograd (Russia) Views[25] The view from the train of the Kazakh steppes (semi-arid brush desert) Views[24]
 
Kazakhstan's booming economy (the best of the 5 'Stans) is largely thanks to the development of its oil and gas fields Views[29] There were 6 beds in each section of the cabin - made for close quarters, but had no problems with safety or particularly nasty cabin-mates! Views[23] No one spoke English and we didn't speak Russian... thank goodness for hand actions and Heidi's phrasebook Views[28] Views[21] Moi Views[32]
 
The train station market scene at one of our brief stops (I think this one was in Turkistan in Kazakhstan) Views[17] Views[22] Our cabin's 'conductor'. She had an amusing love-hate relationship with me and Heidi as the only foreigners on board Views[28] Another of the three brothers from Volgograd (this one asked me to marry him and have 8 kids together) Views[28] Views[28]
 
Since the conductor kept the train carriage unexpectedly hot (30 degrees?!), I was sweltering in my winter clothes. A very random ice cream vendor made it alllll better, though Views[32] Just when I had a hankering for my guitar, I heard this guy playing down the hall... Views[27] Views[26] Views[21] Views[27]
 
Views[27] Views[24] Views[22] Views[22] Sharing a little vodka on the platform. Why not?! Views[24]
 
Views[25] Playing the card game On terra firma in Almaty (I was promptly told by militsia not to take any pictures, though) Views[27] Views[19] Yet another weird mixture of Soviet and national Kazakh symbols... so typical of the former Soviet republics! Views[23]
 
Views[24] Views[23] Views[18] Views[22] To put your hand in this book and make a wish is considered good luck (a Kazakh Blarney Stone?) Views[22]
 
Views[29] Views[21] Views[26] Views[24]
 
A statue of Abai Kunanbaev, a famous Kazakh writer and poet, in front of the theatre Views[45] I just can't help myself - I see a dog, I pet it, especially one as sweet as this girl who couldn't get enough of the old ear scratch Views[25] Views[24] Detailing in the top of the ballet/theatre Views[28] Views[27]
 
An entire store of J.Lo?! Seriously?? I really must be out of the loop... Views[29] Views[26] Heidi and I were almost beside ourselves with the food options in Almaty... (but not so thrilled with the exorbitantly high prices) Views[31] A monument to Kazakh soldiers who fought in WWII (and impressively is of 2 women) Views[29] Views[22]
 
1 2 Next >

About shrummer16


Photo Galleries

Where I've been

Favourites

Highlights

My trip journals

  Learn the Lingo on your iPod - Our free language guides

Find us on these social networks  Flickr YouTube Vimeo Facebook Twitter

Insurance
Travel Insurance
What we cover
Prices & Benefits
Get a Quote
Claims
Faqs
Safety
Travel Safety
Safety Hub Blog
Adventures
Features
Destinations
Photos
Stories
Videos
Tags
Create your journal
Footprints
Open projects
Completed
Footprints Network
Positive Footprints Documentaries
WorldNomads.com
About Us
Press Room
News of the World (Nomads)
Contact Us
Partner Network
Privacy

Copyright © 2004-2009 World Nomads. All rights reserved. Patents pending 2002