After just setting foot on Kazakhstan, it is impressive how modern it is compare to the other side of the borders, China.
A simple act of civility shows how modern this society is. Pedestrian has the right of way while crossing the streets, cars will patiently wait even if the pedestrian is far away from the car’s path. It is not just an occasional good gesture, it’s been everytime crossing the road. Don’t think anywhere else I feel so safe, other than in HcMC where a blind man can cross the road without getting run over.
There is also a flare for the Japanese imports. Lots of RHD Japanese exotic running the street with their blow off valves releasing the turbo’s pressure between gears change. Certainly not a poor city, with so many SUV and cars that are younger than 5 yrs.
Although this city seems very modern, it must had reach this status fairly quickly. As google map doesn’t have any public transit routes for buses or metro, it might take some time for that to be integrated. For the moment, have to track which buses pass by the hostel, and occasionally take a ride on one to see where it goes. As for taxi, everyone is a taxi driver in the city. Just stand on the side of the road, and people will stop by and pick you up if they are heading your way..
Almaty seems to be the stop for all extreme travelers as well. Day 479
seems to be an achievement for most. While in Almaty, I have met travelers that have surpassed that, and taken an even more interesting path. Very often, we ask each other’s prior destinations, generally paints a picture than of reality than travel guides, and maybe that might be a new destination for ourselves. But when someone tells you they walked here, you would generally take it as a joke… Until you check out their website :
www.borderwalk.co.uk
These boys started a month earlier than I have, that will make it Day 510 for them. They have been stuck in Almaty over a week dealing with Visa for China. Seems like China’s Visa are impossible to get, with long line up and a self made wait list. They have lost some weight, much slimmer than their pictures on their site, and definitely very interesting people. They have fallen a bit behind on their destination of Australia. Being able to cover 25kms a day, a few miles short of their initial goal. Most of the time, they might not make it to the next town, so carry bread and some not too nutrition food most of time. So for breakfast this morning , I saw them eating an overnight bucket of KFC. Good way packing a few pounds for the journey ahead.
Fast food has only recently found its way into Almaty a couple of years ago, so it paints the picture how newly rich this city is.
There are still plenty if old city around. This oldest building in this part of town doesn’t have a nail in it. It is the 2nd highest nail-ness wooden building in the world.
It’s sure feels like Europe again. With the exception that someone is interesting enough to catch white pigeon with their bare hand.
He would sprinkle food surrounding him, and leaves plenty just by his feet. When the white pigeon comes close enough, he will reach down quickly and catch it. I never thought pigeons can be catch like it. It did made me wonder why only the white pigeons?
In the last couple of days surfing at a couchsurfers place. Met a bunch of Germans students doing a 2 weeks course on environmental sustainability. It was fun as we tend to in trouble with the law, having to bribe the local cops before we head to a music festival this coming weekend.
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