Yesterday was a busy, crazy day full of attempted meetings and an official event, so I didn't get a chance to post. This week's post will be quite disconnected, so be forewarned.
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Yesterday was the Annual Report ... event, which was causing a lot of headaches and running around to do last-minute preparations. I was trying to have a meeting with my team, but it kept getting delayed. The most epic reason for a delay? To help our elderly neighbour weed her garden. She came over to ask us if we had a sickle or something to cut the weeds with, and it ended up with us pulling out all these four-foot weeds from her garden. From what I understand, in Kazakh culture neighbours are very important, as is keeping good relations with them. It was kind of fun/funny, but oh so random.
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This week I had lukewarm showers on two occasions, and this afternoon I actually had a shower that could possibly qualify as hot. Water temperature seems to be highest in the afternoon, so some tinkering with my schedule will need to be done to take advantage of this.
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Last night, after the official event, we went out to a nearby bar/pub/club that the AIESECers here frequent. They have two floors, reasonably priced drinks, and on this particular night, a live band. The band was surprisingly good. I don't know why it surprised me, but it did. In between sets they were playing random music and showing short films on a projector screen. We also met an American and a Brit there, and spent most of the night with them due to our English language connection. Both seem like cool and interesting people (one travelling here on business, the other living here for the past decade).
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To get around in Almaty, there are buses, streetcars, and a brand-new subway system. But the most common method is to take a taxi. But taking a taxi means flagging down a random car from the road, negotiating a price, and getting in. The prices this way are cheaper than taking a proper taxi, but this isn't hitchhiking, so you do have to pay. It was so strange for me at first, and I'm not sure if I'll be using it regularly, but it's quite useful at least, when you need to get around in a hurry. Pretty much anyone will stop and see where you want to go and how much you are willing to pay. But don't expect a seat belt in the back seat: they hide them or cover them, even though they are required by law. I find that peculiar.
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I might go to the mountains tomorrow, but I'm rather quite exhausted and there is still much work to do. Rest assured, though, that if I don't go tomorrow, I will take a trip there at some point this year. They are quite close, and quite spectacular, so I'd rather spend more time than just a half-day out in the open.
…
My latest pair of headphones that I bought in Croatia because I left my previous (decent) pair in Slovenia have a tendency to come apart. Mainly, the rubber ear buds at the ends don't stay attached to the rest of the headphones, and stick in my ear when I try to take them out. Good for nighttime earplugs, perhaps, but highly inconvenient otherwise.
…
Oh potable tap water, how I miss thee.
…
Yesterday was the Annual Report ... event, which was causing a lot of headaches and running around to do last-minute preparations. I was trying to have a meeting with my team, but it kept getting delayed. The most epic reason for a delay? To help our elderly neighbour weed her garden. She came over to ask us if we had a sickle or something to cut the weeds with, and it ended up with us pulling out all these four-foot weeds from her garden. From what I understand, in Kazakh culture neighbours are very important, as is keeping good relations with them. It was kind of fun/funny, but oh so random.
…
This week I had lukewarm showers on two occasions, and this afternoon I actually had a shower that could possibly qualify as hot. Water temperature seems to be highest in the afternoon, so some tinkering with my schedule will need to be done to take advantage of this.
…
Last night, after the official event, we went out to a nearby bar/pub/club that the AIESECers here frequent. They have two floors, reasonably priced drinks, and on this particular night, a live band. The band was surprisingly good. I don't know why it surprised me, but it did. In between sets they were playing random music and showing short films on a projector screen. We also met an American and a Brit there, and spent most of the night with them due to our English language connection. Both seem like cool and interesting people (one travelling here on business, the other living here for the past decade).
…
To get around in Almaty, there are buses, streetcars, and a brand-new subway system. But the most common method is to take a taxi. But taking a taxi means flagging down a random car from the road, negotiating a price, and getting in. The prices this way are cheaper than taking a proper taxi, but this isn't hitchhiking, so you do have to pay. It was so strange for me at first, and I'm not sure if I'll be using it regularly, but it's quite useful at least, when you need to get around in a hurry. Pretty much anyone will stop and see where you want to go and how much you are willing to pay. But don't expect a seat belt in the back seat: they hide them or cover them, even though they are required by law. I find that peculiar.
…
I might go to the mountains tomorrow, but I'm rather quite exhausted and there is still much work to do. Rest assured, though, that if I don't go tomorrow, I will take a trip there at some point this year. They are quite close, and quite spectacular, so I'd rather spend more time than just a half-day out in the open.
…
My latest pair of headphones that I bought in Croatia because I left my previous (decent) pair in Slovenia have a tendency to come apart. Mainly, the rubber ear buds at the ends don't stay attached to the rest of the headphones, and stick in my ear when I try to take them out. Good for nighttime earplugs, perhaps, but highly inconvenient otherwise.
…
Oh potable tap water, how I miss thee.
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