We were supposed to go to Uzbekistan as part of our Silk Road adventure, but there’s a State Department travel warning (or was) so we flew into Kazakhstan instead.
Yes, Kazakhstan: the country made infamous by Sacha Baron Cohen, aka, Borat.
So everybody kind of modified their expectations and our first view of Almaty, the main city, didn’t do anything to lift them. But then we started touring around, and Kazakhstan turned out to be a sleeper hit on the last leg of this long jet journey.
We visited a falconer (where I shot the above sea eagle, D90, 70-300mm VR, Vivid jpeg, ISO 400, Aperture Priority wide open) and got great looks at a variety of raptors, attended an Orthodox service in the Cathedral of the Assumption in the main park, heard a variety of unique folk instruments playing haunting melodies at the music museum.
We hit a big open market where all the vendors were friendly and open to being photographed, and ate some great food. Authentic and as yet unspoiled by mass tourism, K’stan is on my bucket list to come back and explore in depth. For a look at some of the situations that convinced me that Sacha Baron Cohen was all wet, hit the jump.
All Photos: D90’s with 16-85VR and 70-300VR lenses.
As far as I can see, Borat got it all wrong. It’s cool to be in Kazakhstan!
Next stop: Armenia! I’ll keep you posted
Skunk
30 Apr 2010I’d love to go to Baikonur, which is kind of like the Soviet’s Kennedy Space Center. I wonder if it is open to tourists yet?
Bob
30 Apr 2010Skunk: There are all kinds of tours to the Space Center….it’s a big tourist attraction….Bobhttp://www.bobkrist.com/blog/wp-admin/edit-comments.php?approved=1#comments-form
Skunk
5 May 2010Thanks for the update! My intel must be stale.
Aileen Ah-Tye
30 Apr 2010Great pix, Bob. Beautiful, classic lighting, especially the people shots. The falcon is mighty impressive – there’s a story there. I’m jealous – to get all those pix in one take. You must have been pretty gratified looking at the photos in the viewer.
Ilya Genkin
30 Apr 2010Many thanks for the photos and the story, Bob! I know very well the church and the market from your photos.
Elliot
30 Apr 2010Male officer wearing hat: awesome picture.
Kevin
1 May 2010Great pics Bob if I were you I would get back before it is over run by tourists
arun
1 May 2010I dig the capture of the older women – just imagine all the stories they can share about their lives !
bernardo galmarini
2 May 2010Hi Bob!
I loved the last three portraits specially! The woman playing the strange viola, looks like a Vermeer ´s painting!
best regards!
Bernardo
Bob
2 May 2010Bernardo! Great to hear from you. Hope all is well. I’m looking forward to getting home….I’m more tired now than I was at the end of our Buenos Aires assignment!
Please give my best to Mercedes. ciao, Bob
bernardo
4 May 2010Hi Bob! I m fine, thanks! There are many ways to be tired… And travelling with your camera making great pictures is one of the best ways! 😉
Best regards,
bernardo
Bob
4 May 2010Bernardo: You have a very good point! I’m flying home this morning. all the best, Bob
Matt Welsh
3 May 2010I love the image of the ladies on the bench – The one on the right looks like she’s going to start a fight with you after she swallows her drink. Classic!
Do you speak any Russian? I was wondering how your communication went there? Any problems?
Bob
3 May 2010Matt: No Russian on my part. Communication wasn’t too much of a problem as a lot of English is spoken. The rest is the universal language of gestures and pantomime! Bob