Still Here...

Yes, I know...I haven't posted much over the last few weeks, but I have been busy at work and really haven't felt like sitting at a computer and recounting what's been going on.

I can tell you that the weather has finally started to warm a little, and with that comes the big melt - there is water on the ground everywhere and because of this, it is now a little more difficult to get around as everything is getting soft and slippery. When walking on ice you know that it isn't going to move, but the slush is so unpredictable. The temperature today was suppoosed to get up to about 5 degrees C and it sure felt good - the change in Almaty is very noticable with more people out and a few little things like the sound of birds and even the odd squirrel. You really can appreciate how good spring must be in this type of climate, where you can finally get outside for extended periods - a very noticeable change of season, unlike Brisbane.

I am coming up to my last weekend in Almaty before heading home for my first two week break (and my first ride for seven weeks), so this weekend will be spent hunting for souvenirs. I hate shopping, but being here in a different environment should make the experience a little less painful. Am looking forward to seeing my girls again but also to returning for the next stint and spending spring in Almaty.

Markets

Pat and I decided to walk down to the markets this morning to finish what we started last week. They really are an amazing experience - so many people and so many stalls spread over numerous buildings and many narrow lanes. You can get everything you need - clothing, shoes, food, hardware, memorabilia, etc. The great thing about them is that everything is negotiable - something may have a price on it but unlike what most of us are used to, you bargain with the shopkeeper. Up until now, Pat and I had been buying all our food at the local supermarket but after today, not anymore.

One thing that we did find today and that I had been looking for were the meat stalls. They were located in a large hall type building with all the vendors dressed in the same clothing, really trying hard to sell you their produce. The place was a vegetarians worst nightmare - all sorts of meat hanging from racks and either cut or ready to be cut. The stalls were grouped into different areas by the type of meat/poultry including pork, beef, goose, chicken and one type of meat that the Kazaks do eat a lot of - horse. I have tried it, but would not eat it again by choice - a bit too lean and tough for my liking. Anyway, I ended up purchasing a couple of kilos of t-bone (beef that is) and wow, it looked good. Because of the language difficulty, the lady only cut it into two pieces instead of the four that we asked for, so we ended up cutting it again once home. I also purchased cheese and some cooked pork roll at other stalls and these looked equally as good as the t-bone.

After leaving the markets, we headed to get something to eat at King Burger which I think is a bit of a rip off of Burger King (similar logo and products but not a franchise). The burgers here are absolutely fantastic - the meat tastes like a real BBQ'd pattie and not some processed crap and the roll is a genuine hamburger bun without all the sugar that you would usually get. The cost is about the same as in Oz, but they are a lot better and a lot bigger here.

After burgering ourselves out, Pat and I headed off on our 45 minute walk back up the hill to our apartment. I am just glad that we finally found where to get some decent meat, because the supermarkets stock very little and if they do have a fair bit the majority is usually equine.

If you don't like body contact then don't bother heading to the markets!

These narrow lanes went for what seemed like miles

The butcher birds who sold me the t-bone - will be going back here

Tender, yummy looking t-bone

A bit too thick to cook, so we split it

Chimbulak

Only 25 minutes by car from my front doorstep lies Chimbulak, the local ski resort which will host the 2011 Asian Winter Olympics. Yeah I know - I don't ski, in fact I had never seen snow up until 3 weeks ago, but the Canadian guys (Dwight & Kim) from work were heading up for a day on the snow, so I thought I would tag along.

We arrived up at the resort just before 10 and headed to rent some skis. Once the gear was arranged we then went and purchased our lift tickets. After that, Dwight accompanied me to the beginners slope whilst Kim headed further up for some real fun. Dwight gave me a few pointers and once I had built up enough courage I went for it. Now I will happily have a go at anything and usually stick it out, however this was different - the slope was quite steep and the snow was really hard packed. Whilst trying to practise some of what I had been told I lost a little bit of control and I managed to take off at a fair rate down the slope, only to end up in a pile on both occasions. I really did not enjoy it - too quick and no way of stopping yourself in a hurry (so I thought, anyway). I persisted for a couple more attempts and then I gave in - I was not having fun. I also felt a little guilty as Dwight was sticking with me when he could have been up with Kim and getting some real action.

Anyway, I headed back to the ski school at the bottom of the beginners run and just stood, watching as people made their way down the mountain – I thought to myself that this was probably the first time I had given up on something so quickly, but I didn’t want to end up with anything in plaster so I kind of felt justified. I returned my ski gear and was able to sell off my lift ticket so it didn’t really cost me that much.

I met up with Kim and Dwight and we went and sat in the restaurant/bar area for a drink. This was just so beautiful – sitting in the warming sun, snow capped mountains on three sides, the smell of shaslicks cooking and local music in the background – it really was so peaceful. This was the first time I had managed to experience the winter sun in all it’s glory by getting above the smog that constantly hangs over Almaty. We had a couple of beers and the boys then continued skiing – I just remained there, sitting in the sun and enjoying the sights.

About an hour or so later, the guys returned and we ate lunch. Shaslicks along with salad, and it was great. They again headed off for more skiing on the mountain and so I took off for a bit of a wander around the village. Not a huge place, but there were plenty of chalets and weekenders where I assume the top end of Almaty comes to play. There is no town as such – everything is based around the resort, so its BYO supplies if you plan on ‘chaleting’ it for a while. There is contruction work going on right next to the resort for a new gondolier which will bring everyone up from the skating rink further down the valley – the idea is to limit traffic travelling up and down the tight, narrow road, which I think is a great idea.

After another hour or so I met up with the guys and we decided to head off. The access road to Chimbulak would be a great on the GSX – lots of slow, tight curves and some straight sections, you could really have some fun, although with the local drivers I would have to think twice. We stopped a couple of times on the way back down to take more pics. At the last stop the view looking back down the valley towards Almaty really highlighted to me how much pollution hung over the city – it really did look yuck. Most mornings are clear but as the day goes on, the smog increases, and with very little wind it really has no way of clearing. Think I may have to visit Chimbulak a bit more!!