855   15/01/2016

Goodbye Almaty

The day starts slow. Not many people know I am here. My work is practically unknown. I have no idea if Kazakh people would be open to the balancing their yin, yang and everything around it. It’s my first time and I am told it will take time before people will come. I am enjoying the sunshine from my lovely consulting room listening to old songs of Kishore Kumar. Sunlight trickling through my double glazed windows warms up the ice-cold room.

Seeing snow around me still gives me a high. Having lived in Hong Kong and Bombay for most parts of my life, snow is as unique as tulip to me. The first time I ever touched snow was in Switzerland on my first flight to Zurich when I was 19. The feeling is still incomparable to anything I have ever experienced. And even now, when I touch the snow it takes me back to that first day when I felt the cold wetness on my palms. Everything looks stark white around me - from mountains to the houses. Its like the city is wrapped in a grey and white blanket sleeping peacefully. 

After a few appointments here and there on day 1 something happens………..I am fully booked for next 11 days! One lady tweeted about how good yours truly was and boom!!!!!  I had no idea Almaty had thriving social media scene. How things change in life. Day in and day out the team is helping me cope. Short lunches and dinner breaks, early morning appointments and no time to think. Work is thriving. And then it hits me. Underneath that glamorous exterior, people are the same everywhere. 

The only time I step out is on Sunday for lunch with my friend Joe and his family. After driving around the city a bit we stop at a small family run Italian restaurant that has a Russian menu and the food looks promising. The restaurant is filled with young couples and children with pink cheeks. Food everywhere. Pasta, pizza, bread, dips, sauces and aha…..Tiramisu 

Joe and Stephanie drive me around Almaty after lunch. My so-called sightseeing time after so many days. The snow-capped mountains surrounding the city makes me feel that I am in Europe. However the familiar looking houses gives a feel that I am in China. It’s a mixed canvas. Huge government funded universities from the time of USSR are scattered everywhere. And then there is Republic square with a tall statue. Like in all communist countries, this must be the place where the government propaganda was done. In an odd way it reminds me of Tiananmen Square in Beijing. There are huge public parks with lots of trees and benches. But every park has a statue of Stalin!

It’s a modern city with footprints of the past. People don’t smile much here because in the former USSR smiling was seen as sign of weakness. It’s a city that is still discovering its new identity. High-end brands have crept in. Apple and Samsung are finding their footings here. Many things have changed from USSR days. People are open, there is more travel, and many jobs are created. Rich are still very rich and poor are still very poor. On the surface it all looks fine and progressive.

And yet every time you stop at a traffic light, you know someone is watching you!

Goodbye Almaty! See you soon!

 



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