Brief and full of media, a new post is thrown hastily onto the inter-web!
Kazakhstan offers an awful lot to enjoy—it’s truly a destination that not many think of visiting, but most definitely should—and this week proved that point effectively. It’s not always the buildings or the museums that drive a person to visit a different country, and its not always the sunny beaches or great local cuisine either. Sometimes, it’s the people that are worth getting to know. The overwhelming goodness of the Kazakh people comes out in their celebrations and importance they place on their families. I was fortunate enough to be invited to two separate celebrations this week; one graduation party and one wedding party. Both showcased great toasts (“May your love be as vast as the ocean”, while eating at a restaurant called, “The Ocean.”) and family members from all generations (Soviet ornament-adorned grandfathers and kids that were so young and oblivious that they wrestled during the wedding prayer). With all the dancing and food, it was hard not to have fun, and I did my family proud by showcasing my amazing ability to do the Charleston when the music proved appropriate. The rug was cut mightily with the dance moves. There was also an old-fashioned Russian style dance-off with leg kicks and all. The American did not come out victorious, unfortunately.
To savior the recreational times like this that show a country’s and people’s true magnetism—it makes this life a pleasure.
And now for the media!
Photo(s) of the Week
Kazakhstan offers an awful lot to enjoy—it’s truly a destination that not many think of visiting, but most definitely should—and this week proved that point effectively. It’s not always the buildings or the museums that drive a person to visit a different country, and its not always the sunny beaches or great local cuisine either. Sometimes, it’s the people that are worth getting to know. The overwhelming goodness of the Kazakh people comes out in their celebrations and importance they place on their families. I was fortunate enough to be invited to two separate celebrations this week; one graduation party and one wedding party. Both showcased great toasts (“May your love be as vast as the ocean”, while eating at a restaurant called, “The Ocean.”) and family members from all generations (Soviet ornament-adorned grandfathers and kids that were so young and oblivious that they wrestled during the wedding prayer). With all the dancing and food, it was hard not to have fun, and I did my family proud by showcasing my amazing ability to do the Charleston when the music proved appropriate. The rug was cut mightily with the dance moves. There was also an old-fashioned Russian style dance-off with leg kicks and all. The American did not come out victorious, unfortunately.
To savior the recreational times like this that show a country’s and people’s true magnetism—it makes this life a pleasure.
And now for the media!
Photo(s) of the Week
A tie between my definition of Kazakhstan—the kindness of its people and horsemeat sausage.
Taken a few weeks back, this is the scene from our final day at summer camp were the kids bequeathed me and another volunteer with homemade gifts. Fellow Kaz-18, though EDU volunteer Adam Henricksen and I enjoying our scrapbooks. Note the wise Kazakh-man hats.
I awoke from a beautiful dream to find this on my kitchen table.
There is the hope that this is only the intestine stuffed with meat.
Godspeed everyone, I'm off to Almaty.
