Every once in a while, you visit a country that completely captures your heart. For me, that country is Kazakhstan. Here is a countdown of my top 10 reasons:
10. People are very active and spend lots of time outside playing sports or at a work-out park with special work-out structures and the cities are laid out so that it is easy to walk anywhere. There are also excellent parks with really creative play structures.
9. Kazakh people value natural beauty so in the summer you will see flowers of all colors planted throughout the city and all the parks are very well maintained. Also, many of the parks have theme park rides operating every day.
8. Astana is a futuristic city (every building is so intricately designed and the urban planning is amazing – I was impressed) and has a HIGH value on renewable energy, while Almaty reminds me of a 90’s America… aka childhood and lot’s of shade trees)
7. I have noticed there is a large number of husbands and fathers at parks and playgrounds with their children and families. I even witnessed a group of men in their 30’s pushing strollers with their buddies through the park.
6. I love the game Settlers of Catan and THEY love the game Settlers of Catan! So much Catan was played!
5. Kazakh people have a GREAT sense of humor! They had us cracking up at every English lesson.
4. Kazakh people love quality time! Going for a long walk or having a picnic in the park is a common activity. Don’t plan on being anywhere else that day as more and more people will join whatever you are doing.
3. The Kazakh time clock is my best friend. People wake up at 8-9am and stay up considerably late.
2. If you need a ride, simply stick your hand out and anyone will pick you up and take you to your destination. No fear and sometimes people will take you for free. I have met some great people with excellent taste in Russian music! Even if your hesitant, the public transportation is very clean, cheap and easy.
1. Kazakh people are very hospitable and love to love people by giving gifts! Their kindness blows my mind and inspires me to be a better human.
