Kazakhstan: A Land of Immense Consequence!
A complimentary response from one of my blog readers in the U.S. made my day yesterday:
“Kazakhstan was a so-what name till I read your posts here. Whether you stay or not, know that your fine hand brought it alive for me, with real people and their superstitions, Kim, boulders, wildflowers and pine-scented towels.”
Yes, it is a real privilege to be a part of a maturing country, such as Kazakhstan, which simultaneously has a very old history. To put past and present together with three languages involved (English, Kazakh and Russian) is the challenge of all educators and administrators in Kazakhstan. I believe that Kazakhstan is a well kept secret and it would flourish as a stronger economy if tourism were promoted more. I believe Kazakhstan should open it’s door more for the rest of the world to know about its hidden wonders along the Silk Road route. Better yet, I need to encourage my writing students to write about their fine country in English for others to learn just what a GREAT land this really is!!!!
My husband and I were planning on celebrating our own important holiday of Fourth of July by flying up to the new capital of Astana as of 10 years ago. (Since I have to remain in Almaty anyway for my summer session one grades to sink in for my masters students in the six-week reading and writing course I’m teaching.) It WAS a good plan until my husband read in the Russian newspaper (my Cyrillic reading isn’t so good) “Delovaya Kazakhstan” No. 23 (120) June 13, that very weekend is the 10 year anniversary of Astana being a capital. The photo is one of the new memorials in Astana to commemorate those who died under the Soviet “repressions.”
Scratch those plans of our intended Astana visit, it will be far too busy at the newly built up capital to the north on OUR Fourth of July weekend. Maybe we will travel with my colleague friend Yelena and explore what life was like in a yurt out in the countryside instead to help celebrate our Independence Day. We hope to go to Astana next fall upon our return from Minnesota after visiting our family and friends for a month.No, Kazakhstan is NOT a “so what?” country, but one of immense consequence if only people knew more about it. Thank you, dear reader, for your kind input.
