"Privyet, and Welcome to Alma Ata!" a Almaty Travel Page by DirtyRudy

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Kazakhstan was my second stop on my trip around the world, and has been a country that I've always wanted to visit. Although I wasn't able to visit the countryside of Kazakhstan, I was at least able to get a taste of Almaty. My impression of Almaty:

1. Very well-developed, first-world city
2. Delicious cuisine
3. Fashionable

Almaty sits right at the base of the Zailiysky Alatau Mountains. For some odd reason, it feels very secure with the mountains there, as if they were placed there to guard the city. Plus, you'll always know your direction because the mountains are to the South!

Unfortunately, Almaty is neither ancient nor exotic. Established in the mid-1800's, it used to be a fort and a place for the exiled; now it's a major business center where investments are spawling.

Still, even as Kazakhstan makes the transition from a nomadic society to Russia's communism to capitalism, many old traditions remain.

Even as high-fashion takes root in Almaty, nothing beats shopping like good old bazaars. At the Green Bazaar, you can get all kinds of meats! For the night-time meat markets, Almaty offers a plethora of night clubs. Just watch out for the ex-pats hitting on all the Kazakh girls!