Kazakhstan Connection: The Other Side of the Planet.

There is so much to say about my first two days here in Kazakhstan!

Seated next to me on the plane on the way from Astana to Kostany were two Australians who were moving to Kazakhstan to help Kazakhs develop a cattle industry similar to cattle operations in Australia. I found this fascinating because for hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years Kazakhs were nomadic herders. To invite Australians to help develop a new system of cattle ranching is but one example of how much Kazakhstan is changing.

After arriving at the airport in Kostany we realized that we were in a very different place than the city of Astana. There are only a couple of flights per week to the tiny airport and the landscape looked much like the United States midwest. Our host Yelena picked us up and drove us to her school for an afternoon I will not forget for the rest of my life.

Our day began with a welcome reception hosted by the teachers and administrators. They invited us to have tea with the principal while a reporter from the local newspaper interviewed us about our journey. The spread of delicious treats they provided for us was quite impressive: chocolates, fruit, vegetables, nuts, cookies, cheese, dates, and, of course, horse meat. Yep, that's right, horse meat. Over the course of the day I was offered horse meat no less than 3 times. Erin was bold enough to try it and she said it reminded her of a strange version of pot roast.

After meeting with administrators we were invited to be the guest of honor at a Kazakhstan cultural celebration hosted by the school. Students and teachers performed Kazakh and Russian songs and dances and students practiced their English by sharing stories about Kazakhstan's history and customs while dressed in traditional Kazakh costumes. At one point in the ceremony we were invited to stand in front of the whole school and receive a bowl full of Kazakhstan's national drink: fermented mare's milk. We were left with no choice but to drink. Bottom's up! Let me simply say that it was unlike anything I've ever tasted before. It must be stirred well to get rid of the chunks and it is very sour. I'll take orders for all of you who want me to bring this back as a souvenir! Be warned, however, that just one bottle costs about half of the bill for our hotel room for a night.

(Below you will see some additional pictures I was unable to upload before).