Astana

If there is any curiosity about what we’ve been doing since we’ve been here, it can probably be summed up in a couple of words: eating, walking.

As far as eating is concerned, we’ve had the following types of cuisine since we’ve been here:

Korean; a very inexpensive café that had wonderful food (don’t go without a translator as they don’t have an English menu and offer dog as an entrée)

Russian; this place is about 2 blocks from our apartment and is extremely tasty, offers an English menu, and very inexpensive (we’ve been there several times on our own) Our lunches have been about 600-1000 Tenge per person ($4.65-$7.75US/person) and we’ve never been without buying beer.

Pizza; in the mall a block from our apartment; good plate sized pizzas, English menu (but sausage means bologna and smoked sausage is more like polish sausage) Accepts Credit Cards. Pizzas range from 600 Tenge to 1000 Tenge each and feed 2 comfortably ($4.65-$7.75)

Pancake House; actually in our apartment complex (although we didn’t know this for nearly 3 weeks), lots of variety of pancakes and soups, no English on the menu. Lunch for 4 today was 2300 Tenge (about $17US total)

Kazakh; this place is called Buhara (Boo-hah-rah) and represents the cuisine of Eastern Kazakhstan. This is were we first tried horse. We’ve been here a couple times. It is reasonably priced (lunch for 4 was around 4000 Tenge/$31US)

American; on the 2nd floor of Astana Tower (accessed via the lobby of the Ramstore). “Neighborhood Grill). All English menu, filled with American/British bankers and construction workers. Has Diet Coke. Reasonably priced (don’t remember how much) and accepts credit cards.

Georgian; a block from our apartment (to walk you have to cross the Republic Avenue, which is synonymous with attempted suicide). This place is VERY good, but relative to the other restaurants/cafes we’ve enjoyed, its quite expensive. Lunch for 4 was around 9300 Tenge/$70US


As far as walking/running is concerned, about 50 paces from our front door is the river that divides Astana. We live on the side of the river with a wide/paved walking path which bustles with people all day. Families with babies, business people commuting to work, etc. A day hasn’t passed that we haven’t walked up the river at least twice.

On the other side of the river is a park with lots of trees, more paths, and park benches. There is also a small amusement park (similar to a fair, but permanent). There is a path that leads from the river walk though the amusement park to a wonderful sitting area with lots of benches and people relaxing, roller blading, biking or taking their little ones for walks.

The weather improves everyday, which makes our days pass quicker as we can explore more of Astana on foot.