Astana, Kazakhstan (day 18)

Day 18 - January 24, 2023

Lots of walking today, clocked just under 8 miles in the afternoon :) Went a ways to the east and then later north. Light snow was falling for most of the day, adding a little layer to everything. First area I walked through was Independence Square and on through Millennium Park (an area of apartment complexes) ending up at the Kazakh State Academic Musical Drama Theatre. Also nearby is the National Museum which I hope to visit before leaving Kazakhstan.

After some lunch with Brandon and a haircut, I made my way over to Assumption Cathedral, about 45 minute walk one way. The Russian Orthodox building was completed in 2006. The interior is your typical Orthodox style with lots of imagery throughout.  

Made the walk back to my hotel as the sun was setting off in the distance, quite beautiful.

Brandon and I went for dinner a bit later on the 25th floor of a building where we had a great view of the city below. Fog started rolling in as the night set in. Dinner was a national Kazakh dish called Beshbarmak. Horse meat, noodles, onions, and a bit of broth in the bottom make up Beshbarmak. It is a bit of a bland dish, but it was good to try something new :D For appetizers we had Dolma, Turkish cuisine usually a meat wrapped in grape leaves, in this case lamb. The Dolma actually tasted quite similar to a Dutch meatball soup my mom makes. Enjoyed the food and had a great time together with Brandon.  

Beshbarmak