During my trip to Germany I spent couple days in Astana. Initially I planned to stay only one day, because of huge ticket prices in arrival day and twice cheaper on next day. However, I was able to leave Minsk earlier, thanks to Belavia return policy with 100% return of money. So I had a chance to explore Kazachstan capital more closely.
It was recently renamed fron Nur-Sultan back to Astana, but the first president Nasrbaev is everywhere. You could see his images in puplic places, in every museum you could find several of his statues, University, Streets, Airport are still bearing his name.
Well, I don’t know if he is really the father of the nation. But at least he managed to inprove country’s ecomony during gas price growth, he kept peace in his country and he left his office. Looking at the other post-Soviet countries: that is a great deal.
New part of the city was built from stratch after proclamed independence. And you could see a very picturesque main street Nurzol boulevard, starting Khan Shatyr shopping center in form of traditional nomad house and ending to the lavish President Palace in classic style. Between these two landmarks there are buildingss of all sorts and shapes. Best worls architects took part in capital design.
However, this buildings are scattered around huge area and you need some transport to move around the Astana. Some buildings like Opera house looks deserted with vast land around and no people going by.
Overall feeling that they had a lot of money some time ago and decided to build a nice city. But there are too little people inside it and it’s like a city-museum.
In everyday life it’s not an easy job to be a tourist there. Transport routes are unclear and on bus stops you could see a map with marked “you are here” sign. But they say nothing what bus you need to take. Inside the bus you can see QR code to buy a ticket. But if you don’t have internet, or account in local bank Kaspi, then you are in a bad luck and need to negotiate with another passengers so they purchase you a ticket. Mobile coverage is also poor. I couldn’t hear voices of incomming calls on my Russian sim-card. But worst of all are Astana’s grocery stores. There are couple chains with poor choise, but mostly it’s a no name stores where you couldn’t find half of item’s you need.
However, general approach of country’s government towards to the peaceful world, beauty of the buildings and vibrant atmosphere in old part of the city really impessed me. Probably in a decade more people come to Astana and it would be more comfortable and cozy.
