Kazakhstan People

Misspelled Menu in English - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Convolutions Veal - with a side of piece of dried dread. Got to love English translations in the land of Borat. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Kazakh Hair Salon - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Dan overcame his fear of haircuts (after the Yerevan train station fiasco) and got a new do here in Almaty. The owners were all ethnic Kazakhs who had lived in China for the last 50+ years. The Kazakh government has wooed them back "home." Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Child's Drawing at Post Office - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Dan was shaken down by two plain-clothed security officers while taking this photo at the post office in Almaty. Who knew that taking a photo of a drawing from a 5th grader was considered high security? The men told Dan that "in Kazakhstan we don't take photos." What a welcome... Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Mobile Phone Machine - Shymkent, Kazakhstan

Choose whether you want to charge your phone or add a ringtone. This curious contraption can be found at the train station in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Kazakh Parents at Wedding - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Proud Kazakh parents wait for their children to finish their wedding photos in front of the war memorial in Almaty's Panfilov Park. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Elderly Woman in Floral Bandana - Almaty, Kazakhstan

A vendor at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar. The eyes say it all. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Young Kazakh Girl - Almaty, Kazakhstan

This girl in Almaty had a mysterious red mark on her forehead. We wondered whether the Hare Krishnas from Govinda restaurant had gotten hold of her. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Kazakh Wedding Shots - Almaty, Kazakhstan

A young girl tires of the endless photo session in front of the war memorial in Almaty's Panfilov Park. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Cow Tongues at Eyebrow Grooming at Market - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Well, more like tongue and eyebrows. A vendor at the Zelyony Bazaar gets her eyebrows groomed in the midst of the meat section, with its hanging tongues and all. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Newlywed Kazakh Couple Holding a Dove - Almaty, Kazakhstan

A young bride has some difficulty holding a dove for the photographer on her wedding day. Panfilov Park, Almaty. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Hummer for a Kazakh Wedding - Almaty, Kazakhstan

A Hummer limousine wins the biggest car (and ego) award at Medeo resort outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Kazakh Wedding, Setting Doves Free - Almaty, Kazakhstan

A young couple releases doves into the air for good luck on their wedding day. ..Although it's also supposed to be good luck to be pooped on by a bird, that wasn't engineered into the day's festivities. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Kazakh Bride Striking A Pose - Almaty, Kazakhstan

The bride does gymnastics to get the perfect shot at Medeo outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan. The groom prepares himself for marriage in the background by downing some sparkling wine. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Young Boys Selling Apples at Zelyony Market - Almaty, Kazakhstan

These two boys decided to make a little money after school by selling apples at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Red Peppers and Eggplants - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Red peppers and eggplant are in season at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar. Now, all we need to do is import some Balkan cuisine (ajvar, red pepper spread) and Mediterranean cuisine (roasted eggplant) and we'd have a meal. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Wedding Couple's Legs - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Photo opportunities abound at Medeo outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Little Kazakh Girl on the Phone - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Habits start early... Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Cute Flower Girl at Kazakh Wedding - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Medeo - Almaty, Kazakhstan. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Young Boys at Zelyony Market - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Two young entrepreneurs try their hand at selling apples in Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Zelyony Bazaar (Market) - Almaty, Kazakhstan

A vendor at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar makes a deal. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Garlic and Peppers at Zalyony Bazaar - Almaty, Kazakhstan

We figured that Mexican cuisine has a chance in Almaty, with all the hot peppers on offer at the Zelyony Bazaar. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Dried Fruits Vendor at Zelyony Bazaar- Almaty, Kazakhstan

Dried fruit vendors are always quick to offer free samples of dried apricots and raisins to rope in customers. This vendor at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar was from Samarkand, Uzbekistan. He seemed happy to find out we had visited his home town. The vendor next to him was not so friendly, unfortunately. He pointed us to the sign above the floor indicating "no photos" and told us we would be fined $100. After Dan's shake-down by security for taking an innocent photo at the local post office, we decided to end our visit to the market. No photos at a food market?! Ridiculous. Read more about our experiences in Almaty and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Nuts, Dried Fruit and Candied Fruit at Zelyony Bazaar - Almaty, Kazakhstan

Nuts, dried fruit and candied fruit at Almaty's Zelyony Bazaar. Dig deeper into Central Asian Cuisine and find out the best and worst of food and markets in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Stuffed Animal at the Sketchy Hotel - Shymkent, Kazakhstan

A curious find in our room at a hotel-by-the-hour in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. Let your imaginations run wild on what it might be used for...... Read more about our night at the brothel in Shymkent.