Almaty Morning: Music and Market

This morning we walked through more of Panfilov Park, with a few more war memorials. We arrived at the Museum of Musical Instruments (we must have been a little early, because the rooms were dark and the staff were a little disorganized). All was soon remedied, and we were able to enjoy a performance by a professional musician playing dombra and clay flutes, and to ask her questions.

Next up was the Green Bazaar, an indoor farmer's market lined with stalls selling meat, spices, vegetables, cheeses, fruits, nuts and herbal remedies that extended to “witchcraft,” according to our guide, Anna.

Then we started our 5-hour drive to Kyrgyzstan (2 hours of which were spent in terrible traffic). As modern and successful as Almaty has become over the past 35 years, its infrastructure is struggling to adapt to its rapid rate of growth.Read more