Important telephone numbers for Almaty

Here are some of the important numbers for residence of Almaty

Fire -101

Police -102

Ambulance- 103

Gas leak- 104

Emergency -112/051

Almaty airport information- 155

It is advisable to have someone that speaks Russian to call for these services, if you don't speak Russian yourself.

The people of Almaty -Youtube

Great Youtube video 

by Igor Backstram & Damir Peachkilla

Museum of National Instruments concert

Immerse yourself in the mysterious atmosphere of magical steppe melodies at a concert of the "tour" that will take place at the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments (also know as the Museum of National Instruments) tomorrow June 20 at 12:00.
Details
Phone: 8 (727) 291 6917.
Tickets are expected to be 800KZT and will be available at the box office of the Museum of National Instruments
24 Zenkov street

Some background information about the Museum of National Instruments in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

It's an all wooden structure build in 1908 by Andrey Zenkov and was one of only a few buildings that survived the massive earthquake in 1911. The collection of national instruments was established on 1980 and features a large variety of Kazakh traditional instruments.

Adoption in Kazakhstan

I have heard of various couples that have considered adoption from Kazakhstan.

There are various sites out there that would provide information about adoption however, the best I believe is hearing from the actual families that are either in the process or went through the process of adopting from Kazakhstan.

I found this great blog http://lotsofkazblogs.blogspot.com that brings together all those experiences to give you a better idea of what to expect and what to prepare for.

For USA nationals the following website would prove to be beneficial http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=kazakhstan

Kazakhstani Adoption Authority
Ministry of Education and Science
Committee for the Protection of Children's Rights
Government House
11th Entrance, Rooms 939, 941
Astana, Kazakhstan 010000
Tel: + 10 (7172) 742342 / 742334

http://www.bala-kkk.kz

Other useful sites

The adoption guide  http://www.theadoptionguide.com/options/adoption-from-kazakhstan

Across the world adoptions http://www.atwakids.org/kazakhstan.html

Little miracles International adoptions http://www.littlemiracles.org/index.php?page=programs&progid=15

Rainbow kids http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=772

Any Questions on Almaty?

Please, let me know if there is any specific information you would like to see covered in this blog.

Email me at Tulipakz@gmail.com

General web links

Here are some general web links for Almaty


The official website for the city of Almaty
http://www.almaty.kz/page.php?lang=2

Tourism information centre
http://www.almaty-info.net/374


Local time in Almaty
http://localtimes.info/Asia/Kazakhstan/Almaty/


There are various places to get your weather from but I prefer Wunderground
http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/KZ/Almaty.html

The Yellow Pages
http://www.yellow-pages.kz

Business directory
http://www.infokz.com/eng/

Kazakhstan Today News Online
http://kt.ershov.kz/eng/

Tengri News Online
http://en.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_region/

Bus routes
http://zaproezd.kz

Flights to Almaty or any other destination in Kazakhstan
http://www.airastana.com

Local tours, and all leisure activities in Almaty including restaurants, things to do and shopping
http://www.mydestination.com/kazakhstan/regionalinfo/6179164/almaty

Apples Are from Kazakhstan: The Land that Disappeared

The book- Apples are from Kazakhstan by Christopher Robbins, is such a great read.
 I truly enjoyed every piece of it and felt that it gave me great insight into this beautiful country. I might not agree with everything mentioned, but then this is a travelogue not a history book. It's a personal narrative that will provide insight into the way of thinking and doing in Kazakhstan. 
I recommend this book especially to any person that is considering relocating to Kazakhstan or even just coming here for business. 

Photos of Samal - Almaty

I believe that photos of a place will help you as a foreigner to get a better idea of what to expect. I am not talking about the "touristy" photos, but more about the "every-day stuff" photos.

The strangest of this place is that one road would be very metropolitan, like any other major city in the world, but the adjacent road or parallel road would have a more rural feel to it.

The newer city bus in front of Almaty Towers on Dostyk street

Dostyk street during March with its large sidewalks and cars parked on the pavement

The Dostyk - Zholdasbekova intersection

Zholdasbekova street with Soviet style apartment blocks

Zholdasbekova street 

The pictures above is from the area of Samal, this area is popular with large businesses as well as residence. It is a great area to live as most things are easily accessible due to various transportation systems being within easy reach (busses and gipsy taxis) and shopping centres.

Now the pictures below are all taken from adjacent street or areas just a few meters from the main road.

This lady takes her goat out almost every morning to feed on the greenery on to the roadside.  If you thought this picture was taken in a rural part of town, you would be wrong, it was taken a block down from Dostyk.

Entrance to car repair shop

Another adjacent road

The best way that I can describe it is that the smaller streets are "very rough around the edges". Very little or nothing is done to maintain them, and in winter they can become quite treacherous. As a tourist you are less likely to see these roads and areas, but as a resident of the city this is what you should expect and do not see in the "touristy" pictures.