Compared to Tashkent (which is Uzbekistan), the Kazakh city of Almaty certainly looks more like a large Russian city with very active small businesses. While in Uzbekistan there are Uzbeks who don't know Russian, in Kazakhstan there are Kazakhs who don't know Kazakh and speak only Russian. It is nice to see that cities in the post-Soviet space can develop not only in the capitals, and not only by spot-development. This is probably the end of all the parallels, as cities are different, countries are different, history and culture are also different.
Folk art
For me Almaty is now a transit point from where I can fly further away, but for someone who chooses Kazakhstan as a second home, it is a great place. Yes, accommodation has been a bit expensive lately, but everything else remains affordable and understandable.
The city's infrastructure is well suited for a bicycle or scooter. Many places have dedicated bus lanes or bicycle lanes. Bicycle lanes are separated from the flow of cars by bollards, and in general the driving culture is no worse than that of Russians, at least in the city.
Delivery services are very active, and they often use bicycle and scooter rental services. In general, the large number and availability of electric transport in the city is pleasing.
There are preferences for electric cars, for example, a ski resort within the city limits can only be reached by electric car, on foot or by cable car. This does not cause a lot of cars to be parked there and does not break the silence. Since we started talking about nature...
Beyond the mountains of Kyrgyzstan
Sometimes you can find some open area in the city and suddenly notice mountains nearby, it is always a surprise, because the city is mostly flat, and here is such a contrast. The presence of mountains is also suggested by fast rivers and artificial rapids.
The river flows into the Sairan Reservoir
It is very easy to get to the mountains. You can get to the cable car by any cab if you have an electric car, but you can skip the first of the 3 cable cars and get to the mountain chalets on wheels. At the first stop of the cable car will be already very beautiful, but further at all ... And yes, even in summer you should take a warm jacket.
Cabins for four. The views are awesome
Second stop of the cable car
Kazakh alps
Photos do not convey all the feeling of depth, height, size of that place. It feels like something unreal.
Well and yes, we did not do without fails, we did not get to the third station, and it would have been the summit of 3200 meters. But we had time to visit Kapshagay reservoir near Karasu village. Also on every beach locals try to make money collecting money for entry, tulalet, gazebos, etc.
If you don't taste the water, it's hard to distinguish it from the calm sea.
You can get to the reservoir by carsharing, which is sometimes cheaper than a cab even in the city.
Makatayev Street
Well, in one of such buildings we rent a 2-room apartment for almost $1K. There are a lot of children in the courtyards, who roar until late in the evening. Half of the first floors are occupied by stores, barbershops, bakeries and other small businesses.
That is healthy stability, people are not afraid to raise kids and do business.