New Digs

I’m truly fortunate in that folks here are helping me get situated. Yesterday I settled on an apartment; apparently a former communist official’s residence. Hence it is well built even though it is in the classic Soviet style with “close enough for government work” construction. None the less it is quite nice but for the fact it is a 5^th floor walkup. Most apartments here are really what we would describe as condos, owned by individuals who let to others like me. The landlady works for an NGO and is quite eager to please.

The front entrance (blacj door). The apt is the one on the top
floor with the balcony on the L

Today I navigated the grocery store (magazine). The produce is weighed at the area of selection, just like Bots. Alas I forgot this formality and was soundly rebuked by the cashier. You all didn’t by any chance here the eye roll over there did you?

View from the "balcony".

96 steps

This a.m. I cleaned the joint, not Lynne clean but passible, then went to the Green Market known locally as the bazaar. It is like so many others I seen with a warren of shops loosely arranged in themes. I’ll go back for some hardware as needed. For now getting ice cube trays was an adventure as the Kazakhs generally don’t make ice at home. 

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Tomorrow I move from the hotel to home

All for now. Пока!