Very Good Quote

"Your assumptions are your windows to the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or light won't come in."

Wednesday 8 January 2014

What a start to 2014. Was in Thailand for News Year Eve and now back in Atyrau, Kazakhstan.









Thailand was fun with warm weather and lots of  socializing. Managed to get to see Owen and Charlie in Pattaya along with catching up with good friends Pook and Tawatchai in Rayong. Also managed to spend time with Owen and play catch up. So a lot of fun.

Now back in Kazakhstan and enjoying int.  Wanna came back with me and I’m enjoying watching her seeing the snow and observing her dealing with the -20deg C weather… It’s not wet but cold and with a wind it seems like you are being cut with ice. All sounds unpleasant but putting it in perspective. I leave the apartment and get into a bus to go to work and then get back on a bus to come back. Easy enough. Just make sure you are wrapped up warm before stepping out.

Last few Sundays has seen us going out and about in Atyrau. People fishing on frozen rivers, Sitting out there with a line going through the ice cover . And it looks like they get a good catch. Then off to the markets for some supplies. Amazing amount of fresh veg is available as well as fully stocked supermarket stuff to choose from. To be really honest it is difficult to complain about the place in that sense. Plenty of food stuffs, several other shops offering a range of products, shoes, clothing, electronics. Bit like anywhere else really. Some things cost a lot, which is understandable due to the difficulties for importation, distance air freight set. The town has a population of 150-200,000 people so there really is everything. Not always full choices but the basics are available.