tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183715504165424635.post607119609428328904..comments2023-12-04T06:47:17.568+01:00Comments on Discovering Alpine Birds: Views of Astana, capital of KazakhstanDale Forbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17898040644854359126noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183715504165424635.post-44151142828718209082009-05-26T20:49:39.107+02:002009-05-26T20:49:39.107+02:00the money comes from natural resources (mainly pet...the money comes from natural resources (mainly petroleum, but also mining) and a president that wants to put the country on the map (although I dare say Borat did more to tell the world that the country exists than the fancy buildings are doing). <br /><br />The money seems to be going in to pomp and glamour, while the rural folk are just as rural and basic as ever. (lovely as they are, they seem very very dour and serious. not sure if I ever saw a local smile - well, there was the local leader of the Sociable Lapwing project Maxim who was always full of smiles, but he was an exceptional character in many many ways).<br /><br />Something else that stood out to me was that there are many high buildings despite the massive amount of open land just a couple of kilometers away - this is highly unusual for a city with lots of land available to it.<br /><br />Thank you for all your comments!Dale Forbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17898040644854359126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183715504165424635.post-2581005725427028432009-05-26T17:30:08.988+02:002009-05-26T17:30:08.988+02:00Very interesting! There has to be some reason why ...Very interesting! There has to be some reason why they are pumping so much money into this economy...you'll have to find out for us & let us know. Beautiful city and wonderful idea to get out of the cold during winter. Thanks for taking us to a place that most of us will never have the chance to visit!Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393517097643673337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183715504165424635.post-86707227874889908852009-05-26T14:21:12.719+02:002009-05-26T14:21:12.719+02:00They sure so have some awesome buildings there. Lo...They sure so have some awesome buildings there. Looks like you are enjoying your trip Dale!!Ginnymohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865222893888430709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183715504165424635.post-71211935892921298302009-05-26T11:21:27.755+02:002009-05-26T11:21:27.755+02:00What an interesting post Dale. That is a beautiful...What an interesting post Dale. That is a beautiful mosque and I can see those are all new buildings.<br /><br />A massive project that to be building the plastic covered area. I am sure it is going to cost a fortune but will be well worth it in the end. A wonderful idea.<br /><br />I forgot an interesting bit of info on the leopards which I added onto the bottom of the post. :)SAPhotographs (Joan)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15993474141491808257noreply@blogger.com