Kapturing Kazakhstan: Back in Kazakhstan

August 13th found us on our way to Almaty for the 2013-2014 school year. We arrived on the 15th, losing a day as we flew over Canada to Amsterdam. We had a seven hour layover so we chose to go on a bus tour of the city. It was a beautiful summer day full of flowers, windmills, canals, and an abundance of bicycles. Thousands of bicycles! Watch out...they have the right of way no matter what. Car or pedestrian must yield to a cyclist.

We arrived at our new apartment. Did some unpacking and then off to work. We wanted to get as much prepared as possible. First off we met new staff members...some of which knew us better than we could have imagined...reading our blog last year kept them in the loop about their adventure to come.

We started right out going to a world volleyball playoff in one of our venues. It was great fun watching the girls from Kazakhstan and Cuba square off.

Before we knew it the kids were arriving for the first day of school. I (Susan) am teaching 10 year old or 5th graders this year. I couldn't be happier...let me throw in a picture from last year to give you a small clue as to one of the reasons!

My students are extremely bright. I have children from Hungary, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Russia, India, and the USA. Terry is teaching 8 year olds or 3rd grade again. He has many from Korea, USA, Russia, Pakistan, India, and Kazakhstan. We love the wonderful tradition of flowers from students. It makes us feel special, appreciated, and ready for a great year.

Of group of us "old" teachers took some of the "new" teachers to our local soccer team game. We had a great time yelling, cheering, and pounding paper fans on our hands. What a great noise...not like the annoying horns at the World Cup.

Almaty has welcomed several important sporting events. Some we attended and some we missed...language barrier I'm afraid. One such event was the First President's Volleyball Championship. We were able to catch the final game of a week-long playoff, Iran vs Russia. When we attend our favorite event, hockey, the crowd is very reserved. When we go to soccer it's crazy loud. Much to our surprise the crowd was cheering like crazy. It's great to see raw, honest emotion in this country! Okay, one more sport...last year I told you about Ski Jumping. This year they had one of the qualifying events for this winter's Olympics. Except, it wasn't winter yet. The event was held at the ski jump facility with the athletes skiing down wet Astroturf and landing on grass. It was such a beautiful day we all got a little rosy in the cheeks. We were able to meet some of the women from the US team. They gave us hats, stickers, a jacket, and signed postcards.

One Sunday afternoon we went to Almaty's Apple Festival. Almaty means Apple and is believed to be the place of origin for the apple. The organizers had an opening program, booths with foods from around Europe, stages with performers, games and rides for the children, and a long isle of apple orchardists selling their apples.

A few weeks later a number of our staff ran in a 10K benefit. In true Finkbeiner form we were there to cheer the runners as they ascended up a rather steep incline. Lots of enjoyment!

Yes, they love Halloween here too. The day before student-led conferences the Student Council put on a Fall Festival for the elementary students. The kids were allowed to dress up and participate. Here is one of my students as a sultan...oddly enough his name is Sultan (Sooltawn). The girls are various cats and sheep.

Fall arrived in Almaty a little later than last year. October 25th we took a ride up one of our valleys with friends to a resort area full of restaurants, saunas, and hotels. I thought you might enjoy the beautiful colors and decor. Who would have ever dreamed they could grow Japanese maples here. I imagine the valleys are somewhat warmer than the steppe just miles away.

Fall Break! This year we chose to go to Paris, France. It was a long trip but well worth it. Our hotel was only a block away from the Louvre Museum. Here are a few of the highlights of the trip.