Oh bugger - I have to go to Kazakhstan with work. Has anyone been?

[Artichokes]

And if you have been what is it like? It is an interesting place to visit? Any tips on things to see or do?

Two weeks away from DD is going to be pretty hard so it would be nice to know that I am going to a place worth visiting.

I think Quintessential is right - Eleusis is the person you need to seek out. Actually, Squiffy may well have been there too. I think she and Ele have been pretty much everywhere.....

Eleusis has only been to Aktau I think. DOn;t think Squiffy has been to Kaz, though she may have and not mentioned it.

Think you can fly direct to Astana now. Planes don;t stop flying unless the weather is pretty damned extreme. I took four flights Nov, Dec and 2x Jan and never had a problme. You do get delays but geenrally due to fog.

I thought the food was pretty good Artichokes, apples and tomatoes are pretty plentiful een in winter if you're worried about getting scurvy!

Yes it is still quite soviet/grey and publcially people are quite reseverd but if you are introduced to people they will probably be very friendly.

Will try to dig out some tips on AStana for you

oh dear Lady muck if you are only on week two - I was there 11 weeks!

Can't help, but DH is off to Tadjikistan on Sunday for 10 days, just looked at weather forecast...brrrrrrrrr

My mother has been

Tell her about the delicious bacon fat, go on, go on . Or you can read it on the blog, Artichokes. But if you're planning on reading the whole blog, you'll be needing at least one box of tissues. It's lovely, but it doesn't half make you cry.

and to a couple of others 'stans'

doing therapy

Jackie we're not supposed to be putting her off...! The raw bacon fat was delicious, really it was...

DH was offered a job there. In Almaty. I said no. Quite a few times. I very nearly had "NO!" tatooed on my forehead.