Ersatz Guide to Astana

Kazakhstan was an exciting and enjoyable posting, we truly loved living in the capital city Astana.

This page houses a collection of my posts that talk about what it was like to live in Astana (2011-2014) and how to deal with some of the challenges that come from living in this new city, the second coldest capital in the world.

• About Astana/ An Astana Photo Tour
• Coping with snow and dressing for the cold is perhaps the biggest challenge in Astana.  
• Just because spring is here don't expect to be able to remove your coat.  People here like to wrap up all the time.  
• Grocery Shopping - most things are available but you have to know where to look.  Different stuff is available in Supermarkets and in the Bazaars.  
• Public transport in Astana can be daunting at first but is actually easier than it seems.
• Finding an address is a huge challenge.
• Driving in Astana can be challenging, especially in the snow.  
• Buying a car - very few expats need to do this and the process is arduous and, at times, frustrating. 
• If Buying a car is frustrating selling a car is ... complicated.
• Medical Care is available but can be difficult to find.  

Once you know how to cope with the basics of life there is plenty of fun to be had and places to see.

• The Ishim Embankment - the river runs through the centre of Astana and is the perfect place to relax in both winter and summer.
• The Circus is a local tradition.  Astana has a fabulous permanent circus building and many high quality shows year round.
• Astana is full of malls - indoor playgrounds to while away the time in the winter.  The Khan Shatyr is the most iconic.  
• The Gulag was a very sad part of Kazakhstan's history under Soviet occupation.  Kazakhstan makes a point of remembering all victims of political repression.  
• Weddings - Astana is a young city full of young people so the chances are you will be invited to a wedding.  

Kazakhs celebrate everything - throw yourself into the action and enjoy every moment.

• International Women's day is a big celebration.  Men - make sure you don't forget to give all women in your office a gift - it is a serious faux pas!
• Men are not left out.  There is a men's day to celebrate as well, part of a trio of big May celebrations.
• Nauruz is Kazakh New Year and one of the biggest public holidays in the country.  We like to go to the public city celebrations.  
• Kazakh children still play many traditional games.  These are surprisingly familiar to our old European favorites.
• Constitution Day is another large public holiday and The Day of Knowledge celebrates the start of the school year.
• Drinking Camel's Milk in the Yurt - is a book about expat life in Kazakhstan.  Read my review here. 
• Astana is a fabulous, unique place to live.  There are some things we will not miss but many that we will be sad to leave behind.