One thing that kept me grounded in reality was the weather. In most instances, temperatures shifted up and down on opposite sides of the planet in Saskatoon and then in Nur-Sultan (or vice versa), within days. December was fairly mild, but when it dropped, it dropped fast, and it was чертовски холодно.
Many areas of the city looked pretty cool for a couple weeks - fog set in for days, and rather than a thin layer of easily-knocked-off frost on everything, it built up like icicles.
Apartment on the left, Khan Shatyr mall on the right
And when it gets cold, time to pull out the extra layers - Canada Goose if you splurged on one...maybe a Shymkent Chicken jacket if you didn't...
Speaking of Geese and Chickens...there was a wildlife show right outside my window the other day.
Living in Nur-Sultan
Going around the city to various shops and malls, the prices, product quality, and even store layouts vary considerably. Take this mall - it was 5 stories, and on each floor hundreds of these smaller pop-up style shops, sometimes dozens of them with all the same products. Mostly imported products from China and lower cost...not the place you want to pick up safe toys for a toddler.
Then the other extreme at a different mall...this store had traditional Kazakh clothing, and I wanted some formal wear to compliment my suit. But with hand-stitching and all authentic high-quality fur, cost was over $1,500 US!
Further to the topic of culture, when I was faced with an unexpected long weekend in December, I ventured out to the national concert hall (in front of the presidential palace) to take in a concert of traditional instruments, like the Dombra.
Work
Work is work - year one closed out with improvements to the way the company discloses information, and great progress towards greater credibility and a solid reputation. Of note, while we're listed on the historical London Stock Exchange, our primary exchange is local - the Astana Stock Exchange...which is brand new! For most of this year, Kazatomprom was the ONLY company with shares listed on the exchange, but they're making good progress and we've been joined by a couple other listed companies.
The exchange is housed in the Expo Centre (area around the Death Star museum in the picture above). Front entrance and ticker is pretty spectacular.
A quick photo with our board chair, Jon Dudas, who has now left our board to join the board of our majority shareholder, the state-owned Samruk Kazyna Wealth Fund.
Emerging Markets Investor Conference (Prague)
The year wasn't quite over in terms of work travel - one more conference in December, this time to Prague, Czechia (Czech Republic is re-branding itself...though I'm still stuck in the 90's for my European geography, apparently. I often find myself saying "I was in Czechoslovakia", a country that has not existed for more than 25 years...).
Of the big, historic cities I've been to for work, Prague is at the top of the list as a place I'd want to take the family back to visit some time.
In the main areas, it's all cobblestone sidewalks and streets - but not London's "break your ankles" bouldery cobblestone - instead a mosaic of 2" x 2" x 1" blocks, perfectly set and level.
And food: generally low-cost and quite exceptional. This was a traditional Czech pork-knuckle - skin was like crispy candy outside, while the bright-pink ham (like grandma used to make) inside fell off the bone. Served with dry horseradish, a baked onion, salad, and three types of mustards. Far more meat than one person could finish, but washed down well with a draft dark Kozel Czech beer, which was far better than any Kozel out of a bottle. Back in Canada now...and already bought the pork knuckles in order to get this dish going on the Treager smoker this weekend!
Touristy restaurant visited by the Czech greats!
And good company, with the managing director of marketing and chief commercial officer representing the company. We were seated at a bizarre table, where the three of us sat side-by-side on an elevated platform, facing out to the rest of the restaurant. Great place to people-watch and be judgmental in observing the staff and other patrons.
Wandering around Prague
Had a few hours between the end of the conference and the flight back...so made the most of it. Which is rare, I usually dislike "touristy" stuff when on my own and not with the family - but I like the unique Christmas market atmosphere in Europe, and found a communism and nuclear bunker tour that was up my alley this time.
Climbing the 287 spiral stairs to the top of St. Vitus' bell tower
Christmas Markets
Mulled wine, sausages, pork hocs, Trdelni'k, street food available throughout the city - great atmosphere for Christmas...
Entrance is at a spot where expression with graffiti is encouraged and constantly repainted.
HOMEWARD BOUND!
In Kazakhstan, there are Christmas trees and presents given, but I've learned that for the most part, they are "New Years" trees, and presents are given for New Years...not so much the Santa and Jesus stuff.
So I left behind my festive flat to head home:
...5 hrs to Istanbul, 8 hrs layover in their massive airport and lounge, 11 hrs to Toronto, 1h15m to SPRINT through Pearson customs, pickup and recheck bags (the impossible only made possible by Nexus and priority baggage, with bags rechecked literally 2 mins before the 45 min baggage cutoff...), then 3.5 hrs to Saskatoon!
Merry Christmas!
Great to see the pictures bud!
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