Almaty

My eight days in Almaty were a whirlwind of work, sleep depravation and fun.

High Points:

• Walking around. Something I don't get to do much of in Kabul.
• Being praised by my boss for designing and giving the best presentation during the strategic planning sessions.
• Hanging out with Jenny and Ian who were in Almaty from the DC office.
• Gorging myself on the homemade cookies that Gavi's mom sent from the US, via Ian.
• Watching Kazakh music videos.
• Eating pepperoni pizza, having an American style brunch complete with bacon, going out to bars with the Kazakh staff and drinking micro brews.
• Using the hotel laundry service, which includes dryers (my jeans shrunk back down to size).
  
• Not having to worry about being culturally inappropriate.
• Not wearing a headscarf!

***Pics in order: Soviet statue in the downtown park of Almaty; Cathedral in the same park; Ian and Igor (DC bonding with Kazakh staff) at Murphy's Pub; Nathan and I on our way into the same pub; DC staff participating in the local custom of toasting with vodka; me enjoying one of the cranberry and white chocolate cookies sent to Nathan and I from the US (Gavi's mom is the best EVER).