The hotel in Almaty is a communist-style block of cement - and just as warm. I feel the oppression in the dark hallways and worn fixtures. However, the big upside is the view. Each morning, I get to watch the sunrise and shimmer over Zenkov Cathedral. The hotel is directly across the street from Panfilov Park, so the faint cigarette smell and the lack of water in the shower can be overlooked.
Downtown Almaty is a combination of cement concrete blocks, with Western touches here and there. As long as you don't look up, you might think you were in any other bustling downtown retail corridor.
Panfilov Park is a good place for strolling and playing...or lending libraries.
The park is named for the Panfilov Heroes, 28 soldiers who died fighting off Nazi tanks outside of Moscow in 1941. The war memorial commemorates them, while the eternal flame includes the fallen of 1917-20 as well as those from WWII.
Panfilov Park also houses the magnificent Zenkov Cathedral. Designed in 1904, the cathedral is built of wood. It was used as a concert hall by the Soviets, but returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1995 and was promptly restored. When the sun hits it just right, it glows.
Zhasylkol Lake outside of Almaty.
Down from the lake is a birds of prey wildlife preservation.
This was the mouse house...where they raise the food for the birds. It stunk to high heaven and was pretty disturbing.
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