Astana, Kazakhstan
After my long flight I slept thru to 730 am. The hotel had arranged to bring breakfast to my room at 8am as there is no dining room. They were still saying I had to pay for the room even though I had paid Expedia.
As I was checking out I left my bags to walk to two museums a short distance away. The scale on maps was much larger and they were quite a distance away
First was Saken Seifullin house, a historic home. I dont know anything about him but his old house shows there was history to Astana before it become the new modern capital.
There was a guide book in English and I think he is responsible for bringing education and schools to the nomadic people. Entrance was 300T ($1)
Navigating a few blocks south was the Presidential House Museum. You had to go thru security to enter but entrance was free.
You also had to wear plastic covers on your shoes to protect the floors even though they were marble. It was three floors and the elevator starts you in the conference room at the top.
The outer hallway had more gifts from heads of state as well as the iconic Golden Man of Kazakhstan.
The second floor had more formal state and meeting rooms, as well as pictures of the Presidents early life. He has been in power for 20 years since independence and seems to enjoy support.
He was a former communist party leader and took over after independence.
I made my way back to my hotel to get my bags and I think they figured it out that I had paid and was ok to leave.
2025-05-22