viaggio nell'ultimo PAESE SOVIETICO (che non ti aspetti) 🇰🇿

This travelogue chronicles a journey through Kazakhstan, beginning in the city of Almaty. The narrator highlights the city’s unique blend of Soviet-era architecture—characterized by massive apartment blocks—and its striking natural surroundings. Notable landmarks include the colorful, wooden Ascension Cathedral, which has survived numerous earthquakes, and various Soviet-era memorials. The narrator also notes the country's complex history, including its status as the last nation to gain independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and the subsequent relocation of the capital to Astana.

As the trip progresses beyond Almaty, the narrator explores the vast, desolate landscapes of the Kazakh countryside. The journey includes visits to ancient petroglyphs, the "Singing Dunes" (a natural phenomenon caused by shifting sand), and the dramatic rock formations of the Aktau Mountains and Charyn National Park. Throughout the trip, the narrator observes cultural similarities to neighboring Mongolia, such as the prevalence of horse meat in the local diet, the nomadic history, and the presence of Korean-style convenience stores.

The travelogue also touches on the country's geopolitical and historical context, mentioning the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which remains under Russian lease, and the legacy of nuclear testing at the Semipalatinsk Polygon. The narrator reflects on the hospitality of the local people, who often set tables with sweets and jams as a welcoming gesture, and discusses the challenges of navigating the country’s remote regions. Ultimately, the narrator concludes that while the trip involves long hours of travel and rugged conditions, the diverse, Martian-like landscapes and the authentic, less-traveled areas provide a rewarding experience that differs significantly from common Western misconceptions about the country.