Day 11

Up too early, but got back to sleep unexpectedly. Then a frantic dash to get out of the door and find a bus for a meeting at a curry house. It is difficult to know how much one should write about church. The Kazakhstani follow a code of tolerance, which means you cannot make another person feel awkward in a given situation. Plus there is I feel, to a certain extent, an intrinsic mistrust of any belief if it falls outside of Islam (except extremism, though any form of extremism is dealt with severely) and Russian Orthodoxy. Various guide books and a few people I met when in Almaty last year say that Islam is not strictly followed by many, but the culture has been heavily influenced by nomadic Turkish Islamists. Those expats from the church that have been here say they would exercise caution whether in public, on the phone or by email. Whilst the congregation know they are being monitored, the expats do not want to bring greater attention on local attendees with careless words. That being said, the pastor is known to the government branch that deals with religious organisations and there is dialogue about activities, but it is not aggressive. We’re not forced underground. But we do have to follow certain guidelines in order to hold meetings. So whilst writing this blog of reflective experience, I wonder if there are government officials that would read these words? What do they look for?

Anyway, we went. What, by comparison, it lacks in style, size and sophistication of Kings Eastbourne, it is no less passionate. Singing in Russian with occasionally a few English slides, leaves a number of songs where we play, guess that tune. I really could do with a gift of tongues.

It is curious what certain rights groups have to say about certain countries. One might think that it is far better in their home country, but then fail to appreciate the depths of problems that exist there because they are not part of that social group, or not located in that part of the city, or not at the mercy of that level of deprived living. Or simply fail to recognise the controls that their government have on society because they have grown used to it. Some are critical of countries where you cannot speak your mind, but I contrast this with the myriad of reports where individuals who have done just that in the UK and have wound up in jail.

Whilst we try to understand the Kazakhstani customs a little better, there are several things so far that I find are positive. You cannot appear drunk in any public area. You cannot gamble outside any regulated establishment. You cannot drink anything alcoholic and drive. You don’t see in appropriate reading material near any children’s section. We are only a few days in and a long way to go. We are in a fortunate position that if there are things that we do not agree with very strongly, then we can leave.

It's about to get a lot colder. Wednesday forecast -20 ^oC by day 

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Just had an unpleasant experience. I brought a bottle of wine. Shared a glass with Ali. Then found out it must be a mead. I missed the 16% sig on the label. Neither of us can stomach it. Perhaps it’ll be useful for cooking.

Ray

Had a fabulous weekend with my family. I enjoyed my first sledge down the hill. Been really nice not to have to work at everything, e.g. DIY, washing car, packed lunches, etc. Pending Monday blues are the same no matter what country. Ray is having to go to work, but should be a little easier when we are all on campus and we can see him some lunch times too.

Ali