It
took a few days before getting out on it, so I had to wait patiently. And when
I did get out for a ride I was not disappointed. Sean lead most of the way to
some random spot 30km from the university, then we turned round and headed back
to the barn. First bit of cycling for 6 months and didn’t feel too bad.
However, went out the next morning on a tour around Astana, but there was more
of a head wind, which just eat at my energy. On the way back I thought we were
making good progress and then a tyre blew. Had to perform an emergency repair,
which is not the easiest with tubular tyres if they are the Continental brand.
Thankfully Sean put it all right and managed to limp home. Wondering if I
should have stuck with clincher tyres after all. Then the day after, I get a
phone call early in the morning from Sean who went out again for a ride, blew a
puncture and couldn’t repair it. So I had to get a taxi and a map and get our
receptionist to tell my driver to head to one stretch of road and look for a
stranded cyclist. We found him and got him back safely. Samaritan job done.
Busy
week for work back in Brighton. Had to Skype in to partake in a viva for one of
my final year students, but I think it helped her relax somewhat knowing that
she had a supporter there. Then had a couple of guys from the UK for an EU
project meeting in Astana. Actually this was quite cool for me, as I was able
to catch up with the situation and recent developments. But also more work in
the pipeline to deal with for other project’s back in Brighton. Hopefully it
shows my willing and desire to eventually return. Also meant I got out for a
couple of meals and some fancy steak. Though one restaurant booked by one of
our female secretaries took us to a place called Alasha, where they had live
dancing. But their last dance was belly dancing and it was very funny to watch
the rest of the table forget their meals as the dancing girls banged their
bottoms against the shoulders of some of guests. I have to find the more incriminating
photos of the UK lot.
Was
asked to give a talk at a local university to try and recruit students for the tentative
PhD program. This was all fine until it finished. One of the NU group went off
to the bathroom and didn’t return. We went looking for him and couldn’t find
him. I said he’s probably gone home as he speaks Russian and knows his way
around. 40 minutes later the secretaries finally locate his mobile phone number
and sure enough he was tucked in at home. So then we start waiting for the
minibus to pick us up and take us home. I said we should jump in a taxi because
it is hot and the driver is having serious problems if he cannot remember where
he dropped us off. An hour later the secretaries decide we should get a taxi
back to NU. Was not happy when we arrived an hour later. 5 minute talk and
several hours of frustration with people who do not listen!
Running
is improving slowly. Not sure I had ever run 10km before, but managed it. Took just
under 55 minutes, which is not earth shattering speed, but I do not recall
having ever run for that long. So a personal achievement and it gives a
benchmark to try and improve. But to go from 10km to 42.2km doesn’t seem
possible somehow. Just wish they’d fix the air conditioning in the gym; running
at 22+oC is rather uncomfortable though did have my family come and cheer me
on, for about 10 meters and then they left for chocolate.
Been
trying to get the Block 38 manager’s to realise there are a set of problems
linked to potentially serious health & safety issues, but currently it’s water
off the duck’s back. At least I can demonstrate persistence and will try and
educate them to take it seriously, though I hold out no hope of them delivering
a solution. I am very thankful that there is no gas piped through to any of the
buildings.
Ali
and the children have been fine. Think we’ve all been yo-yoing in and out of
sickness and various ailments. Still, we have a lot of carbon black on standby.
It could just be a placebo, but Rebekah enjoys taking these black pills, and
she reckons it makes her feel better. So that’s almost the same thing as it
being a panacea. I’m sure these black pills were made by Lily the Pink...
I
also think the weekly trip to a Hardees is also helping. Rebekah and Matthias
are becoming slightly more adventurous with them trying and liking Chicken Shashlik
(essentially a kebab with local seasoning). Matthias is totally hooked on
cheeseburgers now. That’s my son. Been trying to get Matthias to control his
temper as he has taken to having near major episodes when he is asked to do
something he does not like, such as please go and put your sock in the laundry
bag – a major effort to tear him away from the iPad or Wii. It took me a while
to figure out a solution. Given that Matthias has a keen memory and wont let
you forget all the promises Ali and I make, I finally realised to turn that
around. So I asked him to think very carefully about how he would talk to us in
the future and how he will react when we ask him to do things. He made a
promise to not shout and sulk. And now I can remind him that he promised and in
an instant he remembers and changes his tone. If only I could have thought of
this sooner!
Ray
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