On life
I have been living in Astana for about two years. The first time I came here was in 2011. I have worked for the Rixos hotel chain for more than 14 years, and for 5 years I was responsible for management and marketing in this region, so I came to Kazakhstan quite often. That was when I felt that Kazakhstan resembles my homeland: the culture, the people, the mentality.
I can honestly say that life here is better for me than in Türkiye. Because the concept of our hotel in Türkiye is a resort hotel. In the busiest season, the summer, it operates on an all-inclusive basis. People come to eat and have fun. Every period looks like a robotic system: everything is the same, only the people change. But here everything is different, because this is a hotel with a business concept. I came here to make changes. My main goal when I arrived was EXPO. During EXPO we hosted 17 presidents and one king; important people came here, and we had to host them all. We began renovating the hotel and changed everything except the interior. When I was introducing new changes, it was great, because it gave me more energy and strength. In this way we renew our minds and our lives.
On Astana
I moved to Astana in winter, and everyone warned me that it would be cold and that I should be careful. I was even frightened. But when I arrived, I felt the fresh air. It was cold but fresh, and on the whole comfortable for me. Since I live in Antalya, it is quite hot there even in winter. Here, though, outdoors, even when it was snowing, everything was perfect for me.
I do not feel like going out anywhere for entertainment. When I lived in Türkiye I spent a lot of time on entertainment, and over time I grew bored of it. Here everything is calm and relaxed, perhaps because of my age. I usually go to the parks near the St. Regis hotel and the HighVill residential complex.
To get to a particular place, I use a car. Before coming here, I found out everything about the traffic rules in Kazakhstan from my colleagues. I had no fear of driving in a foreign country. I lived in Cyprus, and the traffic rules there are as in England. That is, it is a completely different system. So when I arrived, I got behind the wheel straight away.
I would like to mention the local education. I completed an MBA in Türkiye, but I decided to continue my education in Astana and applied for the doctoral programme at the Eurasian National University. I hope that my studies will begin this year.
I can say with confidence that all culture and education are concentrated here. In September the Financial Centre will open in Astana. So with every year more and more European companies and projects will be drawn here. This affects the city’s enormous business potential. In the future Astana will achieve everything.
On food
When I came here, everyone wanted to show their hospitality and treated me to local food: beshbarmak, baursak, plov, samsa. Most of the dishes were served at the same time, and I was asked to try everything. I thought I had to empty every plate, but I realised that it was too much for me. But then I noticed that a guest should simply taste each dish, and I began to do the same.
It is not customary to eat horse meat in Türkiye. But here I learned that horses are raised specially for horse meat; I was shown such farms. After that I ventured to try it, and it turned out to be tasty. Year after year, each time I try your traditional dish again, I find a connection with Turkish cuisine.
On shopping
I like shopping at the Keruen, Khan Shatyr and MEGA Silk Way shopping centres. I recently discovered local shops with organic and natural products. But I also visited a bazaar outside the city in order to see how people live. And when I walked through the market, I realised that here you can find a great many products depending on your financial means. What is more, at the bazaar the products are much fresher and there is more choice, with a lot of clothing and leather goods. Everything there is more traditional. I bought many gifts for friends and family.
On people
In Türkiye we worked with people from Kazakhstan. I knew your culture, education and mentality. I can say with confidence that Kazakhs are friendly. I always feel at home in Kazakhstan; it is my second homeland.
I think Astana reflects the true Kazakhstani mentality, because people come here from all regions. If we take all the residents of Astana, we will see the mentality of the people of Kazakhstan. Different nationalities live here, there is religious freedom, and Muslims and Christians live as friends. People are alike in their friendliness and open hearts.
Source: weproject.media
Translated from the Russian original.