Kazakhastan

Astana.

Astana, the infant capital of the giant country Kazakhstan. In 1997 only, popular president Nazarbayev decided that Kazakhstan should play a decisive roll in the Central Asian region. And Astana should be the grand example of this vision. Before old Almaty was the country's number one city. But Astana, in that time a dusty steppe town, has become the new face of the new place. And quite a city it is.

Astana still lies in the middle of the steppe which you can clearly see when you aproach it by taxi from the airport. The huge skyline reaches for the blue desert sky in the heat of the dry steppe. Giant cranes can be seen everywhere working on yet more highrisers and mindblowing architecture. One thing is for sure, the architecture of Astana is absolutely amazing! But what is it like to live in this place?

To me Astana feels like a spoiled ten year old in want of attention. Attention it deserves but is not really getting yet. It's certainly an impressive place with a bright future ahead, but it doesn't have the typical city feelng yet that I've experienced in capitals all over the World. It is still searching for it's individuality. The streets of Astana are filled with young families enjoying the sunny afternoons with the same high expectencies the city holds.

Astana is young and has a log way to go. Just like the mighty Kazakhstan, the 6th largest country with enormous potential to become a big player in the world. One you can't afford to ignore in our times.