• The locals visiting the Astana Expo 2017 virtually stop when they see Indians dressed in traditional salwar kameez. “Picture, picture,” they cry out excitedly. English is rarely spoken or understood in Kazakhstan. But the people are friendly, courteous and warm even when they tell you “No English.”
  • Finding vegetarian food is no mean task in Kazakhstan. The famous saying that Kazakhs are second only to wolves when it comes to eating meat is exemplified in the menu of hotels and eateries. The horse meat, besides mutton, is the most popular in the country. Paulina, our guide in Astana, says “we never fail to acknowledge the horse which feeds us and has seen us through bad times.” The choice for vegetarians is confined to mushrooms, the Greek salad, a rare vegetarian pizza, boiled rice, baked vegetables and of course breads. It could be a Herculean task for them to look for vegetarian food in a land where hoteliers and workers at restaurants know no English.