Lex Libertas

The Aral Sea:

Tap Water in Aktau:

I quite enjoy the richness that is inherent in any language, but especially English, which is commonly estimated to have the largest vocabulary of all. When I was a child, and I used to ask my parents what a word meant, the answer was always “look it up in the dictionary.” At the time I hated it, but now I find myself doing it for fun. Often, I’ll even look up words that I know, but I want to see how people have explicitly defined them and find out the etymology, which can help me to understand shades of meaning. Some definitions are more aesthetically pleasing than others. Take, for example, the following definition. It is succinct, precise, and engaging:

Coyness
“n : the affectation of being demure in a provocative way”

Why was the word “coy” boucning around in my head? I was thinking about the differences between Russian and American girls, the former displaying more of the trait, and the latter less.

Today we celebrate the day that the Soviet Socialist Republic of Kazakhstan declared sovereignty, on October 25, 1990. This declaration basically said that the laws made by the Supreme Soviet (Parliament) of the Kazakh SSR were to take precedence over conflicting laws passed by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The independent Republic of Kazakhstan wouldn’t be created until December 16, 1991, but this declaration of sovereignty was an important step, being taken by republics all over the USSR, towards the collapse of the Soviet Union.

There were no big parades, which is fine, because I wasn’t in a state to wake up early and watch. I was in the office last night until 2:30am. Instead, coworker invited me over for dinner with her family, and I was expecting a traditional Russian meal. Instead we had Chicken curry with bananna and apple salad, which was actually a welcome change from Russian food. On the way home this evening, I stopped by the main square in town, which was blocked off to traffic. There was a large crowd and some live music, but nothing too interesting, so I wandered off home. Overall, not a very big holiday, most people thought of it simply as an excuse to get off work. Some, in fact, didn’t even know what the holiday was called. And I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the population thinks today celebrates the creation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

“Is it really true that only women with perfect skin can be beautiful?”

Someone on the metro in St. Petersburg marked in the box for “yes.”

On Monday I flew from Almaty to Amsterdam and back. I met someone who came from the states to deliver some parts. It was urgent, so I had a grand total of 7 hours in The Netherlands. Mind, Almaty and Amsterdam aren’t so close, so I was in the air for exactly twice as long as I was on the ground.

I must say that I was very impressed with what I saw. The Amsterdam airport is fantastic. The people are super nice, the train station is immediately below it, so there’s quick and easy access, and it’s overall very comfortable for the traveller. You can even check yourself in on a little machine. This is great because you can pick your own seat. You then take the boarding pass to a baggage check area, where they take your suitcases and quickly send them on their way.

Basically, it all started on Saturday evening. I was sitting in an internet cafe when I got a call at 11:30. “Owen, do you want to go to Amsterdam?” Still fresh and naive in this industry, I thought “oh, that sounds fun, I wonder why?” I responded, of course, that I would love to go to Amsterdam. In fact, a good friend of mine is currently interning in The Hague, and it would have been a great chance to meander around the streets of Amsterdam with her.

Just after I responded, however, I remembered that sometimes we have parts hand-carried over. It’s often faster than sending things. Oh well, it had to be done, and I’m the most eligible person for the role. I searched around a little on the net to see when the next flight to Amsterdam was - in seven hours. (Everything in this trip is 7’s). So I rushed home, packed my bags, and set out for the airport. There were no seats available, so I had to wait and hope that somebody would not show up. After several hours standing, staring at the insanely long lines, I walked away exhausted and empty handed. Now, I know that standing for 7 hours is an enjoyable way to spend one’s Saturday evening for some people, but standing in a club versus an airport is a key difference.

The next available flight was on Monday morning at 7am, so I slept most of the day away, and went out with a friend on Sunday evening. Eventually I get on the plane and start my journey. The trip over isn’t so bad, I’m able to chat with someone who is travelling to Belgium to see her mother marry a NATO staffer. The movie is “The Devil Wears Prada,” which was disappointing in how sweet and conventional it was. Though Meryl Streep, as always, is fabulous.

Were I to have made the Sunday flight, I would have been able to spend the day with Cassie as my guide around the city. Unfortunately, on Monday she had work and couldn’t get off to come to Amsterdam, so I don’t have a guide around the city. Instead, I spend my time on trains, trams, and taxis, and spend a grand total of 30 minutes in downtown. Though it was amazing to be back in a Western country. There is so much that we take from granted, like how smoothly trains run on the tracks. Though the flip-side is that it is insanely expensive!

As I mentioned, you can check yourself in and select your own seats. I’m pretty tall, and I always want the exit row, but by the time I get there, it’s never available. Also, I prefer the window seat, so I can scrunch up and lean against it and hopefully sleep. Be careful what you wish for. As I checked in 6 hours before my flight, I had a pretty good pick of seats, and the screen even shows you a seating chart, so you have an idea of where in the plane you’ll be. To my great satisfaction, there was a window exit available and I immediately grabbed it. When I got on the plane, I realized the error of my ways. This plane (Boeing 737)was unlike any I was used to, and the exit door juts out about 8 inches, making me sit with my legs at an angle for the whole flight. I know I’m going too far here, but I didn’t want to lean my legs on the exit door, fearing I might push it open mid-flight. Moreover, it was really loud and freezing cold for the whole flight. If only I had know about this site, I could have saved myself. Put the mouse cursor over seat 29G. Everything it says is true. Also, the guy next to me kept hogging the armrest, so my already reduced space was decreased even more.

In addition to these envirnomental conditions, I was exhausted after over a full day without sleep, and little the day before. In short, the return trip was horrible. I arrived at 5:00am, and was slated to take a 9am flight from Almaty out to Aktau and deliver the parts. Fortunately, another coworker was headed for Aktau that same day, and was able to deliver the parts instead of me.

Though the flight back was awful, and I didn’t have enough time to explore the city of Amsterdam, I was very impressed with what I saw of Amsterdam. The country, though tiny, is exremely comsmopolitan. There were myriad nationalities represented, and everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. If you are flying through Europe, and have the choice, this is by far the best hub. I know that Frankfurt is slightly more popular, but it has nothing on Amsterdam. And Paris and London should be avoided at all costs, unless they are your final destination. Once again, the Dutch are profiting well from International trade and travel, and doing it right.

One of the bridges in St. Petersburg, taken at 2:30am a week and a half after the peak of the White Nights.

I returned on Sunday from my mini vacation. Unfortunately, I waited so long for the visa, that I missed most of the events that I went for. That said, I met with the most important people and got my winter clothes. Though I don’t need them right now. It’s about 10C warmer than when I left. I’m wearing a sweater, and I really shouldn’t be, but I can’t exactly take it off.