In the guide books there are various patronising statements made about the availability and quality of coffee in Kazakhstan. This, above all threats of police harassment and criminal gangs targeting westerners, terrified me the most.
What if there is no espresso?
What if I am, fate worse than death, forced to drink tea?
Unsurprisingly this turned out to be a load of lonely planet nonsense. This is a recognised syndrome by the way, Lonely-Planet-Nonsense syndrome. True, Almaty has no Starbucks, but this is a good thing. Instead there are many places to lounge about in the sun by fountains and spy on the locals (people watching in polite terminology). My favourite was on Ablay Kahn Avenue, called Kofemania (this works a little better in Russian). They do good sandwiches and cakes. Their outdoor terrace is set far enough back from the relentless traffic to be peaceful enough.
Here ends shameless plug to limited readership.
What if there is no espresso?
What if I am, fate worse than death, forced to drink tea?
Unsurprisingly this turned out to be a load of lonely planet nonsense. This is a recognised syndrome by the way, Lonely-Planet-Nonsense syndrome. True, Almaty has no Starbucks, but this is a good thing. Instead there are many places to lounge about in the sun by fountains and spy on the locals (people watching in polite terminology). My favourite was on Ablay Kahn Avenue, called Kofemania (this works a little better in Russian). They do good sandwiches and cakes. Their outdoor terrace is set far enough back from the relentless traffic to be peaceful enough.
Here ends shameless plug to limited readership.