Well, I lived in Almaty for about 3-4 months back in 2018. I didn't understand the city then, and I didn't understand it on this trip either.

Especially after the events of Bloody January and all the crap that came with it. Shame and disgrace. The dignity of the people is already at rock bottom.

There was once hope that if not Astana, then Almaty, but no. And that's just as well.

The southern vibe never appealed to me. Plus, the excessive presence of incomprehensible masses of people and these pseudo-shocked Kazakhstan-Russian individuals with their concept of the city of Verny.

Met with a "childhood friend" and realized that my mindset has drifted too far. Tried to understand and realized that understanding is beyond me.

Damn.

Lesson: you change and the sooner you accept and embrace that — the better off you’ll be. I fucked, I fuck, and I will fuck.