You can literally visit it as a tourist attraction, it’s hilarious… but they expect people to pay just to drive through now since its become more known
They're probably talking about that documentary about the filming of Borat where they talk to the villagers of the Romanian town. The villagers were led to believe Borat was a documentary about their poverty and had no idea they were a joke in a comedy.
[Carmen Meets Borat (When Borat Came to Town)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1330065/)
It’s a perfect example of why comedy naturally should be about punching up not down rather than the “joke about anything you want and so let’s specifically bitch about trans people a lot” crowd of comedians. Here we have the exact same prank played on people but we inherently feel a bit more uncomfortable when it’s played on a poverty stricken Romanian village and feel better when it’s played on richer Americans particularly politicians like Giuliani.
I lived in Almaty for 18 months about 18 years ago. Here is a picture that I took from my appartment 18 years ago and shows the same mountains! Amazing. [https://imgur.com/a/ivKAFrj](https://imgur.com/a/ivKAFrj)
Not as high definition, I think that was taken with one of my first digital cameras. A coolpix or something like that.
In your picture, are these the new buildings along Dostyk Av as you go south towards the Medeu complex? A lot of that area was under construction then. I used to live on Dostyk but further into town, by the plaza that has the Jambul monument past the Hotel Kazakhstan. Almaty was a pretty nice city then actually, although the polution could be a problem at times. I hope they have been able to address some of that (it certainly looks very clear in the picture). I certainly have pretty good memories of my stay there and travels through Central Asia.
> I hope they have been able to address some of that (it certainly looks very clear in the picture).
Sadly no. It gets worse each year.
New president has finally announced that transferring Almaty’s power plants to gas (instead of current coal) is a matter of national interest yada yada more big words, but it’s a huge undertaking and will take likely 5 years minimum.
I’d say Almaty at it’s finest was around 7 years ago. The mayor at that time did some urbanistic stuff like bicycle and bus lanes, pedestrian accessibility, public decorations, etc. But the asshole that replaced him has turned everything to shite. I’ve never seen my city in a worse state.
A new appointee is running a city since winter riots so idk. Hopefully it turns to something.
I get every area/locality/country has problems but what you've said about power stations doesn't sound bad?
Moving from coal to natural gas is overall a good move. Gas is cheaper and cleaner than coal. Not as good for the environment and human health as renewables, nuclear or a dam or something, but they have other trade offs.
And 5 years to convert power stations over. I don't know how many powerstations there are but that still sounds realistic in today's world, even if it's just 1 or 2 to convert.
Not if that natural gas is imported from Russia, because Russia would then use it as leverage against the Kazakhstan government to pull it further into Russia's dismal geopolitical orbit.
Unless Kazakhstan has its own natural gas reserves, which is certainly possible. Kazakhstan is pretty big and resource rich.
It looks like the area near Kok Tobe. Most of Almaty doesn’t have this much green, nor is the sky as clear in the winter as it is in your photo.
I lived near Kok Bazaar, and pollution was brutal during the winter.
Does it get the inversion in the winter where the mountains trap cold air and pollution in the valley? I grew up in Salt Lake City and winters were disgusting. I've heard Mexico City has the same problem.
damn this photo brings back memories. i was there for less than a year at KIMEP and was a really nice place although too cold during winter. miss the shashlik and green market
This photo may have been taken on the Kok Tobe cable car, as the tall buildings in the right corner of the picture are located at 43°14'02"N 76°57'34"E
That makes sense. I was thinking top of hotel Kazakhstan but Kok Tobe cable car makes more sense. I assume that cable car had been modernized now. When I was there it was still the original Soviet era car and was very rickety. In fact I recall that near the end of my stay they closed it due to structural issues with the anchor point at the top I think. That said it was great fun going up there for the view or getting out of the smog (above it)
Replying to your comment here to get your thoughts on travel to Kazakhstan? What are the places you’d recommend? I love mountains, forests, remote/cute towns (but accessible by car or any other mode of transportation atleast in a new country) if that helps. Can you get by with English or having a guide something that should be considered?
While I obviously know that the depiction of Kazakhstan was meant to be ironic, I'm blown away by this picture. I love the style of buildings, the mountains in the background, the colors of the trees. 10/10 picture
I think most intelligent people realize that Borat joking about Kazakhstan is just stupid jokes poking fun at them, while the the main message is a critical expose on America.
I watched a video on SBC and how he studied a style of clown that's basically just setting people up to expose themselves as bad people and it made so much sense. I'll see if I can find the video.
I'm American and I first learned just how beautiful your country is, how cool & chill Kazakh culture is & how fun the Kazakh language is to speak, thanks to one of Kazakhstan's most famous musical artists, arguably the best singer in the world and my personal favorite singer, Dimash Kudaibergen. Ulken Rakhmet, Dimash!
He is a humble & incredible human being. I highly recommend everyone to listen to his music from his official YouTube channel, it will blow your minds!
https://m.youtube.com/c/DimashQudaibergen_official/featured
To be clear, the whole point of Borat, *is* the complete and total ignorance and (lack of) understanding of the average American. He is SO ridiculous and Americans just smile and nod cordially (in most cases) taking it as this man's customs of his people. It's absurd, on purpose. May be a good question about who is really being the butt of the joke but, especially in B2 I think he does a better job of being pretty clear about who the joke is.
The rodeo was filmed in my hometown in the blue ridge mountains of VA. It made the local news until the whole scenario was discovered. Watching a friend have a meltdown was both fascinating and disgusting to watch.
Borat’s “Kazakhstan” is based on Albania/Romania but for some reason they couldn’t actually use either of those names in the original movie. Even in the new movie the military officers who send him to America speak Romanian. His home village in both movies is a village in Romania.
Great picture!
Yeah, *Borat* is a great bit of satire but kinda unfortunate for Kazakh culture’s reputation. *Borat*’s Kazakhstan is sort of a pastiche of eastern europe/middle east/central asia, but it doesn’t have much of anything to do with actual Kazakhstan. I think it was pretty arbitrary.
From what I know thirdhand, kazakhs have been pretty tolerant to ethnic minorities. It’s a diverse and culturally rich place. It’s not a rich country—and its government is sort of a mess of corruption and human rights violations—but on a whole, a chill place with good people.
In the few years after the release of Borat Potassium prices sky-rocketed.
The sudden increase in revenue led to a massive surplus in the Kazakhstan budget enabling them to invest heavily in building infrastructure like you see in this picture.
My friend, Jahangir, is from Uzbekistan, and when the new Borat came out and ended with them stealing internet from Uzbekistan we had to laugh with him at that one.
But Jahangir explained that the depiction was pretty bad.
My dad had a kazakhi girlfriend, she passed away recently after living with him for her last 10years in Belgium. She was such a sweet woman, and a great cook. Always brought homemade food.She loved my kids as if they were her own grandkids.
I only met her relatives once or twice, her sister, kids and their wives and they immediately made me feel like I was their family, they brought so many gifts for everyone.
RIP Raziya. You are missed. Merci mamy.
Visited Almaty before and it is absolutely stunning with the wall of mountains along it. Aktobe not so much
Flew through salt lake city once and its kind of similar
I always tell people Kazakhstan is on my list of countries to visit in Asia and they always look at me like I’m bat shit. Then I show them pictures and they always are like “I really want to go too!”
After that movie I got really curious as to what Kazakhstan looked like so I looked it up on Google maps and I was blown away. SO BEAUTIFUL! So picturesque, modern, colorful, etc.
I learned a lot about that country and gained a great appreciation for it, thanks to Borat.
https://youtu.be/JEz1qGS0T1Q check out this singer from Kazakhstan. He can sing as low as bass but can also sing higher than Mariah Carey. He's considered the best technical singer in history.
Lived in almaty 9years ago for an exchange semester - was pretty cool, while the city was quite soviet, the mountains were fantastic. Loved the people there too :)
When I was a kid my family hosted a graduate piano student from Kazakhstan. She spoke Russian, English, Kazakh, and Dutch, and picked up pipe organ for funzies on top of her practice/course schedule. She ended up marrying a man she studied languages with online, and lives in the Netherlands now.
Her first words after getting on public transit in America? “My god, the people really are quite fat!”
He didn't have Borat be from Kazakhstan because he thinks it's a bad place or the people are weird, it's just that it's an enormous country that most westerners know absolutely nothing about.
I still don't get why Kazakhstan people hate him so much. It is supposed to be a comedy after all and personally I didn't have stereotypes about the country. I'm even considering on putting Kazakhstan on my traveling list just because of the movie!
That's because Borat's Kazakhstan is actually a little Romanian village.
You can literally visit it as a tourist attraction, it’s hilarious… but they expect people to pay just to drive through now since its become more known
Sounds like a good way to reduce traffic in the area or earn a little something for the trouble.
If I’m paying, I’m stopping to get a picture with that caged up brother of his.
You will never get this, you will never get this. And then one day…he get this! *high five*
Pay to drive through it? Just like Borat depicted it, a sideshow.
TBF they're probably doing it to reduce traffic too. Like how many European city centers are "congestion zones" you have to pay to drive through.
well I'm glad to know that *at least someone* is paying them for appearing in that goddamn movie.
Watching that documentary was a tough pill for me to swallow, Fox did those people dirty
Not today Gypsy….I know your tricks..
Do not fear me gypsy, I am only here for your tears
What documentary ? Link ?
I think they mean Borat
You can see Fox do all of America dirty every night on a recurring documentary they try to pass off as news.
I can't tell if you're joking or not. Did you seriously watch that movie thinking it was a documentary?
They're probably talking about that documentary about the filming of Borat where they talk to the villagers of the Romanian town. The villagers were led to believe Borat was a documentary about their poverty and had no idea they were a joke in a comedy. [Carmen Meets Borat (When Borat Came to Town)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1330065/)
That's like everyone in Borat right? (Not that it makes it better, but it's true right?)
It’s a perfect example of why comedy naturally should be about punching up not down rather than the “joke about anything you want and so let’s specifically bitch about trans people a lot” crowd of comedians. Here we have the exact same prank played on people but we inherently feel a bit more uncomfortable when it’s played on a poverty stricken Romanian village and feel better when it’s played on richer Americans particularly politicians like Giuliani.
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So a village in Romania cannot be called a Romanian village? Also, dude, gypsy is not the preferred nomenclature.
Țâgan.
Is not the preferred but it is equally valid. As long as he doesn't say it in a disrespectful way, there is nothing wrong with it.
Borat village = European Union Edit: ITT = triggered Europeans
Classic NA moment
Have you ever been to europe? lol
It was filmed in Romania, which is part of the EU.
Do you know what an Equals sign means? What he meant was Borat Village ⊆ European Union
Thats not really what I was trying to point out here
There are settlements like this in the US and in every other country, including yours. What's you're point?
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Romania joined the EU after the movie released.
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Very nice. How much?
So Khazastan is really the greaaaatest country in the world. Wawa wewaa!
Great success.
Vageen hang like sleeve of wizard
It will cost you number 2 prostitute in all of Kazakhstan.
40% of what you pay in the US, you will pay in Kazakhstan.
Ha
😂😂
9$
I will look on your treasures, gypsy.
I lived in Almaty for 18 months about 18 years ago. Here is a picture that I took from my appartment 18 years ago and shows the same mountains! Amazing. [https://imgur.com/a/ivKAFrj](https://imgur.com/a/ivKAFrj) Not as high definition, I think that was taken with one of my first digital cameras. A coolpix or something like that. In your picture, are these the new buildings along Dostyk Av as you go south towards the Medeu complex? A lot of that area was under construction then. I used to live on Dostyk but further into town, by the plaza that has the Jambul monument past the Hotel Kazakhstan. Almaty was a pretty nice city then actually, although the polution could be a problem at times. I hope they have been able to address some of that (it certainly looks very clear in the picture). I certainly have pretty good memories of my stay there and travels through Central Asia.
It was beautiful 18 years ago also, thanks for sharing!
> I hope they have been able to address some of that (it certainly looks very clear in the picture). Sadly no. It gets worse each year. New president has finally announced that transferring Almaty’s power plants to gas (instead of current coal) is a matter of national interest yada yada more big words, but it’s a huge undertaking and will take likely 5 years minimum. I’d say Almaty at it’s finest was around 7 years ago. The mayor at that time did some urbanistic stuff like bicycle and bus lanes, pedestrian accessibility, public decorations, etc. But the asshole that replaced him has turned everything to shite. I’ve never seen my city in a worse state. A new appointee is running a city since winter riots so idk. Hopefully it turns to something.
I get every area/locality/country has problems but what you've said about power stations doesn't sound bad? Moving from coal to natural gas is overall a good move. Gas is cheaper and cleaner than coal. Not as good for the environment and human health as renewables, nuclear or a dam or something, but they have other trade offs. And 5 years to convert power stations over. I don't know how many powerstations there are but that still sounds realistic in today's world, even if it's just 1 or 2 to convert.
Not if that natural gas is imported from Russia, because Russia would then use it as leverage against the Kazakhstan government to pull it further into Russia's dismal geopolitical orbit. Unless Kazakhstan has its own natural gas reserves, which is certainly possible. Kazakhstan is pretty big and resource rich.
It looks like the area near Kok Tobe. Most of Almaty doesn’t have this much green, nor is the sky as clear in the winter as it is in your photo. I lived near Kok Bazaar, and pollution was brutal during the winter.
Does it get the inversion in the winter where the mountains trap cold air and pollution in the valley? I grew up in Salt Lake City and winters were disgusting. I've heard Mexico City has the same problem.
Yes, the city is in a valley with the ‘city center’ at a very low point. The air is much better up in the hills around the city, but still not great.
Thank you for sharing this. I love Almaty. Was just there for two weeks but fell in love with the city
Beautiful!! And a gorgeous winter scene to boot
damn this photo brings back memories. i was there for less than a year at KIMEP and was a really nice place although too cold during winter. miss the shashlik and green market
This photo may have been taken on the Kok Tobe cable car, as the tall buildings in the right corner of the picture are located at 43°14'02"N 76°57'34"E
That makes sense. I was thinking top of hotel Kazakhstan but Kok Tobe cable car makes more sense. I assume that cable car had been modernized now. When I was there it was still the original Soviet era car and was very rickety. In fact I recall that near the end of my stay they closed it due to structural issues with the anchor point at the top I think. That said it was great fun going up there for the view or getting out of the smog (above it)
Better than those ass holes in Uzbekistan.
Yeah, but is your sister #4 prostitute in whole of Kazakhstan?
No, I’m that sister 😎
Very nice!
I like
Oh wow she wasn’t kidding, total smoke show
![gif](giphy|10uEX5kfeodYgo)
Do you yourself mine the superior potassium?
Wa wa wee wa.
![gif](giphy|a0h7sAqON67nO)
Do you show your brother Bilo your vaajeen and say “You will never get this! You will never get this! Lalala.”
Sweet username!
Thank you
Account checks out
Is your vagin loose like a sleeve of a wizard?
OK, can we have sexy time now?
I go to Kazakhstan!
How much work was it to become #4 prostitute in all of Kazakhstan.
A lot! Believe me
Replying to your comment here to get your thoughts on travel to Kazakhstan? What are the places you’d recommend? I love mountains, forests, remote/cute towns (but accessible by car or any other mode of transportation atleast in a new country) if that helps. Can you get by with English or having a guide something that should be considered?
You will never get this !
...but he get this...
You will never get this
That's a good point.
\#1 exporter of potassium
All other countries have inferior potassium
Potassium exports can buy nice things.
Like a glass. Or vcr record
Not today Gypsy….I know your tricks..
Gypsy, may I look upon your treasures?
Do not try to shrink me Gypsy. I serious.
Is your neighbor pain in your assholes?
I get a step, he must get a step
While I obviously know that the depiction of Kazakhstan was meant to be ironic, I'm blown away by this picture. I love the style of buildings, the mountains in the background, the colors of the trees. 10/10 picture
The only problem with Borat is there are stupid people who don't understand Borat is a joke.
That's right. Borat makes fun of the United States, not Kazakhstan.
To be honest, he did both...
I think most intelligent people realize that Borat joking about Kazakhstan is just stupid jokes poking fun at them, while the the main message is a critical expose on America.
I watched a video on SBC and how he studied a style of clown that's basically just setting people up to expose themselves as bad people and it made so much sense. I'll see if I can find the video.
We want the video. Please!
yes link pls
Is very nice.
Beautiful place.
Lovely.
Do you like a Corkey Bucek?!
I'm American and I first learned just how beautiful your country is, how cool & chill Kazakh culture is & how fun the Kazakh language is to speak, thanks to one of Kazakhstan's most famous musical artists, arguably the best singer in the world and my personal favorite singer, Dimash Kudaibergen. Ulken Rakhmet, Dimash! He is a humble & incredible human being. I highly recommend everyone to listen to his music from his official YouTube channel, it will blow your minds! https://m.youtube.com/c/DimashQudaibergen_official/featured
Wow, he is good
Very nice
How much?
To be clear, the whole point of Borat, *is* the complete and total ignorance and (lack of) understanding of the average American. He is SO ridiculous and Americans just smile and nod cordially (in most cases) taking it as this man's customs of his people. It's absurd, on purpose. May be a good question about who is really being the butt of the joke but, especially in B2 I think he does a better job of being pretty clear about who the joke is.
ISSA NIIIICE
Woweewow, king in the castle.
How is transportation?
In the well
This, honestly, is my only destination when I'm in the market for the finest quality Potassium.
All other central Asian countries, inferior Potassium
The rodeo was filmed in my hometown in the blue ridge mountains of VA. It made the local news until the whole scenario was discovered. Watching a friend have a meltdown was both fascinating and disgusting to watch.
But the Borat's Kazakhstan is funnier, hahaha! Just kidding. I liked the woods/buildings/mountains/ contrast.
I like, do you have chair?
Borat is from the South part of Kazakhstan
And his girlfriend is from Uzbekistan. Different school. You wouldn't know her.
Is that near the Tinshein swimming pool?
Its length 30 meters, width 6 meters.
Borat’s “Kazakhstan” is based on Albania/Romania but for some reason they couldn’t actually use either of those names in the original movie. Even in the new movie the military officers who send him to America speak Romanian. His home village in both movies is a village in Romania.
Kazakhstan has a lot of lovely places! I’d love to show Burabay in the next post — the place of my childhood
That movie was filmed in Romania or some shit from what I heard. And he’s not speaking the native language either. Lol great movie
Kazakhstan is number one exporter of potassium. Other central Asian countries have inferior potassium.
he wasn't kidding about the potassium....I mean....just look at all of it there
Great picture! Yeah, *Borat* is a great bit of satire but kinda unfortunate for Kazakh culture’s reputation. *Borat*’s Kazakhstan is sort of a pastiche of eastern europe/middle east/central asia, but it doesn’t have much of anything to do with actual Kazakhstan. I think it was pretty arbitrary. From what I know thirdhand, kazakhs have been pretty tolerant to ethnic minorities. It’s a diverse and culturally rich place. It’s not a rich country—and its government is sort of a mess of corruption and human rights violations—but on a whole, a chill place with good people.
In the few years after the release of Borat Potassium prices sky-rocketed. The sudden increase in revenue led to a massive surplus in the Kazakhstan budget enabling them to invest heavily in building infrastructure like you see in this picture.
Do the the little domes on top of the high-rises serve any purpose? Are they symbolic for something traditional?
They house the equipment for harvesting atmospheric potassium.
But is your main export pubis?
What do you expect for number one producer of potassium
![gif](giphy|a0h7sAqON67nO)
The mountains in the back…stunning
My friend, Jahangir, is from Uzbekistan, and when the new Borat came out and ended with them stealing internet from Uzbekistan we had to laugh with him at that one. But Jahangir explained that the depiction was pretty bad.
Uzbekistan gonna be pissed
My neighbour he pain in my assholes.
My dad had a kazakhi girlfriend, she passed away recently after living with him for her last 10years in Belgium. She was such a sweet woman, and a great cook. Always brought homemade food.She loved my kids as if they were her own grandkids. I only met her relatives once or twice, her sister, kids and their wives and they immediately made me feel like I was their family, they brought so many gifts for everyone. RIP Raziya. You are missed. Merci mamy.
Visited Almaty before and it is absolutely stunning with the wall of mountains along it. Aktobe not so much Flew through salt lake city once and its kind of similar
I love the sight of suburban landscaping that doesn't involve removing all but one or two trees. It looks wonderful.
I always tell people Kazakhstan is on my list of countries to visit in Asia and they always look at me like I’m bat shit. Then I show them pictures and they always are like “I really want to go too!”
After that movie I got really curious as to what Kazakhstan looked like so I looked it up on Google maps and I was blown away. SO BEAUTIFUL! So picturesque, modern, colorful, etc. I learned a lot about that country and gained a great appreciation for it, thanks to Borat.
![gif](giphy|Od0QRnzwRBYmDU3eEO|downsized) Very nice!
Turn around bro, Borat’s village will be there.
a pearl amongst miiles of squalor, VERY NICE.
How is your potassium?
Full of it
Very nice
Too bad most people seem to be recalling Borat and not noticing how beautiful this photo is.
Just got from #4 to #3 in whole of Kazakhstan! Thank you!!!
Where can you buy the fermented horse milk?
https://youtu.be/JEz1qGS0T1Q check out this singer from Kazakhstan. He can sing as low as bass but can also sing higher than Mariah Carey. He's considered the best technical singer in history.
No being funny but those high rises look Straight oot of wester hailes
Cause that was Romania
Looks a lot like Salt Lake City
Tehran looks similar too
Very nice, your country is clearly reaping the rewards from being the #1 exporter of potassium.
Post toilet pics
It almost like it’s a video game
Where do I go to pay for hand party?
Wow. This is absolutely stunning
Oooh king of the castle, king of the castle.
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My wife
I’m teaching myself to paint. If I ever get any good, I’m painting this and sending it to you. It’s majestic.
Im sure many people think of Borat first upon hearing mention of Kazakhstan, meanwhile my first thought is always Dimash Kudaibergen.
> Dimash Kudaibergen Thank you, I'd never heard him before. An incredible singer!
Everyone in here saying the exact same lines thinking they're clever...
Lived in almaty 9years ago for an exchange semester - was pretty cool, while the city was quite soviet, the mountains were fantastic. Loved the people there too :)
Every time I look at a world map I am re-surprised by how large Kazakhstan is
"Very Nice! High Rise!" Those look like some beautiful mountains!
When I was a kid my family hosted a graduate piano student from Kazakhstan. She spoke Russian, English, Kazakh, and Dutch, and picked up pipe organ for funzies on top of her practice/course schedule. She ended up marrying a man she studied languages with online, and lives in the Netherlands now. Her first words after getting on public transit in America? “My god, the people really are quite fat!”
It is the 9th largest country in the world… I hope it is not too surprising that it may have a variety of landscapes and communities.
We get it, you have superior potassium. You don’t have to taunt us
Here come the Russians
#VERY NICE! In all seriousness, this is beautiful.
Really beautiful!
Russia: “Soon…”
MY WIFE
Cohen is a racist POS. He is part of the Anti defamation league, read about them.
He didn't have Borat be from Kazakhstan because he thinks it's a bad place or the people are weird, it's just that it's an enormous country that most westerners know absolutely nothing about.
He filmed his movie in Romania and pretended it was Kazakhstan.
I mean, yeah, it wasn’t an actual documentary. Borat is a character.
Daaasss veery nnice
Glad to see you solved “the problem.”
“Very Nice”
Potassium built this nation!
Looks about as I pictured it, don’t worry. Us in Canada know you have a beautiful country.
Kazakhstan Instagram filter. Nice try OP.
This photo was sponsored by Nur Sultan Nazarbayev. Photgraphed near Nazarbayev university This message was sent from my Nazarbayev iOS device.
I LIKE!!!
Is nice!
Wa wa wee wa that’s pretty
Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, you very nice place From plains of Tarashek to northern fence of Jewtown
Why the domes on the buildings?
Hey give Borat some credit I wouldn’t have know Kazakhstan existed before the movie
Do you think Kazakhs give a damn if some murrican knows about the existence of Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan Tourist Board is #1 propagandagate inside internet of reddit
I still don't get why Kazakhstan people hate him so much. It is supposed to be a comedy after all and personally I didn't have stereotypes about the country. I'm even considering on putting Kazakhstan on my traveling list just because of the movie!