Kazakhstan > A beer in Semey

When we wake up in the morning, the tenth week of our journey has begun. This means we are two-thirds of the way through the trip. Time seems to be flying. During breakfast, we reminisce about the past weeks. Everything already feels so far away. There is a problem with the shower. Yesterday we paid to use it, but the man in charge believes we need to pay again because we are showering this morning as well. We explain that not everyone showered yesterday. This doesn’t get through. He only raises his voice, shouting even. Angry, he walks away. We pack our things and drive toward Semey.

Kazakhstan - The somber thirtymeterhigh monument in Semey for the victims of nuclear tests

After Kalbatau, the road is surprisingly good. Without any significant potholes, we comfortably cover the last one hundred and fifty kilometers to Semey. Semey is a large city near the Russian border. During the Soviet period, the city was called Sepataliminsk, named after the nearby military base. Russia conducted hundreds of nuclear tests in the area. Only after intense protests did this end in 1989. However, the released nuclear radiation had a significant impact on the health of Semey’s residents. The Nomad Hotel is located on the north side of the Irtysh River, next to a central park. The hotel looks fine, even more luxurious than its name suggests—a great place to stay for two nights. Tomorrow, a package from the Netherlands is expected to arrive at this hotel, containing rings for Milko’s exhaust. The motorcyclists will also change their rear wheels tomorrow, as the old ones are worn. They brought new ones from Almaty. In the park opposite the hotel, there seems to be a kind of fair. A shooting booth, trampolines, and cotton candy. Several stalls offer virtual reality experiences as well. While a video plays, boys move the platform underneath for extra effect. On the other side of the park is a nice terrace. We order a beer. The menu is in Russian. There are pictures next to the items, but it’s still difficult to distinguish exactly what is what. At another table, there is a delicious-looking dish. The boy, an American teaching here, points to it on the Russian menu. Tasty.