Candace's "Explanation"

It is our first morning in Almaty. We are only slightly jet-lagged. We have concluded that bringing two laptops was stupid especially since my modem appears to be fried. We have also concluded that the American and Scottish businessmen who are the primary clientele of our hotel are (a) all in various aspects of the "erl bidness," and (b) willing to pay astonishing sums to stay in a hotel that closely resembles the best hotel in, say, Indianapolis. $100 for a pretty good breakfast for two. Time to find an apartment.

Fun story from our layover in Frankfurt: hanging out in the Business Class Lounge (fabulous, much-needed showers), we met Joyce, the Chinese-American head of UNDP's Samoa office on her way to Istanbul for a conference. She and her husband are originally Brooklynites who still own a home in Prospect Heights. Ten years ago, they adopted a girl from China. We talk about attachment/bonding strategies, attitudes about adoption around the world, and anti-Chinese racism elsewhere in Asia. Small world.

Had a grappa Brunello (!) at the hotel bar before turning in. The bartender said it was "seldom" ordered and quizzed us about what it is and why we drink it. Fancy that. (DJ: He asked if I wanted it on the rocks; when I explained what it is, he aked if I was Italian.)

So, initial impressions: lots of 20-somethings dressed in Fulton Mall meets Brighton Beach.... TONS of mature trees lining every street, all painted white on the bottom (a la Cozumel).... the road out of the airport lined with car dealerships (a la Athens); Mercedes and every small car maker on the planet are represented..... no catalytic converters..... colored lights everywhere: strung across streets like Christmas, washing facades, on neon business signs with blinking incandescent borders; all in shades of purple, indigo, yellow, red and green.... in the daylight, drab, modern architecture surrounded by lush vegetation. (Athens meets Cozumel)

We are posting using NYC time in the byline. Time here is 10 hours ahead.