Unexpected gift today

[sparkchaser]

Today I had to head into Munich to pick up my passport from the Kazakh Consulate and when I picked up my passport, the dude there gave me a little gift:



I told him that I am reading the Kindle version right now but he still wanted me to have it. I guess he gave it to me because it was in English and I was probably the first American that has been in there in a while. :lol:

BTW, the book is pretty good. I'm learning a lot about the inner workings of the Soviet Union prior to its collapse. Interesting stuff.

 

[abecedarian]

Wow! Where's the "jealous" button? What a neat gift!

 

[Leonardo Noto]

You know you're headed to a totalitarian country when...

they give you the autobiography of the despot at the counsulate! Yes, despot is a bit too harsh of a term, but only a bit. And yes, like many despots, he has done a lot of good for the country in addition to crushing it under his ruling ironfist.

 

[Lovecraftian]

Nice!

I read a chess book once where two men traveled to Kazakhstan to meet the head of the chess federation. I learned lots, too. Interesting stuff, to be sure.

 

[sparkchaser]

they give you the autobiography of the despot at the counsulate! Yes, despot is a bit too harsh of a term, but only a bit. And yes, like many despots, he has done a lot of good for the country in addition to crushing it under his ruling ironfist.

Of all the 'stans, Kazakhstan is most well-off. Could they be even better? Probably. I only know what I have read. I'll be sure to ask the locals what they think of him.

 

[Leonardo Noto]

Agreed

By far the best off of all of the 'Stans, partly b/c of their close links to Russia (including a large population of ethnic Russians, including a good friend of mine). No, it's not really a totalitarian state -- authoritarian is the better word. However, when you live in that dangerous of a neighborhood people sometimes put security above democracy... I've never personally been there; I just watch international events/foreign relations rather closely d/t the nature of my job. You should see if you can check out the space port while you're there.

 

[sparkchaser]

I don't know if I can fit the space port in. I should find out if there will be any launches while I am there.