FRIENDS III - Kazakhstan
Photo © Rob Jones
The Apple Trees of Kazakhstan
Robert & I never expected to see so many of them in the (then) capital of Almaty.
How did we find ourselves there? Adventures like this seem to happen to the two of us a lot.
More than 7000 miles from home we were travelling with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & a Kazakh violinist called Marat Bisengaliev. We were making a programme about the first visit by a British orchestra to this place, the world's largest landlocked country which shares borders with China, Russia & three 'Stans'.
Locals in Almaty were spending a significant part of their wages to ensure a seat for the event & to see a local hero perform. We were told that Marat had the status of David Beckham in his home country, (no tatts spotted on him incidentally).
We flew from Stansted & our plane, an Air Kazakhstan Tupolev, awaited us in a far flung corner of the airport. I was nervous.
“Robert: “This is where they take aircraft if there’s a hijacking in progress.”
Me: **Frowns** “Thanks for that.”
Robert: “Just saying.”
Me: **Genuflects**”
After a long flight, a V E R Y L O N G flight, we finally touch down safely in Almaty to be met by a welcoming committee. There are flowers & officials wearing hats the size of dinner plates. We board a coach & then get given a police escort to our hotel. The players get a rest before a rehearsal. We're all on a huge trip for just a short stay. Everyone's knackered.
Photo © Rob Jones
The concert is a great success & there's nothing quite like hearing a homegrown orchestra play Elgar's Enigma Variations live when you're so far from your homestead.
Photo © Rob Jones
A celebratory dinner post-gig thrown by the local dignitaries was a fitting end to this bizarre, but, enjoyable experience. There were lots of sharing plates of cold meats & salads.
Robert ate part of a horse's privates.
I didn't judge him. Much.
AMM
