Astana

Astana, also known as ‘that other capital city of Kazakhstan’ is a city located in the middle of nowhere that miraculously became a capital in 1997 after the former capital city of Almaty said it was no longer interested in playing that role.

You may be wondering, “why would anyone name a city ‘Astana’ when they could have gone with something more exciting like ‘Kazakhstani Metropolis’?” Well, let me tell you, my dear reader, that ‘Astana’ actually means ‘capital city’ in Kazakh. How creative.

The architecture in Astana is the perfect combination of futuristic and what-the-heck-is-that. There’s a giant tent-like structure called the Khan Shatyr that is apparently meant to represent a nomad’s yurt, but I’m pretty sure no nomad ever lived in a yurt that big and expensive.

Then there’s the Bayterek Tower, a giant golden ball on top of a tower that apparently represents a mythical bird’s egg, but looks more like something you would find in a tacky souvenir shop in Florida.

But let’s not forget about the weather in Astana. The winter months can reach temperatures as low as -40°C, which would make any person question why anyone would choose to live there. But hey, at least they have a ski slope inside a mall to keep them occupied.

Overall, Astana may not be the most exciting city in the world, but it definitely has its quirks. So, if you ever find yourself in Kazakhstan and looking for a good laugh, be sure to stop by Astana.