When in Rome

Well, what a day; spent the working part in the State Geology Archives shadowed by a State Security Agent, who not only checked what I was reading but accompanied me to the toilet.

In the evening I was invited to a party at the Karaganda Technical University to celebrate the re-election of the Rector. Lots of speeches and toasts with Kazak cognac, horse meat and horse milk to line the stomach, singing and dancing (I'd never danced with a female university don or trade union leader before), then more speeches and more cognac.

In between time I went to Karaganda's Scottish Pub because... well I can't remember why. I even had my photo taken with the tartan clad russian waitress, boy did I look like a dirty old man.

Eventually got to my hotel in Astana at two in the morning.