July 1, 2004

Okay, here is a better map.  (Ain't the internet wonderful??)  This shows Almaty as Alma-Ata (which translates into the Place of the Apple (legend has it that the apple came from Kazakhstan and that the Garden of Eden was there) and Taldy-Korgan is shown as Taldy-Kurgan.  Wish they'd make up their mind how to spell their cities.  Can you imagine if we said "Charlotte" one day, and "Karlotta" the next?  I'm sure it's the Russian vs. Kazakh thing.  Those of you who have traveled to Belgium remember how the signs are posted in French and Flemish.  <sigh>  Guess that's how the world turns.