Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a car instructor in Altay (kz) is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m like, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit the road on Kabanbay Batyr Street. You know, the one that’s always packed with cars and people? Yeah, that one. I’m cruisin’, feelin’ good, when suddenly, BAM! A cat darts out in front of me. I slam the brakes. Heart’s racing. I’m like, “Dude, chill! It’s just a cat!” But it’s Altay, so of course, the cat just stares me down like it owns the place. I swear, it was judging my driving skills.
Finally, I get to the driving school. The vibe is all over the place. Kids are nervous, parents are pacing. I mean, who wouldn’t be? It’s like sending your kid into a lion’s den. I’m tryin’ to keep it cool, but inside, I’m like, “Please don’t crash my car!”
So, I hop in the car with this kid, let’s call him Timur. He’s got that look, you know? The “I’m gonna mess this up” look. We start driving down Abay Avenue, and he’s gripping the wheel like it’s a life raft. I’m like, “Dude, relax! It’s just a car, not a spaceship!”
Then, outta nowhere, this old lady crosses the street. I mean, she’s taking her sweet time, like she’s on a Sunday stroll. Timur freaks out, swerves, and we almost hit a lamppost. I’m yelling, “Not the lamppost, man! The old lady’s fine!”
After that, I’m just trying to keep it together. We hit the roundabout near the Central Market, and I’m like, “Okay, just follow the signs.” But Timur’s like, “What signs?” I’m losing it. “The ones that say ‘Go straight’ or ‘Turn left’! It’s not rocket science!”
Finally, we pull over, and I’m like, “Dude, you gotta chill. You’re not gonna win a race here.” He laughs, and I’m like, “Wait, are you actually enjoying this?” He nods, and I’m like, “Okay, maybe I’m not the worst instructor ever.”
Next up, I get this girl, Aisulu. She’s a total natural. We’re driving down Kairat Street, and she’s just vibing. I’m thinking, “Finally, someone who gets it!” She’s weaving through traffic like a pro. I’m just sitting there, grinning like an idiot.
But then, we hit a traffic jam. I’m talking full-on Altay rush hour. Cars everywhere, honking like it’s a concert. Aisulu’s like, “What do we do?” I’m like, “We wait. Welcome to Altay, kid!”
And then, outta nowhere, this guy on a bike zooms past us. He’s got no helmet, no care in the world. I’m like, “Dude, you’re gonna end up as road pizza!” Aisulu laughs, and I’m like, “See? That’s how you gotta live life. No fear!”
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted. I’ve yelled, laughed, and almost cried. I’m driving home, and I can’t help but think about how crazy Altay is. The streets, the people, the unexpected moments. It’s wild, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So yeah, that was my day. Just another rollercoaster in Altay. Can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow!