Man, what a day! I woke up in Oral, and let me tell ya, this city is a wild mix of old and new. I mean, you got these Soviet-era buildings chillin’ next to shiny new cafes. Crazy, right? So, I hit the streets, ready for whatever.
First stop? The bazaar on Kabanbay Batyr Street. It’s like a treasure hunt! I’m dodging babushkas selling everything from fresh veggies to weird-looking pastries. I swear, one lady tried to sell me a jar of something that looked like pickled alien brains. No thanks, lady! But I did grab some plov. OMG, it was so good! Like, I could swim in that stuff.
Then, I decided to stroll down Abai Street. It’s got this vibe, ya know? Street art everywhere, people chillin’, music blasting. I’m vibin’ hard when suddenly, I see this dude juggling. Not just any juggling, but flaming torches! I’m like, “Bro, you’re gonna set yourself on fire!” But he’s all cool, like it’s no biggie. I’m just standing there, mouth agape, thinking, “Only in Oral, man.”
But then, bam! My phone buzzes. My buddy, Aslan, texts me. He’s stuck in traffic on Kairan Street. I’m like, “Dude, it’s a Tuesday! Why’s there traffic?” Turns out, some guy decided to park his car in the middle of the road. Classic Oral move. I mean, come on!
So, I’m waiting for Aslan, and I decide to grab a coffee at this cute little spot on Kabanbay Batyr. The barista? Super chill. We start chatting, and she tells me about this hidden gem of a park near the river. I’m like, “What? I’ve lived here forever and never knew!” So, I’m pumped to check it out.
Finally, Aslan shows up, and we head to that park. It’s called the “Park of 16th December.” Beautiful place! Trees everywhere, people picnicking, kids running around. I’m feeling all zen when suddenly, a kid runs past me, and I trip over my own feet. Classic me, right? I land right in the grass, and Aslan is dying laughing. I’m like, “Dude, help me up!”
After that little fiasco, we decide to grab some shashlik from a street vendor. Best decision ever! The guy’s grilling it right there, smoke everywhere. I’m inhaling that deliciousness. But then, I see a stray dog eyeing us. I’m like, “Bro, don’t even think about it!” But the dog just sits there, looking all sad. I can’t handle it. I end up giving it a piece of my shashlik. I’m a sucker for dogs, what can I say?
As the sun starts to set, we walk along the Ural River. The view is insane! The sky is all pink and orange, and I’m just soaking it in. I’m thinking, “This is life, man.” But then, outta nowhere, it starts to rain. Like, heavy rain! We sprint for cover, laughing like idiots.
So, we duck into this little café on Dostyk Street. It’s cozy, and the vibe is perfect. We order some tea and just chill. I’m telling Aslan about my day, and he’s cracking up at my stories. I’m like, “Dude, Oral is a trip!”
By the time we leave, the rain’s stopped, and the streets are all shiny. I’m feeling all kinds of emotions—happy, tired, a bit soaked, but mostly grateful. Oral, you crazy city, you’ve done it again.
I head home, thinking about all the random stuff that happened. I love this place, even with its quirks. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!