A local Celtic fan’s guide to the joys of Kazakhstan
A SCOTTISH expat football fan has given his guide to the Kazakhstan capital Astana ahead of Celtic’s UEFA Champions League qualifier.
David McArdle, from Greenock, has been living in the region for the past six years and he will be one of many Scots at the game on Wednesday – except he will have the bonus of local knowledge.
The 32-year-old Celtic fan moved out to nearby Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan after falling in love with the region.
He said: “I was studying for a postgraduate diploma in Russian language at the University of Glasgow. In the lead-up to my final exam, a friend on the course and I decided to go to Bishkek where we had read that Russian language classes cost as little as £4 per hour.
“The economic benefit was also mixed with a wanderlust I’ve always had, even as a child, when I’d look at maps for hours and memorise obscure football teams from the most remote parts of the world.”
David now runs an online business and said: “I was happy to remain in central Asia due to its wonderful climate, the abundance of fresh and organic produce grown locally, the extremely low cost of living (for Kyrgyzstan, and not Kazakhstan).
“Bishkek also probably has the most eclectic and exciting range of nightspots in the entire region.”
David says Celtic fans can probably leave their coats at home for the game, with temperatures predicted to be in the 20s.
He also recommended try- ing plov, a beef dish considered a national delicacy, and said vegetarians should head to Café-Boutique Eco-fit.
David said Celtic fans can expect to pay around £1 to £2 for local beer or £2 to £4 for imported bottle beer.
He added: “I recommend Chechill Pub located on the popular Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, close to where the street crosses the Ishim River. It is packed every night with young Kazakhs taking advantage of the bar’s nightly drink promotions.
“Or, if fans are in need of an overpriced pint of the black stuff, O’Hara’s on Zheltoqsan Street should do the job.”
He warned that bureaucracy is a big issue in the region.
He said: “Breathe slowly if and indeed when you encounter Kazakhstan’s bureaucracy and embrace it as part of the experience.
“Hotel check-ins may appear overly interrogative, while economically-inked stamps can at times appear surgically attacked to the arms of scowling officials.
“Carry your passport wherever you go in case of serendipitous checks.
“Try not to veer off the beaten track – there is simply no need to do so.”
David, however, does not think there will be a large travelling Celtic support. He said: “I’m not convinced many will actually make the long trip out. Firstly, the flights are quite expensive with the most reasonable route (via Istanbul) looking less and less appealing for obvious reasons.
“In truth, I see there being mostly expats who live across Kazakhstan, and there are many. Almaty has a strong financial hub including the likes of KPMG, while there are many Scottish oil and gas workers in towns spread along the Caspian Sea in places like Atyrau and Aktau.”
Celtic will be making their second visit to Astana. In 2013, they l ost 2-0 to Shakhter Karagandy, but beat them 3-0 in the second leg to go through to the Champions League group stage.
David will be at tomorrow’s match to cheer on the side he has followed since high school.
He said: “I was a season ticket holder for a few years and have seen them play a few high profile games abroad in Europe.”
He added: “For those who will be travelling to Kazakhstan for the first time, I think they will be pleasantly surprised. The beauty of the local women may be the biggest surprise of the trip.”