As we have said before, Astana is all about creating interesting architecture and green space. This is the Pyramid of Peace that stands at the center of a large planned park just across the river from the Presidantial Palace.

When the city plan is complete, the Pyramid is to become the center of the city, but at present represents the southern edge of what has been completed.

The entry shown here is one level underground. There is a second level below that, and 6 levels above ground. Inside the building is a set of diagonally traveling elevators that move between floors, as well as grand open stairways.



The theatre shown here occupies the central portion of the pyramid on the lowest three floors. We hope to see the Opera Aida here on 01 Dec when it will be performed by a group from St Petersburg.



The dome of the theatre takes the shape of the central sunburst emblem of the Kazakhstan flag. In the daytime, light from above radiates through the outer fingers and as you can see, there are thin wedge shaped fingers that can be made to cover the windows if necessary.



Here you see the main atrium and in the center of the floor you can see the glass windows that are part of the theatre dome below.



To say that this is a large space would be too meager a statement. Each edge of the pyramid is 62 Meters long, and this atrium is roughly 20,000 sq.ft.

As you can see, there are several floors of office space, exhibition halls, and meting space that exist between this inner pyramid and the outer one.



Taking one of the diagonal elevators from the Atrium floor to the top of the inner pyramid, you enter this section of wrapping walkways that lead though a 'winter garden' up to the cone of the outer pyramid.



The window glass of the lower part of the cone is has a blue film with doves on it, while the apex of the pyramid again replicates the Kazak sunburst.





So here are a few shots of our little angel enjoying her favorite book about dogs. I will keep this section short and sweet today as both Aitugan and I were tired today during our visit.

It is quite cold again today and the wind has been whipping all afternoon leaving wind chills well below zero. We again are in a stretch of days with highs in the mid teens, and lows in the low single digits. The forecast tells us to expect to see snow showers throughout much of the next ten days. Time will tell if that is to be true. Take Care.