A British citizen shared her impressions of the new terminal at Almaty airport, and the peculiar work of the border service, and recounted an attempt to exchange new pound sterling notes.
Nationality or Citizenship?
Bhavna Dave wrote on her Facebook page: «Arrived in Almaty—new terminal. Everything is spacious.
A guy at passport control asks, ‘What nationality?’ I reply, ‘You have my passport in your hands.’ He says, ‘The electronic system isn’t working…’
Me: ‘United Kingdom… Great Britain.’ He asks again, ‘Nationality? Ethnicity? India?’ I say, ‘UK citizenship.’ He asks again, ‘But ethnicity?’ I ask, ‘Why do you need this?’ He says, ‘I need to know the country of origin.’ I ask, ‘Is this required or are you just curious?’ He says, ‘I need to know nationality and ethnicity.’ I keep answering ‘UK’ to all his questions and repeat it. Finally, he stamps my passport…
Exchange Offices Did Not Recognize the New Notes with King Charles
«Later at an exchange office in the city, the machine did not recognize the new £50 notes with the image of the King. It turns out it only acknowledges the late Queen.
It took a long time while they consulted with their superiors… Then they said they would have to reprogram all the machines!»
