Day 1 - Kazakhstan

I got my prediction of the opening game 100% right, score and everything: Japan 10 South Korea 0.

But first, how can BMI fly direct to Almaty? At least twelve of the passangers, including legendary failed ski jumper Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards, were headed the same place as me, the Asian Winter Games, and the flight was still really empty. How can that be viable for them? Still, having a whole row for each passenger made up for the food (bad) and the movies (on screens on the ceiling, not in the back of the seat)

The Social Network was the movie. But I didn't notice it had started and missed the opening scene, and given that the opening scene is probably pivotal, I think I will wait for the DVD. You know how I can't watch a movie if I miss the opening scene. Later someone said that the opening scene was amazing.

Also they showed some cartoons from CBBC. Amount of children on board: Zero.

On the plane they give you this:

At the airport, when you arrive, it gets stamped twice. If it's not stamped twice, we were told this morning "You will not be allowed to leave the country"
Mine is stamped twice.

Lunch was a cliche. Beetroot salad, 'Russian' soup. Meat, Potato and Cabbage. Ice Tea (not iced)

Japan skated all over Korea in the first game and stuffed them 10-0.

Then Kazakhstan played. I predticted a 12-0 win but was well wide of the mark. They beat North Korea 3-0. Really good game, really good atmosphere, North Korea not terrible. 

6 hours time difference from the UK. Body clock is messed up.

How to get to Almaty from Blackheath

Get the 108 bus to North Greenwich tube, Jubilee line to Baker St, Heathrow express from Paddington to Terminal 1. Pausing only to laugh at the Richard Keys headlines, get on the BMI direct flight to Almaty.

This might be the beginning and end of this Blog as I don't know if it will be possible to do it from Kazakhstan.

North Korea v South Korea

This should be an interesting game. I am only mentioning this to see if it is easy to post here from my phone.

A Week To Go

By this time next week I would have described the action between two Ice Hockey teams I've never seen before. Korea and Japan. The Opening game of the Women's Championship at the AWG in Almaty.
I really need squad sheets, numbers and stats but I'm not sure if such things exist in English at the moment.

Some Stats Anyway:

Current temperature in Almaty: -14.
Number of Appropriate Pairs of Footwear for Icey Weather: None
Members of Korean Team I Have Heard Of: 0
Members of the Japan Team I Have Found Out A Bit About: 2 (Yurie Adachi & Nonaka Emi)
Chances of this Blog being anything more than a one-off: 43%