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| As Almaty's historical Baikanor movie theater was being demolished in the center of the Orbita district many people were wondering what would take its place. "Probably McDonalds," remarked my Russian teacher, who lives in an adjacent apartment building. Finally, opening its doors last week next door to the Mosque and market, it became Kazakhstan's eighth location in its two year history. Almaty's first McDonalds acquired the land of Kazakstan's first movie theater, Alatau Kinotheater. Rumors of Mcdonald's arrival had been swirling around online for a couple years while, simultaneously, construction walls surrounded the Alatau theater. Many people joked that the rumored McDonalds would knock down the theatre for themselves. It seemed a bit of a shock for everyone when it actually happened. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not in the hamburger business. My business is real estate." -Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds, speaking to a MBA class in 1974. |
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| Oily herring fish. Best consumed as vodka chaser. |
