Kazakhstan aka: Kazakstan

And it’s not because of Borat. I have friends that live in Kazakhstan, and I would love to visit them.

Somebody thought I was a local, so they started asking me directions (I think) in Kazakh or Russian! I didn’t even know which one! The thing was that I had no idea how to even say “I don’t know,” and well, I still don’t know! That phrase is pretty important, especially if you look Chinese or Kazakh (then everybody will be talking to you).

Anyway, go everywhere. Everything is simple amazing. I found a mall that has an ice rink literally in the center between all the shops and a fast food’s salad that’s just plain old dill and tomatoes!

By the way, Borat was actually taken in Saudi Arabia.

Our highschool had an exchange program with a Kazakhstan highschool and ran a Model United Nations conference there---I want to go see Zhibek! I miss her so much!

it is the ninth-largest country in the world by area, but it is only 62nd country in population, with approximately 6 persons per km² (15 per sq. mi.). Population in 2006 is estimated at 15,300,000, down from 16,464,464 in 1989 [1] due to the emigration of ethnic Russians and Volga Germans. Much of the country’s land consists of semi-desert (steppe) terrain.       

If you’re not a fan of endless semi-arid steppe and decaying industrial cities, Kazakhstan (Kazakstan) may seem bleak, but those who enjoy remoteness, wide open spaces, lunar landscapes, long hypnotic train rides and horse sausage will definitely be in their element.

Nice place, nice people, but so… cold !!

I adopted 2 beautiful, intelligent, lovely girls from Kazakhstan. It is the most gracious country, loving people, breathtaking mountains, and awesome Steppes. I will be forever grateful to Kazakhstan.

It’s certainly a wonderful place. Can’t wait to come back to Almaty.
Beautiful mountains, picturesque views, tasty apples and tomatos, happy people.
And everyone understands Russian :)

hj

Extremely vast – hard to get around due to poor roads.