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| What started out as a phone call at 3:30 am on July 1st 2005 (Phoenix Time), turned out to be an adventure of a lifetime for me. I did not know what I was going to do, which city i would be in, what language i would use, what food I would eat, what kind of people I would meet... all I knew is that I was coming to Kazakhstan!!!!
On hindsight, I am happy that I came - I met several interesting people, had several interesting experiences (stitches on my 2 thumbs), learnt a new language, experienced sweet winter, saw snow on May 1st, showered w/o hot water.... Oh, I also got tons of managerial experience along the way.
What will I do next ???? I have no idea - travel across China for a while, return to Dubai and resist marriage pressures, visit North America in hope of finding a job.... Or seek another adventure in some beautiful part of the world. | | |
| My office colleagues threw me an absolutely fantastic surprise party. It wasn't the normal going away party where only colleagues sat in the kitchen and toasted to the person's health… It was one with a difference.
Lets Rewind: When a person leaves our office, there is a farewell party however I did not want to have one. So my office threw me a surprise one. Actually I already knew that there was going to be a party however I never expected any one other then my colleagues.
My colleagues first of all laid out a super spread of food and booze (yes, I was trashed and had to cheat on the vodka), invited my friends and our partners, gave me lovely gifts accompanied by a super presentation. It's the small things that matter - and truly... They gave me a team picture by super imposing our faces over Italy's winning team. Another volunteer friend, Joseph, gave a me a book on Astana. Even though I don't have space to carry this book and another souvenir back, however I will make space. The thought is all that mattered.
So this blog post is dedicated to my office team - to a team that was great in all respects. We had our share of fun, sorrow, misunderstandings etc but we pulled through. I wish all of them - Aliya, Aigul, Dinara, our 2 Nikolays, Khairait and Vera - only the best. I will miss you.
Tonight is our last party in Pub 69, the best live-music place in Astana. And then tomorrow, I am going with my French room-mate, Alex, and some friends to baravoye.
I learnt the word 'impatiently' in Russian last week and was explaining how 3 months I was impatiently waiting to leave - but today I am, both, sad and happy. Happy because I am leaving behind a great team for Jonathan and sad because I am leaving behind my second-family.
But never say never is my motto, I know that I will see them all soon. Don't know where, Don't know when and don't know how. C'est la vie. | | |
| On Aug 5th, 2005, I arrived to a new land, new people, new language but that was 12 months ago... Today I am accustomed to the people - enjoy their warmth and company - I enjoy the vodka and I am *Actually* improving in Russian. Ofcourse my oral comprehension is far superior.
However, its ironic, just when I was getting comfortable and cozy in Astana, time played it cruel joke on me for a second time. Its time to bid adieu to Kazakhstan, time to say good-bye to all the beautiful Siberian women, time to get my hands dirty looking for a job again!!!!!
I bought my US tickets after spending several hours contemplating the best route through Dubai and still use an American carrier. Also got my final one way Almaty ticket. Now all that remains is my Urumqi to Shanghai ticket.
Last week I found chicken fillet and my favorite muesli in Astana. Makes me wonder - life would have been much better if only I would have found these little joys of life 6 months ago.
The arrival of my replacement will be delayed by a few weeks - minor detail but major change for him - He is getting married. Congratulations Jonathan. Pray that I get a job in the US and I am able to visit you for the reception in December.
My fellow volunteer in Kygryzstan and partner-in-crime, Lorenz, left for Austria. He is starting his Ph.D program. Mike in Romania and I are leaving at the end of this month. The rest of the troops will be pulled out on Oct 1.
My French flatmate is in Almaty for the entire week and while I had planned an extensive week of entertaining very beautiful single women, I realized that none of them are around. Typical Murphy's law.
Job search is going slow - I don't feel like applying. Yesterday, I was passed over for a job interview since I don't have US work authorization - hmm... I rewind to 12 months ago and one of the reasons I chose to come to Kazakhstan was because I did not have a job in the US. I still don't have a job and now the situation is worse - I don't even have my one year grace period to work in the US. But I am constantly optimist that good things happen to good people...
In the meanwhile, China and HK - here I come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can do my countdown of the days remaining | | |
| For quite a while, friends have been telling me to update my blog - so here is a quick rewind of the previous month.
At the start of this month, I was in Almaty because some friends from other Central Asian countries were coming to Almaty and I wanted to see them for one last time. I wasn't officially asked to come down but decided that celebrating my 28th birthday with my Central Asian Boyz was important enough to take the 22 hour train to Almaty.
In Almaty, I also got my Chinese visa - so starting August 1st, China here I come. I intend to depart from Astana on July 28th providing bosses are willing.
I normally hate my birthday - though I love to be in the spotlight all the time - on my birthday, I would like to be alone. So I took the day off and walked around in the sun and got myself a pedicure also. Decided to meet the Boyz for lunch at my favourite coffee shop in Almaty - Coffeedelia. Had dinner with the Boyz at a pub where we watched France and Switzerland conclude a goaless draw. The best part of the birthday was that Peter got me a cake and also connected me with Rhett in the US - Thanks a ton, Pete.
The MBAECs I met - Kylo, Beau, Curtis, Jon, Pete, Janelle - are an awesome bunch. Thanks again guys.
So coming back to this day - well yesterday was a low day - but then today I have bounced back with all good news... For the last six months we have been struggling with ExxonMobil to move to another office - in an email, this morning, they finally agreed. MBAEC will allow me to book my ticket through a local travel agency which means that I can go via Dubai to see my family. Then I spoke to a friend in NY who was raving about his girlfriend - so looking forwrad to seeing all my friends in the Big Apple.
Its supposed to be summer here however I believe its still spring in Astana - Was foggy this morning. Its been raining a little and the humidity has made it worse.
Also I am living with a French diplomat so I speak Russian during the day and French in the evening. Today I think that I will also upgrade my Monster from ordinary to premimum.
And as of today - I have only 22 more working days - Rejoice people!!! | | |
| I am feeling something bad at the bottom of my heart after what happened over the weekend. Which is why I am writing this blog - to seek justification that my complete non-reaction to a petty theft was justified.
But before that, I have to build the background - I was taking the mini-van (aka Marshutka OR cheap public transport) from office to George's place. (George is MBAEC 2001 and currently selling real estate in Astana boom town.) I quit my own apartment to save rent and move in with friends for the next 2 months. George is the first stop for 2 weeks and then probably with Alex who is a French diplomat.
So in the marshutka (mini van), I was being squeezed from all directions (reminded me of days in a crowded buses and trains in Bombay). As the marshutka approached a particular stop, a young lady was getting up to exit. I was trying to push back and make way for her however a young Kazakh lad was blocking her way and sort of refused to let her pass by. I was wondering why wasn't he giving her space but then saw, to my horror, he was stuffing his hand in her purse and removing her little wallet. I wanted to say something but suddenly my entire Russian failed me - I couldn't say a word.
The young lady got off, the young man got off at the next stop, and I was still thinking of what to say!!!! Makes me wonder what kind of Russian I speak???
On Sat evening, we went clubbing to the only decent club in Astana - Pub 69. Outside the club, I noticed a big Kazakh man acting rough with a young woman. Apparently, she wouldn't come back with him so he was shaking her by her shoulders. The bouncers of the club were mere by-standers but did not move a limb to help the hapless girl. Though we were a bunch of guys, we too did not move. Instead, we bid our quick farewells and left. Makes me wonder where our courage disappeared in the face of trouble. Malcom Gladwell spoke of this situation in his book, Blink, where every other bystander expects someone else to act.
Traveling back from Baku, I realized that I have tons of SHIT!!!!! And while moving over the weekend, decided to start dumping stuff - giving to charity etc. So I am going to give away my stuff and just take back 20 Kgs to Dubai.
Oh and finally, SUMMER is in town!!!! The women are losing clothes faster then I can blink. Despite the cold winter, it seems that these 2 months are going to be the time worth waiting for.
Now with the TransSiberian out of the window, I am exploring other options like China, Turkey etc to visit and backpack - lets see how it pans out. Keep tuned to this channel for more on Siberian's travels. | | |
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