I want to visit here. Mainly Kazakhstan, but I'd like to eventually see all of them. What do I need to know in order to prepare myself? I'm an American who's only traveled in first world, highly English-speaking western countries before. Are these countries cheap? What are the must see places? Do I need a tour guide? Are the cities as lively as the western world? How strict Muslim are they? Is it possible to pick up chicks here?
if a brother of a young woman will see you looking at her for more than 2 seconds he will stab you and cut off your head.
>>2825169>Are these countries cheap?Mostly yes, except Kazakhstan.>What are the must see places?Just look up the must-sees for each country.>Do I need a tour guide?For Turkmenistan yes, you're not allowed in on your own.>Are the cities as lively as the western world?Some are. The bigger cities have a lot of nightlife and clubs.>How strict Muslim are they?Not at all, except for not eating pork.>Is it possible to pick up chicks here?Only foreigners, not locals.
>>2825169I've only been to UZ/KG/KZ.>Are these countries cheap?Define cheap. They're vastly cheaper than the American stans, that's for sure.In terms of how expensive shit is, KZ >>> KG > UZ. No idea about the other three. >What are the must see places?Google nigga, google>Do I need a tour guide?No. Except for Turkmenistan (no other way to get a visa) and possibly Afghanistan (who the fuck even knows any more what's legal and what'll get you in trouble)>Are the cities as lively as the western world?Yeah, they're fine. Tashkent and Almaty are very lively and modern in the post-Soviet sense. Bishkek is ok too though there's less new development. Smaller cities can be sleepy with some touristy exceptions (eg. Bucchara)>How strict Muslim are they?Uzbekistan, not particularly. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan you wouldn't even be able to tell they're muslim if not for the occasional mosque. I've met a grand total of one zealot in KG and the guy turned out to be a Protestant convert, kek.>Is it possible to pick up chicks here?Pic related. Whether you'll survive the pick up attempt is a different matter.
>>2825169If you wanted to live in the middle of nowhere would these be the place?
>>2826694If your end goal is to die because the nearest hospital was three hours away, that's Kazakhstan. Half the country is what happens when you press "New Map" in a level editor and leave it at that.The other stans aren't exactly packed but they're still more densely populated since they have to make use of the little non-desert, non-mountain terrain they have.
As an American accustomed to small town living and big open spaces, Kazakhstan looks very comfy. The motel on the edge of this town charges $15/night for a pleasant room, according to reviewers.
Just returned from a short trip from Russia to Kazakhstan (Uralsk). Outside the main street, it's a shithole, similar to how provincial Russia was 20 or so years ago. Maybe Astana or Almaty are better, I don't know, but don't have much desire to go there in the near future. The road itself was an interesting experience, though.
>>2828159I think you go to these countries for nature anon....I am certainly bumping this thread though, I would love to visit Mongolia and Kazakhstan, in 2026 I am visiting Kyrgyzstan for a 10 day motorbike tour with 5 friends which should be insanely fun (yes I know how to ride a bike)In regards to Mongolia and Kazachstan, are these countries you need a guide in? they seem difficult to just book a hostel and go from there as they are so vast. especially when visiting the Gobi Desert etc. I would also love to visit the tulip fields in Kazakhstan this book I am currently reading as really sold them to me. I really hate visiting cities in countries for longer then a few days so I just want to get out into nature but it seems like a difficult thing to do.
>Are these countries cheap? Cheap to stay sometimes expensive to move around (if you're not keen on sharing transportation)>What are the must see places?Silk Road cities, steppe, mountains & post-Soviet cities if you're that way inclined>Do I need a tour guide? Not outside Turkmenistan>Are the cities as lively as the western world? No, outside of Almaty, Astana, Bishkek and Tashkent it's mostly people doing their own thing.>How strict Muslim are they? Not at all, you can get alcohol everywhere and pork in every bigger town.>Is it possible to pick up chicks here?Sure, but you wouldn't be asking here if you actually could.Also wives > chicks
>>2828291Yeah, people mostly visit Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for that mountainous region around Almaty and Bishkek. As for the cities, I don't think it's worth going to another country to see typical post-Soviet urban decay.
Basic Russian will go a long way in Kazakhstan.People are friendly in Astana and Alamaty. But afraid/ unwilling to speak to foreigners because they know tourists only speak English and they don't.The tourism industry is slowly shifting to western tourists, but the industry still primarily speaks Russian, 3-5 more years and the younger generations that speak english will move into the industry and things may change.
Astana is a very organized and planned out city, parks, galleries, promenades, museums, but some what sterile since it feels very governmental.
There is no McDonalds, but you can get a starbucks coffee, though it's super expensive comared to the local offerings. Food ranges from simple fare for maybe 1 or 2 dollars per meal to very fancy dining that might cost 25-50 dollars
Strangest thing ever while traveling through Kazakhstan was lack of salt or pepper or seasoning in certain meals. Most fast food joints don't even give salt or pepper packets. Even fine dining I had to ask for salt and pepper, Kazakh food fell not seasoned enough for my liking. Ended up going to a Magnum super market and got some salt, pepper, and "cajun" spice to keep in my backpack...
While Astana was almost a perfectly planned out city, Almaty was more organic. Very European. But more chaotic in terms of lay out. The parks are nice and have a pretty big war memorial.
There's one or two museums, The streets are interesting since there are streams running down culverts right beside every street is seems. Something to do with keeping humidity levels proper or for irrigation, don't remember...There is a tiny subway system in Almaty, it's nice to get around. Tokens are valid for the day of purchase. They are maybe 50 cents or something like that. one Token per ride. If you buy extra tokens, but don't end up using them, they can be exchanged on Tuesday's for credit? I didn't care enough since they were so cheap.
I already mentioned that the Almaty feels more organic and European in city lay out compared to Astana, I feel it also applies to the people. People are also more laid back in Almaty and you will might have more locals try to interact with you. If you're primarily a english speaker and looking to interact with locals; in Almaty I found a "only speak english bar/cafe" here patrons are "fined" for speaking in Russian to encourage speaking/practicing english. Might be worth checking out you want to get to know locals without needing to speak russian.
>>2831049looks like alternative universe washington dc
The drinking situation in Kazakhstan is not a problem. Locals drink. They won't have a problem with you drinking. Depending on your age you might be able to talk with them. Been my experience that most locals currently over 25 years don't speak much if any English. If you speak russian and get friendly with locals, you might be challenged to an arm wrestling competition by the dudes. At least I was with 2 separate groups of people. I think it was all in good fun. Women will be intrigued but its a very conservative country, I never had any success, but your mileage may vary. Also they have security check you out at some bars and clubs. Never applied to me since I looked like a tourist. But while standing in line I noticed some people being turned away. Asked a local what that was about. Basically don't try to get into a fancy club dressed like a bum. Security tries to make sure you look like someone that will spend money.
Final note, if you end up in Kazakhstan. Go to a convenience store or supermarket and revel in the chip flavor selection. Lays over there are just something else!
>>2831045>they don't season they foodKazakhs are honorary whites
>>2831045The food in the Stans is the fucking worst. Just bland, unspiced meat over and over again. Unless it's lagman, in which case every single place out there probably uses the same ready-made spice mix because it tastes exactly the same no matter the type or restaurant. There's no fucking variety to the food in general, it's an extremely poor and monotonous cuisine.Beshbarmak in your pic is exceptionally awful too. It's possibly the most tasteless local delicacy I have ever tried.
>>2831285Yep, I agree. Till I got the salt and pepper, every meal was somewhat bland. As for the beshbarmak, yeah had it once to tick a checkbox. And haven't craved it in 2 years.
Thanks American npc for your tragically boring blogpost about Kazakhstan
for uzbekistan, im planing to do a typical tourist tour tashkent, samarkand bukhara,khiva, nukus and to aral sea, two weeks, any recs any
>>2831043plov is so damn good. Especially Uzbek style plov with the little spicy meaty dolmas and quail eggs.>>2831055This, but I'd recommend pic-related more. They're little rye croutons and more popular with the locals. Xpyc Team brand are more chip like, if you can find them. But I loved these meat jelly and horseradish flavored ones the most.
here's a picture of a cat I saw crawl out of a gutter in Dushanbe
>>2825169Learn Russian. Get a grasp on the basics, small talk, ordering food, etc...At least for the post-Soviet stans, Russian is an inter-ethnic language. Just be mindful that for the most part, Russian is going to be a second language to them as well, so they're going to speak it pretty poorly as well. But having a basic grasp will at least get you through airport security and help with signage around town and in museums.>How strict Muslim are they?70 years of Soviet-instilled atheism has done a number on them, and they've seen whats happened in Iran/Afghanistan and generally try to keep a lid on that stuff. It's a catch-22 where they're trying to establish a post-soviet identity, but also not center it around religion, but also yes include religion.
Turkmenistan is so cheap. Official rate is 3.5 manat for 1 usd but at the black market (every shop) you get 18-20 manat per usd...
>>2831045that looks disgusting
>>2835285here come the seasoning police
>>2835230Impossible to get there though, right? Don't you need some faggot guide to show you around?
>>2835767>>2835767You need to join a "guided tour" to get a letter of invitation to the country but once you are in you are free to go anywhere in Ashgabat without your guide. Also the guided tour can basically be any random one you find on instagram. It doesnt have to be a 20 man boomer group with a guide waving a flag.Very strange country with some very good looking girls and heavy vodka culture.
>>2831051>>2835104If I had an incel phase where I language maxxed and learned a bit of russian, will I have a good time? I know they said dating doesn't work there, but don't they also have a sizable population of slavs and other foreigners?
Turkish Airlines wants $897 to fly one-way from Bishkek to Denver, with a single layover in Istanbul. Other cities like Almaty cost $1100. By comparison, to fly the same 13500 km distance from a mid-sized US airport to India, also single carrier & single layover, I recently paid $410.
>>2837634You get what you pay for
>>2837634This has always been my issue. As much as I want to visit it's very hard to justify when flights are $1000 and 36 hours each way.
>>2837831Chinese airlines do not offer connecting flights from Central Asia to US West Coast cities. You can fly from Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles via China for $350, but you can't get a similar itinerary from Dushanbe. The cheapest single-carrier flight I've found is Almaty to Seattle with Qatar Airways for $633, with a layover in Doha.
>>2837637Some travelers who buy connecting flights get more than they paid for, and others get less. BTW the exact same flight to Mumbai I bought for $410 now costs $769 on the same date, which is currently four weeks out. Is it worth any more than when I bought it? Absolutely not.One way to judge how good of a deal you are getting: compare the fare for your connecting flight itinerary to the fare for each non-stop flight booked separately. In this case, a direct flight from Istanbul to Denver costs $750. The fare for a direct flight from Bishkek to Istanbul? $150. This is not good, as there is zero discount for booking the connecting flight itinerary. By comparison, Vilnius to Denver via Istanbul costs $615. Yeah, you're flying 11400 km to cover 8500 km, which is why they discount the fare, but the 24 hour Istanbul layover option is comfy and makes you forget about the inefficient routing. It was the cheapest way to return to Colorado from Europe by a wide margin.
Copypasta from another thread, please no ragers, just looking for genuine help >nearly 20>need to study/work in Asia and get the fuck out of the midwest as soon as possible>deadlines coming up if not already closed>deadlines for scholarships mostly closedIs it possible to become an English teacher somehow in an asian country without a degree? Is there a way they could cover travel expenses if I give them something in return like working or something? Is there any possible way? Do I start a fucking gofundme? I’ve been applying to jobs there already and making a resume. I need to make this work. I am not waiting another fucking year for college, and I need to move out within a month, tops
>>2839044 (me)Kazakhstan is the country I’m trying to get into btw
>>2839045Why don't you become a personal trainer instead. Much higher paid and easy. You can train their 1% and live a comfy lifestyle. The ink requirement is that you're slim
>>2839044>Is it possible to become an English teacher somehow in an asian country without a degree?No>Is there a way they could cover travel expenses if I give them something in return like working or something?No>Is there any possible way?No>Do I start a fucking gofundme?You could start an onlyfans I guess.
>>2839154I mean I’m a borderline emaciated, that could work. I don’t know if English-speaking personal trainers are in high demand there though lol >>2839159Maybe there’s other English-speaking positions they’d accept me without a degree in then. English-speaking clerks at an embassy or language center or something
>>2839188You're a mentally ill zoomer with no degree, no work experience and 0 (zero) knowledge of Kazakh/Russian. Why the fuck would anyone hire you?>English-speaking clerks at an embassy or language center or somethingI'm pretty sure that they usually hire locals for low-level jobs at embassies.
>>2839191>You're a mentally ill zoomerDon’t project your shitty mental health onto me, old man >no work experience and 0 (zero) knowledge of Kazakh/RussianMaking assumptions now, ok. Jesus did your mom just die or something? Why so fucking pissy? >I'm pretty sure that they usually hire locals for low-level jobs at embassiesPretty sure? Yeah you don’t know shit retard millennial, they look for native English speakers. I didn’t ask for you to chime in with your negative and sulky fucking bullshit. Kill yourself
>>2839195>zoom zoom seetheLol, said you were mentally ill.>Yeah you don’t know shit retard millennial, they look for native English speakers.I can't find shit for mutt embassies because orange man, but here's a vacancy for UK one which is pretty clearly intended for locals.https://fco.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/mobile-0/appcentre-1/brand-2/xf-dffb40437212/candidate/so/pm/4/pl/1/opp/25955-Operations-and-Logistics-Officer-British-Embassy-Astana-KAZ25-359/en-GBIt's much cheaper and easier to just hire locally unless it's an actually important position. It's completely irrelevant though since Department of State clearly isn't going to hire your useless ass.
>>2839204>responding to me?? How DARE you you’re mentally ILL!!!You got butthurt over an innocuous post that has nothing to do with you. You’re hating and arguing with a teenager. Yikes lmao.>but here's a vacancy for UK one which is pretty clearly intended for localsNowhere in that listing does it express that at all. In fact, with what I have on my resume, I am certain they would hire me. All you need is experience in a field similar to it. Do you not know how far lying gets you on your resume as long as you adapt? >clearly isn't going to hire your useless assRight, useless because I don’t have a master’s degree at 19 and I have aspirations, something you have never had. Which is why you’re bitter, alone, and sit your fat ass on this site all day. Go get stabbed by a muzzie and arrested over your posts in Britain, you old sad fart. Lmao. You literally somehow convinced yourself I have no job history and only know English. Responding to you doesn’t mean I’m mentally ill you fat faggot
>>2839205>Nowhere in that listing does it express that at allI knew zoom zooms are illiterate, but what the fuck. Here, I even highlighted that for you.>Right, useless because I don’t have a master’s degree at 19 and I have aspirations, something you have never had.Nigger, I live in SEA while working remotely for like 25 hours a week and get paid very well for it, something you'll clearly never have.>In fact, with what I have on my resume, I am certain they would hire meI fail to see how your experience working in McDonalds will help you get a job in a fucking embassy.>Go get stabbed by a muzzie and arrested over your posts in Britain>he thinks i'm a fucking bong
>>2839207>takes the time to highlight and screenshot AND crop some bullshit Yeah you have no life if you’re really going back and forth with me still right now dude. This is just embarrassing >Nigger, I live in SEA while working remotely for like 25 hours a week and get paid very well for it, something you'll clearly never haveYeah keep having no luck with women there and be suicidal because you have no one there and everyone hates you, grandpa. You’re just biased to hate on zoomers so that’s why you’re taking it out on me lmao. No one cares about your stay-at-home, basically entry-level job that you can sit on your fat ass all day with and doomscroll 4chan while doing so, what a sad reality. Thanks for telling everyone you’re a loser who rots at home for a job until you die. Something I’ll never have? You’re twice my age and have a job that 22 year old have LMFAO>I fail to see how your experience working in McDonalds will help you get a job in a fucking embassyI never said embassies are the only option, you blind old retard. No wonder you fled to SEA like a weak faggot, you have no life or anyone else, anywhere else. I’m doing this because I’m young and willing, I have an excuse. Anyways I’m really not feeling going back and forth with some random old sad man who’s probably like 15 years older than me, stop replying to my fucking posts and take a nap gramps
>>2839210>*zoom zoom monkey noises*Shameful display
>>2839212>millennial reaction pic and corny redditor speak Just because you’re old and alone doesn’t mean you have to hate the youth
>>2836485>learning another language to better communicate with people is incel behaviorExactly. Anyone worth talking to speaks English already. Just go and remember to take plenty of photos of government buildings and police while you're at it.
>>2839044>Is it possible to become an English teacher somehow in an asian country without a degree?Yes, it happens occasionally in the more shitty SEA nations like Cambodia, but you will get raped by your employer on wages and job security. You won't have a chance in central asia/japan/HK.>Is there a way they could cover travel expenses if I give them something in return like working or something?No, you'll need to apply in person if you don't have a degree. Go to some random city, find English schools in the area, and give them your CV while chatting them up a bit. Requires some charisma.
Slightly off topic but might as well post it hereI've been stranded on Doha the entire day waiting for a connection and these women in full burka or whatever it's called when she's fully covered but her eyes, when we cross paths and she gives me the side eye is kinda hot
>>2831891What is "meow" in this kot's language?
>>2842054мияв
>>2840219>No, you'll need to apply in person if you don't have a degree. Go to some random city, find English schools in the area, and give them your CV while chatting them up a bit. Requires some charisma.I was able to do this even in Europe even though I have an MA and did a TEFL certificate. never had to show any credentials but I could waltz into a language school and walk out with a couple classes on the spot. they mostly want a native speaking babysitter to help groups of kids learn numbers or basic grammar. if you're smart and have been to university they'll give you cambridge exam prep courses which are easy as fuck. but overall it's a shitty job, you'll get fucked over on pay and you live in a state of perma stress over losing class slots and what you're going to be doing in a couple months. much better to stay at home and work retail or something, you'll make more money and experience zero stress in comparison.
>>2831786Take the high speed rail when you can from Tashkent through Samarkand to Bukhara. I don't think it runs to Khiva yet, but you can take a regular more "Soviet" train to there and Nukus at least. Yandex is a Russian Uber pretty much and most intracity trips I took were less than 1 USD, even with a tip. I think the most I paid was 3 or 4 USD from the airport to my hotel in central Tashkent. I managed to get around surprisingly well as an Amerifat.Tashkent is pretty underrated. The city got leveled by a massive earthquake in the late 60s, but the upside is that it got rebuilt with some pretty kino Soviet architecture. The subway stations all have their own individual art design and is pretty cool to take the subway to see in and of itself. Nukus was cool for the Savitsky Art Museum and as a jumping off point for Moynaq and (what was) the Aral Sea. Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are pretty self explanatory.Also, don't know where you're from, but Uzbekistan Airways flies direct from JFK to Tashkent. Pic is where I stayed in Tashkent. There was a bus tour of the city with headphones for some popular languages including English that stopped in front of there. P.S. Weirdest thing about Uzbekistan is that like half of the cars in the country are Chevrolets, mainly white sedans. GM built a plant there which was nationalized by the government, and Chevrolets there are much cheaper since Uzbekistan is an a really isolated part of the world. I didn't know about that until I was walking through Tashkent, and it hit me.
>>2843145>and Chevrolets there are much cheaper since Uzbekistan is an a really isolated part of the world.They're not really cheap, they're just cheaper than anything else because the state ensures Uzbeks have no choice with tariffs out the ass slapped on every car import.
