Quote:
Originally Posted by CMDallas
Kazakhstan...
I have some questions:
Most people in Kazakhstan look Asian, or have slanted eyes correct?
What about Kazakhstan do you miss most?
do you know any other Kazakhs in the US besides your family, I know they are here...
What city do you live in? Is there a lot of Kazakhs there?
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Hello, CMDallas!
Thank you for your questions. I'll try to answer first one correctly.
1. With the look of people in Kazakhstan - it is very varry, just because over there more than 120 nationalities on its territory and some number of mixed marriges over the history. If you'll go northern Kazakhstan - you'll encounter more slavic looking population, because of the border with Russia and a lot of russian people was forced to live in Kazakhstan during of period of the Soviet, but even before that russian tsar was establishing his power over that land.
Also a lot of slavic looking people living in Almaty - now cultural center of the Kazakhstan. A lot of germans were also transport over there during WWII and after. There are a lot of korean people, ukranians, turks, uygurs, tatars, mongols, etc.
Asian looking people, I would say, are koreans and chineese, mongols. Kazakhs themselves very often mistaken for the asians, but one has to live overthere for a while to encounter the difference. Originally, at least how I know it from the history, kazakh people had red or light color hair and light color eyes. Sometimes in the central or northern cities of Kazakhstan you can see people like that, but a very few. After tatar-mongol intervention on Kazakhstan territory which was last more than 100 years (Chingiz Khan and his Gold Orda) I guess genetic of kazakhs was altered once and forever with domination of the mongols genetic which is very asian. But, at the same time, they look different, than original mongols and very upset when somebody is mistaken them for the asians. Their eyes are much more open, often very european nose. Sometimes one could see so beauty the same like within male or female. I saw women who had very black (asian) hair, but blue, grey or green eyes, very petitte nose and wonderfull full lips. A saw a men who had black (asian - very straight) hair, roman nose, grey or green eyes. I think asian look is identifyable by high cheeks, straight (asian) dark hair (even so not with everyone), dark eyes which are often looks like asians type, but more open, and sometimes asian type of nose. So, very often kazakh people could be mistaken for the asians, but they are very touchy about that. Once, when I was working in one company I talked with one of my co-worker who spent over two or three years in USA studing - he was very "pissed" that americans called him "oriental". So, how I wrote above - one should spend some time in that part of the world to start to see the difference between different nationalities. And it is so normal for the people around the world, who wouldn't know differences, unless it is their study topic, or, perhaps, their proffesion, or just personal deep interest.
2. Mountains!!! In Almaty (city) where I was born - anywhere you go you can see them. And even at summer time (if it is not very hot summer) it is possible to see snow at some tops. Very beautiful! And when you acctually going there for the trip - it's like you are entering another world in another dimention which is taking your breath away by it's natural beauty. But one should be very carefull exploring places alone. As it is beautifull - the same it is very dangerous! I did that by myself once at winter time - thanks god I'm alive!
Instead of taking normal road that lead to the Big Almaty's lake, I decided go straight over the mountain side. And already almost at the destination I did stupid thing that could cost me my life - I jumped from my projected path into unknown for me side and ended up in the snow reaching my neck... Could be much worse, so. I can see my destination point, but hardly can move. It took me about 30-45 minutes to pass distance about 35-40 feet.
I was a teen then. Already at the lake I sit next to the big rocks and wanted to eat some snacks still shaking a bit and spanking myself for my action. Then wind started to blow and sound of moving air between the big rocks was so scary for me - very simular to some horrors movies soundtracks before ghosts would appear
. Oh, my!
One should see how I droped everithing (food wise) and at first very slowly (trying to prove myself that I'm not affraid of the ghosts and they do not exist) then every moment faster and faster (my bravery comletely dissapeared when clouds start to move and touched my face) I was claiming on my "four" to reach the normal road which would bring me to the home safely.
I did some trips alone more, but not at winter time anymore...
Spending overnight in the mountains also is so wonderfull! You can see Milky Way so clear and without any telescops or binoculars. You can hear sound of the mountain rivers, which is so different from any other sound... You smell mother nature which is like not any other smell... So, I can keep going and keep going telling all sort of stories about my experiences in my trips alone or with other people, but better of one time to see, than hundred times to hear.
The only thing I probaly advise everyone who is going to experience mountains trips in Kazakhstan (or perhaps anywhere) - if you are not the proffesional in claiming and not familiar with the area - do not ever go alone farther, than you could see humans beings around. And respect the nature, as it is beautifull and relaxing, it is also dangerous to became lost or to find yourself in very unpredictable situations.
Another thing - apple fields... and four seasons... Some friends and members of my family, but not very much so, because I always can contact them via e-mail or phone.
Ah! Lilac trees at the spring time and overall atmosphere of the city. Well, some food also...
3. No, I do not know kazakhs who is living in US, but I know here is some population of them in different states of the US. They holding some mitings every year in New York city every year. Me personally - I'm child from mixed marrige. I wouldn't be consider kazakh nationality. My Grandfather from my Mom side - he was kazakh. Some politics in Kazakhstan and reaction of some kazakh people to the number of events, considering other nationalities within the country, left very soar feeling inside me. I considered myself kazakhstanian after the name of the country where I was born, lived, learned, worked, cried, smiled and then won Creen Card Lottery.
Already here in US after two years living, studing and working in LA I met my MAN.
He is american and was born in Maimi. So my family right now - my man, my son (he was born in Almaty like me), myself, dog, two cats and one fish.
All my relatives living in Kazakhstan, some in Kyrgyzstan and some in Russia and I believe somebody in Canada (but I don't know him, just heard about him from my relative from the Moscow).
4. Right now we are living in the sunshine state of USA - Florida.
City - Orlando. Me and Keith decided to move to his state of birth after both of us were laid off from the airspace company in CA after 09/11.
Well, I really don't know if kazakh people living here, I would guess so - Florida is very nice state. I love the Atlantic ocean beaches, Bike Fest in Daytona Beach and National Parks. And fauna. It is so amazing, when you could see racoon mama with her babies going across the road in your apartment comlex, or opposum sitting on the tree and looking straight at you.
I do love nature very-very much.
Also, Orlando is very melow city comparing to LA, even so I do like some places in LA too. We were traveling from the LA to Orlando by the car and did a few stops along the road just to see some places, that Keith saw in his childhood and wanted to share with me and Dim (my, well, by now I should say - "our" son
). It was very beautiful adventure for us and we all enjoyed it very much. Also, so many road stories and SURE... home video!!!
Especially so funny for all of us was time when we started to live together - completely different cultures, some language problems (I still have it) and sometimes "fricking out" from each other actions - Keith was acting like normal american and me - like normal kazakhstanian.
Dim was very nuetural and was care only about Power Rangers and his own goods (he was 5 at that time).
I hope I answered your questions, and if you have more or somebody else, bring them in!
Oh, yea. My native language is Russian (but of course
), so if anyone need something to do with the language, please, very welcome. My level of English you could see in my posts.
My regards to you.
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Very smart decision
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