expat topics

in praise of Aeroflot

January 29, 2013

There are few options for flying into Bishkek from the US compared to many other destinations. For cities, your choices are essentially Moscow, Istanbul, or Dubai (you could fly to Almaty/Astana, Urumqi, or a few other cities, and then continue to Bishkek, but to me that seems more trouble than it’s worth). Istanbul and Dubai [...]

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questions I’ve been asked

November 16, 2012

(not to be confused with the FAQ section) This is the first time I’ve been back in Pennsylvania since June, and then August 2011 before that. Usually I’m only around for a week or less, so I don’t usually hang out with too many people other than my close friends and immediate family. This time [...]

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my war on stuff

September 6, 2012

Maybe it’s because I’ve moved so often in the past six years (I’ve never lived in one place for more than 12 months, most places less than that), but I’m extra conscious about the amount of stuff I own and constantly thinking about how to reduce it. It’s looking more likely that Year 3 might [...]

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Two Years in Kyrgyzstan

August 15, 2012

“And look at where we are,” I said to Farrell yesterday as I reminded him of our moving-to-Bishkek anniversary, referring to how much has changed since August 15, 2010, when we first landed here (or even just one year ago). “Yeah,” he said, not looking up from his computer. “Writing the same damn proposals.” Things [...]

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the uncertain future

August 10, 2012

People always ask me when I’ll leave Kyrgyzstan. It’s inevitable, I won’t argue that. Nobody assumes that expats will stick around here forever. But it’s a tough question to answer. I’m coming up on two years since I moved to Bishkek and there’s still no clear plan for how long we’ll stay, what we’ll do [...]

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how to make friends in Kyrgyzstan

July 18, 2012

I’ve received a lot of emails lately from those of you who are planning to move to Kyrgyzstan in the coming months. First, that’s awesome! Second, I probably won’t hang out with all of you. I’m just one person, and I’m a bit socially awkward, shy, introverted, and a homebody in general. But, I have [...]

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If there were ever a “purpose” for this blog…

July 5, 2012

…it would be convincing readers that Kyrgyzstan is, in fact, an incredibly normal (and sometimes absolutely wonderful) place to live (and visit). A pretty popular travel website recently posted that Vice documentary on bridenapping that I ranted about a while ago. My first reaction was “UGH!!!” How could they!? Introducing so many people to Kyrgyzstan [...]

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putting down roots

April 17, 2012

This. This is amazing. The weather is gorgeous. The living situation is working out better than I could have hoped, and the garden is really shaping up. Farrell and Carl (one of my housemates) spent nearly every afternoon during the week and all weekend planting, weeding, digging, watering and maintaining the garden. I can’t even [...]

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Real Life House Hunters: the Reveal

March 9, 2012

Wow, I had forgotten how much I don’t like moving. The mad rush to pack up everything was multiplied by three as we tried to empty out my apartment, the office and our new roommates’ apartment. Imagine our surprise when it turned out that when we ordered a “moving van” that could fit the three [...]

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Real Life House Hunters: the backstory

February 19, 2012

We’re moving! After nearly a year living in the same apartment (more than a year in the same courtyard), Farrell and I are shifting ourselves and the office to a brand new location. But it’s not just the two of us. We’re currently sharing the office with the business of another expat. He and his [...]

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