Can't speak the local language

People can be so critical and many are shocked when they hear that you can't speak the local language after being in the country for so many years.

And yes, there are many that would argue that we as foreigners need to learn the local language, which in this case is both Kazakh & Russian. But as these are both considered difficult languages,  I think that people shouldn't be so hard on foreigners that only planned to stay for a year and before they knew it turned into a few years.

Learning a language is tough for some, and I believe it is either an ability that you have or don't have. For me... I have known for a long time that languages are not my strongest point, even at school this was very obvious as I tried my luck with various European languages and can honestly say ... that I have a language disability : )
It is a skill, like remembering names.. another weakness of mine.
But faces... I never forget a face.

I don't consider myself unintelligent... now book smarts is not a problem for me!!! But I just wished that people would understand that not every one can pick up a language like those that have the knack for languages.

So good luck to all of you thinking of learning Russian or Kazakh, maybe you are lucky and pick it up quickly, but don't be too hard on yourself when it is something that just doesn't come naturally.

Boy dies of bubonic plague close to Kazakhstan border

According to Tengri News, the Kazakhstan Government has toughened their border control with Kyrgyzstan since a herder from eastern Kyrgyzstan, close to the border with Kazakhstan and Issyk-Kul Lake, died of the bubonic plague.

The Ministry has suggested that Kazakhstan residents abstain from travelling to Kyrgyzstan, but there are no plans to close the border.


For more information see:http://en.tengrinews.kz/health/113-thousand-people-vaccinated-against-plague-in-Kazakhstan-22172/
Use of the Tengrinews English materials must be accompanied by a hyperlink to en.Tengrinews.kz

The Kyrgyzstan Government has stated that the decease not at a level that would be described as an epidemic as the form of the decease is not conducive to a plague epidemic. The Kyrgyzstan medial officials did state that there has been 105 people hospitalised and isolated with the decease.

The Bubonic plague, is mainly transmitted by fleas on small rodents.

Symptoms include
Gangrene of extremities
Chills
High fever
Muscle cramps
Painful lymph glands
Pain in the area before the swelling appears

Other symptoms can include
heavy breathing
vomiting blood
coughing
extreme pain

Craft fair this weekend

Orchestra Parade in Almaty- 23-25 August 2013

There will be an orchestra parade on the 23 till the 25 of August starting at 7pm

There is a Facebook page created for this event but only in Russian


https://www.facebook.com/events/141833056015466/?ref=3

The Hot Summer in Almaty

The last few weeks have been unbelievably hot for those living in Almaty. Of all the years that I have been here I can not remember that we had such long hot spells with some days even reaching 38 degrees Celsius. This is well above the statistics of the average temperature for August (29.4. degrees Celsius)  

The weather makes it the perfect time to socialise  and enjoy one of the many parks in the city with its many fountains.Did you know... according to the city's Department of Natural Resources the city has 125 fountains with first fountain created in 1948. 


OR  if you can afford it go to one of the many water parks in and around the city like Hawaii Aqua Park; Gorky Water Park; Water park at Aporte; Dolphin Water Park and 8 Wonders and many more...

 

Basic Information about Visas for Kazakhstan

It is really hard to find the latest information about the new visa processes that was implemented this month. The Government claims that they have just  "upgraded" their visa processes, however from my own personal experience over the years and especially having gone through the process now recently again I am convinced that it has just become more and more difficult.

The information that I got about tourist visas are inconsistent and therefore, I don’t want to claim that I have any knowledge of this process!

As a spouse of an expat it seems impossible to get an acceptable visa that will allow you to live in Kazakhstan for an extended period of time without leaving the country ever month/ few months. At the moment I have a visa that only allows me 30 days per visit in Kazakhstan.

For a Business visa you will require a Letter of Invitation by your company, apparently now the LOI takes about 14 days to issue.

Business Visas are only issued by Embassies outside the country, which means traveling and staying for at leased 5 days if not more.

You will need the following:

-Filled out visa application from

- A copy of your LOI, which is also submitted by your company to the specific Consular Services (Please note: where there are more than one Consular Service in a country - make sure that you and your inviting company are dealing with the same office)

- Valid passport

- 1 Passport photo attached to the application form

- And your payment

Processing of Kazakh visas take about 5 working days.

Also check with the specific Consular Services which days they are available... as some only assists Kazakh citizens on specific days. And when planning to get your visa in another country also remember that certain days are weekends and not working days; like in the Middle East - a Friday is the main rest day and Sunday is the start of a new working week.

Also note that the Embassy in Kyrgyzstan is temporarily closed from the 15^th of July until further notice, so it would not be possible to renew visas from Kyrgyzstan. In the past many foreigners used to just travel from Almaty over the boarder, to get a new visa and return. The drive should only take a few hours but the roads are notoriously hazardous and the drivers drive like crazy, so this is not recommended!

Please share with us your experience with getting a KZ visas!

Funny video - Man drives bath tub in the streets of Almaty

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