How to successfully arrive in Kazakhstan

Well, I am safe and sound in Kazakhstan. I thought I'd help out others who may be planning to travel to this grand land any time soon...

1. How to play Canasta: First, never trust your opponent. They will teach you tricks to the game and then use them against you. This is important to know as you will have approximately 7 hours to play as you wait for your delayed train.
2. How to get your luggage off the bus: First, find the bus. Make sure you have a license plate number and that you check all buses that even come near to the bus stop, even if they stop a block away and then pass by. Next, after identifying your bus, track it slowly in the dark and snow. Go when it goes and stop when it stops. Finally when someone gets out to open the luggage compartments leap from your vehicle and point repeatedly at your bins. Wait until the persnickity old bus man goes away...then grab your bins and run!!!!! If need be, stack two and drag to your van! Get in and GO!
3. How to preserve leftovers: Leave the pot on the stove for several days. Open, heat, and enjoy. (Note: Stoves in KZ are on an outside porch where temperatures generally remain close to freezing in the winter. Also note, manual will be updated when spring methods of preservation are discovered).
4. How to use the internet: Begin by gathering all possibly electic wire and gagets within a 20 mile radius. Plug as many things together as possible and walk away. Call the electronics people who will come, probably the day after they said they would, watch them do what they could have told you to do on the phone, namely switch two wires...and wait. :)

Well, I hope this is helpful to all you future travelers to KZ. In the meantime I must shower and use the indoor toilet one last time before moving to my host home! More posts to come!

Ps: If you'd like to email me, please use emumaw@interlinkresources.org. Also note, I'm having some "sending" problems so it may take me till Monday to reply!