Western China is a difficult place to travel if you don’t know Chinese… or Uyghur. Either way, it’s all super foreign and we have some hilarious adventures because of it. Read on to discover a few of our most recent!
Archive | Language Learning RSS feed for this section

Funny Things Happen When You Can’t Speak the Language, Western China Edition

Thrifty Thursday: One Month of Intensive Russian for Less Than $850
In this post, I break down the numbers involved in taking intensive Russian language lessons in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Even with food, travel and accommodation, the price is no contest. Seriously, have a read and be inspired!

Language is Music; Your Body the Instrument
The joy of traveling is meeting interesting people. I met Susanna Zaraysky, a self-made language learning expert, on a bus in Kyrgyzstan. Here I talk about her book and message from Language is Music.

Kyrgyz, Russian & English: A Bishkek Bazaar Language Mash-up
Two American girls walk into a bazaar… The bazaars in Bishkek are always fun to shop at, but they are even more interesting because of the trilingual conversations Erica and I often had there. Read on about the Kyrgyz-Russian-English convos in this post.

12 Things Learned About Russian Language Learning
In this post I take a personal journey down the road of things learned about Russian language learning. What words can I just not say right? How much more can I complain about the absurdity that is Russian? You’ll have to read to find out!

Week 4 Wrap-Up: Holy F#*k, I Know Russian
And we’re done, people! I told my teachers that I surprised myself during my final week of lessons. Big improvement from the week before, thanks to finally getting good sleep and no longer being ill.

Questioning One’s Purpose: Thoughts During Week 3 of Russian
Learning or relearning a language is like a roller coaster. I’m up and then I’m down… and it sometimes isn’t easy to see the light! This past week has been especially hard, but I’m back and ready to smash my final week here in Bishkek.

Taxi Cab Convos in Bishkek
A taxi ride in Kyrgyzstan always ends up making me feel a little self-conscious and worried about my reproductive future. Ha, I know, right?! If only there were a ring on my finger and a bun in the oven, I could finally earn the respect of my taxi drivers.

Thinking in Russian
Learning Russian is a tough process! What do I do to keep my morale going strong? I focus on the small gains. This week’s small gain involves… well… I’m sure you can guess!

Russian by Candlelight: 1.5 Weeks In
I have studied many languages now in my time, but I have yet to master any of them. Latin in high school was not about speaking. Italian was learned in college, but I was never good at conversing. Spanish in Guatemala was a small triumph when I found myself booking tours and arguing with people without thinking too hard by the end of it. But Russian…
Brooke vs. the World
American girl left to travel the world in 2007. Studied languages, slept in a yurt, taught English, met Aussie guy and fell in love. Moved to Australia. Calls Sydney home. Wants a puppy. Still loves to travel. Read more about Brooke >Subscribe For Adventure
-
The $50 Christmas Wishlist Giveaway from Ciao Bella Travel [Ended]
December 10, 2012
-
Heaps… Would it bother you Heaps, if I typed it Heaps
September 24, 2012
-
A Candid Conversation About Kyrgyz Bride-napping
July 23, 2012
-
What Not to Leave on a Train
March 8, 2012
-
3 Months of Giveaways for #FTU Members! [ended]
August 13, 2012
-
You Can’t Go to Oman Without Doing This
May 1, 2013
-
The Future of the Tasmanian Devil
April 17, 2013
-
The Sultanate of Oman: Opening Doors
April 2, 2013
-
Journey to the Edge of the World
March 23, 2013
-
Where Australia Wins
March 9, 2013
-
Melissa Adams: Ok, you've convinced me. I'm never going Down Un...
-
Megan: I love it when people love Tassie. The North-West ...
-
Marysia @ My Travel Affairs: Great pictures! I would add diving to your list! Y...
-
Richard Crest: I envy you for having time to travel in that amazi...
-
Yeity: Biatch make me a sandwhich! lol - our new catchph...




