Tag Archives: Central Asia

Day 201: Feeling Lost, the Negative Side of Travel

By on July 21, 2011 in Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

Travelers always talk about how there is a readjustment period when returning home from long-term travel. Sometimes they talk about how roaming the earth can make them feel a bit lost. I can attest to both of these feelings, as I’ve experienced them many times in my travels throughout the years.

July 21, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 7 }
palm tree

10 Places to Hit Before I Hit 30

By on November 8, 2010 in Pre-Travel

Tick, tick, tick… that’s the sound of my internal travel clock ticking. Tick, tick, tick.
… Read moreWhen I’ve been settled for a while, it seems as though my internal travel clock starts screaming at me to make some plans involving far-flung places. I sometimes envy people who are satisfied with the status quo as they don’t have to deal with the

November 8, 2010 · Read full story · Comments { 32 }
bishkek center

Is the London School in Bishkek a real place?

By on November 1, 2010 in Kyrgyzstan, Language Learning, Soviet Travel

I get quite a few emails asking me about The London School in Bishkek. In case you were wondering, Bishkek is in Kyrgyzstan, and The London School in Bishkek is actually a fantastic little language school there – yes, a REAL place!
When I was first searching for things I could do in Kyrgyzstan… Read more, I got the idea

November 1, 2010 · Read full story · Comments { 9 }
Learning Like a Child: Host Family Flashback Part 2

Learning Like a Child: Host Family Flashback Part 2

By on April 24, 2010 in Kyrgyzstan, Language Learning, Soviet Travel

For seven long weeks I lasted as a regular in the Kyrgyz family… Read more. Somehow, now when I think back, I don’t know how I did it.
Some days were more trying than others. As a complete newbie to Russian, I quickly realized just how much brain power I expended at my lessons constantly thinking, translating and deciphering all day

April 24, 2010 · Read full story · Comments { 12 }
Things I've Kept: Papers

Things I've Kept: Papers

By on October 12, 2009 in Things I've Kept

This is a lovely little piece of toilet paper that is quite common in Central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe. I know this might not look very familiar to you now, but if you imagine it as being bright pink or orange, it may remind you of the paper streamers that would decorate birthday parties.

… Read more

I like to grab

October 12, 2009 · Read full story · Comments { 9 }

What the hell are you doing?!

By on September 12, 2008 in Kazakhstan, Pre-Travel, Soviet Travel

I don’t know! I just really don’t know what I’m doing back here in Kaz-Stan, or Central Asia for that matter. When I booked a month for home it was just so cost-effective to get a round-trip ticket that I couldn’t pass it up. Plus that meant I could store some things with friends in Almaty (my super cute red… Read more

September 12, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 3 }
Seeing Peoria Through New Eyes

Seeing Peoria Through New Eyes

By on September 10, 2008 in Kazakhstan, Post-Travel, Soviet Travel

“Did I just say that?” I thought to myself.
The first time the words came out of my mouth in Bishkek, I couldn’t believe they were mine. That was when my pal, Erica, turned to me and said, “Why can’t you? If going home right now is what you need or want in order to be happy, then just do… Read more

September 10, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 5 }
Central Asian TidBits Buffet

Central Asian TidBits Buffet

By on August 20, 2008 in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

In an attempt to be caught-up and on-the-ball upon my return abroad in September, I’ve decided to combine all these little ideas for individual blog posts into one smorgasbord of interesting bits. So, here you have it! What I’ve learned, loved, lacked and l-acquired (?) while in Central Asia.

August 20, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 1 }

Wow, it has been a while!

By on July 10, 2008 in Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

Ok, so peeps, my blog has been blocked here in the great world of Central Asia. I finally found a way to route my browser so it doesn’t recognize where I’m coming from. Oh, man, I have so many great stories to share with all you readers, so sit tight!
heart sign,
Brooke… Read more

July 10, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 5 }
Marshrutka Mayhem

Marshrutka Mayhem

By on May 7, 2008 in Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

The marshrutka is the main mode of public transport here in Bishkek, and like a bad metal concert in Peoria, it’s cheap, hot, overcrowded, and sometimes filled with drunk people. Mentioned in earlier Bishkek posts, I despise these little beasts, and yet often find myself stamping my foot for the next one to come. In that sense, I guess they… Read more

May 7, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 9 }