I'm going to Kazekstan...

[DAFT]

My boss just called me to inform me and my lucky(sarcasm) team that we are being taken from our NYC office and placed in the cruel and inhospitable land of Kaz....stan( have trouble spelling it). It wouldn't be so bad if i had an idea of when i'll be back in good old NY but the timeline is unclear. does anyone out there have any first hand knowledge about this god forsaken place that might help me survive?

[lfcrule1972]

You might want to pack some camel "lube"

[lfcrule1972]

Sorry try this.....

Kazakhstan

[blutach]

Find a new job

Regards

[DAFT]

I would but the pay increase would astound you. I also get free lodging and travel while i'm there 4 months off a year. I talked to my boss again by the way. not so depressed now. just gotta let the team know and that will be a difficult.

[DiscoInferno]

Dont knock it before you go. Yes, there isnt a Starbucks on every corner. But there is whats reported to be the friendliest people in central asia. Once run by the russians, but left to fend for itself. I think its the only country to have both russian and u.s airfields. The people are mainly muslim, speak russian and live like russians, so be prepared for late night vodka binges. Some parts are dangerous, inhabitated by poppy growing farmers and run by drug runners, though thats right out in the sticks. It once had the worlds 4th largest inland lake, but its now a desert. Cant remember the story but russians had something to do with it. Took 20 or 30 years to beacome a desert. Its now full of shipwrecks. Should be a strange sight. I got all this from watching a bbc series called holidays in the danger zone. Oh yeah, they've also got a Beatles tribute band, and good one at that. Youre very lucky to go, should be a mind opener.

[LT. Columbo]

don't tell anyone your american, most of the world doesn't like americans, and you know how most muslims feel about us! don't wear anything that shows where you are from. don't appear as a visitor. good luck to you

[clink]

I worked there a couple of years ago for a major oil company. All I can say is I hope it's changed. We stopped in a purpose built area with a couple of hotels inside. It was fenced off and armed guards on the gates. Living inside the camp was great but we werent allowed out of it at night. Too many local gangsters apparently. We got a bus to work and our company had to pay these gangsters off so we could go to work and come back safely.

Hope this hasnt put you off. It might have changed.

[DAFT]

omg clink you might be the person to talk to. I now will be working indirectly for that very oil company. with two sights to oversee. armed guards, fenced in oil sight, the works. the american thing is already covered with an Irish Passport. Thank god my mom was born there. And we all know that Irish don't make the best barganing chips when it comes to hostage negotiations. they'd probably try to recruit me. I still can't believe that you were where i'm going clink. give me all the details please, i gotta live there for the next 2 years or so.

[clink]

I was only there 7 months. Apart from not being allowed out at night (nothing to see anyway) everything was ok. Iseen no trouble at all. I heard a few rumours about people getting robbed but thats about it.

It doesnt matter if your american, Irish, British or Outer Mongolia. The locals don't bother you.

[DAFT]

this is all very good news clink, thanks for the info