Beautiful Bayanaul

Here is a short list of things I don’t like:

1) Terrible customer service. I went to buy a bag of potting soil and I got there just as this lady was closing up. She wouldn’t open the door to sell me a bag of dirt.

2) Awkward phone conversations. I don’t mind silence; I’m a very quiet person myself. In general, I don’t like talking on the phone at all, but I really don’t like talking on the phone when there is a lot of silence in a phone call because it’s forced conversation…

3) Overly salty foods. This was my fault; I guess I wasn’t looking at the salad as I shoveled salt into it.

4) Надоедливые люди. If you don’t speak Russian, well, skip over this one. Or, if you’re one of these types of people, you’ll probably look it up ;-)

I hosted a girl from the US who was traveling all across Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Vera and I had really good conversation about places she’s been, my travels (which totally keel in comparison to all of the places she’s been). She’s been traveling for about two years and has been everywhere. Anyways, it’s safe to say my first couchsurfing experience was a positive one and I look forward to hosting more people in the future, including some other volunteers who are their way to a Frisbee camp taking place a few hours north of here near the Russian border.

But the highlight of my recent week was going to Bayanaul to visit Saule and to see the beautiful landscape out there. It’s nicknamed “mini-Switzerland,” but I think it’s more like a nice lake. Besides, every volunteer talks about the “mini-Switzerland” in their own location, so I guess the term looses its awe. I suppose compared to the surrounding landscape, dominated by the Steppe, it is quite like a miniature Switzerland. Anyways, it was fun; we went hiking to get the lake and then went swimming. I also got to meet some of her friends, including one man, the husband of her best friend, named Rauan (Rah u wahn). I had an amazing weekend and a small vacation was in order. Though I miss her lots, it’s what I needed to give my work energy reserve a boost.

After something like 4 or 5 requests, the Eurotrunks have made their appearance. Messy hair and underdevolped upper-body aside, I don't think I look so bad in them.


Saule and her son - cute picture, no?


This is the esteemed Bayanaul.


Rauan and I at the cafe - he's a real nice guy and one of the few locals with whom I can have awesome discussion in a foreign language.


Saule by the big sign at the entrance to the village.