Drinking Camel's Milk in the Yurt – Expat Stories From Kazakhstan

Before visiting Kazakhstan I had no idea that it was one of the largest countries in the world. I knew it was in the former Soviet republic but not with which countries it shared borders.Other than through Borat, it hasn't graced the bookshelves to any extent, so I was interested to read these expat tales of life in the country.The articles were a bit of a mixed bunch, written by amateur writers who sometimes captured my imagination but other times didn't; it often felt as if I were reading someone's diary.There were also far too many exclamation marks, which became quite irritating.So, what has it left me with? Well, certainly a feeling for the extremes of temperature, varying between the summer highs of 40 degrees C to the winter lows of minus 40C.An awareness of the welcoming kindness of strangers, some of which we experienced while visiting. And an affection for children, who can cross all cultural barriers so easily.This would be a good introduction to the country for travellers or potential expats but I don't think I'd recommend it as general travel reading.

True incidents of ex-pats living in Kazakhstan, often as teachers. I found their stories uninteresting but I read them all just in case.

Interesting account of real people experiences.

This book is a celebration of expat life. A common theme among expats is that regardless of our country of origin and our current location, life in a different country is difficult but not without its rewards. The essays in Drinking Camel's Milk illustrate both sides of this life beautifully. I found myself nodding in agreement to the passage, "Does she [the housekeeper] know this isn't really me? Overseas I live in borrowed apartments, never fully committed to people or places. After the thrill of a new country wears off, I find myself searching for the comfort and regularity of a normal life, which often means I stop trying to understand or belong." I also identified with the quest to find a rare, local piece of furniture, having had a few of those sorts of adventures myself in India and Africa.This book is a great introduction to Kazakhstan for expats, travelers, or anyone else who's interested in the culture, geography, and history of the region. There is also extensive talk about discovering the wonderful food in Kazakhstan; it was surprising to learn that the food is so delicious. Drinking Camel's Milk is a collection of essays by expats of different nationalities; it's nice to hear so many different points of view on Kazakhstan. With so few resources about this country available, this is a must-read for anyone who's eager to learn more.

What does the average Westerner really know about Kazakhstan? Except perhaps that it was once part of the USSR; it probably gets a bit chilly in winter, and that `Borat' comes from here?But now Italian editor Monica Neboli has produced an anthology written by fellow expat authors about their lives and adventures in Kazakhstan called Drinking Camel's Milk in the Yurt: Expat Stories from Kazakhstan.Strange to think that a country the size of the whole of Western Europe - the 9th largest on the planet; and the biggest landlocked country on earth should have enjoyed scant recognition for so long. Especially when it has such a fascinating history, and an exciting future unfolding.Who for example, has any idea that the Kazakh nomadic tribes are of Turkic and Mongolian descent, and emerged as far back as the 8th Century; or that they were probably the first people to ride horses, thousands of years ago?Did you know for example, that tulips, the national emblem of Holland, are indigenous to the mountains and steppes of Kazakhstan and were only introduced to the Netherlands during the Ottoman Empire in the 16th Century?And have you ever heard of Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city (that was the capital up until 1997) which has, according to the Lonely Planet guide: "an almost European feel with its quality hotels, slick boutiques and chic cafés"; and provides an easy access route to the spectacular Tian Shan mountain range?You can read about Kazakhstan on the Internet or in the Rough Guide but what you can't get is a feel for what it's like to live there and this is where Neboli's book is a real eye-opener.According to Drinking Camel's Milk in the Yurt, Kazakhstan is a country of extremely hardcore seasons; breathtaking big sky landscapes; welcoming local people, and an infamous national dish called `Beshbarmak' which, prior to reading this book, was all news to me.It's one of those weird and wonderful places that few people will ever find themselves visiting of their own volition, and it's certainly true to say that unless you have some connection with Kazakhstan (i.e. you have Kazakh friends or family, or you work in the oil industry and find yourself posted there), then at first glance this might not tickle your fancy.But that would be a big shame, because after reading Neboli's anthology from cover to cover, I was enthralled by what this enormous and progressive country has to offer, and I'd certainly now relish the opportunity to explore it in person.

Lettura interessante, accattivante, coinvolgente! Conoscevo il Kazakistan solamente dai racconti di viaggio di una carissima amica, ma questo libro con la vivacità dei racconti, la minuziosa ricerca nei ricordi e nelle sensazioni vissute ha accesso la voglia di scoperta di una terra tanto sconosciuta quanto affascinante! Assolutamente consigliato!