Korean Job Discussion Forums

loki82 · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Location: Daegu, South Korea

I'm going to be heading across Asia to Europe starting next month, and I'm looking into alternatives to taking the Trans-Siberian out of Beijing. As far as I can tell one can train along the 'Silk Route' starting in Xi'an from China, which would go to Moscow via Kazahkstan. I think this would save me some time and money, but I'm having trouble finding confirmation as such, as well as any details on Kazahkstan itself. I admit being largely clueless regarding the country, so... Can anyone tell me anything about it? Specifically regarding travel through it?

Alternatively, does anyone know any feasable, more southernly routes that would aim towards the Mediterranean instead of Moscow?

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

bnrockin · Joined: 27 Feb 2006

I myself plan on going to teach in Kazakhstan after I am done in Korea. There are 28 Kazakhs at my college right now and I love them to death. Many of the girls are very beautiful including one girl who is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life. They are a proud country- not denying their soviet past but accepting it. They accept the past and they are proud of their country and its potential. The country is growing fast right now. Almaty and Astana are both growing to be very successful. They have all the natural resources on the periodic table and the specialize in petrolium. The primary religion is Islam but few practice it VERY strictly from what I can tell. They do not make it a big part of their life like some do in places like Saudi Arabia or the UAE. They eat a ton of beef and potatoes and they LOVE hourses there. Very cool place. Oh yeah, they drink Vodka like its running out.

anymore questions-PM me.

rpcvjkc · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: City Hall, Seoul

I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kazakhstan and traveling through the country is easiest by train. You can get a semi-private room called a (Coo-pay) and usually can find someone who speaks alittle English.

It also helps to know some basic Russian.

As far as the country, the people are great and I have to agree with the last post, the ladies are amazing.

If you have any specific questions feel free to contact me, I can even walk you through some general Train Russian and Kazakh(Toasts).

One tip though, make friends with the grandmothers, they will feed you the entire trip, it is great.

Shes-liv-a (good luck)

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

I found a Lonely Planet book at Kyobo Book Store near city hall which gave a detailed route; China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey.

I would however, be careful travelling through Kashmir and Baluchistan in Pakstan (two places the Taliban are re-grouping for their attacks into Afghanistan) and the Kurdish area between Iran and Turkey.

But that would be one hell of a trip.

You could also do Beijing, Lasha, Katmandu, Varanasi, Delhi, Islamabad, Quetta, Eshfahan, Tehran, Ankara, Istanbul