I am Kazakh

I made a brief visit back in Karatau, Kazakhstan, in October, 1999, passing from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, heading to Talas, Kyrgyzstan.  I was allowed to spend a night in Karatau to visit my Kazakh host family.  It would be the last time I would see them.  Volodya, my Russian driver, and I dropped my Kyrgyz assistant, Aelita, off at the bus station in Taraz.  We both then headed to Karatau.  My Kazakh mother was surprised to see me since she thought I would arrive in the morning.  Then, as per Kazakh tradition, my driver and I were given a really good Kazakh lunch followed by more food.  It was a memorable night.

The picture below was taken the next morning.  I like this photo because it can show people why I was confused for being Kazakh my entire two years in Karatau.  Many locals thought my host mother, Adigul in the purple robe, was my real mother.  I think this similarity helped give me a unique perspective on the Kazakh culture.  I was actually accepted in my host father's clan, the Orshata (Baisara).

Yes, this day was cold but I left my fur hat inside the car by mistake. :-)