Our big adventure in Kazakhstan has come to an end. We returned to Bakersfield with Chevron, where Jim is back in Environmental law. It’s great to be home, but we miss our dear friends in Kazakhstan, both the Kazakhstanis and the fellow Chevron expats. We learned a lot during our time in Kazakhstan and visiting outer cities and countries on the other side of the world. We are very grateful for the experiences we had and the people we met.
Here are the countries and cities we visited:
Kazakhstan – Atyrau, Almaty & Astana | Egypt – Cairo & Giza | Wales - Cardiff |
Maldives – Hard Rock Resort | Turkey – Istanbul, Ephesus, Kusadasi | Netherlands – Amsterdam, Hague & Hague Temple |
Georgia – Tbilisi, Kazbegi & Gori | England – London & London Temple | United Arab Emirates - Dubai |
Living in the expat village was like living in a mini–United Nations. Between the expat village and the places we visited, we interacted with people from each of the following countries some on a daily or weekly basis – these being the ones we can actually remember. There may have been several more.
United States | Kazakhstan | Russia | Ireland |
Canada | Scotland | Netherlands | Venezuela |
Brazil | Mexico | China | Wales |
Indonesia | Malaysia | Thailand | Australia |
Germany | Nigeria | India | Pakistan |
Peru | New Zealand | South Africa | Turkey |
England | Angola | Ukraine | Vietnam |
Maldives | Egypt | Georgia | United Arab Emirates |
Singapore |
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Rhonda and Jim will remember all the wonderful people they met and shared an expat life with. We hope to see many of them again in the US or in the Chevron world. Here are some that will always hold a special place in our lives:
Natasha was not only our excellent housekeeper, she was our dear friend. She is kind, responsible, and trustworthy. We miss her so much!!!
Ainura, Rhonda’s amazing nail stylist-no one in the US can compare! She is quite the entrepreneur and has taken her business to China!
Kristina, who worked at the local salon.
Valentina, another friend who worked nearby. She and Rhonda knew a little of each other’s language and would patiently try to communicate with each other! Practice, practice, practice!!!
Rhonda’s friends-including her wonderful yoga teacher, Dinara, who is in the back- took her to lunch at an Italian restaurant before we moved back to the US.
Afternoon Tea!!!
Jim's awesome TCO Legal Colleagues!
And just for fun:
Kentucky Fried Chicken exists in Kazakhstan!
And Burger King, too!
We ate at KFC once. It was okay but not quite the same. At Burger King never. McDonald's closed when Russia invaded Ukraine; we tried to eat there before closure, but they didn't have Egg McMuffins - or any American breakfast.
We hope you enjoyed our blog. Maybe it will transform into something else soon!
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