Howdy! I'm from Houston, Texas, and now am posted with my husband to Astana, Kazakhstan. K. is a huge country, once part of the Soviet Union, and west of Russia. I've been told that Astana is the 2nd coldest capital in the world------no argument on this side if it is---I used to think that temps in the 40's Farenheit (7-8 degrees Celcius for non-US members) was cold-----it's now a little above that today and I'm about ready to throw on a bathing suit. Ha! You do get used to it. Been here since June and will probably stay 2-3 years. Anyway I've been trolling this site since early this morning (by the way we're 12 hours ahead of Central Standard Time in the US--Texas in other words, and I believe around 8 hours ahead of the UK) So when it's 8am here on a Monday it's 8pm Sunday night. Am looking forward to cruising and posting on your site---the little trolling that I did today confirms that there are some really great forum posters here as well as surfers which are excellently monitored by experienced, caring people as well. Spasiba! (rough English translation of "Thank-you" in Russian which is the official language here).

Welcome to our forums.

Welcome ! Your adventures sound fascinating! Enjoy your visits here! It's a good site with people from everywhere. You are wise to note, too, the truth that the 'caring' part flows. Jump on in!

Thanks, Sue,

We're owned by 3 cats--so I really appreciate your signature quote.

I still have one left, I am thinking of taking him for a ride in the car and letting him go! Just joking.

Welcome from England too!

Hullo expat - what an interesting place to find yourself in. Welcome to the forums, hope you enjoy them and stick around.

Thanks, Gatsby!!! Believe me, the caring shown on the places on your sites that I visited really rang loud and clear. Keep up the great work and thanks for the welcome. There's not much to do here but I will still consider it an "adventure" though I'm not sure how "fascinating"--Ha! But I'm hanging in there. Question: are you really posting to this at 4:10 AM? That's what's showing up on my side. If so---true dedication!

Don't forget that FT is global, when it is 4.10am to you it is almost bedtime in some countries an mid day in others. Having said that, Gatsby IS here almost around the clock.

Dear Jane and Copago,

Thanks for the welcome--two great neck of the woods that I have met many peope from!!

Dear Sue.

I had to laugh at "dropping off the cat" because I've had my catstrophe decide at one point that "thinking outside the box" meant peeing outside the box. After being banished outside for a few weeks they got the message real quick--- conform and think "inside the box". Glad that we have such a global trivial site.

Dear Leau,

How do I love thee---Schipol Airport??? I have been thru your airport so many times that I could be a guide--and now that they have expanded it---my husband and I love Dowe Egberts coffee and your cheeses and your chocolates and your..................!!! Thanks for the velcomme (?) Glad to hear that there are so many dedicated members. Thanks!

Welcome to the forums, 'zdrahst'voitye' & ''kahk dyelah'!

Dear Aramis,

Spasiba!! Hope to take lessons, soon and be told that I speak Russian "harashow" (very good) Or how do you respond to a Kazkh who asks "and how SOON are you leaving?" Ha! Thanks for the welcome.

We're so happy to have you in the forums! Have fun exploring all of them and feel free to join in anywhere!

I read an amusing book recently, written by a diplomat's wife, he was posted to Kazakhstan. The book is called Diplomatic Baggage. They were based in Almaty, not Astana.

How about posting in our 'World' forum and telling us about life in Kazakhstan? I am sure many of us will find it very interesting.

I would love to!!!--Almaty was the former capital and many of the embassies located there are in the process of relocating to Astana. I am currently volunteering at a new international school and teaching conversational English to six 12 year olds at a local Russian school. Could you please tell me how to get to the World Forum. I'm pretty not the most computer savvy person in the world. I am really interested in finding this book, as well. Thanks so much for your response!!

Thanks CinnamOn!

I'm really looking forward to joining your site!!!

expatgirl in an expatworld!

Send me either a private message or an email with your name and postal address and I will send the book to you, I have read it. If you do give me your details then they will not be given to anyone else - email might be best. You can get my gmail account address from my profile, just click on my name at the side of this post, then remove the bit which I have to stop harvesting.

As for getting to the World forum, click on Main Index on he banner near the top of the page, you will get the list of forums. It is The World About Us (I think!), anyway, the one with World in the title.

Welcome to the Forums. Sounds like you have a lot of interesting things to contribute.

Hi there, expat. Welcome to the forums. I think you'll like it here...not to mention you are learning a new language with LOTS of X's and Z's in it. Hmmm...
You may come in real handy down in the chain game room...

Astana's a pretty name for a city...

Oh, and welcome!