Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Keen sensibilities and a
few staunch rules of thumb
can make a solo journey
rewarding:
¨
Clothes do matter: a
modest dress code is
essential (even if local
Russian women don't seem
to have one).
¨
Never follow any man -
even an official - into a
private area. If one insists
on seeing your passport,
hand over a photocopy; if he
pushes you to follow him,
walk away into a busy area.
¨
When riding in shared
taxis choose one that
already has other female
passengers.
¨
Sit at the front of the bus,
preferably between two
women, if you can.
¨
If you feel as though
you are being followed
or harassed, seek the
company of a group of
women; most matronly
types will automatically take
you under their wing.
¨
Some local men will
honestly want to befriend
and help you; if you are
unsure and have a difficult
time shaking them, mention
your husband even if he's
imaginary.
But it isn't all bad! The
opportunities for genuine
cross-cultural woman-to-
woman interactions can
generally be had during
homestays, and usually
outside the cities. Everyone
loves to have their children
cooed over and doing so
will gain you friends as well
as unique experiences.
You may well see a side of
Central Asia hidden to male
travellers.
Women Travellers
Despite the imposition of
Soviet economic 'equality',
attitudes in the Central
Asian republics remain fairly
male-dominated. Many local
men cannot understand why
women would travel without
men, and assume they have
ulterior sexual motives.
Although harassment is not
on the same level as in some
Middle Eastern countries, it
tends to be more physical.
Macho Uzbekistan tops the
list, with Kyrgyzstan by far
the least sexist.
Both men and women
should seek permission
before entering a mosque,
particularly during prayer
times when non-Muslims
will feel uncomfortable.
Women are generally not
allowed in mosques in
Tajikistan and the Fergana
Valley. Most mosques in
cities and the major tourist
areas are open to all.
In bigger cities there is no
taboo on unaccompanied
local women talking to male
visitors in public. Local men
addressed by a woman in
a couple direct their reply
to the man, out of a sense
of respect. Local women
tend not to shake hands
or lead in conversations.
Because most local women
don't drink in public, female
visitors may not be offered
a shot of the vodka or wine
doing the rounds.
Work
There aren't many casual
work opportunities in the
region. What work
is
avail-
able is probably limited to
English teaching and aid
work, both of which are best
arranged prior to your ar-
rival in the region.
You may find teaching
positions in the region's
universities, particularly the
following:
American University in
Bishkek
(www.auca.kg)
Samarkand State In-
stitute of Foreign Lan-
guages
(www.sifl.50megs.
com)
University of Central
Asia
(www.ucentralasia.
org) Planned campuses in
Khorog (Tajikistan), Naryn
(Kyrgyzstan) and Tekeli
(Kazakhstan).
For those with a TEFL or
CELTA certificate, the
London School
(www.
thelondonschool.org/en)
in
Bishkek offers teaching
posts for a minimum of six
months for the academic
year, or four months for the
summer.
