Ең қонақжай халық – The most hospitable people

With the passage of time, this will probably be a hiliarious story, though I still feel really foolish at the moment. Tonight I went to a birthday party for Anelia, the youngest host sister from the family who hosted me during my site visit in Aksu. One small problem – the party’s on Monday.

The party was to be held at the cafe Anelia’s parents own. As I cruised up to the cafe I didn’t recognize a lot of the guests and they all seemed a bit overdressed for a birthday party – even by Kazakhstan standards. They weren’t, however, overdressed for a wedding. And that’s why they were there. Totally confused, my Kazakh picked a lousy time to briefly evade me. After a few minutes of trying to explain why I was there, Anelia’s father invited me in. And then I got to go in to the wedding reception. Sat at Anelia’s father’s table with the groom’s mother. At this point I realize I’ve made an epic mistake, but I’m also not going to be able to gracefully exit, either.

The groom’s mother told me that she was glad to have me there, and she and Balrabai, Anelia’s dad, insisted I stay and eat. I ate and I enjoyed the reception. But I really felt awkward. And got out of there as soon as I was given what I hope was the all clear. Otherwise I may have violated multiple cultural norms!

Times like this make me really happy to know how open and welcoming people can be. Especially when I do something stupid like that…. It’s also nice to be able to play the American card – he doesn’t know any better!

Never a dull moment. First wedding crashed, check. Scale – international. Feeling like the north end of a southbound horse – free.