I lived/worked in Kazakhstan for three years both off and on shore and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and it was a challenge. On shore I was in Atyrau and it was not uncommon for expats to be rolled walking drunk on the streets then thrown in jail for being drunk in public. An early outing with other expats bar hopping had young Russian girls flat-azz grabbing ones crotch, mine included. So from there forward I learned to head from my apartment in Europe to my office via bridge or, in winter, right across the Ural River to Europe to buy ground meat of origin lost and taught a small shop nearby (they all sold vodka some apparently could make one ill) what Bombay Gin, via photos he had, point and shoot so of speak. A great but difficult time...
Okay.
And Ed stated what, to me, is absolutely obvious.
When traveling these type of ares, do not get drunk or do anything to affect your ability to take care of yourself, if that makes sense.
Don't go messing around with the local flavors. Leave the women alone. Avoid gambling, drugs, drinking, etc. etc. etc.
Be polite. Be good guests. Be aware.
