Exciting life: Couple leaves Canada for Central Asia

Exciting life: Couple leaves Canada for Central Asia

After eight years in the United Arab Emirates, the teachers Zora and Dave Keffer returned to Canada when their daughter was born in the late 1990s. However, the couple was very familiar with exploring the world.

a new adventure in Central Asia

After her daughter left the home and she came across an apprenticeship in Central Asia, the Keffers decided to go on an adventure trip again. She first led them to Kazakhstan and later to a small town in Uzbekistan. Despite initial concerns, to have ended up in a barren former Soviet region that was characterized by power outages and unbearable heat waves, the couple describes the move as an incredible experience with positive aspects that can no longer be found in the West.

life -changing experiences

Zora, which originally comes from the former Czechoslovakia, explained that they "thought it was time to resume her nomadic lifestyle" after her daughter had moved out. When they learned that Kazakhstan was looking for teachers, they found the "like an interesting project" and registered what brought them there for almost five years.

a move to Uzbekistan

After working in Kazakhstan, the Keffers accepted an employment contract in Kuwait, where they "stuck" during the Covid 19 pandemic. When the border restrictions were relaxed, they were ready for another adventure. In March 2020, they received vacancies at a school for "talented children" in Uzbekistan and considered moving there. Although they were less enthusiastic about Nukus, the sixth largest city in Uzbekistan, they ultimately decided to take the step.

The beauty of Uzbekistan

When she arrived in Uzbekistan, Zora was impressed by the country's architecture, which she described as "a mixture of unobtrusive, utilitarian Soviet buildings alongside modern high -rise buildings". Despite the continued Covid restrictions, they managed to get used to it quickly and they were warmly welcomed. Zora emphasizes: "The locals are extremely polite and friendly" and mentions the joy of being able to experience numerous traditions of this colorful society.

cultural differences and adjustments

Although life in Uzbekistan can be a challenge for newcomers, her time in Kazakhstan ensured that the adaptation for the couple was less difficult. "It's all central Asia," says Zora. "Both are former Soviet republics with very similar cultures. So Uzbekistan was not a cultural shock." Zora and Dave loved life in Nukus, where people passionately want to practice English and the communication was made easier by Google Translate.

a living community

Zora was impressed by the strength of the local community, which was ready to go beyond what is common to help her neighbors. "The community is much stronger here," she explains, adding that families are closer to each other than in the West. While they mostly lived in Nukus, they traveled to the capital Taschkent about every six weeks.

Special experiences on Seidenstrasse

In 2021, Zora and Dave treated themselves to a break to explore the cities along the old Seidenstrasse - Samarkand, Buchara and Chiwa. Zora is enthusiastic about the experience and describes her as magical: "It is as if you are going back into time and immerse yourself in one of the stories from 'a thousand and a night'." They were particularly impressed by Chiwa, a small town in the southeast of Uzbekistan, which is often overlooked.

The joy of teaching and Uzbek cuisine

What Zora appreciated most about her life in Uzbekistan were her students: "The children here are so nice. In my opinion, this is the greatest advantage as a teacher, because we have no discipline problems." It also praises Uzbek cuisine and emphasizes that the fruits and vegetables are "incomparably good" compared to Canada or North America.

The challenges of a developing country

Despite Uzbekistan's affordability, Zora realizes that this is "all relative" because she deserved an "reasonable salary". When you speak of Canada, Zora misses the opportunity to view blockbuster films unencrypted. Nevertheless, they had the opportunity to enjoy live ballet and dance performances in Tashkent.

The plans for the future

After four years in Uzbekistan, Zora and Dave decided to look for a new challenge. Now in retirement, you are planning to travel a lot the next year before you set your next steps. Although they plan to visit Canada for a short time, they do not intend to stay there permanently. "We love Canada, but that doesn't mean that we want to be sedentary there," emphasizes Zora and hopes that you will never lose your travel request. Zora leaves open what the future brings: "The future is uncertain."