I want to visit here. Mainly Kazakhstan, but I'd like to eventually see all of them.
What do I need to know in order to prepare myself? I'm an American who's only traveled in first world, highly English-speaking western countries before.
Are these countries cheap? What are the must see places? Do I need a tour guide? Are the cities as lively as the western world? How strict Muslim are they? Is it possible to pick up chicks here?