Nicole Masian never figured out what made it so obvious that she was an American.

Spending two years in Kazakhstan, the former Soviet Republic, as a Peace Corps volunteer, she would take off her eyeglasses when she was in public because they made her easy to peg.

Still, they could tell.

Kazakhs iron all their clothes, so she ironed hers.

Still, they could tell.

Even though there is not much difference between American clothing and what is worn in Kazakhstan, she bought native clothing.

Didn't matter. They still could tell.

030509