December 1
I officially became a PC volunteer! It was such a great feeling to be done with training and to know that my two year service has finally started. It was also a nice thought to know that this will be the last major adjustment and hopefully the last time I will have to pack up my stuff. I haven't purchased anything big, yet I have twice as many bags, go figure. It was really a site the day we brought out luggage into the city in preparation of moving - the van was so full of people and stuff that folks were carefully wedged between the luggage and the ceiling.
The actual ceremony took place in a big theater. All the important PC officials were there, along with our families, some KR official, and the US ambassador. There were a few speeches, a lot of thank yous, we sang the national anthems, and lastly took an oath. The whole process took a long time because everything had to be translated into Kyrgyz and Russian. Even worse, the theater wasnt heated and it was a cold day. Everyone made this big effort to look nice (and all that means is that we washed up and wore something other than the one outfit we wear for weeks on end) but if one were to look at the people on the stage and then the audience, all they would see is people hidden in their big coats and furry hats.
At the end of the ceremony we had to say good by to our families and that was a lot harder than I thought it would be. There were a lot tears and hugs and kisses. It is nice to know that I will always be able to go back and visit and it's somewhere that I would like to go back to.
After the ceremony we made our way to Bishkek (the capital) and stayed in a hotel for one last hoop-la while we were all still together. That night we were also invited to the ambassadors house for dinner. Even by American standards, her house was amazing. It looked like a mini fortress with the walls and the guards, but once we got inside she was waiting for us in jeans and a sweatshirt. The best part was the food. She served pizza, hamburgers, tuna fish sandwiches, chips n salsa - really anything that doesnt consist of sheep fat or potatoes is amazing! oh, and she had real toilets - also very exciting! It was almost a little embarrassing the way we swarmed the caters, but we figured (hoped) that they understood.
The next day we said more good byes and made our way across KR. To get to my region one has to eithergo through the mountains or through Kazahkstan (yah, that's how isolated it is, you have to leave the country in order to get there). The road through the mountains is not paved and pretty narrow, so using it during the winter is out of the question. Crossing the borders into and out of KR was a pain in the neck and the whole trip took about 7 hours, but I finally made it to Bakia-Ata. Let the good times role!
December 8
Ive been in Bakia-Ata for just about a week now and I have to say that i'm pretty content. The house is comfortable enough (that doesnt mean there's running water or indoor plumbing though) and I have a nice room all to myself. Oh, and they have sattelite..I know, can you believe it? I cant understand a damn thing because it's all in Russian, but it's so strange how they dont have things that I would consider a neccessity and they do have things that are just excessive...I really cant complain though, Russian MTV, though not quite the same as American MTV, is still pretty entertaining!
I like the family alot, the parents are a bit older and they have a 14 yr. old boy still at home. The son has made it his mission to teach me Kyrgyz, so we've spent a lot of time huddled over the dictioanary, or resorting to drawings, to talk to eachother. I even got him to teach me the bad words though he made me promise not to tell his mom! The family is incredibly attentive, to the point where they are just spoiling me...I feel a little bad, but there's really nothing I can do about it!
My first week of teaching has been interesting if nothing else. Everyone from the director, assistant director, my host mom and brother has threatened the students to an inch of their life if they do not behave. Their threatsmore or less role off of the students backs, these kids are no amatuers. They're not bad kids, just noisy and active and I dont think they quite take me seriously yet. I'm teaching all of the 5,6,7 and 8 graders, which is about 120 students. Though they've been studying English since they were about 9, most of them could only tell me their names and that they were pupils that live in Bakia-Ata. It seems that they have been taught how to read English, but there isn't any comprehension to go along with it. Not quite sure yet how im going to go about this whole teaching thing....
The school itself is a piece of work. It's this big block left over from the soviets. If they have lights they certainly dont use them. It's cold, damp and dark. The director is making a big effort to get heat, but it's still nothing like im used to. Ive requested to have my own classroom (typically the teachers move from room to room) and it looks like i'll be getting one soon. The school system in Kyrgyzstan has a reputation of being corrupt and it is not an uncommon thing for students to buy their grades from their teachers throughout their whole school career. Also school directors are known for taking a lot of money away from the schools for themselves. I have a good impression of my director, I think that she is sincere and wants the best for the school. When we first met she told me that she wanted me to focus more on organizing clubs for the kids than writing grants.
*******
Some people have asked what is the best way to send stuff. The mail system here isnt as reliable as the States and we do have to worry about things being stolen. One girl had a big box of Godiva chocolate sent and all they left her was one piece. Besides letters, dont send anything in a big envelope, they're just really easy to break into. Also, make sure that you send things by air instead of by boat,since KR is landlocked getting parcels here by land just gets complicated. And when you are writing down contents of package be as vague and uninteresting as possible, lie if youneed to. Oh and if you insure it for even a few dollars they are less likely to touchyour stuff. Out of the packages that ive received Ive only had one problem with a big envelope filled with chocolate and I never got the chocolate.
things that would always be good to get; food, drink mix, classroom supplies (construction paper), magazines etc
Also my address has changed. here's the new one
Kyrgyzstan
Talas Oblast
Bakia-Ata Rayon
Bakia-Ata 722726
Cagimbek uulu Kanibek Street #5
Machalla Frisch
and heres my cell phone number996-502-169-279
all the best, machalla
These are the folks from my village and the neighboring village. The boys are all wearing Kalpacs which is the traditional hat that the men wear. pretty slick huh? Hey grandpa, if I got you one would you wear it?
Some kids from school. The ones who look like they're trying for the french maid look are actually in their school uniform. It really doesnt get much cuter than this folks!
