Update!

Hello all,



Finally a chance to get some of my journal entries up:



So as I’m sitting here in my host family’s home, I can’t help but think back on the events of the past two weeks. A lot has happened -- settling in for the next three months in a completely different country that happens to have outstanding hospitality, it’s bound to happen. The expected and unexpected are bothprevalent in my village, and I think it makes for a good dynamic that will keep me on my toes.
The Biggest (capital B) challenge right now is getting the language down. Kyrgyz isn’t necessarily a difficult language, but I’ve never been the greatest language student to begin with. Add in the different alphabet (I always want to use an English puh for p’s, which are pronounced reh in Cyrillic, and so on with a few others). Progress is never set in stone, but day by day things have gotten incrementally better. That, and my Kyrgyz teacher (whose name sounds exactly like a certain LOTR ring-wraith, but means gentle flower) is pretty awesome.
I’ve been completely surprised with the food here in Kyrgyzstan. All reports have said that it isn’t all that good -- on the contrary most everything I’ve had has been fantastic. Granted, it’s usually some combination of similar things (rice, meat, potatoes, vegetables), but everything is as fresh as can be, from apples to eggs. My food barriers, such as with onions, are starting to diminish both by design (can I really afford to not eat a meal?) and choice (it tastes good!). It’s all a surprise, but fairly pleasant at that.
Animals, animals, everywhere, not a lick of grass to eat! Actually, that’s not true; there are many fields etc. in my village for grazing. It’s quite a change having cow herds roaming through your front yard 2-8 times every day, or having a donkey in the schoolyard. My home has chickens and roosters in it(as well as a veritable personal farm) -- they lied about roosters! They cuckooo whenever they damn well please, be it 3 in the morning or 7 at night, always seemingly at a time designated to not waking up. But I digress, the situation with the animals is definitely a transition from what I’m used to, and Concurrence Donkey (a donkey near my home that often ehaws after statements I make, seemingly in agreement) concurs.
I do miss home a bit, but I feel right at place here. The lack of communication -- both among the people here and to the people back home -- definitely is the hardest part right now. However, it’s early yet, and we’ll see how I make due. As for now, I just need to cross my T’s, Reh my P’s, and push forward with my training.
All the best,
Chris


So I’ve reached a point where understanding words/statements is a possibility. Speaking… not so much (especially for me, the talkative one), but I’m betteroff today than I was yesterday. Language lessons are rough, reminding me of my drudgery in Latin. I do a bit better outside of class, however, where I can realize “Oooh, I know that word! Let’s go from there…”
Culturally speaking, things seem to be going well. My stomach isn’t as grumbly, the food being prepared after the week or so we’ve been here is still tastyand fresh, and a routine (if it can be called that) is being formed. It’s interesting seeing my undies out on a clothesline -- they were just in a washing machine a few minutes ago (my family is fortunate enough to have a washing machine, many families wash by hand). At this point the differences between Kyrgyz and American culture seem minute and surmountable, which makes me happpppy.
Things seem to be cracking down a bit. We have more lessons on various things, projects are starting up, and workloads are increasing. This makes me somewhat glad -- finally an opportunity to start up an English Club, getting involved in the community besides saying “Hi” to strangers, etc. Practice, practice, practice! Two and a half months left of pre-service training.
Personally I think I’m on an upswing. Last week was a bit of a downer, primarily because of how abysmal my performance was compared to the other trainees. We’re reaching more of an evening-out point right now though, which is good for me. Other than that, my host family treats me very well; I spend what time I’m not studying or Chai Eeching (drinking tea -- meal time) playing with my brothers, watching TV with various family members (Ghost Busters completely dubbed in Russian? Yes please!), or attempting to hang out with the elusive PCT.
Right now there’s a news program on covering Borat and the negative image it has on Central Asia. It makes me angry to see such a thing because of how true it is -- these people who have no connection at all to Ali G’s character are judged by an entire world from the stupidity pouring out of bored minds.Do Americans get to see how cordial and endearing Kyrgyzstanis are? Do they get to see the beauty of this country, of it’s people? How ingenious these communities are for making so much out of what we consider so little? No. We see the idiocy of Borat and think it’s actuality. For a country that’s making tremendous strides to bolster its well-being, Borat is an unnecessary thorn hurled callously toward the heart of noble and generous people, all for a cheap laugh.



Саламатсызбы? (Formal greeting -- moreso than hello)
Кандайсыз? (Formal how are you)
Менин атым Кристофер. (My name is Christopher)
If you can't tell, I've found an option to use Kyrgyz Cyrillic on my computer -- it's pretty cool. Unfortunately two letters from the alphabet are missing,but who needs words such as family and room anyway?
So things are on a bit of an upswing for me -- I'm completely recovered from my food poisoning and can eat sheep's head to my hearts content, language isgetting better (though group work and practical use are still iffy), and I'm beginning to find a comfort zone with the other volunteers. My host family is great -- they are fairly understanding and cordial people, often letting me do whatever I need to (though they probably thing I'm a weirdo when I try helping out with, say, cleaning up the dishes, or helping my host dad move metal rods from the scrap pile).
The weather here is gorgeous. Most days are hot, but the skies are so clear and the landscape so starkly beautiful. There's a problem with water in the area;people often have to stock up because there isn't enough to last everyone throughout the day. Power in this country primarily runs off of hydroelectricity sowith the water shortage also comes a power shortage. It doesn't rain very often, and when it does it's very light and short (much different than back home). I still get plenty of water and sustinace so no worries on my end (I've had more tea in one week than I have the previous 21 years of my life). However, it'sannoying when voluteers complain about mundane things like being unable to travel for the purpose of shopping when the local Kyrgyzstani doesn't complain one lick about not having water, or calling the night early because power went out.
Yesterday I gave my iPod a whirl -- music can be pretty soothing on a weary soul. Johnny Cash (country?!?) hit the spot, surprisingly. It just goes to show-- preconceived notions aren't all they're cracked up to be. What a good lesson for coming into the Peace Corps.
Well, everything is going well. I hope everyone back in the states and elsewhere are doing well themselves!
Жакшы калыныз!
Крис



So everything is going pretty good now. I'm getting language down bit by bit and can eat food just fine again.



Right now I'm just sitting in an internet cafe after spending all day at the Peace Corps hub site with the 59 other volunteers.

Addressing some inqueries: Food here is relatively oily yet fresh, often some combination of rice, potatoes or noodles with vegetables (onions, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers are common) and small pieces of meat (usually sheep, sometimes chicken or beef). Every day I get up, walk to the sink which is outside to clean up, usually use the tooalet (an outhouse far back in the backyard), go to class, eat at one of the other 8 volunteers' houses in my village, go home and spend most of the time studying or doing something or other with my host family (usually my eenee, my little 10 year old brother). I try to help out around the house, but doing laundry or other work for myself seems pretty taboo at this point as the work is forcefully taken from me for (most often) my sister to do. Walking around is interesting -- there are big snowcapped mountains for my backyard view, and plenty of dogs, donkeys, cows, and sheep to entertain the eye on my travels. The people are fairly nice and cordial -- no incidents as of yet. Mail is a hassle right now because the local post office is often closed and doesn't seem to carry many stamps, so sorry if I can't send much out at the moment.



As I'm starting to find comfort here, I feel more and more at place. Good times to come, esp. for the future.



All the best,



Chris

Quickly

Hello all,

Unfortunately the PC I'm at doesn't seem to have a USB port, so my log will have to be brief. So far things have been going pretty good -- yesterday I got food poisoning and threw up for the first time in 8 years (grr...) but am feeling better now. Regular foods should be coming back soon.

My host family is really great, if anything they seem to take care of me too much. Language lessons are difficult. The food so far is pretty good (just have to watch out for the food poisoning and be careful). It's difficult, but I think things will get better as time goes on. I miss home but feel at place here.

Once I get to a computer with an actual case on it, I'll try posting pictures and journal entries. Until then, stay well and all the best!

Chris

Arrival

Salam!

I am here in Kyrgyzstan and everything is going great -- lots of new people, getting the language down, learning any and everything I can get my hands on. Today is my last day before going out to my PST (pre service training) site, International Community, which is about 15-30 minutes away from our central PC hub site in Kant. I am very very excited about meeting my host family for the next 3 months today, and can't wait to immerse myself in everything and anything.

This is a bit from my journal a couple days ago:

Today was amazing. After arriving in Bishkek and settling in at the hotel (4 am in this time zone), I got about 4-5 hours of sleep. It's a pity we came in so late because we didn't get to see much other than darkness.

When I woke up, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I immediately rushed to the balcony in my room and stood stunned -- majestic mountains, sylvan seas, homely hovels, and the clearest of skies stood testament to the beauty that is Kyrgyzstan.

The hotel we're staying at is great -- it's a relic of the Soviet 70's. Our modest quarters do nothing to belie the hidden and decaying beauty from this former empire. At face value it is the same as any other hotel (minus commodities such as cable); it's the little things, that small touch, this subtle difference, that make it awe inspiring. The different steps, large doorstops acting as speedbumps, balconies every which way, the flooring and carpeting, how this or that loos end is broken/exposed yet seems to function anyway. I am amazed, and quite ecstatic.

After my first foray into Kyrgyz cuisine: fried eggs, oatmeal, hotdog-esque meat, a yogurt drink, and, of course, some tea, I decided to explore the grounds a bit before starting the PC work for the day. A few others and myself stumbled upon a park/outdoor museum and my mind was once again blown. Different brick/metal constructs were built in a practical and clearly Soviet fashion (harkening back to some resistance art movement); perusing them I could feel the starkness of that society. In the area there was also a few yurts -- a local who works at the park took us in to see one of them. I have never seen so many vibrant colors, beautiful rugs, and tapestries. It was a lot bigger than I expected and impressed me to no end.

I keep learning more and more. As I interact with other volunteers and the staff I feel happy and content. Everything just feels so right, and I truly believe there is no place I would rather be right now than in Kyrgyzstan.

So, all is going very well, and more is yet to come!

All the best,
Chris

Advent

So the time has finally come -- this is the eve of my departure. My month or so at home was, for the most part, enjoyable. I was able to spend it with family, attempting to simply have good and memorable times. The struggles and arguments over what/when/where I'll pack, do, go, be, etc. are almost at an end, the time for experience is now. It's refreshing knowing I'll be doing something new and exciting in a completely different environment, yet I'll miss everyone I'm leaving behind to do so.

I would just like to thank everyone who has helped, been there, and cared about me. It means a lot to have good family and friends, and doesn't make leaving easier. However, I'm excited about sharing my experiences however I can -- I will attempt to update this blog on a monthly basis.

So far things have been interesting. I am one of 62 trainees (one of the largest PC classes), making names hard to remember. But I think this is a good crowd, with a fairly diverse selection of personalities and people. Today has given me a bit more confidence because I feel a bit more qualified to go into Kyrgyzstan than I was yesterday.