Tuesday, July 8, 2008

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

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chris

Thank you for sharing a piece of your journal with us. Hoping all is well. I am working this summer in Mexico so it reminds me of our time in Monterrey. It always amazes me how one becomes so connnected to another culture and begins to feel at home although when you first leave your home country there is the fear what if I don´t like it or find my place somehow our bodies transition and find it´s place.

Delight
Psalm 37:4

Admiraal said...

Hi Chris, Great to hear that things are going so well! I remember getting that 'Soviet' buzz when I first entered the Ukraine. For me, it was the heavy industrial component to everything, even the non-industrial sites. I envy you (except for the food). Beth

Unknown said...

Hey Chris!
Glad you're having a good time so far. I'm having a great time with your Wii as well. I too felt like a kid on Christmas day the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc times I played it. Hahaha Just kidding (not really!). In all seriousness, what you're doing is great. I can't wait to read your next blog. I don't know if you have a camera with you but I would love to see pics of the country if you do! Anyway, read you later!

Delina

Sean Ring said...

I hope that your excitment level for your first day matches that of your last day there in 2010. Keep up the good work.

Let me know if you need anything.

- Sean (your brother)

Natalie said...

Are you SURE you don't need some Febreeze?

-- Natalie (NOT your brother)