I believe its been almost a fortnight since have last posted, i apologize, but am sure no one is losing sleep over my lack of correspondence....i wonder if anyone has even noticed. the past week was awfully busy between teaching classes, observing classes, conducting an english club, and still trying to learn the necessary language and technical training. as a treat to the trainees PC took us on a hike to a waterfall on Friday,for the first time in almost a month we got to see all of the other village's volunteers. The hike was an incredible amount of fun and the views were breathtaking. My 5x optical zoom camera definitely does the scenery a disservice. It was encouraging to see some of my friends who i have been unable to communicate with since we first got to Almaty. Rhamadan is ending in the next few days, which is causing many visitors at my host family's apartment, and me being forced to eat and drink tea much more than I'd like to, for these reasons and much more I am beginning to find myself struggling while in kazakhstan for the first real time.
minus about 3-5 volunteers, I have been having difficulty coming across what I believe to be genuine conversation. Much of my conversation with anyone is just about PC and humorous stories, unsual experiences...etc. I would say if it weren't for John, the volunteer who just got done serving in Romania about 8 months ago, I would feel much more discontent. John and I discuss folk music, authors,world views, and do so on a an equal level even though he is 10 years older than I am and has already been through Peace Corps service once. A handful of the volunteers I have ran into thus far seem incredibly insecure and feel the need to remind others of reasons why they are smarter, more worldly,more determined, superior, or politically correct than the rest.
I have felt like I need to justify my reasons for being in a long distance committed relationship to many of the volunteers and they look at me differently because of it. I also feel very much bossed around by some of the other volunteers, and told to eat more, or not take a taxi to school today, or whatever the minute detail may be that I am apparently doing wrong.
Not to mention the intensified microscope/scrutiny I find myself under on the home front. I was under the impression certain people held better opinions of me than it turns out they may. Ultimately I realize I am not able to please everybody, but at this moment I feel like I am pleasing no one. I understand to that I have put myself in all mentioned positions and am by no means trying to blame anyone else for my difficult situations. My guitar and Leo Tolstoy have been my saving graces this week. Ps....new pictures are posted below.
Thank You
"i try so hard to be just like i am, but every body wants you to be just like them"
-bob zimmerman
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Almaty 3.0
Be sure to check out the pictures below. At least two of them are not from what I will be talking about so just ignore if possible. This past weekend all the volunteers went to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. My village is about an hour bus ride outside of the city. Almaty was formerly the capital but now the capital has been relocated to Astana. History lesson aside it was definitely an adventure. The city has a large population, all the commotion, and pollution you would expect in any major city. Many of the volunteers had a tough time breathing in any of the air because it was so polluted. However, Almaty does have the only real coffee shops in Kazakhstan so we were all pumped to finally get a real cup of coffee.
We got to visit the famous Mosque and Russian Orthodox church in Almaty. It was the first time I had ever been in a mosque and was an experience I will never forget and likely never be able to have again. The mosque was a gorgeous building on the outside and in (pictures of the facade are below). Check some of the other volunteers' blogs for pictures of the inside if you want to see...I thought it was insensitive to take pictures inside the mosque because people were worshipping while we were inside. The Russian Orthodox church was even more beautiful, the picture is below, its the yellow building. Supposedly it is a completely wooden building that was built without using a nail. I dont know much about architecture, but I don't know if that's possible. The inside of the building was had gold and gorgeous paintings everywhere...definitely a sight to see.
My favorite part of Almaty was the WW1 and WW2 tribute statue and eternal flame that I was able to get some pictures of. Also there were about 3 couples getting wedding photos taken infront of the statue which was pretty special too. One of the couples had doves in a cage and released them while we were taking pictures. Seeing such a sight was lasting.
This week with class has been the same old routine. I actually start teaching in front of a class room next week, which is frightening/exciting at the same time. The teacher I will be working with seems to be a good mentor for me for the time being though. I have found out a really interesting situation about my family dynamic for all of you who have been asking about my host family. Last evening I asked what the situation with Norbul's father was and was told that my host mom is actually his aunt. Both of his parent's have apparently passed away when he was 1, but he has no idea...so this woman who is his aunt, is raising him as her own. It only took me 3 weeks to discover that and I felt awful and shocked to hear the unsettling news. Sorry to end on such a down note, but lunch break is over.
We got to visit the famous Mosque and Russian Orthodox church in Almaty. It was the first time I had ever been in a mosque and was an experience I will never forget and likely never be able to have again. The mosque was a gorgeous building on the outside and in (pictures of the facade are below). Check some of the other volunteers' blogs for pictures of the inside if you want to see...I thought it was insensitive to take pictures inside the mosque because people were worshipping while we were inside. The Russian Orthodox church was even more beautiful, the picture is below, its the yellow building. Supposedly it is a completely wooden building that was built without using a nail. I dont know much about architecture, but I don't know if that's possible. The inside of the building was had gold and gorgeous paintings everywhere...definitely a sight to see.
My favorite part of Almaty was the WW1 and WW2 tribute statue and eternal flame that I was able to get some pictures of. Also there were about 3 couples getting wedding photos taken infront of the statue which was pretty special too. One of the couples had doves in a cage and released them while we were taking pictures. Seeing such a sight was lasting.
This week with class has been the same old routine. I actually start teaching in front of a class room next week, which is frightening/exciting at the same time. The teacher I will be working with seems to be a good mentor for me for the time being though. I have found out a really interesting situation about my family dynamic for all of you who have been asking about my host family. Last evening I asked what the situation with Norbul's father was and was told that my host mom is actually his aunt. Both of his parent's have apparently passed away when he was 1, but he has no idea...so this woman who is his aunt, is raising him as her own. It only took me 3 weeks to discover that and I felt awful and shocked to hear the unsettling news. Sorry to end on such a down note, but lunch break is over.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Its alright ma
greetings from the best internet cafe in Issyk, Kazakhstan again. It has been pouring rain off and on all day here and I am not brave enough to walk the 45 mintues quite yet, so I decided to post on the blog. I have lots of new pictures and got to be a part of some pretty incredible cultural activities the past few days. Sunday was constitution day in Kazakhstan which, meant an enormous parade, lots of music, dancing, drinking, and other festivities. I have a million pictures of me with my host mom and a bunch of her friends (none of which I know). I never felt tall in my life until I moved to Kazakhstan....I suppose thats good for the ol' ego. Also, today was the first day of school Kazakhstan, which is celebrated with a "Ringing of the Bell" ceremony. Myself and all the other volunteers had to introduce ourselves in front of the entire school, which was a bit nerveracking. It fairly simple, just our names, state, and ages..we all speak about pre-kindergarten level Russian at this point. It was funny because after the introductions the Principal/Owner of the school said in Russian roughly "That's great we have so many volunteers from California, that is a rich state, that is where George Bush lives". Anyway, enjoy the pictures, I miss you all and hopefully will have really good news shortly...I am patiently waiting for a few things. More will follow soon.
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