I haven't figured out a good upload method yet, but I put a couple pictures on my mobile me account:
http://gallery.me.com/lanceplautz#100119
31 May 2009
31 May 09
22 May 09
I knew it had been a long time since I wrote anything, but this seems out of control. So, it’s apparently been over a month. What has happened? Up to about four days ago, nothing. That’s not entirely true, but for someone like me who fears routine, I couldn’t differentiate much between the last few weeks. Kyrgyz language class, TEFL tech days, Hub sessions on medical, safety, and so forth. Last Saturday was culture day with our host families. We got to wear some traditional clothing and present a few Kyrgyz/Russian traditions, but only one thing was on our minds -- permanent site visit. This was our chance to escape our trainee life and see what lies ahead of us, albeit for a few days.
Issik Kul Hotel. Just months ago you seemed like a Soviet antique, now we’re all amazed at your running hot water and flush toilets. We only spent one night in this luxury suite (and maybe only two hours of sleep, my room stayed up watching Finding Nemo and Dr. Horrible). Rise and shine Jalalabad crew. We were the first ones to load up. We were taking a plane to Osh. The flight was an experience with a close view of the mountains that separate north from south. I think I could have waved to mountain climbers had there been any. Afterwards came the cab ride. Our cab was me, Ryan, and our representative host family members from the airport until Jalalabad City where we parted ways.
Getting to permanent site isn’t a whole lot different than your first family. You still can’t really speak the language, and all the awkward things happen again. Going to work for the first time went alright because I’m an English teacher, and the people I work with speak English. It’s a big relief. Then I got sick.
The sickest I have been in-country thus far. I spent somewhere around 33 of 35 hours in bed not daring to eat. I had to leave work after one class on my second day. Many other small frustrations built up on this journey as well. I missed banya day because I was attempting to stay in a coma. Getting to the bank and setting up an account did not go smoothly for me. I lost 100 som on a bad phone cards.
Small victories. I’m no longer feeling like I’m on my death bed. I took a walk without unnecessary detours. I just discovered how to turn my couch into a bed.
25 May 09
I’m back at...home? I’ve become quite used to my Bishkek village. Everything returned to normal.
I met the K-15 I’m replacing at site finally. We hung out, made some dinner, watched Dr. Horrible, and listened to music. The next day I had lunch with some other J-bad volunteers and began the long journey home. We had an added stop to our route home, and the flight got a little rough. A few people got sick, and we were back at Manas Airport. I stopped in Bishkek and got some food yesterday, then headed home. Today I had class and everything has gone back to the way it was, but there are only a couple weeks left.
31 May 09
Laundry day! I finally got my laundry done today. I think it’s been almost four weeks. The water was a dark brown color when I got done, but it’s going to be nice to have clean clothes.
Most of the trainees went together on a trip today, but I took the opportunity to stay home, sleep in for the first time in over a month, do laundry, and just relax. I might head over to Kant today to internet and maybe stop by the store / bazaar, but currently my priority is banya. Like laundry, it’s been a long long time.
Training is over soon, and life is about to change. I’m going to be moving down to Jalalabad in a week or two. My village is pretty small but about a half hour ride from the city. I’m looking forward to the summer of meeting people, exploring, and getting know the area.
I knew it had been a long time since I wrote anything, but this seems out of control. So, it’s apparently been over a month. What has happened? Up to about four days ago, nothing. That’s not entirely true, but for someone like me who fears routine, I couldn’t differentiate much between the last few weeks. Kyrgyz language class, TEFL tech days, Hub sessions on medical, safety, and so forth. Last Saturday was culture day with our host families. We got to wear some traditional clothing and present a few Kyrgyz/Russian traditions, but only one thing was on our minds -- permanent site visit. This was our chance to escape our trainee life and see what lies ahead of us, albeit for a few days.
Issik Kul Hotel. Just months ago you seemed like a Soviet antique, now we’re all amazed at your running hot water and flush toilets. We only spent one night in this luxury suite (and maybe only two hours of sleep, my room stayed up watching Finding Nemo and Dr. Horrible). Rise and shine Jalalabad crew. We were the first ones to load up. We were taking a plane to Osh. The flight was an experience with a close view of the mountains that separate north from south. I think I could have waved to mountain climbers had there been any. Afterwards came the cab ride. Our cab was me, Ryan, and our representative host family members from the airport until Jalalabad City where we parted ways.
Getting to permanent site isn’t a whole lot different than your first family. You still can’t really speak the language, and all the awkward things happen again. Going to work for the first time went alright because I’m an English teacher, and the people I work with speak English. It’s a big relief. Then I got sick.
The sickest I have been in-country thus far. I spent somewhere around 33 of 35 hours in bed not daring to eat. I had to leave work after one class on my second day. Many other small frustrations built up on this journey as well. I missed banya day because I was attempting to stay in a coma. Getting to the bank and setting up an account did not go smoothly for me. I lost 100 som on a bad phone cards.
Small victories. I’m no longer feeling like I’m on my death bed. I took a walk without unnecessary detours. I just discovered how to turn my couch into a bed.
25 May 09
I’m back at...home? I’ve become quite used to my Bishkek village. Everything returned to normal.
I met the K-15 I’m replacing at site finally. We hung out, made some dinner, watched Dr. Horrible, and listened to music. The next day I had lunch with some other J-bad volunteers and began the long journey home. We had an added stop to our route home, and the flight got a little rough. A few people got sick, and we were back at Manas Airport. I stopped in Bishkek and got some food yesterday, then headed home. Today I had class and everything has gone back to the way it was, but there are only a couple weeks left.
31 May 09
Laundry day! I finally got my laundry done today. I think it’s been almost four weeks. The water was a dark brown color when I got done, but it’s going to be nice to have clean clothes.
Most of the trainees went together on a trip today, but I took the opportunity to stay home, sleep in for the first time in over a month, do laundry, and just relax. I might head over to Kant today to internet and maybe stop by the store / bazaar, but currently my priority is banya. Like laundry, it’s been a long long time.
Training is over soon, and life is about to change. I’m going to be moving down to Jalalabad in a week or two. My village is pretty small but about a half hour ride from the city. I’m looking forward to the summer of meeting people, exploring, and getting know the area.
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