Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Gifts
I also forgot to add that I have received a number of nice gifts. Most noteably was the girl whose grandfather went to Jedah, Saudi Arabia for the Haji pilgrimage and he brought back a white moslem cap and a beautiful cloth wall hanging. Then this university student girl gave these gifts to me. The Haji is a really big deal people wait their whole lives to go and for her to give me these gifts was very humbling. All I did was help her recite her lines from Hamlet. I received other gifts too both tangeble and not.
2009
I learned what New Years is like in Tajikistan. It is really a family holiday so I had to find some families which wasn't too hard.
In the morning I went hiking with two young men in the mountains around here. We went up a higher mtn. than ever before. One boy had never been hiking before but he did pretty good. It was cold and windy on the top of the mtn. so we didn't stay long.
Then I came home and got cleaned up for my night out. Santa works here on New Years so I packed up my costume for the 4th time bought some mandarine oranges and set off to visit familes. I had been invited to a lot of families so I thought I better get started early.
So I met one local 17 yr. old girl at the bazzar at 3 o'clock and I went to her house. I met her at the American Corner. She desgined great AIDS Day posters and Human Rights Posters. I rewarded her with money and a certificates. So went to her house met her mother her two sisters and one younger brother. The father was in Russia. We visited, ate and drank juice and tea. Then after about an hour I said I had to go but before I left I took the family photo.
Next I met a 21 year old man who is a university student. He took me to his house. We again visited and ate and drank. I met his mother and younger sister who was about 5 years old. I once again took a photo of the family before I left. I want to give these photos to the people later on.
Then this young man delivered me to the next young woman one of my 18 year old university students. I say delivered because I was totally lost. They know the streets but I don't. The streets are narrow windy and confusing for me. So we just kept calling ahead to the next house and people brought me from house to house.
So I went to my student's house. She lived there with her grandparents, mother, three sisters and one brother who was about 2 years old. She was the second oldest. Her father is also in Russia. The family was very happy and nice to me they love foreigners they said. We once again ate, drank tea and visited for about an hour. We took a lot of pics. too.
All the Tajiki houses are very interesting they are pretty large with a courtyard in the middle with trees and around the outside are the rooms. All you can see from the street is a gate and a wall. But everyone sweeps in front of their house. This young woman's house was especially interesting because she had a special place to warm your feet and legs. It was called sandali. It was in a room in the house where you sat on the floor and put your feet down into a 2 foot by 2 foot square hole about 1 foot deep. It was possible for 4 people to sit around this square hole. Then they burn scented coal in the hole and cover it was a small table drapped in cloth. People put their feet in the square hole and feel the warmth and breath in the air. It is supposed to be relaxing.
Then off to another girls house another 22 year old university student who studied in Iowa last year. None of the previous people came along with me they all had to get back to their familes. So I once again met her family and relatives, ate, drank and talked with her. Everyone was very nice. I brought the family candy and sat at the little low table about a foot off the ground.
Then we took more pictures. A friend of hers came dressed as Santa and brought presents for everyone so it was a very festive atmosphere.
Then another 23 year old man came and I went with him and his driver to a nearby city a suburb of Khujand and I went to his apt. I met his family and ate and drank more. He also studied in North Carolina two years ago. So we visited and I looked at pictures watched TV etc.
Right before midnight they said a toast with cola and then we went outside to watch the fireworks. Local me were setting off some pretty big ariel fireworks. It was great and not too cold. Then I took a taxi back to Khujand. So I went to five houses, I received more than 16 textmessages wishing me happy new year and at least that many phone calls wishing me happy new year. With all this good will coming from the Tajiki people I think 2009 won't be bad at all.
In the morning I went hiking with two young men in the mountains around here. We went up a higher mtn. than ever before. One boy had never been hiking before but he did pretty good. It was cold and windy on the top of the mtn. so we didn't stay long.
Then I came home and got cleaned up for my night out. Santa works here on New Years so I packed up my costume for the 4th time bought some mandarine oranges and set off to visit familes. I had been invited to a lot of families so I thought I better get started early.
So I met one local 17 yr. old girl at the bazzar at 3 o'clock and I went to her house. I met her at the American Corner. She desgined great AIDS Day posters and Human Rights Posters. I rewarded her with money and a certificates. So went to her house met her mother her two sisters and one younger brother. The father was in Russia. We visited, ate and drank juice and tea. Then after about an hour I said I had to go but before I left I took the family photo.
Next I met a 21 year old man who is a university student. He took me to his house. We again visited and ate and drank. I met his mother and younger sister who was about 5 years old. I once again took a photo of the family before I left. I want to give these photos to the people later on.
Then this young man delivered me to the next young woman one of my 18 year old university students. I say delivered because I was totally lost. They know the streets but I don't. The streets are narrow windy and confusing for me. So we just kept calling ahead to the next house and people brought me from house to house.
So I went to my student's house. She lived there with her grandparents, mother, three sisters and one brother who was about 2 years old. She was the second oldest. Her father is also in Russia. The family was very happy and nice to me they love foreigners they said. We once again ate, drank tea and visited for about an hour. We took a lot of pics. too.
All the Tajiki houses are very interesting they are pretty large with a courtyard in the middle with trees and around the outside are the rooms. All you can see from the street is a gate and a wall. But everyone sweeps in front of their house. This young woman's house was especially interesting because she had a special place to warm your feet and legs. It was called sandali. It was in a room in the house where you sat on the floor and put your feet down into a 2 foot by 2 foot square hole about 1 foot deep. It was possible for 4 people to sit around this square hole. Then they burn scented coal in the hole and cover it was a small table drapped in cloth. People put their feet in the square hole and feel the warmth and breath in the air. It is supposed to be relaxing.
Then off to another girls house another 22 year old university student who studied in Iowa last year. None of the previous people came along with me they all had to get back to their familes. So I once again met her family and relatives, ate, drank and talked with her. Everyone was very nice. I brought the family candy and sat at the little low table about a foot off the ground.
Then we took more pictures. A friend of hers came dressed as Santa and brought presents for everyone so it was a very festive atmosphere.
Then another 23 year old man came and I went with him and his driver to a nearby city a suburb of Khujand and I went to his apt. I met his family and ate and drank more. He also studied in North Carolina two years ago. So we visited and I looked at pictures watched TV etc.
Right before midnight they said a toast with cola and then we went outside to watch the fireworks. Local me were setting off some pretty big ariel fireworks. It was great and not too cold. Then I took a taxi back to Khujand. So I went to five houses, I received more than 16 textmessages wishing me happy new year and at least that many phone calls wishing me happy new year. With all this good will coming from the Tajiki people I think 2009 won't be bad at all.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Holidays
On Christmas I was in Kanibodam which is North of here about 90 km. They had a graduation ceremony/holiday party for the kids who participated in this U.S. funded NGO's program. I dressed up as Santa and gave kids certificates. I didn't organize any of the events I just came and lent my support and participated in a couple of the games. I notice a big difference between the students and people in the regions vs. the students and people in Khujand. The people in the regions especially the students are very conservative and shy especially the girls. The young people in Khujand seem more modern than the people in the regions. But the region people are very nice. I'm always surprised by how many abandoned or half finished blds. I see on my way out there. There is not a lot out there except some houses and apricot orchards.
Then on the 26th we had a huge party at the American Corner. About 40 students came. We sang Jingle Bells, Deck the Hall, The Twelve Days of Christmas, we had sparklers, games, a white elephant gift exchange, candy, we made paper snowflakes, I granted students' wishes and dressed up as Santa the kids had a really great time. They made a video for me and gave me a set of tea cups and saucers. I felt very lucky to be with them and they were all overjoyed with delight. Interestingly the party was scheduled from 2-4. Some young women 20s or so had to leave at 3:30 or 4:00 because it was late for them. The party lasted 'till 4:30 pm and we still didn't have time to play all the games. Here 5 pm is late. Most girls and women are home by 5 pm or there abouts. I knew about 5 pm. But I was a bit surprised when these college age women said that 3:30 was too late for them. They had to get home and help their mothers. Boys can stay out later. I guess I learn something new every day here. I'll try to put some pics. up on Sunday. Happy New Year!
Then on the 26th we had a huge party at the American Corner. About 40 students came. We sang Jingle Bells, Deck the Hall, The Twelve Days of Christmas, we had sparklers, games, a white elephant gift exchange, candy, we made paper snowflakes, I granted students' wishes and dressed up as Santa the kids had a really great time. They made a video for me and gave me a set of tea cups and saucers. I felt very lucky to be with them and they were all overjoyed with delight. Interestingly the party was scheduled from 2-4. Some young women 20s or so had to leave at 3:30 or 4:00 because it was late for them. The party lasted 'till 4:30 pm and we still didn't have time to play all the games. Here 5 pm is late. Most girls and women are home by 5 pm or there abouts. I knew about 5 pm. But I was a bit surprised when these college age women said that 3:30 was too late for them. They had to get home and help their mothers. Boys can stay out later. I guess I learn something new every day here. I'll try to put some pics. up on Sunday. Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Merry Christmas
I get into a little bit of everthing here from party planning to technical grammar lessons. I have to go home and read a book and record my voice. Later I have to figure out how to make snowflakes from paper. Always something. I'll put more pics. but they take a long time to upload approx. 10 minutes per. picture.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
winter wishes
At the AmericanCorner today we decorated the Christmas tree and put tinsel all over the place. Then I asked the kids to think of something they want for Christmas/New Year and explain why because it is discusion club. It turned out to be a very strange question for them they are not used to thinking about what they want. They said they wanted things like world peace, that everyone is healthy, and that they were thankful for my help and lessons. They couldn't think of any material things that they wanted. The idea was to get them to write about something they want for New Years and then we could buy it for them and give it to them at the holiday party on the 26th. I never thought that they would be unable to come up with anything they want.
I think the reaction in the U.S. would have been different and this demonstrates a big cultural difference between the U.S. and here. I'm learning new things all the time.
I think the reaction in the U.S. would have been different and this demonstrates a big cultural difference between the U.S. and here. I'm learning new things all the time.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
First of all if you haven't read my article about cotton picking I think you should do so. Just google my name and you can find it or go to www.ferghana.ru. It's an old story now but an important one.
I don't really know where to start with Tajikistan. It is a land of contrasts. Very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer, very rich people and very poor people, the people dress very nice but their country is crumblings around them, it's both old Soviet and modern day muslim. I'm constantly going back and forth between being happy and overworked and depressed and bored.
It's not easy living here for anyone. The professors at my university only make about 50 dollars and month and that is not enough to live on. My apartment alone costs 420 dollars a month , but it is an extra nice apt. that everyone compliments me on.
The people here are nice the students everyone.............
I don't really know where to start with Tajikistan. It is a land of contrasts. Very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer, very rich people and very poor people, the people dress very nice but their country is crumblings around them, it's both old Soviet and modern day muslim. I'm constantly going back and forth between being happy and overworked and depressed and bored.
It's not easy living here for anyone. The professors at my university only make about 50 dollars and month and that is not enough to live on. My apartment alone costs 420 dollars a month , but it is an extra nice apt. that everyone compliments me on.
The people here are nice the students everyone.............
English Practice 211's Blog
Yesterday I was looking at my friend Daniel's pictures of Tajikistan and even though I see these images all the time it was surprising for me to see them on the computer screen. I think I forget where I'm at sometimes. So hopefully this blog will help me shed a little light on where I am. I want to add pictures, student work samples etc.
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