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.