April 29, 2008
It’s hard to imagine that just a few months ago we didn’t even use our refrigerator because it was so cold.
It’s also hard to imagine that I laughed when I was given sunblock with SPF 70 as a going away present last September.
Now it’s so hot that even food inside the refrigerator just can’t get cold enough.
It’s so hot that when one of the teachers at my school gave me a bottle of cold milk today she looked me fiercely in the eye and said, “GO STRAIGHT HOME AND BOIL THIS, NOW.” By the time I walked ten minutes to my home, it was already lukewarm.
And it’s only going to get worse.
I vow not to complain for the next four months about how much the heat sucks. But I have to say that it’s only the end of April and already hitting 100 degrees, and I have absolutely no idea what’s coming. I have absolutely no idea how to handle 130 degree weather.
My host brother and I sat outside today and stared at the garden as I moaned and groaned about how hot it was.
“This is nothing,” he said with a smile. “Just wait. In one month it’ll be so hot you won’t even be able to move.”
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
This Blog Has No Title
I spent eleven hours on a train this weekend to come to Ashgabat.
What I have learned:
After you pay a fine for breaking the rules on the train you must become friends with the man who made you pay the fine and drink much tea with him for the rest of the duration of the ride.
Talking in British accents makes train rides go faster.
The aerokassa is not a place for the weak-hearted.
Giving your drunk friend the key to the hotel room so she can go pass out early is a stupid idea because she will not wake up to let you back in and you will not get to sleep in a bed. Or a room, for that matter.
Showers are amazing. I already knew this, but they're even more amazing now.
The theme song from "Who's the Boss"
Beer, for some stupid reason, cost more in the warmer months.
After living in a small town a few hours north of Afganastan for three months, going to stores with huge amounts of selection is completely overwhelming.
Never, ever wait till the last minute to buy your train ticket home because you will be, so unbelievably S.O.L. and end up having to pay way more money than you have for a taxi.
What I have learned:
After you pay a fine for breaking the rules on the train you must become friends with the man who made you pay the fine and drink much tea with him for the rest of the duration of the ride.
Talking in British accents makes train rides go faster.
The aerokassa is not a place for the weak-hearted.
Giving your drunk friend the key to the hotel room so she can go pass out early is a stupid idea because she will not wake up to let you back in and you will not get to sleep in a bed. Or a room, for that matter.
Showers are amazing. I already knew this, but they're even more amazing now.
The theme song from "Who's the Boss"
Beer, for some stupid reason, cost more in the warmer months.
After living in a small town a few hours north of Afganastan for three months, going to stores with huge amounts of selection is completely overwhelming.
Never, ever wait till the last minute to buy your train ticket home because you will be, so unbelievably S.O.L. and end up having to pay way more money than you have for a taxi.
VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Three hours in the aerokassa...
Three different fights between angry Russians who were cutting in the nonexistent line...
A huge argument with a group of pompous, Russian boys who wouldn't leave us alone...
A complete change of plans because of course the days we want aren't available...
An argument with the aerokassa lady...
11,920,000 manat...
TWO ROUND TRIP TICKETS TO SOUTHEAST ASIA.
Cambodia and Vietnam here we come. This summer is going to be insane :)
Three different fights between angry Russians who were cutting in the nonexistent line...
A huge argument with a group of pompous, Russian boys who wouldn't leave us alone...
A complete change of plans because of course the days we want aren't available...
An argument with the aerokassa lady...
11,920,000 manat...
TWO ROUND TRIP TICKETS TO SOUTHEAST ASIA.
Cambodia and Vietnam here we come. This summer is going to be insane :)
Friday, April 18, 2008
Success
April 15, 2008
For the past three months I’ve been thinking a lot about my purpose here…what projects I want to start thinking about at school…just in general how I can be effective. I’ve been nervous because I haven’t really felt like I’ve been successful here in my community yet. I have English Clubs that kids rarely attend anymore, I’m dealing with more and more situations which make my self-doubt rise, and my language skills are hardly where I want them to be.
But then last night my perspective changed.
My host mother and I were in a deep discussion and she said, “Angela, I think you were meant to come live here with our family. I think you were sent here by God.”
And I said, “REALLY!”
And she said, “Before you came, things were different.” She told me that she and my host brother used to fight all the time about all sorts of things but now things are a lot calmer. She also told me that before I came into their lives they never, ever ate vegetables.
“You have created a good climate in this house,” she said.
And that is one hell of a success story.
For the past three months I’ve been thinking a lot about my purpose here…what projects I want to start thinking about at school…just in general how I can be effective. I’ve been nervous because I haven’t really felt like I’ve been successful here in my community yet. I have English Clubs that kids rarely attend anymore, I’m dealing with more and more situations which make my self-doubt rise, and my language skills are hardly where I want them to be.
But then last night my perspective changed.
My host mother and I were in a deep discussion and she said, “Angela, I think you were meant to come live here with our family. I think you were sent here by God.”
And I said, “REALLY!”
And she said, “Before you came, things were different.” She told me that she and my host brother used to fight all the time about all sorts of things but now things are a lot calmer. She also told me that before I came into their lives they never, ever ate vegetables.
“You have created a good climate in this house,” she said.
And that is one hell of a success story.
Friday, April 04, 2008
T-Stan Beauty
April 2, 2008
I can’t believe I’ve been here six months.
I also can’t believe I’ve gone this long without avocadoes.
Today a little frog came in with me to the outhouse. The last time this happened I completely freaked out. Now I can do my business just fine as he hops about.
This country grows more and more beautiful with each day… My favorite place is outside, watching the bees swarming the flowers, the cats on a search for food and the frogs hopping through the water. We have so many frogs it’s like the garden is alive at night, and I always worry I’m going to step on one in the darkness.
The darkness is another mystery…I’ve never seen so many stars before.
I can’t ever let myself forget how beautiful Turkmenistan is…how beautiful Yoloten is. No matter how frustrated and full of self-doubt I become, I can’t ever let myself forget how blessed I am to be here.
I can’t believe I’ve been here six months.
I also can’t believe I’ve gone this long without avocadoes.
Today a little frog came in with me to the outhouse. The last time this happened I completely freaked out. Now I can do my business just fine as he hops about.
This country grows more and more beautiful with each day… My favorite place is outside, watching the bees swarming the flowers, the cats on a search for food and the frogs hopping through the water. We have so many frogs it’s like the garden is alive at night, and I always worry I’m going to step on one in the darkness.
The darkness is another mystery…I’ve never seen so many stars before.
I can’t ever let myself forget how beautiful Turkmenistan is…how beautiful Yoloten is. No matter how frustrated and full of self-doubt I become, I can’t ever let myself forget how blessed I am to be here.
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