5. May, 2003
Happy Constitution Day! It’s yet another holiday, so no school today. I’m trying to finish some of my lesson planning for the rest of the semester, but when you have a whole day free, it’s easier to take naps than to be super productive. Another assignment for myself today is to write a big email. I haven’t done so recently. I received a lot of mail last week from you and from some St. Andrew people, and I was reminded again that it is a useful part of my service here to share my experiences. I may not be a volunteer who is going to cause revolutionary changes in her community, but I know that the education aspect of this Peace Corps business is just as important as any other. The education of my friends at home! It makes me very happy that so many people are finding my reports interesting, especially when I have those days when I doubt.
Yesterday was Spring! Megan spent one night here, and we went for two walks. One was over this hilly area, a back way to school. We saw one of my students. He was looking after some sheep. Behind the school, we walked behind a long line of birches. I felt like a spy at school to sneak up on it like this. Then we were in open fields, with irrigation streams ready to go. I didn’t realize how much they depend on irrigation here. I guess we do too, we just use enormous sprinklers instead. Most of the fields are planted and sprouting now. It was magnificent to walk in such an open landscape. There were green fields and hills surrounding us, and there was only the sound of the warm wind blowing and water trickling. It was joyful! We eventually found a canal, with some irrigation bridges running over it. The only building to be seen was next to this canal. I imagine it had something to do with irrigation during the USSR. We could also see my school on a hill in the distance, and the rest of the village. We ran into one old man, wearing his Calpack and carrying a stick (it’s what they use as a hoe.) He chatted with us. During USSR times, all plowing was done with tractors. Now, it is just as common to see horse plows or families with hoe-sticks. On our second walk, the next day, we went up a hill. On the high plain, there were more endless fields and a cemetery. I think it’s the one wear Almaz is buried, but we couldn’t find his grave. Most graves are just marked with mud bricks, though there are some monuments. I took some pictures, which you’ll see eventually. From the side of the hill, there were many flowing springs. The crystal clear watered flowed down in streams and crisscrossed down to the lower plain, where there were shepherds, sheep and horses. I can’t describe how much this beauty meant to me. It made me want to laugh! It was nice to have Megan to share it with, but I wish I could show you. I took pictures, but you don’t get the whole atmospheric effect. I can’t believe that all this is just ten minutes from my house! I shouldn’t really go by myself for walks, but I will when I have someone to go with. It is miraculous. Especially in comparison with my first few weeks, when the weather was cold, everything was gray and brown, and my only destination was the post office, and I felt rather trapped.
I went running this morning. It will be good if I can regain this habit, too. Tomorrow I will go with one of my eighth grade students, early before school. I’m a master of the bucket bath now, so I can feel clean whenever I want! It’s great.
The semester is winding up. The last day is May 25.
We will start planning our day camp this week. Loren is going home for two weeks early this summer. She went to Bishkek to book her flight, so now we can set dates.
May 6
I went running today, too. Everyone was talking about it at school. Geez.
Wishes:
Flower seeds- something that could grow in a pot. Flowers and/or spices? Oregano, basil, mint? Chris sent me spearmint seeds, but all that came up in my pot was some weed sprouts. It was sad. I think the dirt I used was too clayey. The boys planted all the seeds that Chris sent yesterday. There were jokes over the exotic American vegetables we are growing. I’ll feels awful if they don’t come up. My mouth waters just to think about eating green beans and snap peas.
Happy Constitution Day! It’s yet another holiday, so no school today. I’m trying to finish some of my lesson planning for the rest of the semester, but when you have a whole day free, it’s easier to take naps than to be super productive. Another assignment for myself today is to write a big email. I haven’t done so recently. I received a lot of mail last week from you and from some St. Andrew people, and I was reminded again that it is a useful part of my service here to share my experiences. I may not be a volunteer who is going to cause revolutionary changes in her community, but I know that the education aspect of this Peace Corps business is just as important as any other. The education of my friends at home! It makes me very happy that so many people are finding my reports interesting, especially when I have those days when I doubt.
Yesterday was Spring! Megan spent one night here, and we went for two walks. One was over this hilly area, a back way to school. We saw one of my students. He was looking after some sheep. Behind the school, we walked behind a long line of birches. I felt like a spy at school to sneak up on it like this. Then we were in open fields, with irrigation streams ready to go. I didn’t realize how much they depend on irrigation here. I guess we do too, we just use enormous sprinklers instead. Most of the fields are planted and sprouting now. It was magnificent to walk in such an open landscape. There were green fields and hills surrounding us, and there was only the sound of the warm wind blowing and water trickling. It was joyful! We eventually found a canal, with some irrigation bridges running over it. The only building to be seen was next to this canal. I imagine it had something to do with irrigation during the USSR. We could also see my school on a hill in the distance, and the rest of the village. We ran into one old man, wearing his Calpack and carrying a stick (it’s what they use as a hoe.) He chatted with us. During USSR times, all plowing was done with tractors. Now, it is just as common to see horse plows or families with hoe-sticks. On our second walk, the next day, we went up a hill. On the high plain, there were more endless fields and a cemetery. I think it’s the one wear Almaz is buried, but we couldn’t find his grave. Most graves are just marked with mud bricks, though there are some monuments. I took some pictures, which you’ll see eventually. From the side of the hill, there were many flowing springs. The crystal clear watered flowed down in streams and crisscrossed down to the lower plain, where there were shepherds, sheep and horses. I can’t describe how much this beauty meant to me. It made me want to laugh! It was nice to have Megan to share it with, but I wish I could show you. I took pictures, but you don’t get the whole atmospheric effect. I can’t believe that all this is just ten minutes from my house! I shouldn’t really go by myself for walks, but I will when I have someone to go with. It is miraculous. Especially in comparison with my first few weeks, when the weather was cold, everything was gray and brown, and my only destination was the post office, and I felt rather trapped.
I went running this morning. It will be good if I can regain this habit, too. Tomorrow I will go with one of my eighth grade students, early before school. I’m a master of the bucket bath now, so I can feel clean whenever I want! It’s great.
The semester is winding up. The last day is May 25.
We will start planning our day camp this week. Loren is going home for two weeks early this summer. She went to Bishkek to book her flight, so now we can set dates.
May 6
I went running today, too. Everyone was talking about it at school. Geez.
Wishes:
Flower seeds- something that could grow in a pot. Flowers and/or spices? Oregano, basil, mint? Chris sent me spearmint seeds, but all that came up in my pot was some weed sprouts. It was sad. I think the dirt I used was too clayey. The boys planted all the seeds that Chris sent yesterday. There were jokes over the exotic American vegetables we are growing. I’ll feels awful if they don’t come up. My mouth waters just to think about eating green beans and snap peas.
