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October update, Kyrgyz #6
Hello All, I have been in my village for 2 months. Fall is beautiful here, with the change in leaves and the chilly air. No snow in my village yet, nor have I been able to see my breath. It is actually quite similar to Chicago's weather. I am feeling quite integrated into my community, as people often wave and say hello and my students will run up to me and hug me on my walks. I rarely hear the T-word (tourist), more often I hear volunteer or teacher.
I am still getting used to some of the table etiquette, such as eating foods such as rice, besh barmak (translates to 5-fingers, the national dish, a noodle-based dish) and fish with one's hands. Also, they often put a salad dish in the center of the table and everyone reaches in with their forks. My favorite salad dish is grated carrots with a vinaigrette, beet salad is also popular here.
October 5th was International Teacher's Day. The 11th graders hosted a teacher's appreciation show during the lunch break. Then in the evening, the teachers from my school went to a fancy banquet-hall type place for dinner and dancing. Very nice.
A highlight of the month was meeting the proprietors of a lovely 7-room hotel in town. Azema and Uzek actually applied to host the volunteer (me), but my host-family was chosen instead; no doubt Peace Corps wanted me to be more integrated with a family, rather than tourists at the hotel. This was a good decision. But, it was weird when they showed me around and said "this would have been your room". They both speak perfect English. They invited me for dinner one night when they had guests from Dubai. I am sorry to say that the horsemeat they served was absolutely delicious. Sometimes when I have free time, I will go to the hotel and sit and read or work on lesson plans. It is a nice 'home away from home', even with a library of English books I can borrow. (I have not eaten 4-legged animals in 40 years. My host-family is aware of this. I am always appreciate of them making something for me without meat, such as monti--a ravioli type food. They will make special ones for me with potatoes and onions, but no meat. I do not refuse meat here, rationalizing that animals are treated much better--no factory farms here).
One of the trekkers in town also invited me to dinner. When I arrived to his yurt camp at the agreed time, he was not there, and he forgot to tell his wife about inviting me. Nevertheless, she was super hospitable! She called her husband, who soon appeared with a rotisserie chicken (I still don't know where he got it). She is an English teacher, but currently home with 2 small children and helping her husband with the tourist business. (One night in the yurt, dinner and breakfast: about $15).
About teaching English: I try to make it fun. I am currently talking about baseball, as the World Series is going on at home. Baseball is not popular here, but the students enjoy hearing about it. I drew a 'plate' on the blackboard and had students 'pitch' to it with a squishy ball. Peace Corps taught us to use a communicative approach, which involves using pictures and charades to teach words--not strict memorization. We start up with a warm up activity, teach the lesson, then end with application, having them use what they learned in real world situations. My 5th and 6th grade classes are my favorite. They are quite active and participate willingly. My older students, 7th and 8th graders, sometimes sit with a blank stare on their faces. I am fortunate to have wi-fi at my school, so I can show ESL short videos. My primary counterpart will be going on maternity leave starting next week. This will be a big change for me, as she is the English teacher most willing to adapt to new methods.
I continue to go to Kochkor on Saturdays in the Peace Corps provided taxi. I meet with fellow volunteers (there are 6 of us nearby), shop, go to the park. It is a nice change of pace. I have befriended an orange cat in the fruit market. Sadly, one of the vendors typed into google translate that this friendly cat "loves me" and does not have a home, and I could take him if I wanted to. I couldn't--my host family hates cats and it would not be fair to have him stuck in my room, especially if I am traveling. So I will enjoy his company when I see him on Saturdays.
I am grateful for my internet access (lots of facebook scrolling). I have Sirius XM on my phone, so I am more up-to-date in US politics than need be. I have regular phone calls with my family, for which I feel blessed. I am grateful every day for this opportunity to be working in this beautiful country, positively enhancing the lives of many of my students. I am told that this area of the country has 5 months of winter (November through March). I'm ready! How bad can it be?
Please leave your questions or comments on the FB post--I really enjoy them!
This content is mine alone and does not reflect the opinion of the US government or the Peace Corps.
I am still getting used to some of the table etiquette, such as eating foods such as rice, besh barmak (translates to 5-fingers, the national dish, a noodle-based dish) and fish with one's hands. Also, they often put a salad dish in the center of the table and everyone reaches in with their forks. My favorite salad dish is grated carrots with a vinaigrette, beet salad is also popular here.
October 5th was International Teacher's Day. The 11th graders hosted a teacher's appreciation show during the lunch break. Then in the evening, the teachers from my school went to a fancy banquet-hall type place for dinner and dancing. Very nice.
A highlight of the month was meeting the proprietors of a lovely 7-room hotel in town. Azema and Uzek actually applied to host the volunteer (me), but my host-family was chosen instead; no doubt Peace Corps wanted me to be more integrated with a family, rather than tourists at the hotel. This was a good decision. But, it was weird when they showed me around and said "this would have been your room". They both speak perfect English. They invited me for dinner one night when they had guests from Dubai. I am sorry to say that the horsemeat they served was absolutely delicious. Sometimes when I have free time, I will go to the hotel and sit and read or work on lesson plans. It is a nice 'home away from home', even with a library of English books I can borrow. (I have not eaten 4-legged animals in 40 years. My host-family is aware of this. I am always appreciate of them making something for me without meat, such as monti--a ravioli type food. They will make special ones for me with potatoes and onions, but no meat. I do not refuse meat here, rationalizing that animals are treated much better--no factory farms here).
One of the trekkers in town also invited me to dinner. When I arrived to his yurt camp at the agreed time, he was not there, and he forgot to tell his wife about inviting me. Nevertheless, she was super hospitable! She called her husband, who soon appeared with a rotisserie chicken (I still don't know where he got it). She is an English teacher, but currently home with 2 small children and helping her husband with the tourist business. (One night in the yurt, dinner and breakfast: about $15).
About teaching English: I try to make it fun. I am currently talking about baseball, as the World Series is going on at home. Baseball is not popular here, but the students enjoy hearing about it. I drew a 'plate' on the blackboard and had students 'pitch' to it with a squishy ball. Peace Corps taught us to use a communicative approach, which involves using pictures and charades to teach words--not strict memorization. We start up with a warm up activity, teach the lesson, then end with application, having them use what they learned in real world situations. My 5th and 6th grade classes are my favorite. They are quite active and participate willingly. My older students, 7th and 8th graders, sometimes sit with a blank stare on their faces. I am fortunate to have wi-fi at my school, so I can show ESL short videos. My primary counterpart will be going on maternity leave starting next week. This will be a big change for me, as she is the English teacher most willing to adapt to new methods.
I continue to go to Kochkor on Saturdays in the Peace Corps provided taxi. I meet with fellow volunteers (there are 6 of us nearby), shop, go to the park. It is a nice change of pace. I have befriended an orange cat in the fruit market. Sadly, one of the vendors typed into google translate that this friendly cat "loves me" and does not have a home, and I could take him if I wanted to. I couldn't--my host family hates cats and it would not be fair to have him stuck in my room, especially if I am traveling. So I will enjoy his company when I see him on Saturdays.
I am grateful for my internet access (lots of facebook scrolling). I have Sirius XM on my phone, so I am more up-to-date in US politics than need be. I have regular phone calls with my family, for which I feel blessed. I am grateful every day for this opportunity to be working in this beautiful country, positively enhancing the lives of many of my students. I am told that this area of the country has 5 months of winter (November through March). I'm ready! How bad can it be?
Please leave your questions or comments on the FB post--I really enjoy them!
This content is mine alone and does not reflect the opinion of the US government or the Peace Corps.