December, 2023 Update
Dec. 28th, 2023 10:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rworoHappy New Year to all who read this.
We are well into winter here, but, so far, not too bad. School was closed throughout the country for 3 days earlier this month because of a cold spell. I am not sure of the exact temperature, it felt like around 0 degrees F. There is not much snow, currently less than an inch.
I spent a weekend in Naryn City, the oblast (state) capital. They host an American Corner in the library. Students come to the library for English lessons. There are a couple of American Fulbright scholars working there--it was interesting to see what they were working on. One project's aim is trying to get more books to preschool aged children. This might be something I will try to bring to my village, as I see few books in homes..
Peace Corps gives us 8000 som ($89) as 'settling in' money. We were to purchase items for our use during service, but will stay with our host family when we leave. I bought a space heater (1300 som), a clothes drying rack (1600), bed sheets (1800), a clock (400), a mirror (300), a wastebasket (300), and hangers (1000).
Christmas is not celebrated here, but New Years is a major holiday. They call the decorated evergreen trees 'New Years trees'. There are celebrations at the school, and teacher parties (a big one tonight!). On Christmas Day, I tried to go to a peer volunteer's neighboring village, as her English club was having a Christmas party, but I could not find transportation, so that was disappointing. I did make it to her village later in the week, which actually worked out better, as we were able to spend some time together.
A highlight of the month was ice skating on a large frozen lake. This was the first time I have ever skated on a frozen lake. The ice was incredibly smooth--so beautiful. There were no soft spots. I hope to do this regularly this winter, as it really brought me joy! Other highlights were Christmas Day family facetime, a large package from home, church zoom bookclub meeting, and weekly chats with my sons and brother. (Peace Corps service was much more difficult before our current technology).
I now have two weeks off for winter break. I am headed to Almaty, Kazakhstan and then to Osh City, in the south of Kyrgyzstan for a few days.
Thanks for reading!
We are well into winter here, but, so far, not too bad. School was closed throughout the country for 3 days earlier this month because of a cold spell. I am not sure of the exact temperature, it felt like around 0 degrees F. There is not much snow, currently less than an inch.
I spent a weekend in Naryn City, the oblast (state) capital. They host an American Corner in the library. Students come to the library for English lessons. There are a couple of American Fulbright scholars working there--it was interesting to see what they were working on. One project's aim is trying to get more books to preschool aged children. This might be something I will try to bring to my village, as I see few books in homes..
Peace Corps gives us 8000 som ($89) as 'settling in' money. We were to purchase items for our use during service, but will stay with our host family when we leave. I bought a space heater (1300 som), a clothes drying rack (1600), bed sheets (1800), a clock (400), a mirror (300), a wastebasket (300), and hangers (1000).
Christmas is not celebrated here, but New Years is a major holiday. They call the decorated evergreen trees 'New Years trees'. There are celebrations at the school, and teacher parties (a big one tonight!). On Christmas Day, I tried to go to a peer volunteer's neighboring village, as her English club was having a Christmas party, but I could not find transportation, so that was disappointing. I did make it to her village later in the week, which actually worked out better, as we were able to spend some time together.
A highlight of the month was ice skating on a large frozen lake. This was the first time I have ever skated on a frozen lake. The ice was incredibly smooth--so beautiful. There were no soft spots. I hope to do this regularly this winter, as it really brought me joy! Other highlights were Christmas Day family facetime, a large package from home, church zoom bookclub meeting, and weekly chats with my sons and brother. (Peace Corps service was much more difficult before our current technology).
I now have two weeks off for winter break. I am headed to Almaty, Kazakhstan and then to Osh City, in the south of Kyrgyzstan for a few days.
Thanks for reading!
Happy New Year
Date: 2023-12-31 05:10 am (UTC)You seem to be thriving! So glad you got to ice skate, as I know it was one of your favorite winter sports! You look great, have you lost weight? You like you have. I am sure the food is vastly different. Be well, my friend !
Nora