I will always be different....

This is sort of a collection of notes that I have kept about some of my experiences and observations.  Not every moment has been a story but these are things worth noting.

Some things I do make me stand out like a sore thumb.  They might not be indicators of being “an American” but they scream foreigner.

For example:

-          Putting my purse on the floor

-          Wearing my Burkenstocks

-          Wearing my Burkenstocks with a dress or socks

-          My tattoos (some of the kids don’t believe they are permanent)

-          Drinking soda

-          Drinking water (especially cold water….ice doesn’t exist here)

-          Teachers (during school / formally) seem to wear long sleeves more frequently.  Except when the school year ended and the dress code became much more casual.  So when I wore short sleeves I sort of stuck out.  Everyone thought I was cold.

-          Carrying around a roll of toilet paper in my purse and blowing my nose.  (people make fun of me in the US for this also)

      There is a strong link to National pride and one way that is demonstrated is through military understanding.  There was a military camp for youth at my old site at the beginning of the summer, which simulated boot camp I presume, they have "troupes" of students that sometimes compete in squads during military marches and following commands, and several schools I know of have a military class.  There are old soviet posters of how to put on a gas mask / suit and assembling a rifle? 

I should also comment that the dental situation in the villages needs some assistance because I have seen some students with black stumps for front teeth     

Kazakhstan Fun Fact:

Here the date is formatted like this:        08.09.2011 instead of 9/8/2011