Well, there is so much to absorb here in Kazakhstan. I am currently using the internet for the first time sincу my departure and my English grammar is poor. It is a strange situation to explain. I am surrounded by Russian and learn it for hours each day. When I talk to my host family I essentialize exactly what I am trying to say so that they might understand what I am saying. We communicate with a dictionary between us. Constantly looking up words, correcting pronunciations, etc. It is a really cool experience.
My host family is very wonderful and my transition from my home to my site was very smooth. This culture is extremely hospitable and always wants to show me love by feeding me food! Eat! Eat! They say this constantly. Food and tea are a huge part of every day. There is a wonderful exchange between us. Many stories to come of my adventures and experiences. Hopefully I can post more frequently but my schedule is intense. Kazakhstani Fun Fact: NO one here sits on the ground / floor. They think it makes you infertile.
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Apparently the Peace Corps likes to wait until you are about to leave for the trip to give you more paperwork to fill out, items to pick up, and information to remember. So much to do!
Now that my departure date is approaching I find myself in a zombie trance. I reassure myself that I am capable of problem solving once I get there despite not knowing the circumstances of my arrival. Communication will be uncertain at first. I am told that I will probably not have internet access the first week or so and there is no way of knowing how I will get it until I reach my host family site. The point is....blogging might be random for the first bit. The Peace Corps will send my mother an email when we have arrived safely on site. I told her to post that information on my facebook so that others can rest assured that I made it to the other side of the world. The agenda for now is as follows: Tuesday 4:00am (airport) Wednesday (DC orientation) Thursday noon (leave for Germany) Friday 12:30am (arrive in Kazakhstan) Saturday 9:00am (orientation at Kok Tobe) Sunday (move in with host family / visit) Tuesday 8:00am - 6:00pm (training begins) These first few months will be a rigid 6 day a week training fiasco! The majority of the time will be spent covering health topics, safety and security, administrative policy, Russian and Kazakh language, cross-cultural issues, and teacher training. I am excited...for the moment until I get nervous / possibly overwhelmed. But I thank everyone for their gifts, support, and encouragement as I make my way towards Central Asia. Megan I realized that only when I began to say goodbye to my friends and teachers for the final time did I realize the sinking feeling in my stomach emerge. These people have been a part of my story for so long that I am not sure how to imagine a life without them. Saying goodbye seems to make moving forward more tangible.
Megan During the next two months I will be preparing to leave for the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan. This blog is intended to provide some comfort and communication between my family and friends as I am living overseas.
At this time I am finishing paperwork, packing, getting money to make final purchases, and learning as much as I can before I leave. My understanding of internet access is that it could be either easily available or less available....but available to me in some way, shape or form. I envision this as being a place to update my wellbeing, tell stories, post pictures, and discuss what I am doing. Hope you enjoy reading about my experience. Megan |
Peace Corps Blog.click above to play a traditional Kazakh song that I really like called the Karajorga. It is very popular and there is a traditional dance that is performed with it as well.
KazakhstanMarch 8, 2011 - click here to look at photos of tripArchives
October 2011
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