Here are a few selections from my journal on all things Uzbek:
Funny:
My host father, Furkat, is a pretty manly man. So I’m in the front seat of the car, he’s driving, and my little host brother is in the back seat. We are going to Tashkent so that F can conduct some kind of businesses (the fewer questions asked the better I’ve learned.) My window is rolled up. We are pulling into a gas station to fill up. This big bug materializes on the inside of the windshield. It’s kind of like a flying daddy long legs. Wanting it out of the car, I roll down my window and prepare to shoo it out. But before I can do so, Furkat, as he’s pulling up to the pump, reaches up with his fist bunched and smushes it. After doing so there is a little streak on the windshield, and he just wipes his hand off like nothing happened. I’m laughing for five minutes and the group of guys selling lottery tickets at the gas station laugh and smile back at me.
Sad:
So I’m in Chirchik and it is about 7:00 pm on a Thursday night. I’m standing by the main taxi stand waiting for another volunteer to arive. The geography of this area consists of two squares bisected by a pretty major road. On one side a large ornate set of stairs and the other a square with many cafes and little shops. This is the point at which people cross the street. As I’m standing there, I notice a little boy holding the hand of an older man and leading him across the street. What catches my eye is that the man is so drunk he can barely walk. You know when you get drunk and walking is more a sequence of staggering steps rather than a fluid movement? Well he was like that. The boy, ostensibly his son, led him across the street and into the darkness, to what I can only hope is a loving home.
Random:
My family goes all out the other night by buying chicken! Chicken, though readily available here in Uz, is quite expensive. We sit down a half hour before diner and I decide that because they are busting out the chicken, I’ll bust out the Baltika. Now, to those of you who have not been in these here woods, Baltika is Russian beer. As with most consumer products, the quality of Russian goods is far superior to their Uzbek equivilents. So the Fster and I sit around and knock off about four bottles of good strong dark beer – we’re feeling just fine. Then the chicken emerges and it is delicious. As we are eating the chicken and finishing off the beer, the TV is blaring out Outkast and Snoop Dog music videos. An odd combination for sure, only to be found in, the Twiligh Uzbekistan.
Hey Matt,
I just wanted to say hello! I really miss you a lot and am glad to hear all is well. I am all signed up for the beach club this year, I can’t wait. I am however sad you will not be visiting NJ this year. Keep in touch, Marge
Knowing you prrtty well i have to assume that laughing at that bug mess means that perhaps you have become a little more mellow—.
Reading these little snippets of your observations of people and places in Uzekistan is very interesting, keep them coming. How was the chicken prepared and does everybody sit down at the same time to eat??
The time is coming soon for you to be moving on, i am sure you will bond with your new hosts as you seem to have done with the present family.—GM gets a great kick out of reading yoiur comments, she says “stay well, and take care of yourself”. Youreverlovin, Bobo (how do u say gm)
buvi
Thank you for giving us the word for grandmother, buvi. You must be in Tashkent today for your formal inauguration into the Peace Corps. Have a wonderful time at the ceremony and get a good night rest before you take off for South Central Uz. Please give us the new contact information when you get it.
I am certain you will meet new good people at your placement in the Qashqadaryo region. I hope you can keep in touch with people you have already formed friendships with. Travel safely and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. We look forward to your first contact after the move to hear all about your new surroundings. All is well here. XXXXOOOOGQ
ps If anyone has a recommendation for phone cards for use in Uzbekistan please share.
As a post-script to the question of grandmother, in Yiddish its “Bubby”, not to far from buvi, i believe thats its close to something in Russian—whatever, if i now sign B&B you will know it the former G&G.
Today i guess that you become a full fledged Uzbesitanian and move on to Qashqadaryo, once again good luck and keep the comments coming whenever you can. Take care, be well—G&G
I love your stories. I think you should write a book, a collection of these vignettes.
Missing you muchly. I wish you could have come to Texas with me, you would have had a lot of fun.
That’s what I said! Thing about books is that sometimes they produce movie deals.
And I can definitely see Matt laughing at a smashed bug before he went to Uzbekistan. He’s evil like that 🙂
Matt-
In response to your question about a shortwave radio, my father suggested the Grundig G4000A. Here is a link to the website with a description of it http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable/4000.html
I hope you are able to access the site. Let me know if you can’t. Anyway, I hope your move goes well. I am anxious to hear all about the next phase of your journey. It is so nice that everyone has been able to keep in touch with you through your blog. You have lots of people who love you and miss you. Take care of yourself.
Much love,
Bette
I think Matt would do well with a movie deal. We could have him played by Sean Penn!
Or Leonardo DiCaprio… 😉
I just have to say that I agree about the vignettes. Or perhaps get a little video camera and start filming experiences…
BTW, bugs on smashed windowshields were probably in the air internationally. I drove btwn San Fran and San Jose and there were a bunch of those buggers and they were being splattered all over the vehicle. These bugs were huge! Leaving large streaks all around the car. Perhaps it was a sign of the death of the pope…
Hope alls well in your neck of the woods. Keep the stories coming please.