I am writing from Tashkent on what is, probably, the world’s slowest internet connection, ever. So I’ve now been in Uz for a few days. We are staying at a sanatorium in a town called Quibray. In case you want to know, a sanatorium is a place where, back in the day, people would come to relax and be pampered – kind of an in country vacation. But, as I said, that was back in the day. Now the sanatorium seems to be home to a fertility clinic. On one wall near the main building there is a large mural showing a happy white couple arms outstreched – on the other end of the mural, a stork carrying a little baby. So while the other half of the sanatorium’s guests are attempting to conceive… we are trying to get our bearings.
All and all it has been fun. For food, we go to this special building where 8 – 10 women scurry around serving us. There is breakfast, lunch, dinner and two coffee breaks. So, although some of the meat has a little more gristle or fat in it than I’m used to, we seem to be eating most of the time, which is keeping me happy. While not eating, we are sitting in a small auditorium learning about policies and health issues. We have also recently broken down into small group for language and culture instruction.
My initial reaction to my surroundings is that this once was a much more prosperous place. Although the large structures remain standing, much seems to be in a state of disrepair. The people here, since I am still near Tashkent, seem a good deal Russified. Of course, the further my site is from the large cities, the less this will be true. I’m very nervous about meeting my first host family, truthfully, and I hope not to offend them accidentally. I’m sure the little presents I’ve brought and the pictures on my camera will help facilitate some conversation and smiles.
I’m still in sensory overload mode – I think bitter depression is next, or at least so I hear from other RPCVs. π But I’m sure that I’ll have your comments and insights to look forward to.
From a very different place,
Hi,
Assume you had a safe flight over. Hmm… You do know that a sanatorium is also known as the loony bin, crazy house and funny farm to name a few. Interesting choice of housing for you guys. Sort of fitting, get your orientation and naturalization, become “normal” for the surroundings. Be safe and have fun.
there is a snail-mail that will be on the mail to you tomorrow morning, it is written, sealed and
will be mailed in the morning—i dont know which you will see first, this e-mail or the snail—whatever,
i can imagine your being a little apprenhensive about meeting the host family—but i have my bucks on
you Matthew that it wil all work out very well. take care of yourself and stay well and keep up posted
on how things are going.——Love, granpa&grandma (G&G)
Hejhej!
great to hear from you so soon π
your wonderful career as an uzbekistan-swedish translator has begun π
Good luck for your first own steps in uz and with your hostfamily!!!
kram
johannes
i wouldn’t mind going to a sanitorium. it sure beats the snow! i sent you back an email with a photo of our little blizzard (they declared a state of emergency). hopefully we will see photos from your side of the globe soon!
it’s good to know they’re taking good care of you!
oh, and i don’t have your snail mail address. how can i send you care packages without an address?
Salam Mattkent: We are digging out from under two feet of snow. You should be happy in your balmy uzbek weather. Here we have not made it out of single digits much. When you said Sanatorium I was thinking TB. I am glad it is not that. It sounds like the food is plentiful. by the way what is it????
Tell us more about the surroundings and people. How are you communicating? Do they know some english? Iam sure your host family will be tolerant. After all you are an infidel! Stay in touch. Love GeneQueen (GQ)
Trishan,
As a person who will soon be entering the mental health field, I would like to reproach you for the terms “loony bin, crazy house and funny farm.” Having a mental disorder is not a joke and must be thought of as having a type of a disease. Besides “padded wall house” is a much better term π
I thought a sanatorium was a place where people went to recover from TB (the “sana” part of the word meaning “sterile”). I wasn’t aware that it referred to a home for the mentally challenged (happy, Tex? π ).
Concerning good manners and your host family: It’s considered a compliment to the host’s family to pound on the table and demand ale after dinner. Don’t forget to refer to the wife as “Wench”.
π
Hey, I’d like your snail mail address too, by the way.
Matt’s Snail Mail:
Attn: Matthew Barison
c/o Γ’β¬ΕHalqaro PochtamtΓ’β¬Β
4 Turkestanskaya Street
Uzbekistan, 700015 Tashkent
Thanks for the snail mail address.
I thought of you very strongly today, Matt, and I needed to check up. I guess it was a good time to do so! π
I am pleased to read a post from you Matt, and to note that you are safe and eating. We all know a good meal is as good as a good…well, you can fill in that blank (please keep it G.)
Don’t forget to tap into those objects that remind you of home for a little bit of comfort if you feel overwhelmed…I am always sending you positive energy! π (sorry still learning how to smile in this system…)
AND PLEASE DO NOT take Chris’s advice!!! You are supposed to pound on the table three times and yell…well apparently the russian word for wench is wench…still haven’t been able to pin down wench in Uzbec…perhaps you’ll learn that as you observe the locals.
Kellen, didn’t the snow feel like we were in the sanitorium? I was couped up in my apartment for 48 hours…I actually looked forward to getting out of it on Monday! π
Keep on going Matt…bask in the warmth of Uzbek & of your friends! π
Melissa
Hey! The smile is automatic. Now I’ll do it all the time :->
I just stumbled across your journal and wanted to wish you luck in Uz! My recruiter was stationed there in 96-97 and said it was a great experience! ~Ash
Melissa! what’s your email? i don’t seem to have it on me.
Blueberry loves her cuddle! The cold winter weather is the convincing factor π Thanks to her Big B…Kent XXXOOO GQ
I have a TC account. Mel Kot.
Hey there Matt!
I was just thinking about you guys over there now. So is it a little bit like what you expected? I am sure that you all are having a blast though. Have you met any of the volunteers over there, any of my fellow 16s?????? I heard Jeff is your PST director, he was our’s also. Tell him I say hi. Where did you get placed for training, or have you all moved yet from the sanatorium????
Ok well good luck and keep me posted when you get the chance. I know how it is. If you meet any of the 16s’ or 15s or 17s for that matter tell them that Adam says hi. Find Teressa in Navoiy or Lola in Kitob…they are both waiting to meet you.
Hayr! Paka!
Hop mayl’i bopt’i….
Adam
Hmm,
So you’re in a Looney Bin. You were also in a Looney Bin at Trinity for the past four years, so I guess not much has changed. I’m glad that you’re keeping off the Granola. By the way, I like that term, It’s now my word of the week. Enjoy yourself. Can’t wait to see pictures.
Shalom,
Andrew
Matthew, courage, my friend! With your IQ and relational capacity, you will adapt. There, I said it! It would be great if you do publish or email pictures so your friends know you’re still there… somewhere… Best tidings from Atlanta.