First off, thanks soooo much for the comments – it really warms my heart over here! I am writing from an internet cafe in which I waited an hour to get onto this machine. Luckily the connection is much better than in Tashkent. I’m writing from the city where all the TEFL vols gather, and it is called Chirchik.
Where to begin: Well, since the last update, I have moved out from the sanatorium and into my host family’s house! A little about the family. There is a father, mother and two boys. One boy is 15, the other 9, and the parents are middle aged. The little one, Aziz, is really cute, and we’ve taken to calling him little monkey. He is kinda a loudmouth, and when I’m a block or two away and he’s playing outside, I can hear him loud and clear. All in all a normal little boy. The older, Anvar, is more serious, though he does have a good sense of humor. So far he has shared with me the books he uses to learn English (surprisingly good modern British publications.)
The house is more like a compound, with detached rooms all surrounding a courtyard, which must be beautiful in the summer when not covered with 5 inches of snow. My room is behind the boys’ room, and though a little spartan, is rather large. I have a bed, dresser, table, and an old Russian TV that works if you hold the button constantly. The family eats in another room around a very low table while sitting on cushions. I occupy the spot of honor. During meals, we attempt at conversation, which is fun and frustrating, and watch Uzbek TV, which is state run, music video heavy, and generally schitzo.
And though there is hot running water for showers, the toilet is, sadly, just a hole in the floor. So, I’ll leave your respective imaginations to that one…
I haven’t been doing much, but language classes and techincal training (i.e. how to formulate lesson plans) is picking up. All in all things are okay here, though life is much more difficult. Though our house is warm for the most part, some places lack heat. I feel like I’ve gone back in time… and not to the genteel days of ole Boston.
I will now try to attach some pictures:
Madrassa in Tashkent:
Me and a sad Russian clown…
Fertility statue at Sanatorium:
Me and another PCV, Josh:
Okay, that’s about it for now. Again, thanks for all your comments, and I promise next time I have internet, I’ll write personal notes. I’d like to extend a special welcome to the new visitors to this site – Welcome to WorkingDefinition!
From Uzbekistan,
Hejsan!!!
I am glad to hear that you like your host family. do they speak good english? how do you communicate with your hostbrothers??? how long are you staying at your hostfamily? for 2 years?!? write something in uzbek!!!
good luck for your training…and send a little bit of snow to graz – it seems to be that the whole world (northern hemisphere) is full of it (including 90 % of austria) but we have not got any in southern austria this winter yet…
🙂 Kram 🙂
jojo
jojo I have some snow for you 🙂
Salam Mattkent,
So wonderful to see and hear from you!!!!! How is your stomach holding up? All in all you sound fine making the adjustments to your new living situation. What do the parents do in the family you introduced us to?
How is your uzbek coming along? Are there any other PCVs in your town?
All is well here. There is a feeling of reserved optimism after the elections in Iraq…maybe things will begin to turn and progress will continue. Any effect there? How are the Americans received?
Ofcourse you have a place of honor as a cherished guest. I would love to see pictures of the family and the home compound. Have you showed them pictures of home?
Have the letters gotten through to you? Stay in touch.
Love XXXOOO GQ
zdrastvuitye—Matthew kak vy pazheevaetye? hows my Russian? great to hear from you.
do you know how long you will be with this family? Tell me a little about the food, are you getting three meals a day, any Cheerios for breadfast?? No snow here in Fla. Gm is looking over my shoulder really amazed at what i just read to her and happy to see that all is well with you. Have you recieved any of my snail mail at yet, sent of two and will write again this sunday, Fevrel shestoi.
Take care of yourself and be well—-Love, G&G
That’s great 🙂 I’m glad that you like the people you’re staying with. I’m also glad to hear that they’re giving you some instructions in planning lessons. My other teacher friends have talked about how planning lessons was tricky for them without any formal orientations, and they’re teaching in the good old USA!
Good luck with everything. Let a smile be your umbrella.
Hi Matt,
I spoke with your mom and she said you’re in the peace corp. I want you to know that I still love you and I am praying for you. Please have fun and be extremely careful over there. Please email me sometime at msodell3@cebridge.net.
Take care
Yvette
i LOVE the clown picture!! i will try and send some pictures from home. and nate says to tell you he’s written you two snail mail letters already. 😛
Greetings from an UZ-10! I just found your site today. What village are you in for training? Good luck!
Salam Mattkent,
So great to hear your voice!!! Please feel free to call collect as well if money is an issue. We have sent several letters and I posted the most expensive box of…for you yesterday. Keep us posted.
XXXOOOO:)GQ
Fevril shestoi, 2005 10:00 pm
just a short note, sent another snail mail off to u today, probably will get them all
at one time. I still cant get over theis form of communtcation sometime, compared to what was
when i was a youngster and away from home, when only snail mail was available.
Keep in touch—Love, G&G
One part of the budget I like 🙂
From the Peace Corps Website:
“President Bush Announces 2006 Budget; Asks Congress for $345 M for Peace Corps
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 7, 2005—Today, President Bush unveiled his fiscal year 2006 budget, in which he asks Congress to provide the Peace Corps with $345 million— a $28 million increase from fiscal year 2005. The Peace Corps’ current operating budget for FY 2005 is $317 million, which is the highest appropriation in the agency’s history.
“We are pleased with the President’s continued commitment to the Peace Corps and the accomplishments we have achieved to date,†stated Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. “Today, 7,733 Americans are serving in 72 countries – the largest number of volunteers to serve overseas since 1974 – in projects related to agriculture, health, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, information technology, business development, the environment, education, and youth at risk.â€
Moreover, the demand for Peace Corps volunteers overseas continues to increase, with more than 20 additional countries requesting Peace Corps programs and assistance. This past year, the Peace Corps opened a new program in Mexico with volunteers concentrating on information technology, small business development, and science and technology. The Peace Corps also returned volunteers to Haiti, sent Crisis Corps volunteers to assist with disaster recovery following Hurricane Ivan in the Caribbean, and plans to send 30 Crisis Corps volunteers to Thailand to support post-tsunami relief efforts. In addition, the Peace Corps is a participant in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and is working in 10 of the 15 focus countries offering HIV/AIDS prevention training and care.
The Peace Corps provides practical assistance to host countries by sharing America’s most precious resource, its people. Through the work and contributions of its volunteers over the past 44 years, the Peace Corps has emerged as a model of success for encouraging sustainable development at the grass-roots level. However, the Peace Corps is much more than a development agency. Its larger purpose is to strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between Americans and the people of other cultures.
The men and women who serve as Peace Corps volunteers reflect the rich diversity of our country and represent some of the finest characteristics of the American people. Volunteers have a strong work ethic, a generosity of spirit, a commitment to service and an approach to problems that is both optimistic and pragmatic. They speak the local language and adopt the cultures and customs of the people they serve. In the process, volunteers share and represent the culture and values of the American people, earning respect and admiration for our country among people who may never meet another American.
Volunteer safety and security continues to be the number one priority of the Peace Corps as the agency furthers its admirable record of service that is recognized around the world. The Peace Corps devotes significant resources to maximize the safety of volunteers and to ensure they are given the training, support, and information needed for a safe experience.
Since 1961, more than 178,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps. Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. “
Now if only Bush would show the same enthusiasm for NASA. And I don’t mean crazy ideas about Mars missions.
Worth the trouble, Save Hubble!