Dear Friends,
All is well here in Uzbekistan despite the current events unfolding in neighboring Kyrgyzstan. In my town, day to day life continues as usual as far as I can tell. Although it appears that none of the physical unrest will spill over into Uzbekistan, my concern is regarding the long term ramifications of this event. The UZ govt, which has already proven difficult for the Peace Corps to deal with, may use this event as yet another reason to look upon us with suspicion. Hopefully this will not jeopardize the Peace Corps program in this country, but regardless it will have an effect, as many ethnic Uzbeks live in Kyrgyzstan and visa versa. Be assured, though, that PCUz is carefully looking after this issue. We did receive word from our Country Director that he is in touch with the people he needs to be in touch with, and that information will be provided to us as it becomes available.
On another note, thanks for all the feedback on the last post. Check out the comments section for WD’s personal responses to all of you who were so kind to share your thoughts.
Interesting times,
Hi,
Just thought i would touch base. I have been sort of following the news with whats been going on over in Kyrgyzstan. The BBCWorld is a good news source for world events most of the local stations are more intersted in a case to keep some vegitated female alive. I personally think thats a family matter and rightfully so not a job for the congress or any goverment to get involved in. Slow news days I guess. For a while it was the Wako Jackson trials. Well keep on posting these are interesting to read. The photos were good. Hope they have a good internet where ever you end up.
I only really let myself understand that you’re gone when I helped Grandma and Grandpa read your scribbled writing in the letter you sent out in February. It’s wild to think that you’re in a country I had never even heard of prior to your assignment…and now, that’s where you’ll be living and working for the next two years. This is so good for you and I know you exceedingly qualified to take on the placement you recently received in the Qashqadaryo region. Mom did her research on the area and filled everybody in on what she knows and it sounds like it will be perfect for you; beautiful, full of opportunities and personally challenging. I know you’ll tackle this next step with as much strength as you’ve shown throughout your entire life. I’m so proud of you and am continually impressed with the risks you take and the growth that you demonstrate throughout them. This will be hard and you know that. But it seems like you’ve done very well with the adjustment and work so far and I believe that you’ll keep tackling this challenge with the fullest of your energy. I miss you terribly and I love you.
The good news is that we all now know where uzbekistan is and have now added kyrgyzstan. We are working on our spelling and pronounciation. That will follow. You will help us expand our perception of the world. You have already. For some of us more than others. This new visibility is a good thing. With the awareness of these once totally consumed cultures there is a better chance for them to be part of the world hopefully one that will encourage their growth. My hope is that this can proceed with relative non violent progress something like what took place in Ukraine. We have been following the information closely as we do everyday from Central Asia. It does seem today that things have reached a peaceful solution to go forward with developing a new government in Kyrgyzstan.
It was so nice to hear your voice on the phone. You sound GREAT. This blog has been a very important part of the communication flow. It is so nice to read all of the posts. XXXXXOOOOOGQ
Great to read your comments, i can almost see myself standing around and conversing with you.
It seems as tho things have quieted down with your neighbor, truthfully for awhile there your gp was worried about the upheavell—hearing the word directly from you makes me feel a lot better.
Your mother called me as soon as she heard from you and i could tell by the happiness i heard in her voice that all was going well with you.
While the sensless war grinds on in Iraq, and the various factions squabble over forming a government people here all but seemed to have forgotten what is going on there, for me personally, i worry about all the young men and women that have to be there. I am extremely proud of your courage and visiion in working toward building a better world. Miss you, Love—G&G
I am glad you liked my analysis. As I said, Dream Interpretation isn’t a strength, but I enjoyed doing it. In other news from this side, I have been accecpted into an internship to practice doing certain types of pschotherapy with a group of severe psychopathology(think Schizophrenia). So it should be a wonderful learning expierence. How YOUR learning expierence is going well too.
BT
I’m very glad to hear that everything’s settled down for the moment, although I don’t understand why the Uz government would be worrying about the Peace Corps – what do they think you are, disguised Kyrgyz insurgents or something? With a name like the Peace Corps? I’m writing you an email, so maybe you can explain it there. Or, if you get a chance, on here.
The other posters have already said everything I would, but I’ll say again that I admire immensely your courage in taking on everything you’ve taken on and managing it so well. It sounds like you’ve really made a difference to the people you’re working with, and given them a chance to see Americans as something other than arrogant, hostile menaces. That’s living, and it’s not something the majority of people dare to do.
I also think it’s great that you’re documenting the process of all this here. You’ll have a considerable amount of writing when you’re done. You should think about putting it into a book. Maybe title it “There and Back Again” (LOTR reference, although I do think it’s a good title.)
I drove by the piano factory the other day, and as far as I can tell, no one’s rented it yet. It reminds me of a design studio I visited in Hartford once – the outside of the building looked like a crumbling factory but they had great studio space inside. I still don’t think I want to take on the complexities of renting a space, but you put the bug in my head so it’s something I think about from time to time.
Wish you were here.
hejsan matt!
I was away for quite a while…and wow – so much happening around you! great pics! and soon you´ll be pretty close to afghanistan. do you know the city where you are going to stay in? will you have internet connection there??? jürgen and I are doing fine….not just lab work but a lot of presentations and posters at conferences lately. I hardly ever remember dreams but I have never had such a double dream…intresting thing 😉 I wish you good luck for your new home…a new school…new people…
miss you
kram
johannes
Matt,
I am always thinking of you and your adventurous spirit. Gram misses you and has kept your voice on her answering machine so I hear you everyday. I will be thinking about you a lot this summer as I sit at Takanassee Beach Club. Stay safe and healthy. We all love you very much!
-Aunt Lois