Chapter Nine: A River Runs Through It
It's been a while since I've posted anything, and I blame that largely on the reality that the Start-Up disc my brother sent me via air mail was not sufficient. Another three weeks, and I should be smooth sailing. That, and I'm purchasing a cell phone at the Osh Bazaar this weekend.Anyway, I got back from my permanant site visit to Jety-Oguz on the South Shore of Lake Issyk Kul on Sunday. Although I was exhausted, I was welcomed back warmly by my host-mother who made me walk to the public banya with her, and for 40 com, I enjoyed a nice sauna-type experience, only to be busted in on not once, but twice, by Apa herself. I guess she could hear me through the metal door, cursing the scolding hot water that wouldn't turn off and continued to overflow on to the banya floor, splashing every which way, burning my frail body. Thanks, Apa.
So like I said, I was on my visit to the Lake to meet my new family, school director and English-speaking counterpart. All in all, I think it's going to be a challenging next three months, transitioning yet again, but come spring, the flowers will be out, the snow will be melted and my Kyrgyz will be oh so much better. I'm sure it didn't help that I was reading The Catcher in the Rye for the 10,000th time on my trip as well. Talk about a downer. A good one, but a downer. On a positive note, there's a river that runs through my village. Looks like I'm in the market for a new pole, too.
I have stories.
But not now.
Now, I have my new address:
Kyrgyz Republic
Issyk Kul Oblast
Jety-Oguz Rayon
Jety-Oguz Village
722418
Marshall Colleen (Volunteer)
Oh, and I got a creepy phone call last night from some Uzbek chick who got my local number in Kegeti from "a friend" because she heard that there was some girl named Miss Colleen from Chicago living in Kyrgyzstan. I thought it was a joke, but she denied it, apoligized and then hung up the phone. My mom called me three minutes later. There was no apparant connection.
posted by C @ 11:45 AM
6 Comments:
You do this so that I avoid unwanted advertising on my blog.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Hi Colleen:
It's your Uncle Dan. Just pulled out your address card. Hope all is well. How's the food. I'll see if Lou Malnatis will send you a pizza. Your cousin Finbar says hello.
Hi friend,
I just bought The Fountainhead at a charity bazaar (along with Bisquick, syrup, and Pop Tarts!) so I'll let you know what I think if I ever actually finish.
Hope you're doing well!
Much love
Heather
Hey colleen
Bob and I have been thinking about you a lot lately and just wanted to say hello. It sounds like you are making the best of your adventure and having once in a life time experiences.
We miss you
Christina and Bob
Hi!
So I wanted to let you know that I just looked at a map to find out where you really are. I didn't know Kyrgistan bordered China?!? But I found Issyk-Kul and from Mapquest I got the impression that it's one of the larger cities in this country. Still don't know what an oblast is though........
love and miss you!
Sara
hi love - i just emailed you, but how can i call you? is it ridiculously expensive? even if it is - id love to hear your voice. love, abby
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