In the second year of your Peace Corps service, you decrease your work hours with your primary organization. With all the free time of only working at my school twice a week, I have started teaching an english class at the Kyrgyz National University. We discuss current events and politics and I love it. Most of the students are either International Relations or Foreign Policy majors, which is right up my street. These students are ambitious, active and eager to learn. It's a big change and wonderful improvement for my service. Teaching secondary students who aren't motivated can be as discouraging as it sounds. So being able to end my week with a group of students who are excited that I am here and looking for opportunities to improve is uplifting.
Over the past few months, there are only a few events worth mentioning. First, my host cousin got married! Her name is Aliya and we have been pretty close during my service. She was an exchange students in America in high school and her english is amazing. She works for the Ministry of Justice in the city, and I must admit, when she told me she was getting married I felt a little sad. I know the reality of Kyrgyz wives and mothers. But after her she had been dating Osker for several months (a long time in Kyrgyzstan) and how she was able to attend the Strong Women's Training after her wedding, I believe that they have a supportive and egalitarian relationship. So when the wedding festivities began, we all had hours of preparation.
I, unfortunately, was in charge of balloons.
The kazan was filled with delicious besh barmak.
The day was lovely and filled with affection
These girls are truly my allies and buddies during these parties
My family wanted to pull a prank on the husband to be. They dressed me up in a wedding dress and pretended that I was the bride. Sometimes I feel more like a prop than a person, but that's how it goes.
Once at the Toi, Aliya came down in a large, draped tunduk carried by her sisters-in-law - including my mom
Then, her and Osker walked together to their honored table while being blessed
The Toi was a blast, I never end up taking too many pictures because I am too busy eating, dancing and answering the same questions over and over again.
But by the end everyone found a way to have a great time.
In October, PCVs held a training to help spread information about healthy lifestyles, mental wellness, organization and women's rights in Kyrgyzstan. Aliya was my counterpart for this training and we hope to start a Women's Club in the city next to my village this month. The training was held in Issyk Kul and included 50+ participants!
At the end of the training was a 5K "empowerment run".
Aliya rocked it and even beat me by a few minutes!
Yoga also was a big hit.
Besh barbak at its purest. Noodles, onions, sheep and big pieces of white fat. mmmm.
International village's view of the mountains.
For a few days my family got a new puppy, Borzik. We became fast friends and I loved him! But my family had to give him away for the friend because we got another dog Shadyk. Shadyk is rude and loud but that's what is valued, so bye bye Borzik.
My secondary counterpart, Chinara, and I held a teacher training with the English teachers around Issyk Ata. We taught the structure of an essay and what makes a good argument.
I will categorize this as a success.
Big shout out to mom for sending this potholder kit. Karema and I spend hours picking out colors in English and learning new words like "under" and "over".
She had been asking for me to make her a purse, and when I finally got around to doing it, her smile was so big. I wish I had done it sooner!
For Halloween, the American Corner in Kant held a big party for students around Issyk Ata. For some reason we mostly just focused on the pumpkin part of halloween. The students had prepared Jack-o-Lanterns but also pumpkin jam, pastries and soup. I can't complain because the Americans were the judges so I got to eat a lot.
The decorations even said "Pumpkin Day". Something might have gotten lost in the translation.
The room was packed with probably close to 40-50 kids! All who took this halloween things pretty seriously.
Well that is all for now. I have a Toi coming up this week, Thanksgiving in Naryn and of course, visa updates! It's gonna be great!
