Settling in...
Trip Start
Jan 16, 2005
1
8
11
Trip End
Apr 17, 2007
Navoi,
Uzbekistan
Monday, May 2, 2005
For the last 2 weeks I've been settling in and adapting to my new life in Navoi. This city is really great so far, and I'm finding my way around as quickly as possible! My host family is very nice and I basically have my own place as they own their own business and have a few houses right next to each other. I'm definitely enjoying some of the privacy and since my host mom is Russian she is fixing meals that are more familar to me. (YEAH!) My NGO is good, I like my director and we already have some projects we are working on. My counterpart, Nasiba, is wonderful I really like her and she has been a great help to me. I have been spending a lot of time walking around the city and acqainting myself with the locals at the pochta (post office), bank, and local magazines (stores). I've also been trying to get to know the other NGO directors in town and also the other PC volunteers here.
It's sometimes kinda cool to pull the "I'm an American, don't give me any crap." card...when we are trying to get business accomplished and are getting hassled. It really helps (if not abused) in a society that is not known for having any organization and/or rhyme or reason to "procedures". When it's not cool to be an American is when you are at the bazaar (out door market) and are trying to buy fruit, vegetables, etc and they try to price gouge you. You know of course that all americans are rich and just have money to burn, right? Anyway, I'm trying to become familiar now w/ what prices are normal and what's not...of course in the bazaar all things are negotiable.
So, I'm definitely adjusting and spending time learning the language...it's amazing what a hinderance to your daily life can be when your language skills are limited! This is not like training at all, when you almost always had someone who could help you nearby. Of course, the counterpart's job is to help you in this transition, but she can't be around all the time, and it's unhealthy to become dependant.
Yesterday I really had a great day hanging out w/ Michelle, one of the Navoi NGO volunteers, she has been here for a year now and has been a great resource. We made a killer mexican feast at her apartment which consisted of bean burritos, salsa, chips(pringles), and onion dip! The pringles and tortilla came from Tashkent and the tortilla is like the middle-eastern flat bread that i am familiar with (not as thick as tortilla), the spanish rice she got from the states, the onion dip came from the states, and then everything else was purchased locally: the beans, tomatoes, sour cream(!), cilantro, onions, cheese (colby jack!!), lettuce, lemons, garlic, corn, sugar (for the salsa). This was such a terrific meal and I can't wait to try to make again...of course it took about 3 hours to prepare everything...except the beans...which she had been working on since yesterday. I can't believe I made homemade salsa and it rocked!! Now, I just want to make chips...all I need are tortillas, hopefully from the states.
Okay, so I know you probably don't realize how excited I was about this, but b/c it turned out so well I was in heaven...and most of you know what a "foody person" I am. I am definitely learning to like things that I traditionally would not have eaten in the states and am turning away from other foods that I would have eaten, but aren't healthy. Health is such a huge thing here...when you walk alot and it is so hot outside...you really want the right kind of energy.
So, I haven't had near as much internet access as I thought I would have here. I've only been on a few times in the last 2 weeks and it hasn't been for long. I'm working on a few things thou, so hopefully my options will change soon. I know I have several friends and family that I want to return/send emails too. I hope you all are doing well and are enjoying Spring in the states! It's becoming summer quick here...and that means excruciating heat w/ no air conditioning. By the way, this city is actually very pretty with many trees and is very well kept. I will be taking pictures soon and attaching them to this site when I can.
My love to all,
Amber
