Thursday, September 18, 2008
Chong Rakmat
That's "big thanks" in Kyrgyz. Just wanted to let ya all know that we now have conference T-shirts. They came out great. Thanks to every one for ideas and support. It's really appreciated. Also - for those of you who are interested in our Women's Leadership Club, we have a lot planned for this year. As I get into the swing of the new school year I will post updates on activities and events - with photos when possible. Again, Chong Rakmat!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Looking 4 Lilya
I'm looking for the movie "Lilya 4 Ever." If anyone has it, could you send me a copy? Or if you want to be really cool - you could buy it on amazon and send it to me. I'm helping a local NGO with an anti-trafficking awareness campaign and I think it would be a great educational tool (the movie is in Russian). When I was in Bosnia, some of the NGOs used it there and it was really effective. Thanks!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Fam in Kstan
On the 22nd of August – 31st my family was in Kyrgyzstan! My dad, stepmom, and 4-year old brother made the long journey (safely) out here.
At 3:30am their plane landed in Bishkek. I watched from the second floor in the airport as they came out of the terminal and I couldn’t help but cry. I was so happy to see them – it had been over a year since I had seen them last. After what seemed like forever (was actually only an hour) they made it through customs and baggage. We hugged and made our way out to the hotel shuttle.
For the first few nights we stayed in the Silk Road Lodge – what a treat for me! That was nice and comfortable. We walked around Bishkek looking at sights and even visited the Peace Corps office. Nate got to play in a park and quickly made friends with a little Kyrgyz boy about his age. We ate at a Turkish café, an Italian restaurant and a Kyrgyz restaurant. One day we spent the entire day visiting my first host family in a village. My real family and my host family got to meet each other and I got to play translator. That was pretty amazing – as I expected (since both families are fabulous). My host mom prepared plov (a national dish) and lots of salads and fresh breads. It was quite a feast. Nate played great with my host sisters. I also got to meet my host family’s new volunteer and talk with her for a bit. That was a lot of fun.
On Sunday, Anton – our trusted taxi driver – took us four hours east to Lake Issykul. We stayed at the Royal Beach. That was interesting. The lake was pretty. The weather was a lot cooler – even chilly at night. The “private bungalow” was a little cramped, but real close to the beach. Plus, 3 meals a day were included so my family got to try a lot of the local cuisine. The whole place was relatively quiet considering it was still high tourist season. Since that was my first time on the lake I enjoyed it.
Another 4 and a half hour taxi ride with Anton from the lake to the airport was how we spent the morning of family visit: Day 4. The fly down south was not too bumpy – though there were some pukers on the plane. We spent Days 4 – 8 exploring the sights of Osh. We hiked Suleiman Mountain, trekked through the bazaar, ate at some cafes, and even went in a 3-story yurt museum.
On the 30th the family flew back up to Bishkek and departed for home early on the 31st. I was relieved when they called and said they made it home safely. I’m so grateful that they came to visit, experience Kyrgyzstan, and get a glimpse of what I’m doing and how I’m living. I’m glad they got to meet my friends and colleagues, see my apartment, and my crazy cat. I’m sure they’ll think often about their adventurous trip and reflect on what they have seen and learned.
Thank you Dad, Carolyn, and Nathan for visiting me. I love you guys!
At 3:30am their plane landed in Bishkek. I watched from the second floor in the airport as they came out of the terminal and I couldn’t help but cry. I was so happy to see them – it had been over a year since I had seen them last. After what seemed like forever (was actually only an hour) they made it through customs and baggage. We hugged and made our way out to the hotel shuttle.
For the first few nights we stayed in the Silk Road Lodge – what a treat for me! That was nice and comfortable. We walked around Bishkek looking at sights and even visited the Peace Corps office. Nate got to play in a park and quickly made friends with a little Kyrgyz boy about his age. We ate at a Turkish café, an Italian restaurant and a Kyrgyz restaurant. One day we spent the entire day visiting my first host family in a village. My real family and my host family got to meet each other and I got to play translator. That was pretty amazing – as I expected (since both families are fabulous). My host mom prepared plov (a national dish) and lots of salads and fresh breads. It was quite a feast. Nate played great with my host sisters. I also got to meet my host family’s new volunteer and talk with her for a bit. That was a lot of fun.
On Sunday, Anton – our trusted taxi driver – took us four hours east to Lake Issykul. We stayed at the Royal Beach. That was interesting. The lake was pretty. The weather was a lot cooler – even chilly at night. The “private bungalow” was a little cramped, but real close to the beach. Plus, 3 meals a day were included so my family got to try a lot of the local cuisine. The whole place was relatively quiet considering it was still high tourist season. Since that was my first time on the lake I enjoyed it.
Another 4 and a half hour taxi ride with Anton from the lake to the airport was how we spent the morning of family visit: Day 4. The fly down south was not too bumpy – though there were some pukers on the plane. We spent Days 4 – 8 exploring the sights of Osh. We hiked Suleiman Mountain, trekked through the bazaar, ate at some cafes, and even went in a 3-story yurt museum.
On the 30th the family flew back up to Bishkek and departed for home early on the 31st. I was relieved when they called and said they made it home safely. I’m so grateful that they came to visit, experience Kyrgyzstan, and get a glimpse of what I’m doing and how I’m living. I’m glad they got to meet my friends and colleagues, see my apartment, and my crazy cat. I’m sure they’ll think often about their adventurous trip and reflect on what they have seen and learned.
Thank you Dad, Carolyn, and Nathan for visiting me. I love you guys!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
200 com
So we found this place that will sell us t-shirts with our logo and " Women's Leadership Conference 2008" for 200 com each. Thats only $5.50! Sooo now I'm looking for fundraising ideas. Let me know if you got any! We need approx $300. Thanks!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Looking for T-shirts
With our Women's Leadership Conference planning well underway, I have become increasingly dissapointed that our request for funds for participant t-shirts has been cut from the grant we've recieved.
I know I should be happy that we even recieved partial funding - 43,600com to be exact (about $1,200), but the girls have their hearts set on T-shirts. They designed a really cool logo of a strong woman holding up the world.
So, if anyone knows of any companies/organizations that donate t-shirts, we can probably scrape up enough money (or have participants pay) for the screen printing here. Places like the Gap make t-shirt donations, but only within the US. Its been tough finding someone to donate t-shirts to Kyrgyzstan.
We'll have 50 participants at the conference, which will take place at the end of September. T-shirts can be any color, as long as they fit 15-20 year old girls - small/medium sizes would be best.
If you have any info please email me: becky.johnson@mail.sit.edu
Thank You!
I know I should be happy that we even recieved partial funding - 43,600com to be exact (about $1,200), but the girls have their hearts set on T-shirts. They designed a really cool logo of a strong woman holding up the world.
So, if anyone knows of any companies/organizations that donate t-shirts, we can probably scrape up enough money (or have participants pay) for the screen printing here. Places like the Gap make t-shirt donations, but only within the US. Its been tough finding someone to donate t-shirts to Kyrgyzstan.
We'll have 50 participants at the conference, which will take place at the end of September. T-shirts can be any color, as long as they fit 15-20 year old girls - small/medium sizes would be best.
If you have any info please email me: becky.johnson@mail.sit.edu
Thank You!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
About Arslanbob
Last weekend I went to Arslanbob with my friend Tara. It took us over 4 hours to get there, switching taxis halfway. We arrived at lunchtime on Saturday, ate some plov at a chihanah, then met up with Tara's friends who work for CBT (Community Based Tourism). We started hiking to the waterfall in the afternoon when it started downpouring. So we ended up sitting under an ice cream tent in the center of town, playing cards for a few hours.
Later in the evening we went guesting at a local house. We sat and ate for hours with Tara's local friends. We slept very comfotably in a guesthouse that night. On Sunday the weather was perfect so we hiked all day: up to the small waterfall, then to the panorama, then to the big waterfall. It was great, exhausting though. We headed home Sunday night, and found much cheaper taxis back.
It was fun to be in the mountains where its cooler, and see the beautiful nature.
Later in the evening we went guesting at a local house. We sat and ate for hours with Tara's local friends. We slept very comfotably in a guesthouse that night. On Sunday the weather was perfect so we hiked all day: up to the small waterfall, then to the panorama, then to the big waterfall. It was great, exhausting though. We headed home Sunday night, and found much cheaper taxis back.
It was fun to be in the mountains where its cooler, and see the beautiful nature.
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