Bishkek

I have no camera, so I will have to use my words.

There are mountains out my window, and when the clouds come they fill with snow.  They aren't the Himalayas, those are further away, but we are certainly on the other side of the world.  13 hours ahead of California time, or perhaps, 11 hours behind, only in the future.   You can see almost the whole world from here:  Chinese companies make for cheap computer parts, German companies supply soaps and tech support, and of course the gas stations are Gazprom.  The first thing I saw when we touched down at the airport were a bunch of USAF C-17s.

The twenty minute walk to school takes me through gravel and concrete.  Taggers tag things like "Street Art Crew," but although I don't see art, there are many interesting names, confessions of love, and strange out-of-text references to American pop or gangster culture.  On the left I pass one of the city's largest markets, where we do our shopping.  When I reach the school, there is then nothing between me and the mountains, just a long brown plain.  And a shipping crate that says "Linea Mexicana."  Not so far from home after all.

I have two sets of classes, character courses and English conversation, both in English.  For each, I have six classes, from 5th class (about 11) to 10th class (about 16 years old).  For the character courses, I have chosen the following themes:  5)Spiritual Fruit  6)Heroes  7)Moses' Rules  8)Relationships  9-10)Red Letters.  The only one I'm unsure about is sixth class, but I'm unsure about them in general.  They're large, but more unsure of themselves and less enthusiastic than their younger compatriots.  I'll also be leading a guitar club, assuming there is some interest.  :)  I also managed to get Tuesday off as a Sabbath.  In classes we will be doing lots of singing as well as role playing/drama, and per normal for my classes, beginning with a video or song.   My older classes are working on memorizing some Robert Frost.

Walking home, it is hard to tell who might be homeless.  There are homeless people in the neighborhood, but  the locals like to squat.  Waiting, hanging out.  People squat on the street and play cards, chat, smoke cigarettes.  My biggest challenge being here so far was using the squat toilets with a bum knee.  It's mostly better, but not quite to that level yet.  My Russian roommate says it is easy to tell the ethnic Russians from the Kyrgyz.  I'm not so sure.  There are also Tajiks and Tartars, who are somewhere in between, as well as Uighurs (who are mostly in China).  Going to some of the more elite schools here himself, attended a Turkish-funded high school, and is now attending the American University.  (I have yet to meet an American, but I'm tempted to see if the Spanish embassy does events--probably I should go to my own embassy to register to vote.)

This place is different, but summing up the parts of where I've been previously, nothing here has shocked me.  My roommate and I hitch-hiked to his town last week, and although some of the drivers are a little crazy, Mexico Combi drivers are still in a league of their own.

It's hard to find a work-life balance when you don't have a personal life.  I suppose you can pray about that?  I got pretty good at Freecell this week, which I suppose is better than solitaire ;)   I also did quite a bit of songwriting/translation work, and reading.  I met some nice people today at service.  Probably before another week is out I could have my whole schedule filled, even though I really only know like five people here.  Hmm...just lesson-planning and getting up the guts and energy to speak in Russian on a regular basis is enough for me right now.  I've visited one children's home, similar to Refuge Ranch in a lot of ways.  I will probably be translating some things for them in the near future.  (into English)  I'll probably spend one of my school breaks in Karakol, where the director of our school is also head of a foundation that includes a Children's home there.  I'm also looking into what to do next summer, but I need to get our school calendar.  I have an income now, but it's pretty tight.  Also, who knows what will happen with visas, they could give me three months, six months, or a year.  But probably I will be able to stay for some time now.

Off to the lesson planning!   I have a really sweet job.  :)