Mail Race Updates and Such

OK, I found out that I can still recieve mail/packages at the old address:

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat 744000
Merkezi Pocta
Abonent 258 Krugozor
Parahatcylyk Korpusy/Turkmenistan
Katheryne Kramer, PCV
Turkmenistan

If its something you really want me to recieve, you are marginally better off sending it to Ashgabat.

Otherwise:

Afghanistan 1
USA 1

My dad sends letters via the APO and through the local Afghan systems on the same day. Afghanistan beat USA the first time around by 5 days. The second letter arrived from America first. He must write again for the tie break.

Africa is still holding strong, although sans packages. I am told not to worry overmuch, as a package recently arrived here nine years late. I got a bonanza of letters last week and want to say a GIANT thank you to the following people who rocked my socks.

Howard and Nora
Mummy
Daddy
Uncle David
Kathy
Anna
Anne
Kat
Norm
Father Keenan

Making those connections is amazing! Its also the end of PST and tomorrow I will be sworn in as a real peace corps volunteer. More letters to get me through what everyone swears will be the longest three months of my life...alone in my site and dealing with life in Turkmen.

New Address

Turkmenistan
Mary Welyaty, Mary Saheri
Merkezi Pocta, Abonent 24
Parahatcylyk korpusynyn Meyletinciler
Kramer, Katheryne

WRITE ME LETTERS. Make my life

Oh, and the 9 cool things post...probably not going to be finished

if you are at all interested in them, send me a letter!

Just Because I've Been Silent Doesn't Mean Nothings Been Happening

So, just about every small village in kenya has an enterprising young man with a 10 year old laptop and a wireless signal. This is decidedly not the case in Turkmenistan where communications are just getting off the ground. But, as the title suggests, exciting things are happening here.

1. I got my permanent site. I am in Mary Velyat (google Merv) in a town called Nyyazow (formerly lenin, but we're not red anymore). I work at a house of health that has its own little childrens hospital and birthing room. So far it seems like a good deal. I also have a pretty chill family, and I am moving up in the peace corps world. I still have an outhouse, but I've got a real shower, hot water from a boiler, a washing machine (no dryer...bummer), and a sauna. Really, a sauna. It is a wood panelled room with three levels of benches, a natural gas heater surrounded by stones...its a sauna. Although, my family uses it to dry shoes and clothes. They will be given some cross cultural education on that.

I spent most of last week (wednesday-monday) in Mary getting to know where I will live, work, and function for the next two years. It was strange to be out of Yalkym and by myself. I didn't speak English from Wednesday morning until Sunday, and my Turkmen is really not that good. So it goes. There was a lot of charades going on.

On Sunday we bonded with the rest of the Mary volunteers, and they showed us the useful sights (American corners where internet lives, bars, and restaurants). They seem like a pretty good group, as are of course those of my group who are going.

2. Returned to Yalkym to a family that is amazingness personified. And, exciting family going-ons were happening. there was a saddakah and a new baby, both of which required much festivities and goats dying. One took place last night in Ashgabat which means I have a sweet hour on the internet before my Hub day. I love handy little coincidences.