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.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
New Address
Turkmenistan
Mary Welyaty, Mary Saheri
Merkezi Pocta, Abonent 24
Parahatcylyk korpusynyn Meyletinciler
Kramer, Katheryne
WRITE ME LETTERS. Make my life
Mary Welyaty, Mary Saheri
Merkezi Pocta, Abonent 24
Parahatcylyk korpusynyn Meyletinciler
Kramer, Katheryne
WRITE ME LETTERS. Make my life
Thursday, December 6, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Ipod Flash Drive Failure or 9 cool things KTs done in Turkmenistan
So, still the ipod doesn't want to do its thing. Thats fine. I will try to write it from memory, or as close as I can. Here are 9 COOL THINGS KTS DONE IN TURKMENISTAN in no particular order.
1. Death Moo: My family a few weeks ago slaughtered a cow. I am way closer to my food here than I have every been before. So, back to the cow slaughter. I got to help (in that sort of way that a two year old helps to bake a cake. I mostly cleaned up). It began the day before with the digging of a giant pit for the cows blood because we are in a muslim country here. Then the morning of, (vegetarians might want to go to peta.org now) the cow was trussed up and its throat cut. I did not actually witness the death blow because I am a woman and according to Turkmen supersition, seeing the cow die would cause infertility. I did hear the death moo though. And, I learned several important things, namely that a cow has large stomachs and an amazingly large portion of the cow is edible, despite my thoughts to the contrary. Since death moo, though we've had more meat and more things cooked in beef fat. I'm not above steak; bring on the next cow. (Actually I think the next death will either be our thanksgiving turkey or a ram that will be killed for a muslim holiday in december.)
2. Toys: Turkmen love having a party. I have been to a party for the purchase of a new car, for the return of a relative from the army, for the 41st day since the death of a relative, and for weddings. Weddings are a big deal here, and generally a rocking good time. Here is the break down of most of the weddings that I have attended. Hour 1 is spent testing the band, deciding if we like it, and waiting for the bride and groom to arrive. Hours 2-3 are spent on food. Wedding food goes all out. There are delicious plates of russian salads, bread, sodas, olives, and cookies. Also, usually stuffed peppers or cabbage leaves. Delicious all of it. Hours 4-5 are dancing. Wedding bands and singers can be like rock stars, and weddings are their concerts. I lack the graceful delicacy of most turkmen dance steps, and I have a terrible propensity toward a hip swing (not cool here), but I have a good time. Also when you dance, they hand out hand towels, plastic bags, fly swatters, and occasionally money. Yay for party favors that are actually useful!
OK, so running out of time on the computer so the other 7 cool things I've done in turkmenistan will have to wait, but a sneak preview: 3) Kow Ata, 4) Garasslyk, 5)Freedom 6)ECA 7)Technical Training 8)Other People 9)Something Else that I will remember later.
Oh, and for those who are interested: Kate and Noah are the best site mates ever and Lale greatest most adorable teacher on earth.
1. Death Moo: My family a few weeks ago slaughtered a cow. I am way closer to my food here than I have every been before. So, back to the cow slaughter. I got to help (in that sort of way that a two year old helps to bake a cake. I mostly cleaned up). It began the day before with the digging of a giant pit for the cows blood because we are in a muslim country here. Then the morning of, (vegetarians might want to go to peta.org now) the cow was trussed up and its throat cut. I did not actually witness the death blow because I am a woman and according to Turkmen supersition, seeing the cow die would cause infertility. I did hear the death moo though. And, I learned several important things, namely that a cow has large stomachs and an amazingly large portion of the cow is edible, despite my thoughts to the contrary. Since death moo, though we've had more meat and more things cooked in beef fat. I'm not above steak; bring on the next cow. (Actually I think the next death will either be our thanksgiving turkey or a ram that will be killed for a muslim holiday in december.)
2. Toys: Turkmen love having a party. I have been to a party for the purchase of a new car, for the return of a relative from the army, for the 41st day since the death of a relative, and for weddings. Weddings are a big deal here, and generally a rocking good time. Here is the break down of most of the weddings that I have attended. Hour 1 is spent testing the band, deciding if we like it, and waiting for the bride and groom to arrive. Hours 2-3 are spent on food. Wedding food goes all out. There are delicious plates of russian salads, bread, sodas, olives, and cookies. Also, usually stuffed peppers or cabbage leaves. Delicious all of it. Hours 4-5 are dancing. Wedding bands and singers can be like rock stars, and weddings are their concerts. I lack the graceful delicacy of most turkmen dance steps, and I have a terrible propensity toward a hip swing (not cool here), but I have a good time. Also when you dance, they hand out hand towels, plastic bags, fly swatters, and occasionally money. Yay for party favors that are actually useful!
OK, so running out of time on the computer so the other 7 cool things I've done in turkmenistan will have to wait, but a sneak preview: 3) Kow Ata, 4) Garasslyk, 5)Freedom 6)ECA 7)Technical Training 8)Other People 9)Something Else that I will remember later.
Oh, and for those who are interested: Kate and Noah are the best site mates ever and Lale greatest most adorable teacher on earth.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Things to Send
There has been some mentino of fun and exciting things that I will need from the states. I am keeping a list on the right of the blog of things that will be useful and if people want to send them, great. Otherwise letters and best wishes are the best thing ever.
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