Going to a place to do a thing

So, here goes my first official blog post. If you are wondering about the URL name, or why I'm starting one to begin with let me fill you in. I am moving to the Kyrgyz Republic for a little over two years. Before you go crazy and think I've gone off the deep end, let me just explain that I am going with the Peace Corps. You still probably have no clue what the Kyrgyz Republic is, or where it is located. Now that you have Googled it, you also know that it is most often referred to as Kyrgyzstan, and it is a central asian country. Yeah, when I found out the Peace Corps wanted to send me to Kyrgyzstan that was all I really knew about it as well.

I had assumed, for whatever reason, that I would end up in some country in Africa. I thought, well, I can handle Ghana, Kenya, any african country really. (The Peace Corps does not send volunteers to places deemed unsafe) My thought process was: I can handle heat, I can survive humidity, I know so many people who have done missions in various african countries, this will be okay. At least it won't be cold, right?

Here are some quick facts about Kyrgyzstan:

1. It was part of the former Soviet Union
2. Because of this, and its close proximity to Russia, the culture has been very Russified
3. Most homes have outside tiolets
4. It gets freaking cold in Kyrgyzstan. Like -30 degrees cold
5. I will either be learning Kyrgyz or Russian depending on where I will be living
6. Its bordering countries are Uzbekistan, China, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan

Of all the information I have read about my soon to be home, the fact that the winters are brutal scares me the most. I have never like the winter, and Tennessee has mild winters. However, with the proper gear and a sunny attitude, I think I'll survive.

If you're wondering what I'll be doing with the Peace Corps, well, I can't give a satisfying answer. I am officially a Health Extension Volunteer. Since I have no real medical training, I am fairly certain I will not be doing invasive type things. I am guessing it will be more in the realm of spreading health knowledge. Wash your hands, wash your food, use a condom, that sort of thing. I hope that I will be working with teenagers. I think that middle school and high age people are funny. It would also be an age group I am familiar and comfortable with. Of course whatever I end up doing, I'll be happy.

I do know that it is normal that I don't fully understand exactly what I'll be doing. I have been fortunate enough to be connected with another PCV headed to Kyrgyzstan, and he is also a little lost as to what the details of his job description are. As far as I can figure, we don't get any exact details because our jobs are subject to change. We have agreed to serve as needed. to give us a definite, detailed description of anything would be pointless. I'm kind of excited at the thought of not knowing. This means that I will be placed where I am needed the most. It also means that my location and job will be most suited to what I have to offer.

How I feel:
Sore. I got some immunizations yesterday, and I am feeling the effects, but I won't be contracting Polio:) Also, who knew that getting two years worth of doctors appointments in the span of a month could be so expensive and exhausting?



The content of this website is mine personally and does not reflect any position of the US Government or the Peace Corps