This Is For My Girls

When I joined Peace Corps, I was in the same boat as the majority of the K23 class. I did not know a single soul that I would be living and working with for the next two years. As someone who makes friends pretty easily, and has no problem with putting myself out there, I wasn’t really worried. My only concern was that I would seem too eager, and freak people out. I have the literal coolest and most amazing group of friends back home. Shout out to my goons. The bar was set pretty freaking high for any new friends. Let me just say, my PC friends are unbelievable. The family I have built here with my friends is something I cherish. The friends I have here are the kind that you want to have. They are supportive, funny, give you confidence just by being around them, and will call you out on your bull.

And while the friendships I have with my bros are great and I need them, the real champions in the group are the amazing female friendships I have here. Being a woman in Kyrgyzstan is difficult. Like, I mean there is some issue EVERY SINGLE DAY that occurs, and it occurs because I am a female. I feel like I deal with the attention fairly well (note: I receive far less negative attention than many volunteers). But, y’all, sometimes it just gets to you. In times like this I turn to my girls. They get it. Don’t get me wrong, I now I can call Andy or John and they will listen and care, but they can’t fully understand.

The girls GET IT.

However, this post is not about being a female in Kyrgyzstan. This post is about the amazing women that I get to call my friends. So, here’s to you guys. You are all badasses, and I love you. Thanks for always building me up, going shopping with me, and just making everything fun, whether it’s dancing at Coyote or going get breakfast after we spent too long at Coyote the night before. You’re all my fam in and out of da clurb.