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High there my friends, time to tell you some more about life in Tajikistan before Ian arrives in one weeks time. I am so looking forward to seeing him again, I hope he will like being here and make the most of the time in Duchanbe. We are not planning to travel around the country as his visit will coincide with the 20 year independence celebrations and there will lots happening in the city. A number of people are hoping to meet Ian while he is here so I think we will have plenty to do and both need some time to relax and be tourists.
I have been able to arrange to be home for a month from the 8 December, my flights are booked and I will come back to finish my placement during March. Just desperate to see Tom and Oscar and also the rest of my family. Not so excited about being back here in January and February when it gets very cold, -20, so am coming back to stock up on winter clothes and maybe a coat! Can't imagine it at the moment as the temperatures are still in the high 30's every day, although this weekend has been a little cooler and we had one whole minute of rain today. We all stood on the balcony and watched it come down, have not seen rain for some weeks.
Since my last blog I have been to two other places in the country, to the ancient city of Panjakent on the Uzbeck boarder, where there other volunteers working at the moment, Hilary and Ashleigh. They took me to Artuch in the mountains, an area twice the height of Ben Nevis just where we were staying and it got much higher. Fantastic scenery but my camera battery ran out on day two so I am waiting for Hilary to let me have copies of her photos to show you.
Two weeks ago I was asked if I would like to visit Khorog in the Pamir region, it is the largest and most mountainous in the Country, so also the most remote and least populated. I was able to make the trip with two work colleagues, Mahina and Zuhro, who arranged for us to stay in a rehabilation centre for children with disabiliites, a day service for children to help prepare them for integration to mainstream school. The staff were very generous and welcoming, so do have a look at the pictures of Pamir and Khorog. Whilst there I visited a Pamir house, the hot (very hot) springs at Garm Chasma, and the second highest botanical gardens in the world. The highest is in China. I also spent some time with the staff talking about service development and the issues that affect families with a disabled living child living in this country and this culture. It is significantly different from all that I know and has taken me a while to even start to understand expectations, relationships, limits (and there are many) and attitudes to disability.
I like my placement and the staff I work with very much. Have just finished my first three month report and seem to have done lots, but still need to find ways to put it all into practice. I have been asked by the head of the social work at the university here to make a presentation to the students when college restarts. I have also been able to attend some workshops about social work develpment in Tajikistan, that are being led by a team from the Oxford Policy Management group. It has all been so interesting and one thing seems to lead to another.
Please to say no significant illness to report, although I feel overwhelmingly tired at the moment - perhaps a combination of too much travelling, the heat and the illness that plagued me earlier on. It is also difficult to try and make sense of things all the time when the language barrier is so huge.
We went to a concert of Tajik music last weekend in a building in Duchanbe that we had not visited before, so we caught a taxi. The driver did not speak English, did not know where we wanted to go, did not follow our directions as we followed a map, drove us round and took us back to almost where we started and wanted to charge us three times what we had agreed. In the end we walked and found it ourselves, it was really entertaining and interesting.
Changes of volunteers in the house this weekend, one person has moved elsewhere and two new people arrive tomorrow, one of whom will be staying for a year. so today we have had a bit of a clear up and sort out, which is needed from time to time.
I am sorry to hear that summer in England has been wet and disappointing, hope you enjoy the pictures. Do keep the messages coming, it reminds me that I am still on the same planet. Lots of love to you all and maybe see some of you at christmas.
- comments
Helen Vidotto Dear Yvonne, another wonderful episode. you sound more settled which is great - and you are no longer a 'new girl' which must give a sense of development and depth to your stay. The photos are lovely too (great light!) and you look very well - are you losing weight?! You must be so excited about Ian's arrival - have a wonderful time together. I hate to say it but Christmas isn't so far away either - it will be lovely to have you around. Lots of love, Helen xxx
Vicki Wiles Hi Yvonne - have just read your latest entry. What great news that Ian is on his way to see you and that you can be home for Christmas to stock up on thermals and see the Tom and Oscar. You sound at home out there though, adjusted to your new unusual life. Don't be disheartened about any perceived slowness in putting stuff into practice, hang onto what you have achieved despite language barriers. heat etc. You dun good! Much Love x
Maggie I'm jsut thinking of how you will read this blog in a year or two's time when you are back home, and what an experience it will all seem. You tell it so well, I feel i am there with you. Have a lovely time with Ian, lots of love Maggie xx
Wendy Yvonne - I can't add more to what your wise friends say above; I agree with them all. The pictures are stunning and some of the sights seem incredible. What an adventure! Lots of love, W