Lost in Translation

Ah yes I had been warned that things do with the best will in the world here 'get lost in translation'.

But myself and my translator got the location of our meeting mixed up so I hopped in the Hiace van and then utter confusion he was ringing me talking to the bus driver (while he was driving and taking cash). In the meantime everyone is staring at me as I had obviously caused this confusion and to be fair all chatting to me in Tajik/Russian (have no idea) but either way didn't understand. And I couldn't tell Saibh (translator) where I was co it all looks the bloody same. So what was a 10 min walk from my apt took over 1hour sitting in a charming Hiace van!!

Oh dear and then incident number two (this all in the same day).

I met the people I will be working with (really really lovely and very open and enthusastic) and after they invited me swimming on Sunday. So I explained that I was told you couldn't swim.............and then confusion again. Poor Saibh was mortified cos they were trying to explain the sort of 'hidden rules' around swimming which is not something generally men/woman discuss. So to be honest still not sure what story is but to be sure will go prepared – e.g. Clothed as I really don't want to offend anyone.

Oh I've posted this picture of a woman I saw. I was curious and asked my Tajik friend why she was wearing a coat in such warm weather. Turns out there was a death in the family and she has to wear a coat and winter shoes for 40 days and blue/black clothing for one year. Somehow I suspect she was cursing her 'mother in law'

Wedding: 

I was in my apt Sunday when I heard all this music and drums banging. There is apparantly a banquet hall around the corner and came accross this wedding (see picture below). Of course in my haste to find out what was going on I forgot to change of of my apt clothing (shorts and sleevless top) and only realised when I noticed the staring was way more pronunced than normal. To be fair it was a bit of a 'faux pas' on my part and not something I will be doing again.

'Vegetarian Status'

Now I know I'm harping on about my newly required 'vegetarian' status but dear god how do veggies cope. Between that and two hot plates and really really struggling to come up with some edible dinners. An example tonight for dinner I had rice and corn. Omg veggies food is soooo boring. But I may be wrong so if anyone has any ideas pls pls email!!!! Oh and before all you veggies hop on the bandwagon please remember have only been a 'vegetarian' now for two weeks so work with me on this!!

Going Native

So yes with my Tajik friends I bought some local material to get 2 local dresses made for me. Thank god was with someone cos what I was picking I was told was for older people, or people in mourning. But me buying the material caused great merriment to the stall holders. There was poking and staring and general amazement that this cloth would be seen in Ireland. Unfortunately did not have the heart to explain that there would be no chance of me wearing them in Dublin. Oh and getting my hair cut short – if only cos its a pain in this heat and my head scarf will fit better with short hair!!

So that's it folks from me to you goodnight!!!

Laineyxx

PS only joking about the head scarf.

Za vashe zdarrav'ye

Ah yes this is a Russian phrase that I became very very familiar with last night as I had dinner in an Armenian rest.

Its 'to your good health'...............................as you knock back a shot of very chilled Russian vodka. Wasn't quite sure how to say it but suffice to say after a few toasts no hassle. And strangely enough standing up and roaring this I felt terribly Russian!!

The restaurant was about 20mins outside the city and the only one that serves pork!! Due to my enforced 'vegetarian' status I ordered chicken kiev thinking this was a pretty safe option. Well it wasn't - not sure exactly what it was exactly but thankfully one of the others was happy to share their pork - delicious. I tell you the Armernians sure know how to cook pork. So have had to rethink my 'vegetarian' status to include pork (only at this restaurant) and possibly chicken!!

Oh for anyone that will be travelling in these parts or Russia after some very careful, thorough research I can recommend a lovely beer - 'Bajithka 7' not quite sure what the 7 signifies but very drinkable and reasonable - E1.

As I type this I have 2 weeks of washing in the bath tub - omg hand washing is painful!! Must find laundromat asap!!

So from me to y'all good night!!

Happy Monday morning!!

Lainey xxx

Yeah - No McDonalds

Hi All,

Well arrived in Khujand (pronunced whojand). Woz v. nervous the plane looked 'well worn' but had delightful wallpaper on the inside which distracted me no end. Have to say stunning scenary on the way up here incredible mountains + lakes - hope to get to see more of the country over the next few months.

The apt is great as is 'jeff' got treated to a lovely indonsian meal on arrival - hope to pick up some tips for my return who knew you could do so much with nuts!! Khujand is a lovely city the people are just so friendly and helpful and love to talk to you. On the bus earlier in week (well when I say bus its a hiace van with seats and v. uncomfortable if standing) only costs 20cents - and pretty much stops anywhere. Anyways this lady got talking to us and invited us to her house!!

Kjujand has one massive main street with about 8 lanes of traffic and one main line through it.............crossing is challenging so say the least there are pedestrian crossings but just not sure if drivers actually pay any attention to them. So generally I tag next to someone in the vague hope that if there is an accident they will get hit first.

But its really really great to be somewhere without any real western influence - there aren't too many places in the world with no - McD's Coke, Starbucks etc................its very charming and  hopefully stays that way!!

I've attached this picture its a day centre I visited - the clothes here are beautiful am hoping to get some made up - they are much cooler than my dunne store 100% cotton!!

 This is the VSO hse in Dunshanbe - my home for 1st week. Dunno if you can make out the tap chan (outdoor bed) in right corner - omg the best invention ever!!

 This is a view of mountains surrounding dunshanbe difficult to see but some of the higher ranges still had loads of snow on them.

Bet my new boss seems lovely as do all her colleagues it's going to be very challenging few months but looking forward to it!!

Best go no water this am - so have to go back to basics!!
Will update this more regularly now that 'online'...............yeah.

So from me to you have a great w/end. I'm meeting some expats tonight for dinner and another volunteer Sun for brunch. Tomorrow is 'hand wash' day assuming water back - my priority over w/end is to find a cleaner/laundromat - have no intention of hand washing my clothes for six months. This is what I refer to as an 'acceptable luxury'

Take Care, Laineyxxx

ps cheers for ManU - apologies to non man u fans!!

Whats happened in my first week...........

Hi Guys,

Mad busy week this is my first chance to update as access is very limited and only here in the VSO office. Wow what a week I had......between training, Tajik lessons, etc. Oh as Gaeilge nil chead agaim caint about anseo so I will be doing this in emails.

So what's great about about Tajikistan.....

1) Bread omg its amazing i have never eaten so much white bread in my life - trying to cut down now!!
2) Buses that wait for you and only cost 10 cents
3)Weather 37 when we arrived cooler today only 30 am sure will be moaning when it reaches 45 - 50
4) Locals so freindly especially when you make an effort to talk the local greeting is Asaloma and you put you right hand over your heart and tilt your head!!
5) The lads in VSO there brillant showing us around helping us get organised etc.
6) Shared taxi concepts they basically follow the  main bus/tram routes you hop in give them 50 cent and say stop when you want to get out.
7) Loads more but don't have time to run through


So what is different??
1) Well I'm drinking black coffee
2) had a cup of green tea yesterday for first time in 30 years was offered one and its kinda rude to refuse but actually was nice so I'm now a 'tea drinker'  there you go cc!!
3) Vegetarian - yes never thought I would say it but me thinks I will be one for the next six months (no explanations necessary)
4) now getting used to the whole concept of water - tap/filtered/bottled what you can use for teeth food etc. I forgot the 2nd night and used tap water. Thankfully wasn't sick - mind you having talked to so many people here its only a matter of time before I am!!
5) Cook dinner for 5 people on a double stove - possible with a bit of organisation!!
6) Local beer can't remember name but v. nice!!


So Dunshanbe is a lovely city big mouments and decent restaurants and  the volunteer house is great. No a/c but the houses are really cool on the inside. The lads I met in course and plane are great its nice to be all in the same boat!! Its lovely sitting out the courtyard in the late evening catching up with everyone.

so out tonight for dinner to a Georgian Restaurant and tomorrow its the 'house harriers' I was invited and declined as it involves running. But when it was pointed out that you can walk and there are beers and the end I was in!!

off to Khujand on Tuesday to start my placement - can't wait but very nervous too.

I probably won't have net access now until next week - it takes a while to organise here!!

Take care everyone and c'mon Leinster (orla don't forget to text me the result)

Laineyxxxx

A new Venture!

Hi All,

This blog is for me to tell you all about my time in Tajikistan.

I will be going over for 6 months voluntary work, starting on the 15th May.

Keep coming back for regular updates.

Lainey xx