All alone -but not for long.
on Pam Kerruish (Tajikistan), 31/May/2010 15:44, 34 days ago
Well, I'm all alone in world again now as Midge has headed off to Panjikent and the Seven Lakes with Sharon ( ELF) who will travel there with Midge before heading home to Florida for her summer leave . She doesn't yet know if she will be returning to Khojand or not - her next post may be in Dushanbe. However, as Anne- Marie pointed out , we do not have to disband the International English Speaking Professional Womens Dining Circle + Mark ( note that it is now even longer as we have now become "International") as we can travel to Dushanbe monthly if we like . There are more varied restaurants there so that would be nice,but horribly indulgent given that people here have so little .Anne- marie will be leaving herself on the tenth. She will travel to Dushanbe with Annie and Co and go home to Germany for her summer break . That leaves me and Mark. We are going to watch some of the world cup together so that will be nice.My status in Degmai has improved again -probably because Dilbar, a top dog in the ministry of social protection, asked the Degmai representatives who went to Dushanbe last week to send me her regards. I may also have got some Brownie points for taking Nathan , the Dutch OT there again today. He has a wonderful ability to explain things simply and is marvellous with the children and the staff. We had a really good day and the great thing is that I think some of what he did today will stick. Seeing him work had showed me just how fantastic being an ot can be . He has really transformed the lives of at least two children and helped another 10 or so quite significantly.I am doing battle with the midgies in my room at the moment. This screen is the brightest light about and they are drawn to it . I am sorely tempted to whack them while they buzz about on it . There are a few " deaders" on the screen but mostly I am being restrained and not killing them on the screen itself.They are a real nuiscance tho .Tuesday 1st JuneInternational Children's Day? Or ex soviet children's day ? I don't know but it warranted a "do" at Degmai.We =Kibreeaw (my Successor) Delaphooz the teacher ( and directors daughter ) and me had prepared a little presentation from the more able children and I was miffed as Kibreeaw forgot the running order completely and missed the songs that I had taught them out. Deliberate or not? Instructed or not? I dont know.Anyway the kids did their stuff well and were rightly pleased with themselves. Saboat ( Ragicommon) was there and sang my praises - attributing most of the improvements at Degmai to me apparently - which will not go down well. As is normal in Degmai only the more competent kids are allowed to go to these does which is a pity as a lot could enjoy just being there.Above - the Cinderellas left in the sunroom.and Right -the Prince and Princesses at the ball.Speaking of Princesses I spotted this little girl today and asked to take her picture as she it fairly representative of little girls being done up to the nines here. ( admittedly, for special occasions.)note the pom pom on her head - they are very popular for little girls.The other night Midge and I were eating in a restaurant that I dont normally go to as although its close by its not a place to go on your own. Anyway we got on well with the waitress who was really nice and she wrote something on a serviette that neither of us understood. I showed it to Mirzo today expecting him to tell me that it was her name but he told me she had written " I respect you " . I thought that was really nice and got me thinking about respect. It made me realize how important it is and how much I lack respect for some of the Degmai staff.Anyway , onwards and upwards. There is a storm getting up I think . Storms are forecast and are welcome as they may clear this hot humid air.( and reduce the midgie count ???)Wednesday 2nd - and Irene, Annie and Pip have arrived safely in Tashkent!I leave to meet them at 5am tomorrow. Its all in place but I admit to being a bit nervous about the border crossing - and meeting my allocated taxi driver on the Uzbek side. As I have no Uzbek at all I will be pretty helpless if he doesn't turn up . Otherwise I am pretty excited to be seeing them and of course to be seeing a bit of Uzbekistan. We go to Samarquand together . It is actually a Tajik City( as is Bukhara ) but the Russians carved things up in such a dreadful way that all these countries have been dismembered.We had the sale of the clothes a shop had donated to us today. It was not a financial success. We made less than£10 even tho the clothes were a 6th of their original price ,but it was fun.The event was held in the boys house summer house .The near tables have bric a brac on them -some nice stuff actually- and the benches behind have the clothes over them.It was notable that some nice gift sets - of pearls in their shell and a little necklace and holder to put them in- had disappeared. Mirzo and I are getting used to this now and regard it as a bit of a Degmai disease. One man is said to be there as he is a kleptomaniac-perhaps that is an infectious disease. Anyway alls well. I'll "post " this now as I dont want to take my computer with me and I wont be writing again til I get back from my travels .So bye for now. Pamx