Earth Day “Weekend”. We got a taxi and got a ride to the Dushanbe Arboretum, to participate in a Earth Day activity with Dushanbe School #10, the first school we had visited. There was a group of about 7 or 8 students and the ILC manager. We joined them in the trash pickup competition. I think we should have won since two of our boys found and old metal radiator, and it looked heavy and they were awarding points based on weight. They official you would hand your trash bag to would hold it up and announce the weight, and he would say “8”, and I’m thinking that is way more than eight pounds. Then I remember where I am at and must multiply by 2.2 to get kilograms, then all the weights start making better sense.
Where met American workers there from various NGO and Embassy staff, all very pleasant people. We also got the privilege to meet FLEX alumni students, these are students who spent a year in the US as an exchange student. The majority of them went for their senior year. Actually, they only go to year 11 here, so all had already graduated locally, but they got to graduate again in the US 12th grade. All spoke the most wonderful English, so it was easy to ask and answer questions. We all went to a Turkish restaurant together, and I barely remember what I ate because I was having a good time joking around with the students. Most are in university now studying for roles of leadership, such as International Business, Medical/Pharmacy School, and Economics. Tajikistan is very lucky to have the future of the country in the hands of young people like this.
We finally got to do some shopping. Unfortunately the first bazaar we went to could be described as “Made in China”. One of the most common things the garments are made of here is called Atlas Cloth, the beautifully colored patterned material used for the dresses. They even had fake Atlas Cloth there, where it just dyed onto white fabric, so its one sided. So we only picked up one or two items them, mainly Tajik produced beverages.
We headed back to the office to do some work now. Waiting for us was a lady and her daughter who had the real goods. Cloth, rugs, mats, clothes, purses, key fob and jewelry.
I picked up quite a few items, and it was a ‘negotiable’ experience, so that made it fun. She produces many of these items, or collects them from village women. What happens is these are made and are often given as gift, but get put away and sit there for ages. So these old people I guess sell them to her for some amount. Andy bought some type of rug that was over 100 years old, I bought a tablecloth that is over 35 years old, a purse that is 23 years old, this one I know exactly because 1983 is in embroider into the purse!
All had the most intricate handwork. I am looking forward to another experience like this as we travel tomorrow to the north. We leave in the morning to catch a plane to the north and I’ll get to visit the schools around Isfara that I have been teamed with. I have many things to leave with them.
We had dinner with a Relief International worker, Shukrat, and his family. This was nice to get to be in the home of one of the people who has been helping us make things happen. He has 3 beautiful children.
This is starting to drive me crazy, I have to keep saying “beautiful, wonderful, happy, great” for everything I describe. But it is true, so I guess that is what the rest of the week will be like.
Back at the apartment we started making preparation for our trip, we’ll be gone 5 days/4 nights. We finished/started laundry. Started packing suitcase and organizing our little tokens of “Americana” that we can leave behind to help with people remember our visits, but I don’t think our stuff is as memorable as the time we are spending with the people because of all the interactions with everyone directly, plus all the photos to prove we were their.
I think I leave my bandanas behind, besides the one I’ll be wearing. We’ve decided that makes me more American when I have that on.
Well, time for bed.
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