October 25 letter

Well this week is mostly vacation, so I have a lot of time to try out new Turkmen hobbies. I’m feeling really good about everything here this week. I spent a day with my best PC friend, and it felt like a real day off. It’s hard to explain, but it was a day without feeling trapped.

We took a trial run language test last week, and I scored exactly what we should score at the end of this month! So first, the PC “no speaking Russian” rule (which I had to break from day one) was stupid. Second, I feel good about language-learning in general. It’s nice to feel that I didn’t waste 4 years at something I’m not good at.

I made myself a dress today which turned out a bit funny in the sleeves. Sleeves are really hard. I’ll try repairing it tomorrow. The rest of it is quite nice.

I feel like I’m finally getting settled here in my neighborhood, and now I have to leave. And beyond that, I have to move to a neighborhood of richer people in the city. Yuck! I loved the visit to the city, but I’m going to miss this village life. It’s hard to get used to people and then up and leave.

I changed money over today to buy material, etc. But I’m buying some X-mas presents hopefully to send home, so it wasn’t like I can’t live on my salary. Hopefully I can use the mail to send things home.

The training is getting more specific and, therefore, more helpful as we go along. It’s so nice to be getting to know the T-12s through their presentations. People to ask advice of are valuable here.

Aside from about the worst gas you could imagine, I’m feeling pretty healthy. The lack of vegetables doesn’t phase me anymore, but I know I’ll have gourmet food in Balkanabat, so I’m not too worried.

My sister is getting married in about 2 months, which I’m really excited about. She has to dress in this ridiculous outfit that makes her look like a hunchback and hold a cloth over her mouth (and not talk, of course) for the wedding and the first 40 days after. She parades from house to house guesting in her gown, without talking or eating. Lovely customs!